Reminder that there will be no school for students next Friday, April 19th for a School Improvement Day.

IAR TESTING AT THOMPSON

Thank you, parents, for having your students at school and on time for IAR testing during this week. Students will continue taking one test a day next week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. IAR results are just one measure as we work to support, challenge, and encourage your child’s academic growth. In addition to the information we glean from them, we integrate many other indicators of student development including summative assessments, teacher observations, and student surveys. These numerous data points help us as we develop a more complex and evolving understanding of your child’s progress.

Information on student progress guides school growth. It enables us to acknowledge accomplishments and identify areas to focus on for improvement. As we reflect on these indicators as a school, we encourage you to do the same with your child. Please ask about your child’s testing experience. “What was challenging or surprising? Did your child feel confident about a specific subject or area? Did something learned last month appear in the tests?” These reflective discussions are valuable. They provide a great opportunity to emphasize your commitment to supporting your child’s continuing growth. . . IAR week or not.

FIFTH GRADE PARENT NIGHTS

Our fifth grade parent presentations for incoming sixth graders were very well attended this week! Our Assistant Principals and I enjoyed meeting our future Thompson parents. The next transition opportunity is an open house for incoming sixth grade students and their families on Wednesday, April 24th from 6:15 - 7:00 pm. School visits will take place in May.

Enjoy your weekend!

~Steve

As shocking as it is, the last quarter of the school year is upon us! The PTO has several fun activities scheduled.

The PTO has been asked to help staff the book fair at the 7th/8th grade campus. If anyone is able to volunteer, your help would be greatly appreciated. The book fair is April 22th - 26th. If you are able to donate some of your time please sign up on the link below.

Bookfair Sign-up

Plans are well on the way for Teacher Appreciation Week coming up starting May 6th. Please watch out for info and requests for food donations. We are really looking forward to celebrating the staff at Thompson Middle School.

Nominations for the 2019-2020 PTO board were heard at the April meeting and voting will be held at the May 9th meeting. We would love to see you all there.

Plans for the end of year eighth grade party are coming along wonderfully. We are excited to send our amazing eighth grade students off with a memorable event. Again be on the look out for volunteer opportunities and donations.

Our annual Scholastic Book fair is fast approaching and we need volunteers! If you would like to help out, please use the following link to sign up:

Book Fair Sign up

Fair dates and times in the 7/8 Center LRC:

Monday, April 22nd – Friday, April 26th

• Mon – Thurs 7:30am to 4:00pm,
• Fri 7:30am to 12N

Contact Kim Passini at 331-228-6696 or kimberly.passini@d303.org if you have any questions

State legislation requires that all Illinois children in Sixth Grade have a dental examination. A licensed dentist must perform the examination, and he or she shall sign the form. Dental offices should have the form available, but it is available online at www.d303.org under Departments, then Health Services, then “Health Documents and Forms”. Each child must present proof of a dental examination by a dentist prior to May 15, 2019. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2019. If your child has had an exam already, you can ask your dentist to complete the form for the exam.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.

The deadline is quickly approaching! Please submit this if you have not already done so.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Diane Isbrandt RN, PEL-CSN

Thompson Middle School

331-228-3404

331-228-3401 (fax)

Join us on April 16th to learn strategies to assist and respond to your child when they are feeling anxious. A representative from Tri-City Family Services, along with D303 staff will offer insight on how to help your child deal with anxiety. This session will take place in the Wild Rose LRC from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Please click here for more information.

• Wednesday, April 10 - IAR Testing - April 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17
• Tuesday, April 16 - Parent University - Angst Follow-up #3 at Wild Rose - 6:30 - 8:00 pm
• Thursday, April 18 - Operation Snowflake at Wredling 4:00 - 7:00 pm
• Friday, April 19 - No school for students - School Improvement Day
• Wednesday, April 24 - 5th Grade Parent & Student Open House - 6:15 - 7:00 pm, 6th grade center
• Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day Holiday
• Friday, June 7 - Last Day of School (if no more 'Emergency Days' are used)