Thompson Friday Forecast

February 21, 2025

From the Principal... Matt Clark

Students Making Mistakes

Last week, I encouraged you to embrace being the “mean” parent—the one who sets boundaries, says no, and makes the tough calls. And while I stand by that, I also want to acknowledge something that may seem contradictory: our kids are going to make mistakes. In fact, they need to make mistakes. It’s how they learn.

In today’s world, our children have more access to technology, more exposure to mature content, and more opportunities to push limits than ever before. As a school, we do our best to put up guardrails—filtering content, monitoring usage, and setting clear expectations. But middle schoolers are wired to test boundaries. That’s part of growing up. They will make decisions that, in hindsight, aren’t the best. And when they do, our role—both as parents and educators—is to help them reflect, take responsibility, and grow from the experience.

So yes, be the “mean” parent when necessary. Set limits. Hold them accountable. But also be the parent who helps them navigate their missteps, who turns mistakes into teachable moments, and who reminds them that learning—both academically and in life—comes from trying, failing, and trying again.

We’re in this together, and I’m grateful for the partnership we share in raising thoughtful, resilient young people.

Dr. Matt Clark
Principal

Upcoming ALICE Safety Drill at Thompson

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. To ensure we are prepared for emergencies, we will be conducting a safety drill using the principles of ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) on Monday, February 24th. This drill is designed to help students and staff practice strategies for responding to a violent intruder or critical incident, empowering them to actively participate in their own safety.

We want to assure you that this drill will not involve the use of a role player acting as an intruder. It will closely mirror the practice students experienced in the fall, with an emphasis on preparedness and safety. Additionally, we are committed to clear communication: all ALICE drills will always be announced in advance to distinguish them from real emergencies.

Effective safety practices rely on strong partnerships between home and school. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of these drills and share any questions or concerns you may have. Our administrative team is here to support you and can provide additional information about the process.

Parents/guardians may opt their child out of physical participation in this drill each year by emailing Matt Clark (matthew.clark@d303.org) or Katrina Michaelis (katrina.michaelis@d303.org) at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled date. Students who are opted out will receive an alternative school safety learning experience with a certified staff member.

Thank you for working with us to create a safe and supportive environment for all students. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Upcoming Spring Assessments

The IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) and ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) Spring Assessments are just around the corner. Please see this important communication from the Executive Director of Assessment, Dave Chiszar. More information to come.

Update on Blogs in Schoology

Due to a lack of academic purpose and some instances of inappropriate use, the blog feature in Schoology is no longer available to students. While some clubs and activities may have previously utilized this feature, there are other platforms available for communication within those groups. Our goal is to ensure that all digital tools used by students serve a clear educational purpose and provide a safe, productive environment for learning and collaboration.

TMS Athletics Update

Our final sport of the school year is fast approaching, 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.

Also, we have some fun and exciting clinics/events coming up that are hosted by both of our high schools:

STCE Baseball & Football hosts on Sunday, 2/23

STCE Volleyball hosts on Tuesday, 3/4

STCN Football Meet & Greet on Wednesday, 3/5 after school in the Main Gym

STCN Speed Stars Camp hosted on various dates starting on Tuesday, 3/18

For more information, please view and scan the flyers below.

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

Thank you!

Math Corner with Mrs. Zitella

Context and Math…Part 2

Context and conceptual learning should always support problem solving in mathematics. Last week, we reviewed the strategy, relating. Relating enables learners to gain knowledge from their own experience. This brings us to experiencing which is another strategy that supports mathematical learning.

When teachers are instructing students during class, they create hands-on learning experiences for students inside of their classroom. These experiences allow students to explore, discover, and invent by participation. In regards to last week’s story about making fruit punch, this lesson includes lab activities which has students collect data by making their own measurements while creating punch. Students participate in collecting data, alayzing and comparing data, as well as problem solving to support student assumptions and final outcomes. While there may always be a correct answer, students’ perceptions, formulations, and interpretations of results may differ. This concludes that, even in mathematics, the “correct” answer may be a matter of interpretation.

Who would have thought that the experience of making fruit punch could be so mathematical!

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

Upcoming PTO Restaurant Nights

Portillo's - February 24th

Chipotle - March 17th

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!

Dental Examinations:

State legislation requires that all Illinois children in Sixth Grade will have a dental examination. A licensed dentist must perform the examination, and he or she shall sign the form. Dental offices should have the form available, but it is also available online at www.d303.org under Departments, then Health Services, then “Health Documents and Forms”. Each 6th grade student must present proof of a dental examination by a dentist prior to May 15, 2025. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2025. If your child has had an exam already, you can ask your dentist to complete the form for the exam.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.

The deadline is quickly approaching! Please submit this if you have not already done so. You can Email it to TMSC-Nurses@d303.org

If you have any questions, please contact the TMS nurses:

Diane Isbrandt RN, Certified School Nurse

Amy Kashuba, RN

Stephanie Ross, RN

Thompson Middle School

331-228-3104

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!