Tiger Times
Week of May 8, 2023
Teacher Appreciation Week
We are excited to celebrate the FABULOUS work our teachers do EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. this week!
Make May Meaningful!
Take some time each day this month to do something meaningful. Look at the calendar below for ideas.
This Week
- 5/8
- iReady Testing continues
- MYP Girls Volleyball Practice
- MYP Track & Field Practice - see below for more information
- 5th - 7th Grade Cheerleading Clinic - see below for more information
- 5/9
- Before School Academic Enrichment
- 4th Grade: Favorable Well Being
- MYP Track & Field Practice
- 5/10
- Oakland County Hearing Screening
- 5th - 7th Grade Cheerleading Clinic
- 5/11
- Before School Academic Enrichment
- Oakland County Hearing Screening
- 5th Grade: Favorable Well Being
- SPS Spring Open House
- After School Detention
- 5/12: Thompson Career Day - see below for more information
Southfield Youth Assistance Recognition Awards
Congratulations, Khloe Henry!
7th grader Khloe Henry will be recognized in the annual Southfield Youth Assistance (SYA) Student Recognition Award Ceremony in a virtual program, Tuesday, May 9. Khloe was nominated by TK8 Spanish teacher Ms. Ware-Parker. The ceremony provides a fantastic opportunity for students to be acknowledged for their remarkable academic progress and Khloe will deliver a brief speech about herself and her plans for continuous improvement. Additionally, the Mayor of Southfield will be the keynote speaker for the event. SYA will present Khloe with a $50 gift certificate.
MYP Track & Field
Track & Field practice for MYP (6th - 8th grade) scholars begins on Monday, May 8. All practices will take place at Thompson every Monday & Tuesday from 4:15 pm - 5:30 pm. Students should meet Coach Stan in the Cafeteria. Please read the attached information for more information on what to bring/wear to practices. Track meets will take place at University Middle/High School Academy and students must return a permission slip in order to attend and ride the team bus.
As a reminder, students participating in after school sports activities MUST be picked up on time or risk losing the privilege of participate in after school activities. Also, younger siblings or friends of students not participating MAY NOT wait for the student athlete and attend practices--only actively participating students may attend.
5th - 7th Grade Cheerleading Clinic & Tryouts
TK8 5th - 7th grade girls are invited to cheerleading clinic and tryouts in the gym from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
:
- Monday, May 8 - Clinic MUST ATTEND
- Wednesday, May 10 - Clinic MUST ATTEND
- Thursday, May 11 - Tryouts
Interested students must attend the Cheer Clinic on Monday & Wednesday in order to try out on Thursday.
As a reminder, students participating in after school sports activities MUST be picked up on time or risk losing the privilege of participate in after school activities. Also, younger siblings or friends of students not participating MAY NOT wait for the student athlete and attend practices--only actively participating students may attend.
Healthy Eating Student Workshops
TK8 has partnered with Favorable Well Being, LLC., a school wellness program, to foster health and wellness. Our 4th and 5th grade scholars will make a healthy snack this week to promote health and wellness.
SPS Spring Open House
Please join us for our Spring Open House on Thursday, May 11th, starting at 4 pm at the Southfield A&T Gym, 24675 Lahser Rd, Southfield, MI 48033.
Bring your rising scholar for a showcase of our District elementary, middle, and high schools. Learn about our rigorous academic pathways, extracurricular activities, athletics, and more!
Visit southfieldk12.org/registration for more information.
Oakland County Hearing Screening
The Hearing Program provides no cost:
- State mandated hearing screenings in Oakland County schools
- Hearing screenings by appointment children age 3 through 18 who reside in Oakland County or attend an Oakland County school
- Referrals to other resources
Career Day @ Thompson K8: Friday, May 12
Thompson K8 is excited to welcome over 30 professionals to share their careers with our students. Although our students cannot work right now, it's never too early to explore career possibilities. A special shout out to Ms. Minnick (counselor) and Mrs. Ector (assistant principal) for their hard work in bringing this event to our students.
