Thunder News

I would like to publicly thank United States Congressman Sean Casten who represents the 6th District of Illinois for participating in the latest Thunder News broadcast. Recently Congressman Casten spent some time with our Thunder News Broadcast Team. He was generous with his time and allowed our student reporters to ask him numerous questions. I had the privilege of being a part of this newscast and what really resonated with me was the fact that these Thompson students were able to have a meaningful dialogue with a sitting United States Congressman. Having this opportunity, I suspect, was more meaningful for these students than only being able to read about him in a book. As I reflect on this experience, I do believe one of the silver linings of this pandemic is our students having the opportunity to Zoom live with a sitting Congressman. Thanks to our Thunder News teacher leaders, Mrs. Gupta, Mrs. Cole, and Mr. Mitchell, and a special thanks to Congressman Casten for participating.

Looking Towards Next Year

As we approach spring, the Thompson staff has already begun planning for your child’s transition to the next grade level. A big part of this involves the scheduling process. It begins by taking a look at the anticipated school population for next year. Based on these numbers, core teams are built and adjusted to take into consideration student needs. Next, the development of Exploratory and Physical Education rotations takes place, followed then by developing specific class period offerings. This is a complex process involving many variables.

To that end...parents of current 6th and 7th grade students, while we do not accept specific team requests, we do want your input regarding your child’s educational needs. If your child has a specific learning style need, placement issues, or social/emotional concerns that you want to share, please let your grade level counselor know so that we can find the best possible fit for your child as a learner. Please send this information on or before March 26, 2021.

• 6th Grade Counselor – Christy Jolaoso (Christine.Jolaoso@d303.org)
• 7th Grade Counselor – Chris Fedyski (Christina.Fedyski@d303.org)

Odd and Ends

• The end of the 3rd quarter is next Friday, March 12th! Grades will be posted in the Home Access Center (H.A.C.) on Friday, March 19th.

• The weather is warming up and as soon as the snow melts, P.E. classes will start to make their way outside. Please make sure that your child has a sweatshirt or jacket with her/him each day.

• Just a friendly reminder that Friday, May 28th is the last day of school this year if no emergency days are used. The original calendar was adjusted last August.

Enjoy the warmer weather this weekend!

~Steve

Every year we gather input from parents and guardians, staff, and students via the Illinois 5Essentials Survey in order to improve communication, find ways to engage students at a higher level, and improve student learning. Participation in this survey is important as the results will identify areas where Thompson is doing well and areas where we need to improve.

We are asking parents/guardians to complete this survey which should not take more than 10 minutes of your time. Please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey. At the conclusion of this process, the tabulated results will be posted on the Illinois State Board of Education website, www.ISBE.net. Thank you in advance for participating and providing your feedback!

Please join us for our next PTO meeting of this school year on Thursday, March 11th from 9:00 - 10:00 am. All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please email Nicole Snopko or Kim Walters for a link to the virtual meeting.

March 4, 2021

Dear District 303 Families:

Many of you are aware that staff members from District 303, along with personnel from other districts in Kane County, received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Kane County Health Department clinic on February 9, 10, and 11.

On March 9, 10, and 11 about two-thirds of District 303 staff members are expected to receive the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We have been informed that after this second dose, more people may experience side effects (tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and/or fever) than experienced side effects after the first dose. We are concerned that some of our staff members including teachers, support staff, and bus drivers may be adversely affected, resulting in them not being able to come to work.

In a communication to staff members, we requested that they work within their teams to stagger the days and times for their second vaccine as much as possible. This will assist us in staffing our buildings if some members of our staff experience side effects that prohibit them from working.

Our goal is to have school as currently scheduled next week. However, in the event that a large number of staff members experience side effects, we will use emergency days that we will make up at the end of the school year to ensure that our students do not miss any more instructional time.

We recognize that the prospect of canceling school in the morning on March 10, 11, and/or 12 may put a hardship on some families so we encourage you to arrange child care now in anticipation of possible emergency closure. We will notify parents by 5:30 a.m. if we have to cancel school for the district.

While this year continues to bring challenges, the rollout of the vaccines is one critical step in our recovery from the pandemic. Our resolve is as strong as ever to do our very best and provide a great education in as safe a manner as possible for all students.

The Saint's tutoring Thunder (STT) club provides students with an opportunity to receive help on homework, projects, and/or comprehension of material that they are learning in classes. The Saint's tutoring Thunder (STT) club is available for both students attending in-person or remotely. This club meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parents can sign their child up for this tutoring and/or students can sign up themselves!

STT allows students to meet virtually with a Thompson club supervisor and a St. Charles East Sophomore tutor from 4:15 until 5:00 pm. The Thompson club supervisor will facilitate the after school support while supervising the high school students tutoring our students.

Sign-ups are available Thursday-Monday for the following week. This ensures that we have the correct amount of tutors for our students. You can click here to sign up for Saint's tutoring Thunder club. Once your student has been signed up, they will receive an invite link in their email.

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, 2021. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2021. 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, PEL-CSN

Sherri Esposito, RN

Amy Kashuba, RN

Thompson Middle School

331-228-3104

The Wake Up Call presentation, a program of Your Choice, on February 2, 2021 provided practical information on current drug trends, a walk-through of a teens' bedroom with more than 20 red flags that could indicate substance abuse, and proactive parenting strategies to keep your child substance free.

The presenters, all with lived experience, combined their personal stories, experience working with students and families, and shared things they wish they would've known into an engaging, real and unique presentation. If you were not able to attend, please click on this link to view the presentation.

• Monday, March 8 - Early Release Monday
  

• Thursday, March 11 - PTO Meeting (virtual) - 9:00 - 10:00 am

• Friday, March 12 - End of the 3rd Quarter

• Monday, March 15 - Early Release Monday

• Friday, March 19 - Report cards are available in H.A.C.

• Monday, March 22 - Early Release Monday

• Friday, March 26 - School Improvement Day - No school for students

• Monday, March 29 - Start of Spring Break Week - No school for students

• Monday, April 5 - School resumes

• Monday, April 5 - Early Release Monday