Thompson Friday Forecast
May 15, 2020
From the Principal...Steve Morrill
Administrative Changes at Thompson
Recently our faculty learned that Mrs. Sarah Cann, Assistant Principal, will be moving to the district level as the Associate Director of Instruction. We will miss her many talents that she shares with our students, parents, and staff every day. Please join me in congratulating Sarah on this significant professional accomplishment!
Locker Clean-out Next Week
Earlier this week I emailed parents with information about locker clean out planned for next week. If you did not see this email, all of the information is posted in today’s Friday Forecast. Just a reminder that all students returning to D303 next year, even 8th graders, will keep their Chromebooks over the summer.
If you have questions about locker clean out, please email Mr. Shane Darnell @ Shane.Darnell@d303.org. We will have teachers and support staff in the building to assist the students. Please remember to reschedule if your child or anyone in your home is ill. We will be here to help you throughout the summer!
End of the School Year
The last day of school is next Friday, May 22nd. And a reminder that the first day of school next year is Wednesday, August 12, 2020!
Next week, students will have opportunities to participate in live (virtual) sessions with teams, classes, and/or other musicians. Please encourage your child to join these activities! Many of our support team staff will be joining these events as well.
As we finish this school year, I challenge the 8th graders to be the best they can be and represent Thompson in a great light during your high school years and beyond. The high schools are looking forward to working with these students as well as our parent population. Parents, I know you will continue to be involved in your children's education.
We are all focused on ending the school year on a positive note!
Enjoy your weekend!
~Steve
Locker Clean-out Next Week
We are planning for students to come into Thompson to clean-out their PE and hall lockers, as well as pick-up and drop-off school materials. Please read our process carefully. We will do this Monday through Friday, May 18-22. We will manage any remaining lockers the following week.
If you have any questions, please email them to Mr. Shane Darnell at Shane.Darnell@d303.org.
Please note: If your child or anyone in the home is not feeling well or has been exposed within the last two weeks to the COVID-19 virus, DO NOT enter the school. We will have your lockers cleaned out for you and arrange for a pick-up time during the summer.
Step 1: Sign up for a time to come in. (See the directions below) Parents - if you have more than one child enrolled at Thompson, you can simply pick one time and bring them at the same time.
Step 2: Collect things at home that need to come back to school. Please bring bags and/or backpacks to carry supplies!
Teacher owned classroom books or supplies (label for which teacher)
Textbooks (label for which teacher)
Library books that need to be returned
Sports uniforms (girls basketball)
TMS band or orchestra Instruments that need to be repaired or you want to return. (Students keep their Chromebooks and school owned instruments if they are planning to participate in music next year.)
If you are moving out of the district:
Students moving out of the district MUST return their rented band instruments, Chromebooks, charging cords, library books, and all academic books to school during their scheduled time slot.
Step 3: Entering and Exiting the Building
Parent/Guardian drops off student(s) at Door 5, then moves their car to the bus lot behind the building (off of Indiana St.), and remains in their vehicle. No Parent/Guardian may enter the building at this time.
Entering: During STUDENT’S scheduled time enter through the Gym Door #5. We will check them in.
Safety: Student must wear a self-provided face mask and must stay at least 6’ away from others
Gym Foyer: Student checks in; 8th graders pickup promotion certificates
Main Gym: Student goes to the main gym to drop off materials (as stated above) and collect any artwork
Gym Locker: Student cleans out their PE locker and takes their lock and PE clothes.
Hall Locker: Student goes to their hall locker for clean-out and takes their lock. Student drops additional school books/property/teacher property on hallway tables.
Exit: Student goes to Door #15 to pick up yearbook and check out.
Can’t remember your combo?
Students MUST complete this Google Form for their locker to be opened if they do not remember their locker combination BEFORE entering the building.
We will have teachers and support staff in the building to help your children! All staff members will be wearing a mask and abiding by social distancing rules. Our goal is to keep your children safe while they clean-out their lockers. I appreciate your help in making this happen smoothly. This will be a no-pressure, relaxed environment with support available. We don’t want kids to stress out about this!
Click here for directions on how to use Pick-a-Time to sign-up for locker clean-out.
Pick-a-Time will be open for TMS families on Wednesday, May 13 at 12 noon
If you have any problems getting into Pick-a-Time, email Luann Johnson at Luann.Johnson@d303.org and she will help you.
8th Grade Virtual Awards Assembly
Attention 8th graders! Your awards ceremony on the last day of school will be virtual and shared with you at the end of next week. This is a video you don’t want to miss! The legacy quote will be revealed, each team will give out individual awards, the music department will give out an award, and the American Legion awards will be announced! It is a great way to celebrate you, as you end your middle school career!
If you have any questions, please reach out to your team leader. Way to go Thompson class of 2020!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Lessons
Thank you for engaging in the weekly Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. Across the past five weeks, parents and students have engaged in learning around each of the CASEL core competencies connected to SEL which are:
Self-awareness: The ability to accurately recognize one’s emotions and thoughts and their influence on behavior. This includes accurately assessing one’s strengths and limitations and possessing a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism.
Self-management: The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals.
Social awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behavior, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.
Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.
Responsible decision-making: The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others.
This has been a very different school year. The collaborative relationship between home and school, established and made stronger by this health crisis, has supported students' ability to continue to come together to learn and grow. Remote learning has taken a toll on students and adults. As you enter the summer months, know D303 staff continue to be accessible to you. Do not hesitate to reach out via Let’s Talk or by connecting with your building administration. All previous SEL lessons are available through the D303 Remote Learning for Students. We are hopeful the resources shared will be a continued support to parents/guardians and children across the summer months. If you have any questions on the information provided or are seeking additional support for yourself or child, please contact Patti Palagi, Director Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org or (331-228-6457).
