Veteran’s Day Assembly

On Monday, the Thompson school community celebrated Veterans Days with an all school assembly. We were honored to have many veterans in attendance who were introduced by their relative who attends Thompson. Mayor Ray Rogina provided inspirational words. The 8th grade orchestra, choir, and band shined as well as our Student Council President, Gwennan, and Vice-President, Lily. Veterans were treated to breakfast after the assembly. I love bringing the students, staff, and community members together on this very important day to honor those who have and are serving in the armed forces. This sends a very powerful message to our students!

Four Weeks Left in Second Quarter
We are more than half of the way through our second quarter which closes on December 20th before Winter break! Conferences and Thanksgiving break provides a great opportunity for family discussions about academic progress and encouraging your student to finish the quarter strong. Please contact your child’s teachers or guidance counselor if you have any questions.

Physical Education Reminders

All Physical Education students should bring their PE clothes home to be washed on Fridays and should be brought back for class on Mondays. Please remind your son or daughter to bring in cold weather clothing such as sweatpants and sweatshirts for those days where students are able to go outside. They are encouraged to be worn on those colder days.

Enjoy your weekend!

~ Steve

At its regular meeting last night, the D303 School Board approved calendars for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. Please note several changes:

• Parent-teacher conferences are now scheduled in October on the Thursday and Friday before Columbus Day.
• Thanksgiving week is a non-attendance week.
• School Improvement days will be two full days.

They are still determining the arrival and dismissal times for next year but the order will be high school, elementary school, middle school. Specific times will be finalized prior to winter break.

Be sure to visit the Thompson Book Fair running from Monday, November 18th through the Monday of Parent-Teacher Conferences. The Book Fair will be open in the LRC from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm and 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday of conferences (November 25th). Stop in to do some shopping for your favorite readers! http://bookfairsfiles.scholastic.com/flippingbooks/F19-ms-booklist/F19-ms.pdf

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!

We need volunteers...we need YOU! Volunteering at the Book Fair is the perfect way to stay connected to your child at school and help students find the books they can't wait to read. Sign up now and get ready for a fun, rewarding experience and save 10% on your purchase.

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:

• Download the SmartSocial app on either your iPhone or Android device. Use the code STCHARLES to unlock the program. https://smartsocial.com/app

• Access on a desktop/laptop using this link https://smartsocial.com/stcharles/

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.

• Video: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/

• Audio: https://smartsocialpodcast.com/episodes/social-media-parent-speech-byjosh-ochs

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. We are extending the due date for ordering books to Thursday, January 16, 2020. 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!

The PTO webstore to purchase Thunder spiritwear is now open until November 19th! Please click here to view the options provided by The Hairy Ant. Please choose ‘gift’ at checkout to have your items delivered to school and kept in the main office without your child seeing the spiritwear. Items will be delivered to Thompson on December 10th.

Thompson Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on Monday, November 25th from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm and Tuesday, November 26th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Like previous years, signup is via a link in the Home Access Center until November 20th at midnight.

Sixth grade students/parents will be meeting with their Tutorial teacher (typically the 2nd hour teacher for 6th graders) for a 15 minute conferences. 7th grade, 8th grade, PE, Foreign Language, Music, and Explore teachers will be available for eight minute conferences (with a two minute passing period). Sign up instructions are attached below.

• Wednesday, November 20 - Pick-a-Time Conference Scheduler closes at midnight
  
• Monday, November 25 - Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences - 8:00 am - 8:00 pm - No school for students
• Tuesday, November 26 - Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm - No school for students
• Wednesday, November 27 - No school for students (office will be open)
• Thursday, November 28 - Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving Break
• Friday, December 20 - End of the 2nd Quarter