Thompson Friday Forecast

September 7, 2018

From the Principal...Steve Morrill

WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY….

I am excited that the new school year has arrived. We are off to a great start! I would encourage you to take advantage of all possible learning opportunities with your middle-schooler. One way you can do this is by choosing your words carefully. For example, instead of asking your child, “what he/she did at school today?”~~ Ask he/she, “what they LEARNED today?” Changing the question ever so slightly might really change the response you receive.

CHANGES

The adage “the only constant you can count on is change” is a familiar phrase to all of us including the Thompson community. With each and every new year, change is a given. Teachers change, course offerings change, and schedules change. This year we have seen many minor changes and major changes. Thank you for your continued support, patience, and flexibility as we partner together.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
We appreciate everyone’s patience as the weather has been unpredictable and sporting activities have been changed or postponed. As soon as an event is changed, we update our Thompson website homepage. Checking this site will ensure that you have the most current information available.

THOMPSON PTO

The first PTO meeting of the year took place yesterday morning. There were many new faces in attendance and I’m excited with the energy and commitment I see in this organization. Please visit their website and get involved!

Enjoy your weekend!

~Steve

Homework Clubs Begin

The 6th grade Homework Lab will be starting next Tuesday, September 11th in Mrs. Schmidt's Room 121. Students may attend Homework Lab every Tuesday morning from 7:45 - 8:15 am. It is a place for students to complete homework in a quiet, supervised setting.

The 7th/8th grade Homework Helpers will be meeting on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 4:30 pm with Ms. Minuth and Ms. Romano. Please come in and get help with homework or if you just need a quiet space to work. We will be starting on Tuesday, September 18th. We will meet in the North Lab, Room 111. Come study with us!!

7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night

Thompson’s Curriculum Night for 7th and 8th grade parents will be held next Tuesday, September 11th beginning at 7:00 pm. This evening will begin in your student’s first hour classroom. Please allow 15 minutes for parking and getting to your student’s first hour classroom.

The format for the night will give you the opportunity to meet your student’s teachers, learn about this year’s curriculum, and hear about classroom expectations while following your child’s schedule found in HAC. Students are encouraged to take a picture of their schedule and share it with you. The evening will conclude before 9:00 pm. We hope all will be able to attend!

Thank you to all of the parents who attended last night's 6th Grade Curriculum Night!

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Thompson Types Creative Writing Club

Calling all creative writers! Do you enjoy writing creative stories or poetry? Do you have a way with words? Then join Thompson Types, our creative writing club, led by high schoolers from St. Charles East and St. Charles North high schools! Our first meeting is next Thursday, September 13th, from 3:40 - 4:30 pm in the 6th grade center LRC. Students from the 7/8 center should come on over right after school is out. See Miss Keane or Ms. VanderWoude with questions.

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Chess Club

Thompson's Chess Club is starting soon!! The first meeting will be after school on Monday, September 17th from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. We will meet in the LRC of the 7/8 center and the club is open to all students grades 6-8. Please email Mr. Otterby if you have questions.

PSAT Testing on September 26th

On Wednesday, September 26th, eighth grade students will be taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in the morning. This is a "pre-test" to the SAT and a part of the SAT Suite of Assessments. Students will take a test in the SAT Suite once a year through their Junior year in high school. Information from these assessments is used to monitor progress towards college and career readiness.

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Thunder News Club

Looking for an exciting club to join? Join Thompson’s student broadcast team - THUNDER NEWS! We will be producing 15-20 minute episodes featuring sports teams, clubs, and other trending topics in and around Thompson and St. Charles.

Not interested in being on camera? No problem! We have several production crew positions that you would be perfect for: Director, Music Producer, Camera person and so much more.

Please come to an informational meeting next Tuesday, September 11th at the 7/8 center in Mobile classroom M13 from 3:40 pm - 4:15 pm. Please see Mrs. Cole at the 6th grade center or Mrs. Gupta at the 7/8 center with questions.

Thompson Fishing Club

The Thompson Fishing Club's first meeting will be next Thursday, September 13th in Room 103 in the 7/8 center. Please see Mr. Zentner or Mr. Manny if you have any questions.

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After School Activity Bus

The Thompson after school activity bus will run again this year on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday, September 11th. Students sign up for the bus with the club adviser who they are meeting with that day. The tentative bus route and times are posted on the Thompson website under Activities.

Parent University - September 26, 2018

Safety & Security in D303

Wednesday, 9/26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Thompson Middle School

6th Grade Center Cafeteria

An emergency or disaster can strike a school community at any time and can take the form of natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes. earthquakes or fires, as well as man-made accidents or criminal activity. When an event occurs during the school day, it is the responsibility of District 303 to care for and protect our most valuable resource: children.

On a regular basis, the school district works in partnership with local public safety and law enforcement officials on training and appropriate responses to emergency events.

As part of this Parent University program, presenters will discuss:

Secure building entrances
Visitor Management
Communication
Weather Alerts
Drills and evacuation plans
Lesson Plans

In addition, we will show an interview conducted by the Illinois Principals Association with Dr. Seth Chapman on his research related to school shootings.

Presenters:

Dr. Seth Chapman, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services
Mr. John Baird, Assistant Superintendent for Operations
Commander Chuck Pierce, St. Charles Police Department

Click here to register

PARENT UNIVERSITY OFFERINGS FOR 18-19

Picture Retake Day - Monday, September 24th

Picture retake day is Monday, September 24th in the morning for students who did not have their pictures taken during Material Pickup Days or would like their pictures retaken.

Breakfast at Thompson

Our Thompson Thunder students have the opportunity to purchase breakfast when they arrive at school each day. Aramark offers morning snack packs each day. Click here to see the menu for August.

Thompson PTO

Check out the Thompson PTO website by clicking on the button above. You can support the Thompson PTO by volunteering your time, paying your 18-19 PTO dues, and/or contributing to the Write-a-Check campaign.