Thompson Friday Forecast

February 28, 2025

From the Principal... Matt Clark

Good afternoon Thompson Families,

If you’ve seen me limping (or riding a Razor) around the halls or at school events these past few months, don’t worry—I haven’t taken up competitive hobbling as a hobby. Years of wrestling and distance running have taken their toll, and the time has come for me to finally trade in my worn-out knee for a new and improved model. Starting March 17th, I will be taking a leave to have knee replacement surgery. While the exact timeline for my return is somewhat uncertain, my goal is to begin transitioning back to work the week after spring break—hopefully moving with a bit more pep in my step!

In the meantime, I’m thrilled to share that retired District 303 principal Donna Clavelli will be stepping in as my substitute. Donna has an outstanding reputation, a wealth of experience, and a true passion for education. I know she will take great care of our students, staff, and school community while I’m out. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to walking—pain-free!—through the halls of Thompson in the months ahead.

Dr. Matt Clark
Principal

Notes from the Office...

We are collecting gently used sports equipment!

Reminders from our Wellness Department

Inspiring Measurable Acts of Kindness - Parent Presentation March 5th

Upcoming Spring Assessments

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we begin to prepare for our standardized assessments in March and April, we wanted to let share some dates with you so that you can plan accordingly. Please see below:

Illinois Science Assessment for 8th graders will be on Tuesday, March 4th
IAR Reading will be Monday March 24-Wednesday, March 26th
IAR Math will be on Tuesday, April 9th.

Please note that we will be running building wide schedules on these testing days. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor. Thank you.

Please complete the 5 Essentials survey!

The 5 Essentials survey is now open and awaiting your feedback. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

This survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete!
Here is the link to the survey. It is in Spanish and English.

Please be sure to put in Kane County as our county so you can find Thompson. Also, please read the questions and possible answers carefully as they sometimes mix up the "importance" of the responses.

Join TMS WEB - Where Everybody Belongs

Applications for W.E.B.(Where Everybody Belongs) for next year's 8th graders are due March 12, 2025.

These applications are digital and located in the TMS announcements.

7th graders will learn more during tutorials next week.

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.

Next week we will have a BOYS VOLLEYBALL clinic that anyone can attend on Tuesday, 3/4, please scan the attached flyer to get signed up.

Also, for any 8th graders interested in playing football at STC North, please attend the Meet & Greet hosted by the head coach on Wednesday after school in the Main Gym.

Coming up...

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

For more information about any of these clinics/events, 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 3

Context and conceptual learning continues to support problem solving in mathematics. During the past two weeks, we reviewed the strategies relating and experiencing. Relating enables learners to gain knowledge from their own experience and experiencing allows students to engage in hands-on learning to support knowledge from their own experiences. Applying is our next strategy that supports math context.

The applying strategy can be described as learning by putting concepts to use. These types of problems devise meaning and pose realistic situations that demonstrate real-life problem solving. These problems may either be current or future based, but both are motivational and give students the want to inquire or problem solve for understanding. Both relating and experiencing foster an “I can learn this” attitude while applying fosters an “I want to learn this” attitude. Together, these strategies are highly motivational and powerful in mathematics.

Each of these strategies support children and adults with daily problem solving skills. All create meaning which support ways in which we learn.

***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

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!