Thompson Friday Forecast
January 8, 2021
From the Principal...Steve Morrill
Happy New Year! After getting through last year we can do anything, right?! Although events this week continue to remind us that these are unprecedented times. One predictable part of each New Year is the infamous resolution. This past week, I have seen several news articles and numerous TV segments on this topic. Our world is inundated with commercials for diets and fitness memberships, however there are other resolutions to consider as well. We can take steps that can have positive, lasting effects on our children and family dynamics.
When you think about New Year’s resolutions, consider finding a routine with your middle schoolers to process current situations and world events. These conversations can provide a great opportunity to clarify and validate your children’s feelings and, as only a parent can do, reassure and comfort them as they navigate this strange world.
Also please consider the following resolutions as you develop your own:
- Communicate the love you have for your child(ren) and family each day.
- Ask your child about the school tasks they are working on and acknowledge their work.
- Use the 3:1 ratio. For every negative, be sure to offer three sincere positives.
- Choose a book to read as a family each month and discuss your reactions and perceptions.
- Play games together: It is a great platform for laughter and conversation.
- Avoid offering extrinsic rewards for accomplishments that have natural intrinsic rewards.
- Share with your middle schooler the math/reading strategies you use to navigate the world.
- Engage in a random act of kindness and include your children when possible.
- Set academic and social goals with your children that emphasize progress, not only results.
- Enjoy your child’s middle school years and the many changes he or she goes through.
- Once again, communicate the love you have for your child(ren) and family each day.
Again, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy new year.
Enjoy your weekend!
~Steve
Saints Tutoring Thunder 2020-2021
The Saint's tutoring Thunder (STT) club provides students with an opportunity to receive help on homework, projects, and/or comprehension of material that they are learning in classes. The Saint's tutoring Thunder (STT) club is available for both students attending in-person or remotely. This club meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parents can sign their child up for this tutoring and/or students can sign up themselves!
STT allows students to meet virtually with a Thompson club supervisor and a St. Charles East Sophomore tutor from 4:15 until 5:00 pm. The Thompson club supervisor will facilitate the after school support while supervising the high school students tutoring our students.
Sign-ups are available Thursday-Monday for the following week. This ensures that we have the correct amount of tutors for our students. You can click here to sign up for Saint's tutoring Thunder club. Once your student has been signed up, they will receive an invite link in their email.
Early Release Mondays
Dear District 303 Middle School Parents:
One of the best ways for educators to improve their practice and make an impact on student achievement is by collaborating with their peers. Beginning on January 25, our middle school teachers will have the opportunity to work together in their Professional Learning Communities (PLC) when we implement early release days at both Thompson and Wredling Middle Schools. As part of their PLCs, teachers will review student work and data that informs instructional practices aimed at raising student achievement.
The early release day schedule will include slightly shortened periods with dismissal at 2:42 p.m. Buses will be ready at that time to take students home.
2021 early release Monday schedule:
- January 25
- February 1, 8, 22
- March 1, 8, 15, 22
- April 5, 12, 19, 26
- May 3, 10, 17, 24
Middle School Early Release Bell Schedule
We are excited for this opportunity as our teachers work to improve their instruction and raise student achievement!
PTO Meeting
Please join us for our next PTO meeting of this school year on Thursday, January 14th from 9:00 - 10:00 am. All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please email Nicole Snopko or Kim Walters for a link to the virtual meeting.
Middle School Transfers - Request period open from Feb. 1 - Feb. 26
Families who wish to submit a Middle School Transfer request may do so beginning February 1, 2021. Families must complete a separate form for each student they want to be transferred. Requests are granted based on space available. This means that siblings are not guaranteed placement. A written decision will be communicated to families before spring break.
Once the request is approved, a student may remain at that middle school throughout his or her middle school career, as long as the student resides in District 303.
Families of students granted permission to attend a school outside of their assigned attendance area are responsible for their own transportation. Students will return to their assigned attendance area high school regardless of the middle school attended.
The Middle School Transfer request window will close at 4:00pm on February 26, 2021. If you have questions, please contact Tammy Marsan at 331-228-2397.
Winter Reading Program
Naviance Information
We are excited to share that our D303 Middle School Counselors have been working to create opportunities to share a new web based platform that is a comprehensive website where you and your child can begin to have discussions and make plans about colleges and careers. Naviance Student, which is connected to Naviance, is a service that will provide experiences where students can explore and identify key elements that pertain to colleges and careers.
Chromebook Device Exchange
Peer Leadership Program for Incoming St. Charles North Freshmen
Dear Parents and Future North Stars-
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 Preliminary Interest Form before February 5th.
Contact Stephanie Stavropoulos @ stephanie.stavropoulos@d303.org with specific questions.
Peer Leadership... a great way to start high school!
Peer Leadership Program for Incoming St. Charles East Freshmen
Dear Parents of 8th Graders Attending East,
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 at the bottom of the Friday Forecast.
