Busy week at Thompson

This has been a busy week at Thompson! Monday we recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. On Tuesday, the staff came together to spend structured time responding to student assessment data (i-Ready) and creating meaningful learning experiences based on what that data showed us. On Wednesday and Thursday we hosted high school counselors who met with our 8th graders to select high school courses. And all grades packed five days of learning into three!

Parent Satisfaction Survey

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. To take the survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/?target_name=parent. We hope to have 100% of parents participating in the survey and will be periodically reminding families to complete it. Please visit the D303 5Essentials website or call the main office if you have any questions. Thank you to the entire Thompson community for your time and feedback!

Charlie, the comfort dog

From time to time, Thompson will have the privilege of having a service dog with us to support students and staff. On Tuesday, the staff had the opportunity to meet Charlie, a one year old pup, who is a trained service dog. Charlie lives with Officer Meghan Kramer, our police liaison officer. Charlie frequently visits local schools: listening to children read, reducing stress after testing, and spreading smiles across classrooms. In addition to schools, Charlie also works in other situations including natural disasters, attending funerals, or bringing joy to residents at senior care facilities.

Stay warm this weekend!

Steve

On occasion, students come to the Health Office and need more than an ice pack or a band-aide. While we keep a limited supply on hand, we do need to replenish these items periodically. We would appreciate your donations. Click on the link below. Thank you for your generosity!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4BACAD22A3FB6-donations

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.

Homework Lab is a great place for students needing a quiet location to get work done after school. The Homework Lab is open for 2nd semester and below are the remaining dates, and additional information, for the months of January and February.

• Jan 27th

• Feb 1st

• Feb 8th

• Feb 17th

• Feb 24th

Time: 3:45-4:30

Place: Room #235

Facilitators: Miss Romano and Mrs. Polillo

Please note that students can take the activity bus to the nearest elementary school to their home. We hope that you will come join us in the Homework Lab!

iGen: Understanding the Smartphone Generation presented by Jean M. Twenge
February 9, 2022 at 6:30pm via Zoom
Click here to register - If you cannot attend, you will be able to view a recoding of this presentation which will be posted on the District website.

With generational divides wider than ever, parents, educators, and employers have an urgent need to understand today’s rising generation of teens and young adults. Born after 1995, iGen is the first generation to spend their entire adolescence in the age of the smartphone. With social media and texting replacing other activities, iGen spends less time with their friends in person. But technology is not the only thing that makes iGen distinct from every generation before them; they are also different in how they spend their time, how they behave, and in their attitudes toward religion, sexuality, and politics. As this new group of young people grows into adulthood, we all need to understand them. Members of iGen also need to understand themselves as they communicate with their elders and explain their views to their older peers. Because where iGen goes, so goes our nation—and the world.

Jean M. Twenge, is the author of more than 140 scientific publications and six books, the latest of which is iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood.

• Wednesday, January 26 - MS Early Release Day
  

• Wednesday, February 2 - PTO Meeting (Virtual) - 9:00 - 10:00 am

• Monday, February 21 - Presidents’ Day Holiday
• Wednesday, February 23 - MS Early Release Day
• Friday, March 4 - School Improvement Day (No School for Students)