Tiger Tales

It is hard to believe the beginning stages of the 2023-2024 school year class building process are on the horizon. Each year during the class building process, Thompson staff and administration collectively group students based on individual learning styles and personalities, as well as balancing class size. In addition, we strive for an academically heterogeneous grouping of students reflecting a full range of learner abilities. However, we realize parents may want to share additional information about their child that adds value to this process.

If you would like to share something about your child’s learning style or personality that you feel might be helpful in the placement process, please submit this Parent/Guardian Input Form. All forms must be submitted no later than Friday, March 17, 2023.

We trust you will rely on our professional judgment as we strive to create the best learning environment possible for every child at Thompson School. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, requests for a specific teacher or classroom student make-up will not be accepted. We take great care when factoring in the above mentioned variables, and appreciate your understanding and support as we move through this complex planning process.

As always, please reach out to me directly should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Sandy Allen, Principal
sandra.allen@district41.org

(847) 265-2488

Beginning January 24, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All Thompson teachers and 4th/5th grade students will be responding to this survey. The Thompson student survey will be administered the week of February 13th. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2023 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

The survey asks students about their experiences in school, giving school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans. Student participants will be required to log-in using their state student ID and birth date in order to complete the survey. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material.

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the UChicago Impact Support Center (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/article/illinois-5essentials-survey-questions).

If you DO NOT want your son or daughter to participate, please complete and submit this electronic form.

Additionally, our district has chosen to provide the optional Parent survey supplement. If at least 20 percent of Thompson School parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted January 24, 2023 through March 31, 2023. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same timeframe. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

• Lil'Kingfish Reading Pledge Drive: For the whole month of February Thompson Tigers are encouraged to read for 300 minutes. To support and motivate student's we have partnered with the Kenosha Kingfish and 99pledges to reward students for their minutes. Through 99pledges you may ask friends and family to sponsor your child to raise funds for the end of year event and 2023-2024 field trips. You can also track your child's minutes. To add you child to 99pledges please visit https://app.99pledges.com/fund/wlthompson/addme

  Flyers were sent home this week.
• Sweetheart Tiger Grams: Sweetheart Tiger Grams are for sale in the Thompson Office. Supplies are limited and Tiger Grams will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Flyers were sent home last week.
• Spring Spirit Wear Sales: Spirit Wear sales will start Wednesday, February 8th and go to Wednesday, February 22nd. Flyers will be sent home next week.

ECE-5th grade Valentine's Day Parties take place on Tuesday, February 14th at 1:45pm. Parents of AM ECE students will receive party information from the classroom teacher in a separate communique.

In addition to the District-approved Snack List, party treats are limited to peanut and tree nut free candies (Skittles, Starburst, Laffy Taffy, Tootsie Rolls, Twizzlers, Pixie Sticks), fruits, veggies, and popcorn. All candy must be in the original package. Goodie bags that contain non-food items are also allowed. In addition, students may attach district-approved candy to their valentines. Please make sure to provide a valentine for each student in your child's class.

Only room parents may attend classroom parties. All volunteers must enter and exit the building through the main entrance and wear a visitor's pass at all times. In order to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal, we ask that room parents' children take their regular mode of transportation home on this very busy party day. Room parents are required to sign their student(s) out in the office if they choose to take their child(ren) home with them after the parties end. In addition, parent volunteers are encouraged to carpool, as parking is limited.

Please notify your child's classroom teacher if you would prefer he/she does not participate in the class party. An alternative activity will be provided for those who do not participate.

Lake Villa School District 41 was identified as a polling site by the Lake County Clerk’s Office for the April 4th, 2023 elections. Because we cannot secure our buildings from the general public, the district will be shifting to an e-Learning Day on April 4th. The e-Learning schedule for that day will be shared soon. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we want to ensure everyone’s safety.

February 9th

• 2nd Grade Music Performance; 6:30pm; Thompson School MPR

February 14th

• Valentine's Day Parties; 1:45pm

February 17th

• Teacher Institute Day; Student Non-Attendance Day

February 20th

• Presidents' Day; Student Non-Attendance Day

February 24th

• 2nd Trimester Ends

March 3rd

• 2nd Trimester Report Cards Available

March 6th-24th

• 3rd-5th Grade IAR Testing

March 9th

• Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 10th

• Student Non-Attendance Day

March 16th

• 1st Grade Music Performance; 6:30pm; Thompson School MPR

March 27th-31st

• Spring Break

April 20th

• Kindergarten Music Performance; 6:30pm; Thompson School MPR

May 18th

• Spring Choir Concert; 6:30pm; Thompson School MPR

May 25th

• 5th Grade Band Concert; 6:30pm; Palombi Middle School

May 29th

• Memorial Day

June 9th

• Last Day of School (Half Day)

Email: sandra.allen@district41.org
Website: district41.org/thompson
Phone: (847) 265-2488
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/William.L.Thompson.School
Twitter: @ThompsonTigers1