Thompson Friday Forecast

November 2, 2018

From the Principal...Steve Morrill

INTERNET SAFETY PRESENTATION

Next Thursday, our sixth graders will have the privilege of hearing an internet safety presentation. This event will be facilitated by Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Clint Hull. Our sixth graders will benefit from the judge’s generosity with his time on this important topic. This presentation will include information on safe internet etiquette and safe-guards students should take when working with technology, social media, and the internet. Judge Hull will share the information about this topic through the lens of his court room. The students will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the get together. A public thank you goes out to Judge Hull! 7th and 8th graders will see this presentation in December.

District filters prevent social media from being accessed on our school D303 networks. However, if students are on their phones at school using their family's network data, district filters are not in force. Social media and student access away from school is primarily a parent issue. Unfortunately, the fallout can come into our school setting. When the educational environment is impacted, the situation is addressed at school. District schools also address social media during LRC orientations with students. Lastly, district social emotional learning curriculum, health classes, and "teachable" moments throughout the year allow teachers to capitalize on opportunities to talk with kids about social media both formally and informally.

Please be mindful that our students are inundated with technology, 24/7. As parents and trusted adults, we have an obligation to constantly educate and reinforce the appropriate use of technology with our kids while keeping them as safe as possible. My youngest child is 16 and like most 16 year olds, he is a “digital native,” sometimes disproportionately focused on technology. As his Dad, I have regular conversations with him and his older brother about using this medium appropriately. I remind them both that my wife and I pay the technology bills and monitor their internet activity. As their parents, we have complete oversight over their phones and what they do with them. As your partner in parenting, I encourage you to be vigilant as well when it comes to your own children’s technology and social media habits. We owe it to them!

GRADES ARE POSTED IN HAC

Just a reminder that first quarter grades are now posted in the Home Access Center. As we begin the second quarter of our school year, I would like to take this time to remind our parent community to continue to monitor your student’s academic progress on the Home Access Center. If you have any questions about school work, please contact your student’s teachers.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back before you go to bed Saturday Night!

Enjoy your weekend!

~Steve

November PTO Meeting

Join us for at the November PTO Meeting on Thursday, November 8, 2018. We will be meeting at the 7/8 center (305 South 9th Street) from 9:00 - 10:00 am. We hope to see you there!

Included in today's Friday Forecast is the PTO November Newletter. Please consider volunteering your time to the 6th grade book fair or donating to food to the Thompson staff dinner during conferences. Thank you for your support! Click here to visit the Thompson PTO website!

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Flag Football Event

Join the FUTP 60 club at the Fuel Up to Play 60's Flag Football Fun event next Friday, November 9th from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at the 7/8 center. Free snacks and smoothies will be provided to Fuel Up your body!

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Williams or Mrs. Zimmerman. Hope to see you there!

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New Thompson Spiritwear

The PTO is offering new winter Thompson Thunder Spiritwear! Click here to see the selections and prices. They are also discounting all sweatshirts and hoodies on the webstore by $5 for the holidays. Please contact the PTO Spiritwear Chairman if you have questions!

The new Thunder Way t-shirts and winter hats will be available during lunch hours on Tuesday, November 6th at the 7/8 center and Wednesday, November 7th at the 6th grade center.

Go Thompson Thunder!

Locker Decorating

Just some reminders regarding locker decorating. Please remember that you need to have a pass from a teacher for both before and after school decorating. Only 3 students can decorate a locker at a time. All 3 students must have a pass from a teacher.

You can arrive in between 7:45 and 8:00 am or stay until 4:00 pm to decorate the locker. Because of allergies, please no balloons. See one of your teachers if you have any questions.

Thompson 6th Grade Center Book Fair

Be sure to visit the Thompson 6th Grade Center Book Fair running from Monday, November 12 through Monday, November 19 in the Thompson 6th Grade Building Learning Resource Center. Hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 8:00 pm the following Monday for Parent/Teacher Conferences. All proceeds are funded directly to the LRC for student and staff reading materials and resources. Remember, books make excellent holiday gifts...no tech support needed. Click on the preview video for a glimpse of just some of the AWESOME titles coming our way!

Pick-a-Time Conference Scheduler

Thompson Conferences will take place on Monday, November 19th from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm and Tuesday, November 20th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Like last year, signup is via a link in the Home Access Center through Wednesday, November 14th. Sign up instructions are linked below to today's Friday Forecast.

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Parent University - Angst Follow-up Session #1

Join us to learn strategies to assist and respond to your child when they are feeling anxious. Tim Buhrt, from Centennial Counseling, along with D303 staff will offer insight on how to help your child deal with anxiety.

This Parent University will take place on Monday, November 5th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Anderson Elementary in the LRC. Please click here to register.

Join us for Parent University programs aimed at engaging local experts, parents and school staff in conversations about ways in which we can collectively strengthen our communities. Click here to learn about future programs.

Parent University - Talking to your Child about the Dangers of Drug & Alcohol Use

On December 4, 2018, Matthew Quinn, Licensed Counselor from Rosecrance will be our guest at a Parent University program entitled, "Talking to your Child about the Dangers of Drug and Alcohol Use." This important Parent University program will take place at St. Charles North High School in Room 302 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Please click here to register.

6th Grade Homework Lab

Hey 6th Graders! Do you have a missing assignment because you missed a class? Did you get behind on your homework? Need help reviewing for a quiz? OR Do you just want some time and space to organize your stuff?

Homework Lab is the place where you can do all of that every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:45-8:15 am in room 121 at the 6th grade center. Hope to see you soon!

Homework Helper at the 7/8 Center

Homework Helper continues in the North Computer lab of the 7th/8th grade center! Students can bring their class materials and work on homework, projects, or do make-ups of tests and quizzes. Mrs. Minuth and Ms. Romano will be there to help students with anything they wish to work on. There will be special Spanish help on Thursdays with Ms. Romano for all levels of Spanish. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the North Computer Lab at the 7th/8th grade center. Activity buses will arrive at 4:30 pm to take students to their nearest elementary school. Come get some homework help!

Thompson PTO

Check out the Thompson PTO website by clicking on the button above. You can support the Thompson PTO by volunteering your time and/or paying your 18-19 PTO dues.