Thomas Community Newsletter
February 14, 2023
Happy Valentine's Day!
Congratulations to the TMS Science Olympians and coaches on hosting the Kildeer Invitational with over 50+ middle schools from Illinois and Wisconsin. Check out this highlight video.
Please take a few moments to read through the Glenbard Parent Series information. Dr. Devorah Heitner will be hosting a virtual event on March 7th @ 7 PM - Growing Up Public: Helping Kids Navigate On-line Privacy and Reputation
5Essentials Survey - As of today, we only have 7% TMS parent participation.
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at our school and guide improvement. A report will be generated only if we have at least 20% parent participation.
Survey Link: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/?target_name=parent
*Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.*
PARENT HOMEWORK: Please complete the 5 Essentials Survey!
Stop by the computers in the TMS foyer during Parent/Teacher Conferences to complete this survey and be sure to pick up a T-Wolf Ticket for your child.
New Information in this Newsletter:
- PTA Activity Night 3v3 Basketball Tournament - Parent Volunteers Needed - click here
- RACE TO REGISTER for the ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge on 4/15/23
- LAST CALL for P/T Conferences Sign Ups - click here *Closes today at noon!
- TMS Shadow Day for the FUTABAKAI JAPANESE SCHOOL 2/22/23
Additional Helpful Links:
- Optional 8th Grade Graduation Photo Sign Ups - click here
- Incoming 6th Grade Information - click here
- Save the Dates for TMS Parent Presentations on Mental Health Topics with Tom McSheehy - Wednesday, March 15th @ 6 p.m. and Tuesday, April 11th.
- D25 is hiring - click here to learn more
Important Upcoming Dates:
TODAY - Tuesday, 2/14/23 @ noon - P/T Conferences Sign-Up Closes, 8th Grade Gown Distribution at 2:40 p.m., Band Concert - Symphonic Band Concert/Clinic @ 7 PM
- Thursday & Friday, 2/16/23 & 2/17/23 - Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences - No School and optional 8th Grade Graduation Photos
- Monday, 2/20/23 - Presidents' Day - No School
- Thursday, 2/23/23 - Band Concert: Patton, Greenbrier and Concert Band@ 7 PM
- Friday, 3/10/23 - PTA Activity Event - 3v3 Basketball Tournament
Thank you for your partnership,
Lori, Nick, & Greg
The TMS Admin Team
RACE TO REGISTER for the ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge on April 15, 2023!
Be sure to watch the video to see the winner of this year's race shirt! Follow us on Facebook for all events and updates!
Angie Thanopoulos and Katie Lindgren
ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge Race Co-Directors
LAST CALL to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Sign-ups will close today at noon!
Format for Parent-Teacher Conferences - Click here to sign-up for a conference
District 25 has set aside February 16th & 17th as our spring parent-teacher conference days.
If your child’s team is recommending a conference, it does not necessarily mean there is a concern. Mainly, it signifies that the team feels this is a good time to check in with you and your child. We want students to be present at their conference, so please plan for your child to join you at the conference. Team Leaders will reach out to families for team-invited conferences if they feel a need to meet and discuss your child's progress.
As always, we encourage parents to check PowerSchool and communicate with their child's teachers at any time to discuss their academic progress.
Optional 8th Grade Graduation Photos *NEW FORMAT!
- 8th Grade Graduation Photos are optional. Families can choose to participate or not.
- Stuart Rodgers will email families directly with information regarding 8th-grade photos.
- Graduation photos will be held during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, February 16th from 8 am - 2 pm and Friday, February 17th from 8 am - 11 am.
- Photos will be taken in 10-minute slots and are ready for sign-up HERE.
- For families that will need to schedule a studio time, please contact Kathy Onori at kathy@srphoto.com or 847-448-0211.
Gown Distribution: Gowns will be distributed at the end of the school day (2:40 p.m.) on Tuesday, February 14th (Just think of the gown as a Valentine's Day gift!)
Our PTA Picture Chair, Nikki Wolverton is still looking for volunteers to help during these hours. Volunteers help our students with gowns and ensure our schedule stays on time. There are also some great perks for those that help! Reach out to Nikki at nicholewolverton@yahoo.com to lend your helping hand!
8th Grade Information
8th Grade Social Work Update: Mrs. Toni Giovannini at tgiovannini@sd25.org.
Gown Distribution is TODAY! Gowns will be distributed at the end of the school day (2:40 p.m.) on Tuesday, February 14th.
Graduation Ribbons and Diplomas: Emails were sent from Mary Higgins regarding these items. Please reach out. to Mary (mhiggins@sd25.org) or 847-398-4260 if you have any questions.
TMS tentative Graduation Date 6/1/23: The TMS graduation ceremony is tentatively set for Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Buffalo Grove High School. This date will be confirmed in the spring.
Illinois 5Essentials Survey for Parents, Students, and Staff
5Essentials Survey | Click here to take it
If you have not already, please take a few minutes to complete the 5Essentials Survey. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at our school and guide improvement. A report will be generated only if we have 20 percent parent participation.
Survey Link: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/?target_name=parent
*Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.*
Student Survey (Grades 4-8 ONLY)
The Illinois 5Essentials Student Survey is currently open and being administered at TMS For a copy of the questions, click here (survey content hasn't changed since 2022).
If you do not want your child to participate, fill out the information at the bottom of this form (linked here) and ask your child to return this sheet to their homeroom teacher.
