Thompson Friday Forecast

Good afternoon parents and guardians. I hope everyone’s had a great week and is looking forward to what looks to be a nice September weekend. As I’ve stated before, middle school is difficult. It can be challenging for parents, students and staff alike. So why do we do it?

For our students, they have to be here, or at least in school. However, there’s more to it than just that. The key to navigating these middle school years successfully is relationships.

Building strong, positive relationships is at the core of what we do here at Thompson. We want to create an environment where students feel safe, supported and valued. It is through these connections that we can help your children grow academically, socially and emotionally.

To answer the question above (so why do we do it), the Thompson staff are here because they are dedicated to fostering these relationships with students. They are here to guide, educate and mentor. Our staff work tirelessly to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

So in the midst of challenges that middle school may bring, let’s remember that it’s all about the relationships we build. Together, as a community, we can help TMS students thrive during this critical stage in their education.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead!

• Monday 9/25 Hat Day
• Tuesday 9/26 Go Gold-Cal’s Angels
• Wednesday 9/27 Crazy Hair Day
• Thursday 9/28 Twin Day-match with another student
• Friday 9/29 Pajama Day-wear pajamas or comfy clothes

School photo retakes are scheduled for Tuesday, September 26th. Students wishing to retake their photo should bring the photo packet to school that day to return. Students who were unable to attend during material pick-up, should plan on taking their photos that morning as well.

Photos can be viewed and ordered online through HR Imaging. Please select Thompson Middle School and sign in or create an account. Student photos can be viewed by using the student school ID number.

For the 10th year in a row, D303 is again partnering with Big Hearts of Fox Valley, which supports families in need during the holiday season. Big Hearts of Fox Valley Holiday Giving Program's purpose is to provide holiday gifts for D303 students and their younger siblings whose families face significant financial hardship. Through Big Hearts, members of the D303 community anonymously shop for wish list items. D303 social workers will review applicants. If you are struggling and facing significant financial hardship and would like assistance providing holiday gifts to your children, click here. If you would like to help Big Hearts by "adopting" a child this Holiday season, click here. You can visit the Big Hearts of Fox Valley website for more information.

Students planning to be absent from school should complete a pre-arranged absence form, with parent and teacher signatures, at least two days prior to the date of absence. Students receive five excused pre-arranged days per school year, additional days beyond that are considered to be unexcused. Times that a pre-arragned absence should be completed include but are not limited to:

• Participation in regional or national contest/award
• Family vacation
• Special religious event

In support of Cal's Angels, a pediatric cancer foundation that is near and dear to our hearts, we'd like to "Go Gold" this year on September 26th. We'd love to give back to them by purchasing shirts for $10 to help spread awareness and raise money for kids with cancer. All donations will go directly to Cal's Angels. Please stop by the cafeteria during lunch for a shirt or contact Chris Fedyski or Jamie McElroy.

The Pick-A-Time portal for conferences will open on September 22nd at 8:30 am and will close on October 2nd at midnight. Once the portal closes, parents will not be able to schedule a time for these conference dates.

Conferences will be held in person and each conference will be eight minutes long with a four minute transition. Directions:

1. Login to your HAC (HOME ACCESS CENTER) Account

2. Click on the link for "Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduler"

3. Be sure to ONLY choose Q1 teachers!

A few notes about sign-up:

1. Parents should not feel obligated to sign-up for conferences. If your child is doing well at school, both academically and socially, then you might choose not to have a conference. If your child is struggling, we would suggest that you do come to conferences.

2. You might only feel the need to meet one or a few teachers. There is no obligation to meet every teacher.

3. You can sign-up for a conference with a teacher only one time. Our student services team (counselors, social workers) will be available for conferences as well.

4. In some cases, a teacher may contact you in advance to set-up a conference time. That means we want to guarantee you a time to meet with your child’s teacher or entire team.

5. You are welcome to have your Thunder student with you during conferences! It is important that they hear what you hear. They are of the age when they are mature and responsible enough to be part of the conversation whether via Zoom or in-person.

We are pleased to announce the Anderson Book Fair is coming to Thompson Middle School!

September 28- October 4 8:15 AM - 4:00 PM

October 5 8:15 AM - 8:00 PM (during Parent/Teacher Conferences)

Our Anderson Book Fair will have a wonderful selection of engaging books for every reading level.

Please consider signing up as a volunteer to help our fair run smoothly. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5AA28A7F94-tmsbook1

All athletes must have a physical on file to participate in any tryout, practice or game. Please turn in all forms to the front office prior to the start of the season and make copies for your records.

