Thompson Friday Forecast

February 7, 2025

From the Principal... Matt Clark

Good afternoon Thompson families and happy Fri-yay! I have a couple of items for you to read through below regarding Reading and Tardies to School. I’d love to talk more about the week, but I have a dance to get ready for…

In all seriousness, I hope all the kids have a great time at the Snow Ball this evening and you all have a wonderful weekend…Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark
Principal

Read a book, bruh

Did you know that studies have shown that students who engage in regular reading outside of school perform better academically?

These students:

Develop a stronger vocabulary
Improve their comprehension skills
Enhance critical thinking abilities
Build critical background knowledge
Increase their reading stamina
Develop perspective-taking and empathy towards others

What does a regular reading routine look like at your house? Is it 30 minutes before bed (with the phone docked in another location)? Is it reading at the kitchen table out loud while someone else makes dinner? Maybe it is listening to an audiobook chapter on your way to and from a sports practice? Middle school students are NOT too old to make reading a regular part of their routine. Families- please help us encourage regular reading routines at home! Reach out to Mrs. Leppin and Mrs. Baron (TMS building reading specialists) for more ideas.

Late Dropoff to School

At Thompson Middle School, we’re committed to ensuring every student's success through consistent attendance and punctuality. Regular attendance is crucial for academic achievement, social growth, and future readiness. When students arrive on time, they start their day focused and ready to engage with their peers and teachers.

We have been documenting those who arrive late through Door 1 for students who are not taking the bus, and we’ve noticed a growing trend of students arriving late—sometimes by more than 10 minutes. While we understand the importance of a morning Dunkin or Starbucks, we believe that being on time is even more critical. To reinforce the importance of punctuality, students who accumulate more than four tardies to school in a quarter will begin receiving detentions.

Your partnership in reinforcing this expectation at home is greatly appreciated as we work together to maintain a productive and respectful learning environment for all.

Math Corner with Mrs. Zitella

Super Bowl…

The Super Bowl was created as part of a merger between the NFL and the American Football League (AFL) having the best football teams compete against each other. This was originally called the AFL-NFL World Chanpionship Game until the name changed in 1960 to Super Bowl. The first Super Bowl game, AFL-NFL Champion Game, was played January 15, 1967. Now we are getting ready for the 59th Super Bowl and there just might be a few discussion points to talk about…

Multiples of 7 reflect the score of a typical touch down. If one score is 21, what are the factors?
If a team scores 4 touchdowns, it could be represented as 4TD, which would be 24. If one score is 24, what would other possible equations be?
What is the purpose of a number line for football? What are the benchmark numbers? What do they represent? What do the hash marks represent?
If a team advances the ball 10 yards within 4 tries (downs), they receive a first down and then get to try again. How many feet is in 10 yards?
This year, the estimated price to run a 30 second commercialis approximately $5 million. If a candy bar costs $0.75, about how many candy bars would you be able to by for $5 million? What would you buy for $5 million?

Who would have thought the Super Bowl would bring on so many discussions? :)

***Please see the grade level below to find out what we’ve learned in math class this week!

Upcoming PTO Restaurant Nights

MOD Pizza - February 17th

Portillo's - February 24th

TMS Athletics Update

Our Girls Basketball season is well on the way, and you can find all schedules/information via our TMS Athletics website (link). Also, just a reminder that all of our home games are streamed LIVE via our Hudl page (link).

As we look towards our final sport of the school year, please remember to register your child if they are interested in joining Track & Field. Registration is now open via our TMS Athletics website (link). This sport is available to all 7th and 8th graders, and they must have a current sports physical on file. The season starts on Monday, March 17th.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Athletic Director, daniel.ballines@d303.org.

Thank you!

From the Nurse

Physical and Immunization Requirements: Attention parents of incoming Kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade students! Per Illinois school code, your student will need a school physical and a complete record of immunizations prior to the first day of school next year, which is August 13, 2025. Make your appointments today-these appointments fill up quickly! Please contact your school nurse prior to May 29, 2025 if you need a copy of your child's immunizations. Please note-a sport physical is not the same as a school physical! You may turn the required forms into your school nurse anytime- please remember to make a copy for your own records!

NEW! Boys Volleyball Clinic

D303 Updates

View Inclement Weather Page

Ver la página web sobre Inclemencias Meteorológicas

StC High School Peer Leadership Information

St. Charles East Peer Leadership

Peer Leadership is an extracurricular program that matches selected incoming freshmen with juniors and seniors who make the transition into high school fun and easy and mentor them throughout the year. Because this program meets during the school day, it has to be put into a student’s schedule when registering for next year’s classes. Although we would like to be able to offer this to all interested incoming freshmen, our numbers are limited by available classroom space and our budget. Therefore, in order to start the selection process, interested students should apply using the application found below.

Short video "What is Peer Leadership?"

Peer Leadership Flyer from Future Saints Night

If your child is interested in the program, please fill out the application and e-mail it to Kelly Pursel, the Peer Leadership Coordinator (Kelly.Pursel@d303.org).

We hope to hear from you!

Digital Application

Hard Copy Application for you to print, complete, and return

St. Charles North Peer Leadership

SCN is a great place, but it’s also a big place. Peer Leadership (PL) hopes to make the transition to high school more comfortable and fun, while offering opportunities for growth.

The goals of Peer Leadership are to:

Match incoming freshmen with selected upperclassmen mentors.
Foster lasting friendships and bonds between the freshmen, their mentors, and the kids in their PL Groups.
Improve freshmen self-confidence and self-advocacy.
Prepare freshmen to become participants in clubs, sports, classes, and other activities at SCN.
Prepare freshmen for future leadership roles.

PL Students meet together in groups every day. PL is formally added to student schedules and takes the place of lunch/ study hall. There are weekly themes that are educational, informative, supportive, and fun. PL also attends a day of teambuilding “Camp”, has several “all PL” activities during the year, and meets together in groups both formally and informally.

We would like to be able to offer PL to all interested incoming freshmen, but our numbers are limited. In order to start the selection process, interested students (or their parents) should fill out this:

Fill out this FORM if you're interested in Peer Leadership

Contact stephanie.stavropoulos@d303.org with specific questions.

Peer Leadership... a great way to start high school!