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Thomas Community Newsletter
March 31, 2024
Dear TMS Community,
We hope your family enjoyed the change of pace that spring break brings. Tomorrow ~ Monday, April 1, 2024 is a Student Attendance Day. It was a Staff Only, School Improvement Day, but the weather emergency day used on Friday, January 12, 2024 changed Monday, April 1, 2024 into a Student Attendance Day. To read the full letter that was sent out to our community regarding this calendar update, click here. If your child is unable to attend school, make sure to report the absence by completing the online Attendance Reporting Form. *Please bookmark this link so you have it handy for future absences.
Parents, you did it! Thank you for completing the 5 Essentials Survey and exceeding the 20% mark, which allows TMS to receive your feedback. Parent voices are very important in our ability to grow and support the community. We look forward to learning about your experiences at TMS.
The TMS PTA Activity Committee has planned a Spring Activity Event for the students on Friday, April 5th and needs your help to make it a great event! Please review the opportunities to volunteer to supervise or referee at the event or make a donation to the event. Any support you can give is greatly appreciated!
- REF SIGNUP LINK
- SNACK/VOLUNTEER SIGNUP LINK ~ Please drop off items at TMS by Thursday, 4/4/24
PTA Flower and Vegetable Sale: Don't forget, click here to place your order for the PTA Flower and Vegetable Sale - Sales end on April 5th!
PTA Nominations: The TMS PTA is taking nominations for the 2024-2025. We are looking for a President-Elect and Vice-President. Please nominate yourself or anyone interested in this linked form. Reach out to Thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com with questions.
In this newsletter you'll find new information for:
NEW PROCEDURE - Cashless Lunch Lines
Last Day of School Schedules - 8th Gr. 5/23/24 @2:45 and 6th & 7th Gr. 5/31/24 @1:50
PTA Spirit Wear Sale STARTS TODAY and ends 4/18/24 ~Click here to place your order
The FORK FARM is coming to TMS
Spring MAP Testing - Tuesday & Thursday, 4/16/24 & 4/18/24 *TMS will run Modified Daily Schedules on testing days
Upcoming Events:
PTA Spring Activity Night - Friday, 4/5/24 - Tickets sold at lunch 4/1-4/4 *Due to planning for this event, tickets will not be sold on the day of the event.
Solar Eclipse Event - Monday, 4/8/24 - Homeroom Experience Opt Out due by 4/5/24 *TMS will run a Modified Daily Schedule on 4/8/24
Take care,
Lori, Nick, & Greg
TMS Administrative Team
REMINDER: Monday, April 1, 2024 is now a Student Attendance Day
Monday, April 1, 2024 is now a Student Attendance Day. It was a Staff Only, School Improvement Day, but the weather emergency day used on Friday, January 12, 2024 changed Monday, April 1, 2024 into a Student Attendance Day.
To read the full letter that was sent out to our community regarding this calendar update, click here.
NEW PROCEDURE for Cashless Lunch Lines
Attention Thomas Middle School Families
Starting on Monday, April 1st, 2024, the Food & Nutrition Services Department will no longer accept cash or checks to pay for meals or snacks DURING lunch service. We ask that students have money loaded onto their Mealtime account to purchase food prior to lunch time. Parents can pay online at www.mymealtime.com or students can bring cash or check and drop it off in the Lunch Account Deposit Box located in the school foyer. Money will be collected daily by 10 am to be deposited on students' accounts. For more information about paying for school lunches, please visit our website. Thank you!
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SCHEDULES - Mark your calendars!
The last day of school for 8th grade students is Graduation Day - Thursday, May 23rd with dismissal at 2:45 PM.
The last day of school for 6th & 7th grade students is scheduled for Friday, May 31, 2024. There will be adjusted dismissal times District-wide. Those times are as follows:
- Middle School dismissal at 1:50 pm
- Elementary School dismissal at 2:35 pm
Solar Eclipse Information for Monday, April 8th
Daily School Attendance Matters!
Daily attendance at school 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, 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.
District 25 Pre-Registration is now OPEN
Pre-Registration is NOW open to families with incoming new and kindergarten students for next year, 2024-2025! Please begin the registration process by visiting www.sd25.org/Registration and clicking on the 2024-2025 Pre-Registration drop down.
TMS PTA INFORMATION
Join the TMS PTA and help support the TMS community! Check out the TMS PTA Website.
The PTA is seeking Executive Board Members for 2024-2025:
- President Elect
- Vice President
TMS PTA meetings are held in the TMS LMC at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend! Our last meeting of the year will be on 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
Glenbard Parent Series
District 25 is a partner in the Link Together Coalition which gives our community access to the Glenbard Parent Series. Please check out the various Glenbard Parent Series presentations that work to engage top experts, parents and school staff to become proactive and informed in pursuit of the mutual goal to strengthen our communities. Programs are free and open to the public. No registration required.
Summer U
- Summer U 2024 June 6 - June 27, 2024 at Thomas Middle School *Dates subject to change pending review of winter weather emergency days.
- Registration will begin on March 4, 2024 at 9 am and end on April 26, 2024, at 3 pm.
- Please visit www.sd25.org/summeru for a full list of courses and times.
- If you have any questions about Summer U, please email summeru@sd25.org for assistance.
IMPORTANT HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
- 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.
- Dental Forms are due by May 15th, 2024 must be dated after November 15th, 2022.
Please contact the TMS Health Office if you have any questions:
Laura Toussaint - ltoussaint@sd25.org
Stephanie Musolf - smusolf@sd25.org
Bus Information
- All students need to show their bus pass in order to ride the bus!
- Click here for the Bus Safety Guidelines and Rule as well as details on lost items on the bus.
- Bus Company Questions: Contact Cook Co. School Bus Company at 847- 439-0923
- Please direct bus transportation questions to the District 25 Transportation Specialist: Laura Comastro as she can answer your questions and resolve issues.
School Resource Officers
Social media concerns, incidents that occur after school hours/on the weekends, or outside of school can be reported to the SRO or you can contact the Arlington Heights Police by calling 911 or the non-emergency phone number (847) 368-5300. You can also go directly to the Police Department located at 200 E Sigwalt Street in Arlington Heights. It is open 24 hours. The SROs can be contacted as well:
- SRO: John O'Leary joleary@vah.com Cell Phone: (847) 344-2330
- SRO: Chris Seebacher. cseebacher@vah.com Cell Phone (847) 368-5393
Safe2Help Illinois
Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, and website (safe2helpil.com) to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. Once vetted, the information provided will be shared with local district and school officials and/or local 911 call center, depending on the nature of the information shared. Safe2Help Illinois is a long-term initiative to change the school culture in Illinois by helping students reach out when they have concerns. To learn further about Safe2Help Illinois, please see the videos below. More information can also be found on their website at safe2helpil.com. Video for Middle School Students
The TMS Office will have modified hours over winter break and will be closed on 12/26 & 1/2.
Please be sure to call before coming into the office.