Thomas Timberwolves
School Community Newsletter - June 19, 2021
Hello, Thomas Middle School Community,
Happy Juneteenth - Freedom Day and happy Father's Day to all of the TMS dads! We hope this email finds you and your family enjoying all the wonderful adventures that summer brings. With July 4th just around the corner, our wish for each and everyone this summer is time to rest, recover, recharge, rejoice and read, read, read! The TMS summer reading theme and 2021-2022 school year theme is BRAVE ENOUGH!
Speaking of bravery, the 2020-2021 school year was one for the record books. Whether in our classrooms or on our Zooms, thank you so much for sharing your children with us. We are so proud of the bravery and perseverance along with flexibility and adaptability that the students and staff showed throughout this school year. All things considered, our academic progress was notable as well. As we move forward, we choose to not be bitter and instead we focus on ways that we can be better. We take with us the many lessons that were learned through the challenges, disappointments, and tremendous hard work. As T-Wolves, we show gratitude for all the ways that we have grown.
As we wrapped up the school year, we were delighted to honor our 8th graders by hosting a picnic party, complete with a dunk tank, along with an outdoor graduation ceremony that was gifted with flawless weather. In addition, the 6th and 7th-grade students and staff alike enjoyed celebrating their last day of school with a lunch picnic. Special thanks to our PTA for the ice cream treats as that was a sweet way to beat the heat on that last day.
This first week of summer has proven to be busy for TMS. We wasted no time and opened our doors to 600+ elementary and middle school students and staff members in the District 25 Summer U Program. Our building is buzzing with students large and small. We continue to host food distribution on Wednesdays as well. The Summer U Program runs from 8:30-noon daily until July 14th. As a result, the TMS office will have modified hours so please schedule an appointment should you need anything. All yearbooks and items not picked up yet will be distributed the first week of school in August.
As for the 2021-2022 school year, we are thrilled to announce that we have hired eight new certified staff members and we are working to solidify the master schedule along with the 950+ individual student schedules. You can expect a mid-August email with homeroom assignments.
Important Dates 2021-2022:
- TMS Cross Country - Monday, 8/9/21 - Practice Begins (more info to come in August)
- 6th Grade Orientation - Friday, 8/13/21 @ 8 AM -11 AM
- 7th & 8th Grade Locker Set-Up - Friday, 8/13/21 @ noon-4:00 PM (6th Graders DO NOT ATTEND AS THEY WILL SET-UP LOCKERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER)
- First Day of School - Thursday, 8/19/21
- Back to School Night Schedule Walk - Thursday, 8/19/21 @ 5-8 PM
- Picture Day - Tuesday, 8/24/21
- 6th Grade Curriculum Night -Tuesday, 8/31/21 @ 7-9 PM
- 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night - Thursday, 9/9/21 @ 7-9 PM
Important Info 2021-2022:
- SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
- SUMMER READING PROGRAM INFORMATION - BE BRAVE
- Mondays will be Advisory days with extended homeroom time.
- 6th Graders will NOT use lockers until late September or October.
- All clubs, sports, and extracurricular events will be running.
- Students will change into PE shirts during PE.
- Students will have the opportunity to have FREE LUNCH each day.
Thank you for being BRAVE ENOUGH to embrace the 2020-2021 journey with us! We look forward to seeing you in August!
Take care and be well,
~ Lori, Greg, & Nick
Congratulations to our Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award Winner... Ms. Horton!
Since 1989, the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Awards have been presented recognizing excellence in the profession. This year, Candace Horton was selected by her peers.
Each year, teachers nominate colleagues, mentors, and friends for this honor. The nominations are then selected by a panel of previous winners. Over the years, over 125 Music Educators have received this recognition but only a few each year.
Junior High Division
Candace Horton - Thomas MS
HEARTFELT GRATITUDE & BEST WISHES!
We also congratulate Mrs. Holly Lockley winner of the 2021 LeRoy Dansby "Lean On Me" Award! We will be forever grateful to Mr. Dansby for his tremendous service and look forward to having his legacy live on by honoring those that emulate his hard work and dedication. Mrs. Lockley has certainly given great effort over the past 12 months supporting our community with technology needs during the challenging pandemic times.
In addition, we wish to thank all those that are moving on to new roles well...
- Mrs. Misty Kuzmanoff (TMS Band) will be serving as a Technology Integration Specialist at South Middle School.
- Meera Gorawara and Thomas Schorsch are taking on new roles in other school districts.
- Our long-term substitute staff members - Chris Johnson (Special Education Coordinator), Dr. Chris Porter (Social Work), Tracy Recklaus (Gamma Teacher), Sharyl Forsline (Gamma Teacher), and Anthony Bueadette (Partner Teacher).
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Food Distribution:
- Day: Every Wednesday through July 28, 2021
- 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.
TMS PTA
Do you have questions for the PTA? Email the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 PTA Officers:
President: Amy Hoffman
President-Elect: Suzanne Krause
Vice President: Melissa Teuscher
Treasurer: Kelly Spokas
Secretary: Deborah Oiler
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).
TMS is a Link Together Partner
Link Together Partners,
Link Together is dedicated to promoting healthy youth, families, and communities by decreasing teen alcohol and drug use in Wheeling Township. We are excited to be able to collaborate with nine local Chicago area coalitions to provide an outstanding opportunity for our local parents!
DETAILS:
Help Your Teens Have a Summer to Remember -Virtual Town Hall
Hosted by Suburban Chicago Prevention Coalitions
Wednesday, June 23 7:00PM
Register here!
CALLING ALL PARENTS: Summer is here and with it comes sunshine, heat, pool days, and fun! Research shows that summertime is also the most common time for teens to try alcohol and other drugs. This virtual town hall, hosted by prevention groups throughout the suburban Chicago area, will provide parents with tips and resources to help prevent teen alcohol and substance use during summer and all year long.
Substance use is significantly lower among teens who believe their parents strongly disapprove of substance use. One of the best ways to prevent substance use among your kids is to educate yourself and then pass that education on to your children. Register here.
This event is co-sponsored by DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team, Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin, Community Alliance for Prevention, Community: The Anti-Drug, LEAD, Link Together Coalition, Stand Strong Coalition, Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and the Wilmington Coalition for a Healthy Community.
Thank you and have a great week!
Hanna, Jorie, and Kris
Prevention Specialists
Link Together Coalition
OMNI Youth Services
1111 W. Lake Cook Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
847-353-1776
TMS Office Information
Please call to make an appointment!
- All yearbooks and items not picked up yet will be distributed the first week of school in August.
- TMS is hosting the Summer U Program in the entire building from 8:30-noon daily.
TMS Address: 1430 N. Belmont Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-398-4260
Fax: 847-394-6843