Thomas Timberwolves
School Community Newsletter ~ 1/16/22
Safety~Connection~Instruction
Hello, Parents and Guardians,
January has started with a variety of opportunities to build resiliency skills given the pandemic impact, especially on our student and staff attendance. At TMS we are proud of the flexibility and perseverance that our community ~ parents, students, and staff alike ~ demonstrate on a daily basis. We are all trying our best even though we recognize the challenges of not being the best versions of ourselves right now. We will all do better when we can!
Please continue to be kind and patient with each other knowing that some have physical aliments while others are experiencing elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and different behavioral and mental health issues. Be assured knowing that safety is our number one priority and that we are focusing on connecting with your children each day. You can also feel confident knowing that we are committed to providing high-quality instruction and offering your children as many extracurricular opportunities as we can.
A special shout out to our supportive guest teachers who really pull through for us! And, we are especially grateful to you, our parents. Strong community partnerships and open and honest communication are key during these challenging times. We sincerely appreciate your collaboration in addressing situations when your children are not feeling well or have tested positive despite feeling asymptomatic. Our health office staff and front office administrative assistants continue to work around the clock addressing needs and sharing out information. We are hopeful that better days are ahead. Please remember to report attendance either by phone or online by clicking on this form. With safety as our #1 priority, it's essential that we can account for each student each day and we want to connect with them each day as well.
Tomorrow, January 17th is a much-needed day off. It gives us the opportunity not only to rest and enjoy a slower pace with time to connect with our loved ones but we can also celebrate two truly inspirational leaders. Illinois is the first state to pass legislation making Muhammad Ali’s birthday - January 17th - a commemorative holiday every year! 2022 will be the first year of Muhammad Ali Day observance and it is also Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Please see the resources below from Info@ILMuslimCivicCoalition.org that discuss the commemoration of these two American Champions of Civic Justice. This week we will honor both Muhammad Ali and Dr. Martin Luther King throughout our lessons and in the daily morning announcements.
In this newsletter you'll find new highlights on the following items:
Resources for Champions of Civic Justice Day
Staff PD with Tom McSheehy at the Teaching Heart Institute
Mental Health Day information
Upcoming Important Dates:
- No School - Muhammad Ali & Dr. Martin Luther King Day - January 17
- D25 Special Education 5th Grade Middle School Transition Night 6:30 PM @ TMS Commons (Event is also recorded) - January 18
- First Day of Hexter 4 for 6th Grade, D25 Board Meeting @ Dunton 7:30 PM - 1/20/22
- Ski Club Trip to Wilmont, Poms Afterschool Competition & Qtr 2 Ends - January 21
- NAPE Testing - Select 8th Grade Students - January 26
- 8th Grade Gown Picture Make-Up/Retake Day - February 14
- Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School - February 17 & 18
- IAR Testing (& 8th Gr. ISA Testing ) - March 7, 8, 9
- Spring Break - No School - March 21-25
- Spring MAP Testing - April 4 & 5
We sincerely appreciate your continued partnership and support!
Thank you and take care,
Lori, Greg, & Nick
Ali and King: Champions of Civic Justice - From the Info@ILMuslimCivicCoalition.org
Here is a link to a form that offers optional resources for those interested. You can also click HERE for the packet of teaching resources.
Staff SEL Professional Development with the Teaching Heart Institute
Tom presented to the staff at Buffalo Grove High School two weeks ago and we are fortunate for the time he spent with us. Tom provided helpful insights on brain research and ways to strengthen connections with students. We plan to schedule additional professional development events for the 6th and 7th-grade staff.
HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
We recognize that the pandemic continues to impact our community in a variety of ways. Please reach out to the TMS nurse, Laura Toussaint, at ltoussaint@sd25.org to report your child's symptoms or if you have any questions or concerns. Here is the link for the TMS online student absence reporting form.
Mrs. Toussaint and the Health Office Team work tirelessly to support our community and will respond to your inquires as soon as they can. For now, we ask that if your child is symptomatic they remain at home. We continue to closely follow required masking and social distancing protocols as well as exclusion procedures.
We strive to send Academy letters for students in isolation before 8:15 a.m each morning. Thank you in advance for your patience as we intake cases from winter break.
8th Grade Class of 2022 Information
Ordering Graduation Photo - The ordering is completed online.
Make-Up/Retake Day: Was your 8th grader absent on picture day?
No worries, February 14, 2022, is the make-up/retake day.
Current 5th Grade... Incoming 6th Grade Information
- WHEN: January 18th @ 6:30 PM
- WHERE: TMS Commons
- This event is also recorded!
World Language Selection
Stay tuned for more information on the 5th to 6th grade middle school transition process.
FREE Breakfast at TMS!
WHEN: Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM until 7:45 AM
WHERE: Students should enter the building and tell the door supervisors that they are going to breakfast in the Commons Extension.
Shield Testing Information
As a reminder, throughout the school year, you can always enroll your child in or unenroll your child from the SHIELD testing process. Please click the links below and fill out the Shield form if you would like to enroll or unenroll your child.
At TMS, Shield Testing is conducted on Monday afternoons. TMS students enrolled in Shield Testing are responsible for going to the LMC during their homeroom's assigned time. A reminder for the testing schedule is posted in the Morning Announcements on Mondays. Students are not called down to test.
eLearning Information for TMS
- Students will be able to log into eLearning from any device as long as they use their first and last name.
Students will find “eLearning” folders on each of their teacher's Schoology pages.
Inside the “eLearning” folder will be the “eLearning Zoom Link” for that class period.
Extra Help Is Available
Please encourage your child to attend Office Hours/11th Hour/Homework Club and to reach out to teachers if they need help or just want a place to work on their academics after school. This support is FREE and can be extremely helpful.
TMS PTA - Meeting 2/15/22 @ 7 PM
All parents, guardians, and staff are welcome to be members of the PTA. As a member of the PTA, you are welcome to attend the monthly meetings, share suggestions, discuss events, and volunteer your time.
The Parent-Teacher-Association meets monthly on the following dates:
Tuesday, 2/15/22 - 7 PM - PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RSVP!
March - TBD
April 12
May - TBD
2021-2022 PTA Officers:
President: Amy Hoffman
President-Elect: Suzanne Krause
Vice President: Melissa Teuscher
Treasurer: Kelly Spokas
Secretary: Deborah Oiler
Do you have questions for the PTA? Email the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com
Join the ABC/25 Foundation
Please consider joining the ABC/25 Foundation.
The link to join is: JOIN ABC/25.
The cost is $25 for staff members and $40 for families to join.
The ABC/25 Foundation provides powerful grants that schools can earn which can benefit all students.
If you have questions, please contact:
Ann Poyer
ABC/25 Foundation President
847-989-9802
GENERAL D25 BUS INFORMATION
If your child is a bus rider, the bus information and bus passes are sent to you by Laura Comastro from our transportation department.
Her contact information is:(847) 758-4888 or lcomastro@sd25.org
Please direct all transportation and bussing questions to Laura Comastro.
NOTE: Students are now required to show their bus pass each day.
Illinois State Report Card - Thomas
Thomas Middle School
Email: tmsadmin@sd25.org
Website: https://www.sd25.org/Domain/9
Location: 1430 N Belmont Ave, Arlington Heights, IL, United States
Phone: 847.398.4260
Twitter: @AHSD25Thomas