February is Black History Month and President's Day is February 20
Black History Month | February
Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities that are a part of our country's history.
President's Day | February 20
A federal holiday for honoring all the past and present presidents who have served as president of the United States of America. Celebrated on the third Monday in February, the date changes from year to year.
ABC/25 Foundation Updates
More TMS Memberships Needed: Thomas has not yet met the goal of 25% of our households joining ABC/25. PLEASE HELP US OUT BY PURCHASING A MEMBERSHIP.
Why Join? ABC/25 stands for A Better Community for District 25. The mission of the Foundation is “To foster innovation, creativity, and excellence for the children of District 25.” By joining, you support District 25 schools and teachers with funds for innovative, creative, and excellence experiences for your students. Over 50% of the Foundation's grant money comes from membership dues. Once a school reaches 25% membership (including families and staff), that school gets an additional $2500! New this year are member benefits! Learn more at www.ABC25.org
Thank you as always for your support of ABC/25!
Angie Thanopoulos and Katie Lindgren
ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge Race Co-Directors
Student Academic Support Is Available
Please encourage your child to attend Office Hours/11th Hour/Homework Club and to reach out to teachers if they need help or just want a place to work on their academics after school. This support is FREE and can be extremely helpful.
Click here for more details on options for your child to get help from staff at TMS. The activity bus departs TMS at about 3:35 PM. Please see the Activity Bus Black Out Schedule below.
TMS PTA
MEETING DATES 2022-2023 - All meetings start @ 7 PM
- Wednesday - 3/15/2023
- Wednesday - 4/5/2023
- Tuesday - 5/9/23
2022-2023 PTA Officers:
- President: Suzanne Krause
- President-Elect: Megan Puzen
- Vice President: Norah Muenkel
- Treasurer: Kelly Spokas
- Secretary: Deborah Oiler
Do you have questions for the PTA? Email the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com
Mental Health Resources
Save the Dates for TMS Parent Presentations on Mental Health Topics with Tom McSheehy - Wednesday, March 15th @ 6 p.m. and Tuesday, April 11th. Specific meeting topics will be shared soon.
If you know someone who is struggling, you can contact 988 - the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as Safe2Help Illinois.
When contacting 988, a trained counselor who is part of the Lifeline network will answer. These trained counselors will listen, understand how the problems are affecting the individual, provide support, and connect the individual to resources if necessary.
Here's a link to the District 25 Social Emotional Resources.
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.
PowerSchool & Schoology Information
Chromebook tourbles? Students can contact TMS Tech Support via email: thomastech@sd25.org
The Tech Office is located in the LMC.
IMPORTANT HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
- District 25 Covid-19 Information
- Athletic Registration Form: This is for students that wish to participate in TMS athletics. If a student is participating in a sport, we must have the physical by the first day of practice.
- DENTAL FORMS: All dental forms are due by 5/15/23 and must be dated after 11/15/21.
- HEALTH OFFICE DOCUMENTS: Health Office documents can be turned into the TMS main office or can be uploaded to the TMS Health Office Form linked here.
AHSD25 School Resource Officers
School District 25 has a wonderful partnership with the Arlington Heights Police Department and we are very fortunate to have two outstanding School Resource Officers that support our schools. The SROs attend various TMS events throughout the school year and they are an essential part of our Wolf Pack.
Please know that you can report concerns or social media incidents to the school administration and or school social workers. In addition, our School Resource Officers from the Arlington Heights Police Department are available to address your concerns and the police station is open 24-7 to report incidents that occur outside of TMS after school hours and on the weekends.
Officer Danny Malik & Officer John O'Leary
School Resource Officer
Arlington Heights Police Department
dmalik@vah.com & joleary@vah.com
M: 847-878-2949
W: 847-368-5393
Bus Information
All students need to show their bus pass in order to ride the bus!
Please direct bus transportation questions to the District 25 Transportation Specialist:
Laura Comastro. Laura can answer your questions and resolve issues.
847-758-4888
LATE BUSES: If the bus is more than ten minutes late, parents may call Cook County School Bus Co. at 847-439-0923 to find out if the bus is late, or missed a stop. Parents who cannot stay at the bus stop should have a contingency plan with neighbors and with their children concerning what to do if the bus is more than 10 minutes late in the morning or if the parent is not home after school.
ITEMS LEFT ON THE BUS: If a student leaves an item on the bus, the parent should contact Cook Co. School Bus Company at 847-439-0923 to locate the item and to make arrangements for it to be returned. This can be done either on the bus route the next day or by the parent going to the bus company to pick it up (1910 S. Busse Rd., A.H.).
CONCERNS AND COMPLIMENTS: Bus emergency concerns: Contact Cook County School Bus at 847-439-0923 or for the AHSD25 Transportation Manager during the school work day, 847- 758-4888. About bus drivers/bus service: Contact the Transportation Specialist at 847-758-4888. About other passengers: Contact the school office to report any issue with regard to behavior on the bus.
Additional bus information can be found at the transportation link on the District 25 website.
Our students practiced bus evacuation procedures on 10/18/22 and will have a second opportunity to practice this on 4/13/23.
TMS Office Information
Monday - Friday 7 AM - 3 PM
*Modified hours over breaks and closed on holidays.
Attendance Reporting:
Online Attendance Form: Click here to report your child's absence or late arrival or early dismissal. The other option is to call the TMS office at 847-398-4260 to report your child's attendance.
TMS Address:
1430 N. Belmont Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-398-4260
Fax: 847-394-6843