Summer Programs with Pathful Connect
Summer school doesn't have to be all about playing catch up. Click on the links below for information on the "brain break" students need with fun, interactive, hands-on projects. To preview Summer Academy: Student STEM Week, go to:
You can register your child at: https://pathful.com/summer-academy
Scholar & Family Events
We have several exciting upcoming events planned. Some of the events have limited space and require you to reserve a space for you and your child/children. Read the SPECIAL EDITION of the Tiger Times (click below) for more information.
School Closures & Holidays
- Friday, May 26 - 29, 2023 / Memorial Day Recess
8th Grade Information
As we near the end of the school year and the end of your child's enrollment at Thompson, please keep in mind that there are academic and behavior requirements that may impact your child's ability to participate in end of year activities, including, but not limited to 8th Grade end of year activities.
Academic & Behavior Requirements
- Completion of Educational Development Plan (EDPs) and Suite 360 lessons: these activities are completed in Academic Enrichment class or in sessions with Ms. Minnick (Counselor)
- Completion of all 8th Grade MYP Community Project requirements: reference this copy of the Tiger Times for more information
- Pass all core academic classes: please contact your child's teachers for current grades if you believe your child is in danger of not meeting this requirement
- No repeated and/or egregious SPS Code of Conduct violations
8th Grade Dates
- MYP Community Project Night: June 1, 2023 at 5:30 pm (attendance is required)
- 8th Grade Picnic: June 5, 2023
- 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony: June 9, 2023 at 9:00 am
- 8th Grade Dinner Dance: Date & Time To Be Determined
Please reach out to Principal Hall or Assistant Principal Ector with any questions.
Field Trips & Special Activities
The end of the school year is here and many of our teachers have field trips planned, something we haven't been able to do since before the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as the return of our annual all school carnival and for our 8th graders, a promotion ceremony and dinner dance. All activities not directly related to academic instruction are a privilege for students to participate in and just as you have behavior expectations that impact and restrict your child from participating in activities at home, we have the same behavior expectations at school.
Students who do not follow behavior expectations in class, the lunchroom, the hallway, on the bus or any place else that impacts our school day will be restricted from attending some or all extracurricular activities mentioned above. Additionally, violating district and/or school policies related to cell phones, dress code, etc. will also impact participation in end of year activities.
We realize that our first full year of in-person school and the return of normal activities has been a long time coming and we want to end the school year on a positive note, so positive behavior is expected. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and partnership with Thompson K-8 in ensuring that our scholars exhibit positive behavior.
Student Safety
In order to keep our students safe, only authorized individuals may pick up students from school for an early release. Authorized individuals MUST be listed in MiStar Parent Connect as the PRIMARY or EMERGENCY CONTACT and he/she MUST provide a driver's license or state ID card.
Verbal confirmation from the primary contact is required to have anyone not listed in MiStar pick up a student in an emergency situation and that person will also be required to provide a driver's license or state ID card.
If you need to edit your Parent Portal information, log into your account here: https://mistar.oakland.k12.mi.us/southfield/parentportal/. For the safety of our students, no exceptions will be made for individuals without proper identification.
Attendance for Parents
Parents/Guardians may now enter an excused absence for their child in the MiStar Parent Portal. Instructions were sent to all parent/guardian email accounts. However, you may still call the school at 248.746.7400 and press "2" if your child will be absent from school or needs to be picked up early, to be connected to our attendance line. Absences more than 24 hours will NOT be excused.
Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Southfield Public Schools will continue to provide FREE breakfast and lunch to our students this school year. The Main Office will not accept Door Dash, Uber Eats or any outside restaurant food, including those from parents/guardians. You may drop off a bag lunch from home.
Breakfast and lunch menus may be viewed here: https://southfield.nutrislice.com/menu/thompson-k-8-international-academy
Contact Information
In order to assist families with making the correct contact for school related matters, please see below:
- All staff member email addresses follow this format: firstname.lastname@southfieldk12.org .
- A list of teachers and their departments are available on the Thompson K-8 International Academy website.
- All building level issues should first be addressed at the building, not district level.
- This LINK provides you with who to contact for a variety of school related matters.
OK 2 Say
OK2SAY is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment. (source: michigan.gov/OK2say)
TK8 students and their families are encouraged to report any activity they feel may create an unsafe learning environment.
Parent/Student Handbook
Please review the Parent/Student Handbook together with your child so that you are both aware of our policies and expectations.