Thompson Friday Forecast

Welcome to Thompson Middle School and welcome to what is sure to be an unprecedented fall of learning. It has been great to watch the building come alive as teachers are coming in daily to prepare for the year.

In my role, I have been consumed with the development of safety procedures, learning structures, and problem solving challenges. I hope you will find our Thompson Friday Forecast a valuable resource. As you scroll through this document you will find middle school specific information that should help to answer questions that need to be answered before the first day of school while also helping to alleviate some of the stress that comes with the start of each school year. Topics linked below include information regarding:

• A/B In School Attendance Calendar

• D303 Reopening School Plan Guide

• Bus Routes

• Food Services

• Picture Days

• Guidance on Face Coverings

• School Supply Lists

• Revised Calendar

• Cross Country

Cross country will be starting the week of August 24th. We plan to start up clubs at the beginning of September. We are reviewing which clubs can be held in person with 6 foot social distancing, which ones can be held virtually, and which we may need to pause for this year. All club information will be posted in the daily announcements.

I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that a new school year brings, especially this year. I am also looking forward to partnering with our families to ensure the best possible year for our students. Thompson has great kids, great parents, and a great staff.

As I have said in other settings, I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your principal. If I can ever be of assistance, please call the main office at 331-228-3100. I look forward to hearing from you!

Enjoy your weekend!

~Steve

6A students will be attending school in person from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm on August 19th.

All other students should check their email for correspondence from your team leader and teachers with class codes and plans for your day by 8:30am on August 19th. ‘A’ Day students will be following the Thompson Bell Schedule.

Schedules will be posted on the Home Access Center on Tuesday, August 18th. Please print and bring with you your schedule on your in person learning day.

On in person learning days, students should not arrive at Thompson prior to 8:00 am. Thank you!

Thompson is excited for the upcoming Cross Country season! This sport is open for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. You must have a current physical and a completed Agreement to Participate in Interscholastic Athletics form on file at the main office prior to your first day of practice. Forms can be found on our Athletic page. The cost to participate is $120 and will be billed in PushCoin.

Please review all of this Cross Country information regarding the practice schedule and contact one of the coaches or our Athletic Director with questions. Contact information is included on this document.

Please let us know if you are planning to participate by signing up with this Google Form. Go Thompson Thunder!!

If your child’s Chromebook is not working or if you are a new student without a device, our IT Department will be available to assist you on Monday-Friday from 7:00 - 11:00 am. Please go to the Haines Building which is located at 305 South 9th Street. Click here to view the D303 Technical Support Resource page for troubleshooting tips and contact information.

The middle school food vendor is OrganicLife again this year. District 303 has collaborated with our food service vendors to provide grab and go meals for students to enjoy at home. As we move into the school year, we want to make you aware of procedures for making sure that students continue to receive meals, whether they are learning in-person or remotely. Please review the information attached to this Friday Forecast from the District Office.

Click here to view the Food Services website with a link to the daily menus.

Breakfast: $1.60; Reduced Breakfast: $0.30

Lunch: $2.90; Reduced Lunch: $0.40

Milk: $0.60 (when purchased separately from meals)

Due to COVID-19, the school district is no longer accepting check payments and cash at the schools. Parents will need to use PushCoin to apply funds.

Picture Days are now planned for Thursday, August 27th and Friday, August 28th. Students will have their pictures taken during their PE classes.

Pre-order pictures on-line to receive special offers:

• mylifetouch.com
• Picture Day ID is EVTBDH8TR

Please note that the student name on the order should match your child's full first name. For example, if your child's first name is 'Mitchell', don't use 'Mitch' on the LifeTouch site, but instead use 'Mitchell'.

If full remote students would like to have their pictures taken, we will also have a time set aside outside of the school day. Please be on the lookout for more information on how to sign up for this.

Students will not be assigned hall or PE lockers this year. Chromebooks and classroom materials will be carried by students in their backpacks as they navigate their day. To that end, we have significantly reduced the number of items on our school supply lists. These lists have been modified from the ones we published in June and can be found on the registration page on our website.

Please call the main office if you have any questions at (331) 228-3100!

The State of Illinois and State Board of Education have not issued any changes in the school health requirements for the upcoming school year and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly supports the continued provision of health care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This care includes well-child care (school exams), preventative care, screenings and vaccinations.

Thus, students sixth grade and transfer students must submit evidence of a State of Illinois physical examination and/or a complete record of immunizations in order to start school. Parents/Guardians who have not already done so should reach out to their health care provider to schedule their child's mandated physical examination and immunizations.

Completed exams and immunizations may be mailed to Thompson or dropped off at the school. For more information please review this document and contact Diane Isbrandt if you have any questions.

SCHOOL FEES WAIVER: The school fees waiver will ONLY be a PAPER application since there is financial documentation required for income verification. A family can only qualify for a free waiver of fees; there are no reduced fees. The application is on the district website. Questions regarding school fee waivers - Sharon Wlezien at 331-228-5417

FOOD WAIVER: Only one application needs to be completed for each household. Please include ALL family members that live in the household (even those not attending a school). Applications are posted on the district website. In addition, paper applications are available at the schools and the Administration Building as in years past. Unlike the school fees, families can qualify for Reduced. Questions regarding food waivers - Patti Townsend 331-228-6529

Families directly certified by the State of Illinois for the 2020-2021 school year will receive FREE FOOD and their FEES will be WAIVED. If your family is qualified by the state, do NOT need to complete either application. You should have received an approval letter in the mail in July.

Take a Virtual Tour of the school! You can find directions for viewing and narration here. And if you missed the virtual presentation by Mr. Morrill last spring, you can view it here - TMS Virtual Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night.

We are looking forward to the new school year!

• Wednesday, August 19 - First Day of School

• Thursday, August 27 & 28 - Picture Days
• Thursday, August 27 - All 'A' in-school attendance students
• Friday, August 28 - All 'B' in-school attendance students

• Friday, September 4 - No School for Students - Teacher Institute Day
• Monday, September 7 - No School for Students - Labor Day Holiday

Mr. Steve Morrill - Principal

Mrs. Michelle Dague - Assistant Principal

Mr. Shane Darnell - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Danielle Moeller - Student Support Coordinator

Mr. Sam Pasholk - Student Support Coordinator

Let's Talk!

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/