Hello Thunder Parents and Guardians!

This past week has been a busy one here at Thompson as we had the March Madness Penny Wars, the TMS Morning Riddle Challenge, the TMS Charity Basketball game, and students worked hard to finish the 3rd quarter strong! There is no denying the humm that is in the air as the new quarter is upon us and students have much to look forward to next week as we prepare for the finality of the 2022-23 school year. Please be sure to check on student grades and schedule adjustments for the quarter change.

As next week marks the beginning of Spring, TMS will celebrate this week by hosting spirit week before Spring Break. In addition, our 8th grade students will be taking the Illinois Science Assessment on Tuesday, March 21st, and all students will be taking the Panorama Survey on Wednesday March 22nd in their tutorial period. Additionally, students will be setting goals for themselves for the upcoming IAR assessments in April.

While this week and next are filled with a variety of events that help to foster community, provide time to reflect, and opportunities to set goals, it is school spirit that fills the hallways. It is our hope to help students begin the 4th quarter in a way that creates and inspires positivity.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The Admin Team

• Monday, March 20th - Sports Day
  
• Tuesday, March 21st - College Gear Day
  
• Wednesday, March 22nd - PJ/Stuffed Animal Day
  
• Thursday, March 23rd - Country vs. Country Club
  
• Friday, March 24th - Tropical Day
  

Our lost and found is filling up with coats, hats, water bottles, and lunch boxes. Please encourage your child to check the tables by the cafeteria! We will be donating the remaining items over Spring Break.

As we plan for state testing this Spring, we would like to share some important information from Mr. Dave Chiszar, who is the D303 Director for Assessment and Accountability. Please click HERE to access his very important letter regarding upcoming testing that pertains to the 8th grade Illinois Science Assessment and the Illinois Assessment for Readiness.

Dates to remember:

• 8th Grade Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)

• Tuesday, March 21, 2023

• Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR)

• April 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, and 12th

Things for students to bring on testing day:

• Fully charged Chromebook

• Wired earbuds

• Calculator

• SSR Book

• Writing Utensil

Please note that an alternative schedule will be run to accommodate testing on the IAR dates. Should you have any questions regarding these upcoming assessments, please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor or myself. Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Lindsay Mortensen, Assistant Principal

Thompson Middle School

State legislation requires that all Illinois children in sixth grade will 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 also available online at www.d303.org under Departments, then Health Services, then “Health Documents and Forms”. Each 6th grade student must present proof of a dental examination by a dentist prior to May 15, 2023. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2023. 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 the TMS nurses:

Diane Isbrandt RN, Certified School Nurse

Amy Kashuba, RN

Megan Maple, RN

Laura Welker RN

Thompson Middle School

331-228-3104

Builders Club is a club focused on community service. They need 34 volunteers to serve at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Thursday, April 27th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. They need at least ten students each with a parent, guardian, or older sibling, to volunteer. You do not need to be a member of Builders Club to volunteer. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to spend time with one another while at the same time serving the community.

Please click here for more detailed information and email Dave Simone, one of the club advisors, with any questions.

The SCN Athletic Department is excited to offer a wide variety of summer camps to the community. Information and programming can be found in their 2023 SCN Summer Camp Brochure. Please contact their Athletic Office at 331-228-6258 with questions.

Every year, the Yearbook Club publishes 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.

Have you ordered a Thompson 22-23 Yearbook? You can check your PushCoin account to see if you have purchased one by going to 'transactions' and then adjusting the start date back to July 1, 2022. Also, we have a list of all students who will be receiving a yearbook posted on the wall by the cafeteria. Contact Kim Walters (kimberly.walters@d303.org or 331-228-6410) if you have any questions or need financial assistance.

'North Stars Helping Thunder' is an after school tutoring program where St. Charles North High School Honors students help our Thunder students with their homework. This program runs from 3:45 - 4:30 pm every Tuesday and Thursday in the LRC. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Romano (Sarah.romano@d303.org) or Diane Pollilo (Louise.polillo@d303.org), Thompson Staff Facilitators. Please consider encouraging your child to take advantage of these resources!

Supporting Parents in Transformational Times: Meeting the Unique Social and Emotional Needs of Their Gifted Children
Presented by Michele Kane, Ed.D.
Virtual, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

March 21, 2023

In this presentation, Michele Kane, Ed.D., will focus on the affective aspects of being gifted. Sensitivity, intensity, and perfectionism will be explored in relationship to giftedness. Michele will provide parents with effective strategies and techniques for dealing with these personality traits, as well as ways to help kids navigate the unique stressors of giftedness, especially during times of increased turmoil.

Click here to register. The presentation will be recorded and posted online when available.

• Tuesday, March 21 - Illinois Science Assessment - 8th Grade only, Periods 1, 3, 4
• Wednesday, March 22 - MS Early Release Day - Students are dismissed at 2:52 pm
• Monday, March 27 - Friday, March 31 - Spring Break
• Monday, April 3 - School Resumes
• Tuesday, April 4 - Illinois Assessment for Readiness - AM, Alternative Schedule
• Wednesday, April 5 - Illinois Assessment for Readiness - AM, Alternative Schedule
• Wednesday, April 5 - PTO Meeting (Virtual) - 9:00 - 10:00 am
• Thursday, April 6 - Illinois Assessment for Readiness - AM, Alternative Schedule
• Friday, April 7 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
• Tuesday, April 11 - Illinois Assessment for Readiness - AM, Alternative Schedule
• Wednesday, April 12 - Illinois Assessment for Readiness - AM, Alternative Schedule