Congratulations to our Project Lead the Way (PLTW) staff and students as Thompson and Wredling have received the PLTW Distinguished School recognition for our Gateway programs! There were only 146 middle schools in the U.S. selected for this honor. Our schools were selected because of the number of students who have access to PLTW, the number of PLTW courses we offer, and the number of students who access multiple PLTW courses throughout their middle school career.

These programs inspire and engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and prepare them with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in any career path they choose.

THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER IS APPROACHING

Friday, March 22nd marks the end of the third quarter. Please have a discussion with your child to make sure that this date is on his/her “radar.” It is important that students are aware of this date so that action can be taken to ensure that all assignments and activities are completed and turned in before the end of the quarter.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Remember to set your clocks ahead and ‘Spring Forward’ on Saturday night!

Enjoy your weekend!

~Steve

The 5Essentials Survey (Parent Satisfaction Survey) closes next Friday, March 15, 2019. We are so close to getting to the necessary 20% of parents participating! If you have not done so already, please participate in this process by clicking on the following link https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/.

We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your suggestions for improvement!

It is time for the Annual Operation Snowflake event!

This year, the event for all D303 middle school students is scheduled for April 18, 2019 at Wredling. The event itself will run from 3:30 pm until 9:00 pm.

What is Snowflake?

Operation Snowflake is a leadership organization which focuses on building leadership capacity in middle school students. Snowflake also has a prevention focus, which helps adolescents and teens to help themselves, their peers and their community. The focus on attitudes, feelings and education provides the basis for personal growth.

Who can attend?

The event is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student at Thompson and Wredling. Transportation from Thompson to Wredling will be provided the day of the event.

What is the cost for the students?

The total cost for Operation Snowflake is $25. This fee includes dinner, snacks, workshop materials, a t-shirt and hours of fun and games. There is an early registration fee of $20 if forms are turn in by March 8th! Scholarships for this event are available.

Why do we have an event?

More and more, we are hearing that many of the most difficult situations that teens face stem from middle school. Operation Snowflake is an opportunity for students to make connections with positive peer and adult role models.

If you have any questions, please contact Jolene Weir at Jolene.Weir@d303.org or call 331-228-6717.

Registration forms for the event can be found in the main office at Thompson and Wredling Middle School Campuses.

Registration forms can also be found linked here as well.

Our students took home prizes and won the following awards:

• The teams of Augustina & Tabitha Diasio and Vinny Weaver & Ella Steham won awards for 'best teamwork' with their St. Patrick’s Day cake and coconut lime cupcake desserts,
• Michael D'Amico won for 'best use of time' with his pasta fazool,
• Liza Kadyschuk won for 'difficulty of recipe' for her spinach and feta puff pastry,
• Katya Kadyschuk won for 'kitchen safety' with her apple rose puffs,
• Claire Trask won for 'overall presentation and use of theme' with her creamy spinach soup, and
• Quinn Bryant won an award for 'originality of recipe' and 'best of Thompson' with her kiwi cupcakes.

Congratulations to these excellent middle school chefs!

Thompson Thunder will be partnering with Cal's Angels, a local non-profit organization, in a "Just Shave It" event. Students, parents, and friends throughout our community can raise money and shave their heads (or donate locks of hair) in order to increase pediatric cancer awareness and support a local non-profit in the process. Please click on this link to see the progress of our school’s fundraising. Mark your calendars for tomorrow Saturday, March 9th for an exciting event at St. Charles North beginning at 6:00 pm! Please contact Mrs. McKnight, Kristina.McKnight@d303.org, if you have any questions.

We need your logo design! If you would like to design a logo that will be used on promotional materials, please use the following criteria and include:

• Children’s literature and the love of reading.
• The year 2020
• The name The Great D303 READ
• If you plan to illustrate your logo using Illustrator or Photoshop, please send a PNG file, along with the underlying authoring files, to the LRC Director at your school.
• Hand drawn logos may also be submitted in person to your LRC Director.
• All submissions must be received by April 9, 2019.