Thomas Timberwolves
School Community Newsletter - 1/31/21
Dear Thomas Middle School Community,
We hope your family is enjoying the snow as much as Tommy the T-Wolf. In the midst of this global pandemic, this past Tuesday we survived in-person learning during one of the largest snowfalls our area has seen in three years (good thing today wasn't a school day!). We celebrate our students and staff for continuing to build skills in resilience, perseverance, and grit! At the same time, kudos to our remote only learners for finding creative ways to engage with their teachers and peers. Students are participating in Science Olympiad, Student Council, DEN Club, Artist Who Love To Read, and more. We look forward to the TMS Esports Club and as well as other clubs and activities that will start this month. All are welcome to join us this Friday @ 6 pm for an online TRIVIA NIGHT sponsored by Student Council.
Another celebration for the TMS community is the fact that we continue to look beyond ourselves and strive to find ways to help others. We are currently running a Food Drive for Wings, a Book Donation Drive, and an H2O For Life Fundraiser. In addition, if you know of a middle schooler in need of a winter coat, a lunchbox, or school supplies please let us know as we have supplies on hand. We are also serving FREE breakfast and lunch daily for our students.
In February will be celebrating and honoring Black History Month via activities in the daily announcements and our staff will continue professional development on the Ruler Program. We recently began the planning process for the 2021-2022 school year. This Wednesday, February 3rd @ 7 PM we will host the D25 Special Education 5th to 6th Grade Transition Presentation via Zoom. We will also host Picture Day and Parent-Teacher Conferences this month. We hope to finalize graduation plans this month as well. Please read the information below for details on these events and more.
With six full-in person days under our belt, we are adjusting to the new normal within the building. We appreciate that the students are trying their best to following the safety guidelines and expectations. Please encourage your child to try to maintain 6 feet of distance during passing periods and to keep his or her mask on at all times while at school (except while eating lunch of course!).
Since hybrid attendance is no longer an option, parents, we thank you for adhering to our attendance guidelines and sending your healthy in-person learners to school Tuesday-Friday and ensuring that our remote only students are attending each class period. We kindly request that the students arrive promptly at each class, especially homeroom as this is where essential school information is shared with the students.
Please be sure to take a look through this newsletter as there are several new items posted.
Parent-Teacher Conferences on 2/11/31-2/12/21
Picture Days on 2/8/21-2/10/21
Parent Class - From Stress to Resilience: Parenting During Unprecedented Times on 2/4/21
TMS TRIVIA Night on 2/5/21
Arlington Height Memorial Library Upcoming Events
- TMS PTA Food Drive on 1/25/21-2/4/21
- TMS LMC Book Drive on 2/1/21-2/28/21
Take care and be well,
~ Lori, Greg, & Nick
TMS Parent-Teacher Conference
Online conferences will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 11th & 12th.
Tomorrow, Monday, February 1st Parent-Teacher sign-ups/registration will begin via the Meet The Teacher application. Please be on the look out for an email in the early evening that contains the sign-up link.
PARENTS, ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUILD YOUR SKILL SET? HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH STRESS?
District 25's Department of Student Learning teamed up with NSSEO, to plan a FREE 10-week "From Stress to Resilience: Parenting During Unprecedented Times" course for District 25 parents and caregivers. The course begins February 4th, and the content mirrors that of the 10-week District 25 staff course that began two weeks ago.
- Registration is open through February 3, 2021 at 1:00 pm.
- Click here to learn more and to register.
Meet the NEW TMS Staff!
Alexander Thomas - Lunch Supervisor
Eileen Dorn - Lunch Supervisor
Antonio Iovino - Long-Term Guest Teacher - Teacher Assistant
Jenni Bennett - Long -Term Guest Teacher for the Student Learning Coach
8th Grade Graduation Photos
TMS TECH REMINDERS
- Please remind the students to charge & bring Chromebooks every day. We do not have loaner Chromebooks for students forgetting their device or not charging their device.
- Please remind the students to bring headphones every day.
- The replacement cost for a damaged or lost Chromebook charger is $75.
- Please email thomastech@sd25.org with any tech/device issues.
D25 Special Education 5th - 6th Grade Middle School Transition Night Presentation
WHAT: An overview of the D25 middle school special education programs.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 @ 7pm
WHERE: Online via Zoom - Please contact our Special Education Coordinator, Kellie Klasen for the Zoom link - kklasen@sd25.org
AHC PTA Scholarship Information
The AHC PTA Scholarship applications are ready to roll out! Please feel free to share. These links were also sent to the local high schools.There will be 6 Achievement Scholarships awarded and 3 Power of Courage Scholarships awarded this year. In lieu of the usual breakfast, we will be setting up a virtual celebration instead! Here are the links to use.
- Achievement: https://forms.gle/1PUco7a1EXi2SCJe8
- POC: https://forms.gle/Pq28jyurfqEv2A4H9
If you have any questions or issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to:
Ann Williams & Donna Ekl - AHC Scholarship Chairs - d25scholarship@gmail.com
Liz Nierman - 2020-21 AHC PTA President
Website: www.sd25.org/PTA
Twitter: @AHC_PTAs
Facebook: @fb.com/AHCPTA
TMS PTA
Do you have questions for the PTA? Email the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com
2020-2021 PTA Officers:
President: Lucy Block
President-Elect: Amy Hoffman
Vice President: Melissa Teuscher
Treasurer: Suzanne Krause
Secretary: Lisa Ulyrich
Future Meeting Dates:
* February 17 @ 7 PM - RSVP on this form if you plan to attend.
* March 18 * April 20 * May 19
HELPFUL LINKS:
Link to the TMS PTA Website
Questions regarding Spiritwear? Please contact:
Stephanie Notaro - sgnotaro@sbcglobal.net
Stephanie Gries - sgries6@comcast.net f
Directory Spot: Shannon Hull is the TMS Directory Spot Chairperson. Please email ThomasPTADirectory@gmail.com for changes or access issues.
EXTRA HELP IS AVAILABLE
If so, we want to help! Please encourage your child to attend Office Hours/11th Hour and to reach out to teachers for help.
Mental Health Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (call 1-800-273-8255 for free and confidential support for people in distress and best practices for professionals)
- Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor)
- Call4Calm (text TALK or HABLAR to 552020 to get connected to a counselor in your area)
- Safe2Help Illinois (a 24/7 tip line that gives students a safe and confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence, or other threats to school safety).
STUDENT ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH CLASS!
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is taken each period. Click here for details on reporting absences.
In our attempt to keep our building as safe as possible we are eagerly requesting that you follow our attendance expectations:
- In-person student learners are expected to be on campus each day they are permitted (STEP 4 is daily in-person learning Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays).
- We are no longer offering the option to be a daily remote learner due to "safety concerns" which we hope will give us the ability to better monitor our students and track students with illnesses.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
- Day: Every Wednesday
- Times: 9:30 am – 10:30 am & 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Where: Thomas Middle School ONLY
- Who: All Arlington Heights families with students age 18 and under
- Important Notes: Neighbors or friends are allowed to come to pick up meal bags for you from Thomas Middle School. If food delivery is needed, please contact us and we can arrange for a delivery time.
It is important that our parent community stays informed, especially as conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to change. Information about COVID-19 and how it impacts District 25’s school plans for 2020-2021 is fluid and therefore will be continually evaluated and updated in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
BUS INFORMATION
Laura Comastro - lcomastro@sd25.org
PHONE: (847) 758-4888 | Fax: (847) 228-2078
TMS Office Information
Address: 1430 N. Belmont Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-398-4260
Fax: 847-394-6843