Additional resources to support you over the summer months are included here:
Coping During Times of Uncertainty
Self Care is defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress (Additional resources: Self Care: CDC, 40 Things You Should Do for Yourself During Self-Quarantine, 25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents and Parents Self-Care: Prioritizing Your Own Well-Being Benefits your Whole Family
Last Week of School Information
With the rapid transition to Remote Learning this year many things changed. Along with engaging each student in remote learning opportunities to demonstrate proficiencies on the essential standards, we recognize our families are watching the rapid changes in our society.
Each class/content area has been focusing on the essential standards since moving into remote learning. Upon doing so, students have continued to demonstrate evidence of learning where a final grade/mark will be earned. During what is typically finals week for high school or the last week for K-8, students who have not yet demonstrated proficiency on the essential standards will be given an opportunity to do so. If your student has completed their remote learning work, this last week gives your student an opportunity to explore something new or dive deeper into their passion.
Every student in the district is encouraged to utilize the Remote Learning website to virtually explore museums and colleges, sharpen their technology skills, create, build, code, and more. In addition, your student's teacher(s) will be sending communication about joining them for a final synchronous session of the year as a time to celebrate and reflect.
We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in this unique time.
Important Notice Regarding Health Requirements for the 2020-2021 School Year
Pandemic EBT Application Available
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched the Pandemic EBT application for families on May 1 at https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/. P-EBT is a new special benefit that can help families buy food for their school age children who would normally receive National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced-priced meals when schools are in session. All families with school age children who attend schools approved for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) are eligible for the benefits as they receive NSLP meals at no charge.
Families that currently receive SNAP benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. These additional P-EBT benefits will be loaded into Illinois LINK EBT accounts along with regular SNAP benefits. Families who do not currently receive SNAP benefits but do have children who receive NSLP free or reduced-priced meals will need to apply directly with IDHS. The fastest way for families to receive benefits is to complete the application for P-EBT available online (Click “Apply for Benefits” at the link.) A paper application in English and Spanish is also available and can be submitted by email to DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov. IDHS created a flyer to help families with the application process. We are asking NSLP sponsors to share this flyer with their families.
ISBE is working in partnership with IDHS to ensure that this validation is available for all NSLP sponsors, both public and non-public. Thank you to all the schools that participate in the NSLP for submitting data by the April 17 deadline. We are asking that you please continue to verify that count, so that all families who are eligible can access the additional financial support provided by P-EBT. Instructions for this crucial verification can be found online.
If NSLP sponsors need assistance with the data submission/update, please email the ISBE Nutrition Department at cnp@isbe.net. If families need technical assistance with the application, please direct them to email IDHS at DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov.
Nutrition Department, Illinois State Board of Education
100 N. First St., Springfield, IL 62777
cnp@isbe.net, www.isbe.net/nutrition
Diane Morrill Scholarship Fund
As you know, Principal Morrill recently lost his wife Diane to cancer. Diane was a music/orchestra teacher for Addison District 4 for many years. A scholarship fund to support District 4 students who participate in orchestra has been established in Diane's name. If you are interested in contributing, please click on this link for more information.
Please keep Steve and his sons in your thoughts!
Online Registration for Next Year
Returning Student Registration for 2020-2021 has moved to an online format that opened on Monday, April 27th. In years past, parents completed the necessary paperwork in paper format. This year, all acknowledgments and authorizations are contained in a single electronic, online registration form that will be easily accessible from most electronic devices (computer, Chromebook, and Smartphones).
Parents can sign into the Returning Student Online Registration form using their Home Access Center (HAC) credentials, select individual students, and complete their registration. The form is located in the Parents/Community menu of the District website and on Thompson’s website under Parents/Registration Materials.
Registration fees for elementary and middle school are available in PushCoin and billed to reflect the early bird discount of $10.00 if paid by May 22nd. High School fees will be available in June. For families who may qualify for a fee waiver, and are not directly certified by the state, a 2020-2021 district fee waiver application will be available on the District 303 website in July, accessible from the Parent/Community menu.
Please contact the main office if you have any questions at (331) 228-3100!
Administrator and Office Assistance
Although the administrators and office staff are following the governor’s stay-at-home order, we are still available to answer questions and assist you when needed. Please call the main office at (331) 228-3100 or email one of the administrators. We are here for you!
- 6th Grade Assistant Principal - Shane Darnell
- 7th Grade Assistant Principal - Grant Montgomery
- 8th Grade Assistant Principal - Sarah Cann
- Principal - Steve Morrill
Thompson Yearbook
Every year, Thompson students publish a Thompson Yearbook. Students who decide to purchase a yearbook are given this keepsake at the end of the school year. Buying a yearbook is optional and not all students choose to own one. The price of the yearbook is $25.
Have you ordered your Thompson 19-20 Yearbook? You can check your PushCoin account to see if you have purchased one by going to 'transactions' and then adjusting the start date back to April 1, 2019. Contact Kim Walters (kimberly.walters@d303.org or 331-228-6410) if you have any questions or need financial assistance.
Dates to Remember
- Monday, May 18 - Friday, May 22 - Locker Clean-out
- Friday, May 22 - Last day for Early Bird discount for 2020-2021 fees
- Friday, May 22 - Last Day of School
- Monday, June 1 - Grades posted in HAC
- Wednesday, August 12 - First Day of School
Thompson Middle School
Mrs. Sarah Cann - Assistant Principal
Mr. Shane Darnell - Assistant Principal
Mr. Grant Montgomery - Assistant Principal
Email: kimberly.walters@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/