Dear TMS Community,
Tomorrow, Thursday, 8/22/24 we will get one step closer to beginning the TMS Learning Adventure with a 3 PM email sent to each TMS family to share student TEAM, HOMEROOM, & LOCKER ASSIGNMENTS. (If you have not completed the registration process or owe school fees, this essential information will not be included in your email and you should contact adistaola@sd25.org or rectify your account.)
As a reminder, TMS Community Newsletters are our primary method of communication and are sent on or near the 1st and 15th of each month. All newsletters are archived on the TMS Website. This newsletter is a special edition to share information about the upcoming important events and to announce 2024-2025 staffing updates.
This week...
- 6th Grade Orientation - This FRIDAY, 8/23/24 from 9-11 AM
- Locker Set-Up - This FRIDAY, 8/23/24 from 11:15 AM - 3 PM
- NEW THIS YEAR... Students and families can pick up and purchase TMS PE uniform shirts during these two events! In addition, families can purchase PTA & ABC25 Memberships at this event as well. Look for the table in the foyer!
Next week...
- Orientation for Families New to District 25 - WEDNESDAY, 8/28/24 @ 6 PM
- First Day of School - THURSDAY, 8/29/24 [Students should arrive at 7:30 AM]
- Back To School Event - THURSDAY, 8/29/24 from 4-6 PM, PTA Kona Ice Fundraiser!
In September...
- Picture Day - WEDNESDAY, 9/4/24 [During PE/Health Classes]
- 6th Grade Curriculum Night - THURSDAY, 9/5/24 @ 6 PM
- 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night - THURSDAY, 9/19/24 @ 6 PM
- Bus Information - Emailed just before school starts [Contact Laura Comastro, Transportation Coordinator (lcomastro@sd25.org) if you have questions]
This year we have many new staff members joining the Wolf Pack and we can't wait to introduce them to you. In early spring each year, we begin the hiring process and seek to find highly qualified individuals who demonstrate a passion for helping middle schoolers learn and grow to their highest potential. Our interview process involves steps such as multiple TMS staff members participating on numerous interview committees, candidates teaching demonstration lessons, and more. As a result, we are thrilled to welcome experienced and talented educators to our building - see below for specifics. In the weeks ahead, we'll share more details about each of these new educators.
Our Learning Adventure Awaits and we are READY! Let's go!
The TMS Administrative Team
Lori Naumowicz, Principal
Greg Keadle, Associate Principal
Jeremy Fischer, Associate Principal & Epsilon Teacher
Allie Yoder, Associate Principal & TMS Student Services Coordinator
*Note, siblings of TMS students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
WHAT: An opportunity to set-up the student's hallway locker and to practice opening the combination.
WHERE: Thomas Middle School
TRANSPORTATION: Students are welcome to walk, ride bikes, or carpool to this event. Please note that crossing guards will not be available for this event.
DIRECTIONS: There could be over 1000+ students attending this event. In order to attempt to organize this, we are suggesting the following times:
- 6th Grade Students: 11:15 AM - 1 PM
- 7th Grade Students: 1 PM - 2 PM
- 8th Grade Students: 2 PM - 3 PM
*These are just suggested times. This is a drop-in event and students & families can opt to come anytime between 11:15 AM - 3 PM. Please just be mindful that the hallways may be crowded and parking could be limited.
6th grade students and 7th & 8th grade student leaders attending the LOCKER SET-UP EVENT immediately following 6th Grade ORIENTATION will remain in the Large Gym. Parents should park and plan to enter the Large Gym at 11:15 AM to meet their student.
WHO: All 6th Grade Students *This is a student only event!*
WHAT: Orientation provides the 6th graders with an opportunity to further familiarize themselves with TMS, tour the building, and to meet students from their homeroom.
WHERE: Thomas Middle School - This event will start in the Large Gym. Students will enter the building by team based on the assignments below. Students will be dismissed to these locations at 11 AM.
WHEN: Friday, 8/23/24 from 9-11 AM
TRANSPORTATION: Students are welcome to walk, ride bikes, or carpool to this event. Please note that crossing guards will not be available for this event.
DIRECTIONS: There will be over 300+ students attending this event. In order to attempt to organize the drop-off and pick-up for this event, please note the following:
DROP-OFF & PICK-UP:
- ALPHA STUDENTS - Enter at the main entrance at the Belmont Avenue parking lot. Drop off & pick up should occur on Belmont Avenue.
- BETA STUDENTS - Enter door #8 by the LMC via the drop-off line accessible from the Arlington Heights/Thomas Street parking lot.
Students attending the LOCKER SET-UP EVENT immediately following ORIENTATION will remain in the Large Gym. Parents should park and plan to enter the Large Gym at 11:15 AM.
WHO: Families NEW to District 25 (move-ins or transfers) Bring your TMS student and at least 1 parent.
WHAT: Orientation offers a time to learn essential information about what to expect from TMS and to tour the building.
WHEN: Wednesday, 8/28 @ 6 PM
WHERE: TMS Large Gym
PARKING: Please park in the main entrance parking lot off of Belmont Avenue
WHO: All TMS Students & Parents & Family Members *Note, children elementary school age and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
WHAT: A time to walk the student's schedule, set-up lockers, and become more familiar with TMS while enjoying a Kona Ice treat that helps raise funds for the TMS PTA.
WHEN: First Day of School - Thursday, 8/29 from 4-6 PM
WHERE: TMS - All hallways will be open.
- NEW THIS YEAR! Students and families will have an opportunity to pick-up TMS PE uniform shirts on Friday, August 23, that were ordered online during registration or to pay cash or check for a PE uniform shirt.
- Need to Purchase a $5 PE Uniform Shirt? Stop by the PE uniform table during locker set-up on Friday, 8/23 between 11:15 AM - 3 PM and during our Back to School Event on Thursday, 8/29 from 4-6 PM and pay cash or check for a uniform shirt. You will receive the uniform shirt that day!
- Online Uniform Shirt Purchases: Click here for a link to the online school store to purchase a $5 shirt. Students can purchase PE uniforms online all school year long.
TMS PTA Memberships - Have you joined the PTA? Your membership gives you exclusive access to the Thomas Middle School Directory through Directory Spot. Not a member? No problem! You can join by visiting the AH25 Webstore to purchase online or by emailing us at thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com.
ABC 25 Memberships - As well as providing teacher grants, each year, the ABC/25 Foundation grants $2,500.00 to all District 25 schools when 25% of the school's families become members. These funds may be used at the school’s discretion. Past Membership Incentive Grants include: lighting and sound system updates, playground equipment, app subscriptions, digital books, Chromebooks, Nooks and iPad minis. We invite you to join ABC/25 Foundation and make an impact on District 25 student learning. Your support ensures that we can continue to provide students with projects and programs that foster innovation, creativity and excellence. One membership counts towards all district schools your children attend. *Come check out the new TMS canvas portraits hanging in the TMS hallways compliments of the generous funding from ABC25 Grants!
Become an ABC/25 Foundation Member by donating a minimum of $40.00 per family. District staff may join at an educator’s rate of $25.00 or more.