If your child is interested in the program, please fill out the application (also attached below) and e-mail it to Jim Reed, the Peer Leadership Coordinator (James.Reed@d303.org). Completed applications must be received no later than Tuesday, January 19, 2021. For more information about Peer Leadership, please attend Future Saints Night in January.
We hope to hear from you!
AAUW Writing Contest for 7th and 8th Grade Students
Attention 7th and 8th graders: Do you like to write? Do you have a story that you are really proud of? Or a poem that you wrote this past year? Maybe an essay or report that is awesome?
Then the 42nd Annual AAUW Creative Writing Contest could be for you! Please click on this link for more details. Entries are due by February 3, 2021.
2020-2021 Thompson Yearbook
We want to make sure that all students and staff members are included in our yearbook this year! If you did not get your picture taken, please upload your own portrait to the Walsworth website. Remember to choose “Thompson Middle School.” In the field that says “City” make sure to add in St. Charles and then click on “Shop the Store.”
Access code: thompsonms_123
We encourage students to also use this site to upload photos which the Yearbook staff can then add to the yearbook.
Buying a yearbook is optional and not all students choose to own one. The price of the yearbook is $25. You can check your PushCoin account to see if you have purchased one by going to 'transactions' and then adjusting the start date back to April 1, 2020. We are extending the due date for ordering books to Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
Contact Kim Walters (kimberly.walters@d303.org or 331-228-6410) if you have any questions or need financial assistance. Yearbooks will be distributed at the end of May.
High School Information for our 8th Graders
High school registration:
Click here for the East presentation
Click here for the North presentation
Schedule
8th Grade Course Selection--January 19-January 22, 2021
Directions
Students will enter course requests directly into (HAC) Home Access Center. The registration portal will remain open through 1/15/21.
Worksheets
Students should complete their worksheet prior to their counselor appointment.
East 8th grade worksheet
Resources
We encourage students to make use of the resources found on the East & North CCR websites to make course selections that will help them accomplish their college and career goals.
East Academic Planning page
North Course Selection page
Appointments
The date and period of your appointment and the virtual conference link for your counselor will be posted to the Academic Planning/Course Selection page of the CCR websites after winter break.
Future Freshmen Nights
Future Saints Night is scheduled for 1/13/21.
Future North Stars Night is scheduled for 1/14/21.
Compass Academy
Compass Academy is a new D303 program that will open in the Fall of 2021 at the Haines Center. Key features of the Academy include flexible scheduling, project-based learning, interdisciplinary courses, competency-based education, and more. Any District 303 student entering grades 9-12 is eligible to enroll at the Academy. There are no entrance criteria and all students are invited to apply. This program is designed to support all students, including those interested in early college courses and/or career pathway experiences.
The Compass Academy brochure is attached below for your review. More information can be found by viewing this presentation from a recent BOE meeting. Interested parents or students should contact Director Sharon Stanley at sharon.stanley@d303.org or via this form.
D303 Parent University
Parent University was developed in response to the need for programming to address the social and emotional needs of students in District 303. Over the last decade, the district has strived to provide information on topics that are relevant, timely, and beneficial for all parents and guardians.
February 2, 2021
Wake Up Call
Virtual
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Wake Up Call is a three-part drug and alcohol prevention presentation. The first part of the presentation focuses on current trends such as vaping, marijuana, alcohol and prescription pills. Next, attendees will virtually walk through a life-size teen bedroom with more than 20 “red flags” that can signal drug or alcohol use. The bedroom identifies spots where drugs can be hidden, household items that can be used as drug paraphernalia and ways teens try to cover up drug and alcohol use. Lastly, attendees will learn practical prevention strategies to prevent substance abuse and where to go for help if they are concerned. Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending.
D303 Employment Opportunities
One of the more flexible positions available is that of a D303 Substitute. You can choose to work, or not work, as your schedule permits. Take a moment and read the Substitute Handbook to see what this job entails.
If you are interested and hold a:
- Bachelor's degree in any field you would qualify to apply for a substitute license with the state which allows you to sub for teachers or teacher assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
- Associate's degree you apply for a Paraprofessional license which only allows you to sub for Teaching assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
- High School diploma you have to take an aptitude test with the KANE ROE office. Once you pass that, you apply for a Paraprofessional license which only allows you to sub for Teaching assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
Contact Julie Wenger (julie.wenger@d303.org) with any questions.
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, January 13 - Future Saints Night
Thursday, January 14 - PTO Meeting (virtual) - 9:00 - 10:00am
Thursday, January 14 - Future North Stars Night
Monday, January 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Schools are Closed
Thompson Middle School
Mrs. Michelle Dague - Assistant Principal
Mr. Shane Darnell - Assistant Principal
Mrs. Danielle Moeller - Student Support Coordinator
Mr. Sam Pasholk - Student Support Coordinator
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/