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Thomas Community Newsletter
August 30, 2023
Dear TMS Community,
This Community Newsletter comes a bit early in hopes of encouraging all of our 6th grade parents and guardians to join us this evening, 8/30/23 @ 6 PM for 6th Grade Curriculum night. A vital part of the successful middle school experience is a strong home-school connection. At TMS we are incredibly passionate about working with students and we enjoy meeting those who graciously share these amazing individuals with us. Please come and learn about what your middle school child is experiencing each day at TMS.
All 7th & 8th parents and guardians are invited to join us for Curriculum Night next Wednesday, 9/6/23 @ 6 PM. At both Curriculum Night events, the Link Together Coalition will host a Mock Teen Bedroom display in the TMS Foyer. Please stop by and check that out as well. More details are included below.
Picture Day is Friday, 9/1/23 during PE and Health classes. No forms are needed at this time.
Labor Day is Monday, 9/4/23 - No School ~ Enjoy the long weekend!
In this newsletter you'll find new information for:
- 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night: Wednesday, 9/6/23 @ 6 PM
- PTA Memberships ~ The TMS PTA wants you! Please consider becoming a member!
- Congratulations to the TMS Cross Country Team
- Newsletter Translation
Science Olympiad Parent Event Volunteers are needed, please!
- Student Communication During the School Day
- Therapy Dogs at TMS
- 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball Try-Outs & TMS Athletic Form
- District 25 Superintendent Search
- Bus Expectations
Take care,
Lori, Nick, & Greg
TMS Administrative Team
Newsletter Translation Information
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Therapy Dogs at TMS
Pumpkin and Comet will be visiting TMS on the days following a long weekend or a holiday break. All students are welcome to come hang out with Pumpkin & Comet during breakfast in the Commons at 7:30 AM on these days. We look forward to hanging out with Pumpkin & Comet on Tuesday, 9/5/23.
Pumpkin & Comet may also visit TMS during periods 9 &10 on Fridays as well. Student interaction with our furry friends is totally optional.
Student Communication During the School Day
Sick students during the school day - Students should not contact home directly and request a parent pick-up. when students are feeling ill, they should go to the Health Office for assistance and parents can be contacted by the Health Office Staff, if needed.
District 25 Superintendent Search
The search for the District’s next Superintendent is under way and our Board of Education needs your help. The following are opportunities for you, our parents/guardians, to give your feedback to be considered in the selection process of the District's next Superintendent.
Online Survey
This survey will be available from Sept. 11 - Oct. 13. The link to the survey will be emailed to you, and it will be available on the Superintendent Search Page on our website (www.sd25.org/SuptSearch).Middle School Parent Focus Group
September 13, 2023 | 5pm - 6pm
South Middle School Commons
If you are not able to attend the focus group, you are invited to attend the community-wide focus groups linked here. For all things Superintendent Search, visit www.sd25.org/SuptSearch.
Daily Attendance Information
Daily attendance is expected and essential to school success. Please work with us to ensure that your child is attending school each day. If support is needed in this area, please reach out to us.
- ABSENCE REPORTING: The TMS attendance reporting options are open 24 hours a day 7 days per week. If your child is sick or unable to attend school, the parent/guardian MUST report this to the TMS office by filling out the Online Attendance Form OR calling the office at 847-398-4260 by 8 AM, the latest, on the day of the absences. Please be sure to report your child's absence so that we can account for all students each day. Advanced notification of absences is greatly appreciated.
- ARRIVAL TIME: Students should arrive at school between 7:30-7:40 AM so that they can stop at their locker and be seated in their homeroom class by 7:50 AM.
- LATE ARRIVAL/TARDIES: Students arriving late to school are unexcused unless a parent or guardian calls to report the reason for the late arrival. Oversleeping and traffic are not considered excused absences. Students must sign in at the office upon arrival at school.
- EARLY DISMISSAL: If your child has a doctor's appointment and needs to leave school before dismissal at 2:45 PM, please be sure to report this to the TMS office by filling out the Online Attendance Form OR calling the office at 847-398-4260. Students must sign out in the office before leaving school early.
Students who are absent from class are encouraged to check Schoology for assignment information. In addition, it may be helpful for students who are absent to attend Homework Club / Office Hours for a few days upon returning to school.
TMS PTA INFORMATION
Join the TMS PTA and help support the TMS community!
Our first of only five TMS PTA meetings is in the LMC on September 12 at 7 p.m. Please try to attend! Here is the entire year's schedule so you can block your calendars:
- Tuesday, September 12
- Wednesday, October 11
- Tuesday, March 5
- Wednesday, January 11
- Tuesday, May 7
2023-2024 Executive Board Members
- President: Megan Puzen
- President-Elect: Kris Dugan
- Vice President: Nora Muenkel
- Treasurer: Diane Beardmore
- Secretary: Joclyn Katz
Are you willing to volunteer? Do you have a question for the PTA? Please contact the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com
ABC/25 at Arlington Ale House 9/20/23
ABC/25 invites parents and community members to an adult only info session at Arlington Ale House (3rd floor of the Metropolis) on Wednesday, September 20th 7-8 PM.
Come learn how your membership benefits the schools and students and become involved in our rebrand! This is a free to the community event - not a fundraiser. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/6NTsr9zwr29a8MGS9
IMPORTANT HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
Student Health: Please continue to use the links and phone numbers on this page: https://www.sd25.org/Page/1451 to report your child’s absence. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, you can notify the school nurse for guidance regarding how many days it is recommended to stay home (5 days with day 0 as the onset of symptoms or test day if asymptomatic) per Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Physical Forms: Athletes must have a current physical BEFORE they can participate in ANY practices. Physicals are good for 13 months. Physicals can be turned in at the TMS office or uploaded to the TMS Health Office form linked here.
- 6th Grade Physical Requirement: All 6th grade physicals must be dated on or after 8/17/2022 and are due by 10/15/2023. The physical must be turned in by October 15th or the student will be excluded. 6th grade students participating in Cross Country will need to turn in their completed physical forms before the first day of Cross Country practice in early August.
- Dental Forms are due by May 15th, 2024 must be dated after November 15th, 2022.
TMS Office Hours
HOURS: Monday-Friday: 7 am - 3 PM