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Thomas Community Newsletter
September 29, 2023
Dear TMS Community,
This year's school theme is YOU BELONG and the TMS staff members are working hard to ensure that each TMS student is finding their sense of belonging within our Wolf Pack. Please click here to view our Daily Announcements and see details on the 20+ Clubs and extracurricular activities we offer such as DEN Club, Student Council, PAC Club, Chess Club, Anglers Club, Pokemon Club, Coloring Club, Open Art Studio, Garden Club, and Variety Show just to name a few. Please encourage your child to get involved if they haven't already. This cute video highlights the positive impact that the TMS Student Council made last weekend with their Lemons of Love Lemonade Stands. Thank you, TMS community for your support!
We continue to be wowed by the large number of students who are engaging in these activities, especially our Band and Chorus students who arrive before school and demonstrate such dedication and commitment. Congratulations to the TMS Girl's Softball Team for completing their season and to the Cross Country Team as the trophies and medals are filling up our office.
TMS is excited to announce that we will be hosting the IESA Sectional Cross Country Meet on Saturday, October 7th at Deer Park East Forest Preserve (Palatine). Together, the TMS XC coaches, athletic directors, admin, and Pride of the WoldfPack have joined forces to pull this off but we could use some more help.
In this newsletter you'll find new information for:
Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Ups will be held on Thursday and Friday, 10/12 & 10/13.
The MEET THE TEACHER conference sign-up link opens today, Friday, 9/29/23 @ 9:30 AM. Please click here for important conference details. The Meet The Teacher sign-ups will CLOSE on Monday, 10/9/23 @ 3 PM to allow for staff preparation.
- Bus Pass Requirement: Starting 10/2/23, all bus riders will be REQUIRED to show a Bus Pass in order to ride the bus to and from school. Students without a bus pass will not be permitted to ride the bus.
- Attendance & PE Updates
- Hungry TMS Students - Please encourage your child to eat breakfast each morning.
- Link Together Coalition Information on Nami's Free Mental Health Education Classes for Families
- BGHS Mindful Movement Presents HERE FOR YOU!
Upcoming Events & Important Dates:
- 6th grade students begin a new class (Hexter 2) for Creative Arts - Monday, 10/2/23
- Photo Retakses - Monday, 10/2/23 during homeroom
- Online Superintendent Survey: Closes on 10/2/23 www.sd25.org/SuptSearch
TMS PTA Meeting - Wednesday, 10/11/23 @ 7 PM
- 6th Grade Parent ACTION ITEM: Physicals Needed by 10/15/23
- Tree Planting @ TMS - 10/24/23 - Volunteers Needed
- PTA Activity Night - Friday 10/27/23
Take care,
Lori, Nick, & Greg
TMS Administrative Team
Attendance Update for Absences from Class & PE Update
PE Injuries: Students who are injured/medically excused will be given an alternative assignment within the PE class.
6th Grade Parent ACTION ITEM!!!!
ATTENTION 6TH GRADE FAMILIES!
WHAT: Illinois physical and required vaccines (TDap and Meningococcal)
We have shared several reminders that your student's state of Illinois physical and required vaccines (TDap and Meningococcal) are due BEFORE OCTOBER 15, 2023 to avoid school exclusion.
The physical must be on the State of Illinois form and be dated AFTER August 17, 2022.
Please contact the TMS Health Office if you have any questions:
Laura Toussaint - ltoussaint@sd25.org
Stephanie Musolf - smusolf@sd25.org
Buffalo Grove High School "Go Lime Green" Spirit Week - BG Mindful Movement Presents HERE FOR YOU!
WHAT: BG Mindful Movement Presents HERE FOR YOU! A Community Discussion on Mental Health - Thursday, October 12th @ 6:30 pm in the BGHS Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Join us as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Hayden Hurst Family Foundation come to educate on how to address mental health and wellness with your children. Together we can address and work on breaking down the stigma. We will also provide different resources that are accessible to families in the District 214 attendance area.
SPEAKERS: Cathy Hurst, Hayden Hurst Family Foundation, Laura Moss, NAMI South Carolina, NAMI Cook County North Suburban
AUDIENCE: All students, families, and community members in Township High School District 214 attendance area
Buffalo Grove High School is the first school in the state of Illinois to be certified by the National Alliance of Mental Illness and will serve as a model school for others interested in affiliation.
During the week of October 9th, the students of BGHS will pilot Go Lime Green spirit week, addressing Mental Health. Different activities to bring awareness to students that they are not alone and the resources available to them - HERE FOR YOU!
This encompasses Tuesday, October 10th - World Mental Health Day
District 25 Superintendent Search
The search for the District’s next Superintendent is under way and our Board of Education needs your help. The following are opportunities for you, our parents/guardians, to give your feedback to be considered in the selection process of the District's next Superintendent.