Current physical form - Physical Form | Thompson Middle School

Agreement to participate in interscholastic athletics form / emergency info sheet - Agreement to Participate in Interscholastic Athletics | Thompson Middle School

The athletic fee of $120 can be paid via PushCoin by selecting the product.

Please contact the coaches if you have any questions

Wrestling: An informational meeting will take place on October 16th. The first practice will be on Wednesday, October 18 from 3:45-5:15 in the Compass Academy building (Haines building). Meet the coaches by Door #6 (behind the gyms) and we will all walk over as a team.

Who can try out?

Any (6th, 7th, & 8th Grade) TMS student can join the team

No experience needed

Coaches: Andrew Head Andrew.Head@d303.org

Daniel Ballines Daniel.Ballines@d303.org

Basketball: Tryouts begin October 16th. Athletes must be present at each tryout date or communicate with the coaches prior to the start of tryouts if they are unable to attend.

7th Grade Boys Basketball: Monday, Oct 16 and Tuesday, Oct 17. 3:45-5:30 in the TMS Aux Gym

Coaches: Brandon Petersen Brandon.Petersen@d303.org

Justin Manny Justin.Manny@d303.org

8th Grade Boys Basketball: Monday, October 16 Tuesday, October 17 and Wednesday October 18. 3:45-5:15 in the TMS Main Gym

Coaches: Andy Cusack Andrew.Cusack@d303.org

Matt Mygrant Matthew.Mygrant@d303.org

Cheer: Practice begins on Wednesday, October 18th. 3:55-5:00 in the cafeteria

Coaches: Jamie McElroy Jamie.Harkins@d303.org

Donna Brooks Donna.Brooks@d303.org

Kindergarten thru 8th Grade Boys and Girls

St. Charles North High School Gym

Friday, October 13th from 5:00-8:00pm

T-Shirt and Pizza Included

(Registrations after October 6th will not be guaranteed shirt size, walk ins welcome)

Information and registration information below.

District 303 is pleased to present its lineup of Parent Education sessions for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Parent Education series (formerly Parent University) includes informational meetings and workshops intended to empower parents and guardians to support their children’s academic, social and emotional needs. Become informed on specialized topics, engage in two-way dialogue with speakers and fellow parents, and become a support resource for others.

Sessions for this school year will focus on bullying prevention, addressing anxiety, and include film screenings and discussions about the impact of screen time and cultural awareness. The schedule also includes college preparation workshops hosted by our high schools. Sessions were selected based in part on feedback from District 303 parents.

Explore the full lineup of sessions here. Signup forms for each session will be made available closer to the session dates. New this year, you can also register for Parent Education notifications and receive alerts as new information and session recaps become available.

Serie de Educacion para Padres

El Distrito 303 se complace en presentar su línea de sesiones de Educación para Padres para el año escolar 2023-2024.

La serie de Educación para Padres (anteriormente Universidad para Padres) incluye reuniones informativas y talleres destinados a capacitar a los padres y tutores para apoyar las necesidades académicas, sociales y emocionales de sus hijos. Infórmese sobre temas especializados, participe en un diálogo bidireccional con los presentadores y otros padres, y conviértase en un recurso de apoyo para los demás.

Las sesiones de este año escolar se centrarán en la prevención del acoso escolar, cómo abordar la ansiedad, e incluirán proyecciones de películas y pláticas sobre el impacto del tiempo frente a la pantalla y la concienciación cultural. El programa también incluye talleres de preparación para la universidad organizados por nuestras escuelas preparatorias. Las sesiones fueron seleccionadas basándose en parte en los comentarios de los padres del Distrito 303.

Explore la lista completa de sesiones aquí. Los formularios de inscripción para cada sesión estarán disponibles cuando se acerquen las fechas de las sesiones. Nuevo este año, también puede registrarse para recibir notificaciones de Educación para Padres y recibir alertas cuando haya nueva información y resúmenes de las sesiones

• Tuesday, September 26 - School Picture Re-takes
• Wednesday, Septebmer 27 - Early Release for All Grades
• Thursday, October 5 - Parent / Teacher conferences - no school for students
• Friday, October 6 - Parent / Teacher conferences - no school for students
• Monday, October 9 - Columbus / Indigenous People Day - school closed

Dr. Matt Clark - Principal

Mrs. Michelle Dague - Assistant Principal

Ms. Sarah Frankiewicz - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Danielle Moeller - Student Support Coordinator

Mr. Sam Pasholk - Student Support Coordinator

Email: amy.ellis@d303.org
Website: http://thompson.d303.org
Location: 705 West Main Street
Phone: (331) 228-3100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thompson-Middle-School-671638232903851/