Thompson Friday Forecast
January 17, 2020
From the Principal...Steve Morrill
UPCOMING NON-ATTENDANCE DAYS
Just a reminder that schools will be closed next Monday, January 20th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Looking ahead, schools will also be closed on Monday, February 17th for Presidents’ Day holiday. And Friday, February 28th is a non-attendance day for students due to a Teachers Institute Day.
ACROSS THE BOARD NEWSLETTER
In an effort to ensure that staff members and families are aware of what is happening at school board meetings, the District communications staff is launching the Across the Board newsletter that will be published after each regular school board meeting. Click here to view highlights from last Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
STUDENT REMINDERS
Students are reminded to dress appropriately for cold weather, however we need your help. Despite these reminders, we see students getting off the bus each morning at school without wearing or sometimes even having a jacket. With that being said, many of our students are dressed for the cold, but we continue to engage with those who are not. Please support our efforts to keep your kids warm and safe by reminding them to dress warmly as they head out to school each day.
Also we reminded students that they should not be taking pictures or videos with their cell phones before or after school. All phones should be off and locked in their lockers during the school day.
THANK YOU TO THE PTO!
A huge thank you goes out to the PTO for supporting our three grade level Amazing Race/Scavenger Hunt events last week. We appreciate all of the donations and volunteers for these events. The students had so much fun!
Enjoy your long weekend!
~Steve
Middle School Explore Wheel
The School Board unanimously approved revisions to the Middle School Explore options for the 2020-2021 school year. The Explore pathways have been renamed Entrepreneurship, Hospitality and Design, STEM, and Fine Arts in order to ensure their alignment to industry, as well as the career pathways and career clusters. The course and pathways align with career pathways at the high school level, which will support students' long term course planning. Some highlights of the revision include the addition of two drama courses, an additional art course, and providing more choice to students at 7th and 8th grade based on their areas of interest.
Explore elective forms for our current 6th and 7th graders should be turned in to student services by Monday, January 27th. Exploratory course descriptions can be found on our website at the bottom of the home page. If you have questions, please contact your student’s counselor for next year or call the main office at (331) 228-3100.
Middle School Transfer Requests
Families who wish to submit Middle School Transfer requests may do so beginning February 3rd. The request form will be available on the District 303 website through February 28th. Families must complete a separate form for each student they want transferred. Requests are granted based on space available so 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.
Parent Satisfaction Survey
Every year, District 303 conducts a satisfaction survey that gives us meaningful feedback from our students, teachers and parents. As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) we are participating in the statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about Thompson Middle School.
The Parent Survey is currently open and will remain so through February 14, 2020. To take the survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey.
We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to provide Thompson Middle School with your input!
Middle School Top Chef Competition
Do you want to be the next Middle School Top Chef? Join the Thompson Team for the 12th Annual D303 Middle School Cooking Competition. This year the theme is all about the color orange. The competition is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students competing as individuals or in teams of 2. Official team selection of the top 15 dishes will take place during the last week of January 2020. To enter, fill out a registration form and submit a recipe along with 10 samples of a dish containing visible orange color to Mrs. Schmidt in room 121 during the week of January 27 to January 31, 2020.
The competition will be held on Saturday morning February 29, 2020 at St. Charles East High School. Registration forms are available in the FACS room, and just outside of the office. Please contact Mrs. Schmidt for details and to answer any questions!
Thompson Yearbook
Every year, Thompson students publish a Thompson Yearbook. Students who decide to purchase a yearbook are given this keepsake at the end of the school year. Buying a yearbook is optional and not all students choose to own one. The price of the yearbook is $25.
Have you ordered your Thompson 19-20 Yearbook? 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, 2019. Contact Kim Walters (kimberly.walters@d303.org or 331-228-6410) if you have any questions or need financial assistance. Or stop in the main office during conferences!
Holiday Lights Recycling
Thompson is proud to be participating in the Holiday Lights Recycling program sponsored by American In Bloom - St. Charles, Elgin Recycling, and the City of St. Charles! In the past two years, these organizations have kept over 6000 pounds of lights out of landfills.
Drop off working or non-working Holiday Lights to the large bin in our main foyer. These include:
Please do not drop off prelit garland, wreaths, trees, or lighted lawn decorations or ornaments. Thank you for your support!
Parent University Book Study
District 303 Parent University presents our second annual book study when we read "The Whole Brain Child" by Dr. Dan Siegel.
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling book Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. Conversations will be based upon the book as well as supplemental workbook activities.
Study sessions will be offered during both morning and evening times at the following locations:
Baker Community Center (101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles)
Fox Ridge in the LRC (1905 Tyler Road, St. Charles)
Join us for the book study sessions on the following dates:
February 13, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
February 27, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
March 12, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
Crossing Guard Opening
Calling any Thompson Parents/Guardians! If you have an interest in expanding your daily experiences, we are in need of three additional crossing guards. Each position would support morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. The hours are 7:40 to 8:30 am and 3:15 to 4:00 pm at $35/day. This position is posted on the
district website. If you have questions about the position, please contact the main office at (331) 228-3100.
SmartSocial App
Recently District 303 hosted national digital citizenship speaker Josh Ochs at both our middle and high schools, and as part of our Parent University series. During his presentation with students, Josh spoke about the importance of creating a positive online profile. His evening presentation to parents focused on ways to keep children safe online, including what apps children can use safely and which ones to avoid.
Because he spoke in our district, all our families have the opportunity to register for a free one-year subscription to his SmartSocial.com Digital Driver’s Ed program. This resource provides information about current social media trends, statistics, and app guides. In addition, there are webinars that teach both parents and students about how to create a positive online presence. You must register by January 21, 2020 to take part in the free 12-month offer.
Here’s how you can access this resource:
You will be given a username/password to log into the program. Your login information provides you with access to the videos and online workshops.
If you were unable to attend Josh’s presentation, there are links to both an audio and video version in the membership area of his website.
Dates to Remember
- Monday, January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Schools are closed
- Monday, January 27 - Explore course selection forms for 2020-2021 are due
- Thursday, February 13 - PTO Meeting from 10:00 - 11:00 am
- Monday, February 17 - Presidents’ Day Holiday
Friday, February 28 - No school for students - Teacher Institute Day
Friday, February 28 - Middle School Transfer requests are due
Thompson Middle School
Mr. Steve Morrill - Principal
Mrs. Sarah Cann - Assistant Principal
Mr. Shane Darnell - Assistant Principal
Dr. Alicia Honnert - Assistant Principal
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