Online Survey: This survey will close on October 2. The link to the survey is available on the Superintendent Search Page on our website (www.sd25.org/SuptSearch).
If you are not able to attend the focus group, you are invited to attend the community-wide focus groups linked here. For all things Superintendent Search, visit www.sd25.org/SuptSearch.
ABC/25 Foundation
Please consider joining the ABC/25 Foundation on behalf of TMS by clicking on this link: www.abc25.org
The ABC/25 Foundation is excited to launch the 2023-24 school year! We have an array of thrilling developments in store, and it all begins with the unveiling of our fresh, redesigned logo and a new slogan, "GRANTING INSPIRATION TO FORWARD EDUCATION"
Join us in our journey to support and enhance education in our community! Make sure to explore our revamped website www.abc25.org and follow ABC/25 or Facebook and Instagram for all of our latest updates!
Ursula Guran & Angie Thanopoulos
Monday, October 30th from 7-8 PM Information Session and Community Member Meeting @ Arlington Height Memorial Library.
Come learn how your membership benefits the schools and students and become involved in our rebrand!
Wondering if you signed up to be an ABC/25 Foundation member back in May when you registered your child/children for the 2023-2024 school year? If, so please feel free to reach out directly to Thomas' ABC/25 Foundation representative - Bliss Hansen-Finnegan at eblisshansen@gmail.com and she will let you know.
PTA Fall Festival
WHAT: Fun activities
WHEN: Friday, October 27 from 4-5:30 PM
WHERE: TMS Large Gym & Commons
COST: $5 per student - Tickets will be sold the week of the event during lunch periods.
TMS PTA INFORMATION
Join the TMS PTA and help support the TMS community! Check out the TMS PTA Website.
TMS PTA meetings are held in the TMS LMC at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend!
- Wednesday, October 11
- Tuesday, March 5
- Wednesday, January 11
- Tuesday, May 7
Can't make it in person, join us online: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 816 7773 1434
Passcode: 340239
2023-2024 Executive Board Members
- President: Megan Puzen
- President-Elect: Kris Dugan
- Vice President: Nora Muenkel
- Treasurer: Diane Beardmore
- Secretary: Joclyn Katz
Are you willing to volunteer? Do you have a question for the PTA? Please contact the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com
IMPORTANT HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
Student Health: Please continue to use the links and phone numbers on this page: https://www.sd25.org/Page/1451 to report your child’s absence. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, you can notify the school nurse for guidance regarding how many days it is recommended to stay home (5 days with day 0 as the onset of symptoms or test day if asymptomatic) per Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Physical Forms: Athletes must have a current physical BEFORE they can participate in ANY practices. Physicals are good for 13 months. Physicals can be turned in at the TMS office or uploaded to the TMS Health Office form linked here.
- 6th Grade Physical Requirement: All 6th grade physicals must be dated on or after 8/17/2022 and are due by 10/15/2023. The physical must be turned in by October 15th or the student will be excluded. 6th grade students participating in Cross Country will need to turn in their completed physical forms before the first day of Cross Country practice in early August.
- Dental Forms are due by May 15th, 2024 must be dated after November 15th, 2022.
Daily Attendance Information
Daily attendance is expected and essential to school success. Please work with us to ensure that your child is attending school each day. If support is needed in this area, please reach out to us.
- ABSENCE REPORTING: The TMS attendance reporting options are open 24 hours a day 7 days per week. If your child is sick or unable to attend school, the parent/guardian MUST report this to the TMS office by filling out the Online Attendance Form OR calling the office at 847-398-4260 by 8 AM, the latest, on the day of the absences. Please be sure to report your child's absence so that we can account for all students each day. Advanced notification of absences is greatly appreciated.
- ARRIVAL TIME: Students should arrive at school between 7:30-7:40 AM so that they can stop at their locker and be seated in their homeroom class by 7:50 AM.
- LATE ARRIVAL/TARDIES: Students arriving late to school are unexcused unless a parent or guardian calls to report the reason for the late arrival. Oversleeping and traffic are not considered excused absences. Students must sign in at the office upon arrival at school.
- EARLY DISMISSAL: If your child has a doctor's appointment and needs to leave school before dismissal at 2:45 PM, please be sure to report this to the TMS office by filling out the Online Attendance Form OR calling the office at 847-398-4260. Students must sign out in the office before leaving school early.
Students who are absent from class are encouraged to check Schoology for assignment information. In addition, it may be helpful for students who are absent to attend Homework Club / Office Hours for a few days upon returning to school.
Safe2Help Illinois
Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, and website (safe2helpil.com) to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. Once vetted, the information provided will be shared with local district and school officials and/or local 911 call center, depending on the nature of the information shared. Safe2Help Illinois is a long-term initiative to change the school culture in Illinois by helping students reach out when they have concerns. To learn further about Safe2Help Illinois, please see the videos below. More information can also be found on their website at safe2helpil.com.