Thompson Friday Forecast

February 1, 2019

From the Principal...Steve Morrill

COLD WEATHER

I’m seeing more and more students dressed for the weather. Thank you, parents, for doing your part in sending kids to school dressed appropriately.

We have been running indoor bus dismissals due to the cold temperatures outside. What that means is students are told to wait inside the building until their buses arrive. This may delay the departures of the buses slightly especially as our 6th graders make their way from the cafeteria. We appreciate your patience as the students may arrive at their bus stop a bit later than usual.

PERFORMANCE SERIES

On Monday we will be sending home Performance Series student reports to our 6th and 7th graders via backpacks in Language Arts classes. 8th graders do not take the Performance Series assessments. There will also be a Performance Series Parent Review Explanation included with the report to help you understand the data. Please note that this is one test, on one day, but is one several data points used in determining intervention / exploratory placement. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s counselor or team leader.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

Many of our students, teams, and clubs are gearing up for Paint the Town Orange week which begins on February 11th. They will be performing random acts of kindness within our community.

Enjoy your weekend!

~Steve

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We Need Your Help!! Parent Satisfaction Survey

Every year, District 303 conducts a satisfaction survey eliciting feedback from our students, teachers, and parents. This year, as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), we will now be participating in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. As a parent or guardian, this survey will provide you with the opportunity to share your thoughts on important elements of school effectiveness about your child’s school.

We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your suggestions for improvement! Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. To take the parent survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey. For more information, please see the letter attached to today's Friday Forecast.

Principal Coffee Rescheduled

Coffee with the Principal has been rescheduled for this coming Thursday, February 7th, from 1:30 - 2:30 pm at the 7/8 center. This time is structured so that Mr. Morrill can be available to speak with parents and answer any questions that might be presented. We look forward to meeting with Thompson parents!

Vision and Hearing Screenings

The annual vision and hearing screenings mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health will continue next Thursday and Friday for 7th and 8th graders. All 8th grade students, those in special education programs, those students new to D303, and those whose teachers have requested will be screened. If your child has glasses, please remind them to bring them on those days. Please contact Diane Isbrandt, RN at 331-228-3404 for questions or concerns.

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"Just Shave It!" Cal's Angels Event

Thompson Thunder will be partnering with Cal's Angels, a local non-profit organization, in a "Just Shave It" event. Students, parents, and friends throughout our community can raise money and shave their heads (or donate locks of hair) in order to increase pediatric cancer awareness and support a local non-profit in the process. Please click on this link to see the progress of our school’s fundraising. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 9th for an exciting event at St. Charles North beginning at 6:00 pm! Please contact Mrs. McKnight, Kristina.McKnight@d303.org, if you have any questions.

Soup for the Super Bowl - Date Extended

The 6th grade center has organized a food drive for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. 6th grade teams are competing against each other to collect the most canned soup to donate to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Final can count will now be conducted on Friday, February 8th. May the best team win!

Upcoming Parent University Programs

January 30, 2019 - Will be rescheduled.

Preventing and Addressing Bullying: Lessons Learned and Resources for Parents

Thompson 6th Grade Cafeteria - 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Faculty from the Psychology Department at Northern Illinois University will present practical information from their research and their work as part of a U.S. Department of Education training grant “Project Prevent and Address Bullying.” Thompson Middle School is partnering with NIU on this grant project, bringing resources that will be shared throughout the district. The faculty will present helpful knowledge, tips, and resources parents can use when navigating bullying situations.

Click here to register for this program.

February 20, 2019

Common Sense Approach to Managing Technology: Teaching Children How to Be Good Digital Citizens in the Age of Social Media, Gaming and Screen Time

Wredling Middle School – Cafeteria - 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Technology is a part of all our lives. From phones to laptops to video games, we are more “connected” or “plugged in” than ever. How do we help our children (and ourselves) find balance when it comes to the use of technology? During this Parent University we will share tools and strategies to help create balance and set boundaries. The night will feature a panel as well as opportunities for interactive discussion. Come “hang up and hang out”!

Click here to register for this program.

Please click here to view all of the planned Parent University Programs.

Thompson PTO

Check out the Thompson PTO website by clicking on the button above!

Dates to Remember

Wednesday, January 30 - Parent University: Preventing & Addressing Bullying - Will be rescheduled
Monday, February 4 - Fox Valley Summer Activities Fair at Wredling 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, February 7 - Principal Coffee - 7/8 Building from 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Friday, February 8 - 14th Annual String Faculty Recital - 7:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Wednesday, February 13 - Orchestra Concert - 7:00 pm at St. Charles East High School
Monday, February 18 - Presidents' Day Holiday - Schools are closed
Wednesday, February 20 - Parent University: Managing Technology
Saturday, March 9 - "Just Shave It!" Cal's Angels Event - St. Charles North H.S. 6:00 pm