Tiger's Tale
November 05, 2021
Message From The Principal
Parents, students and staff,
We’re are very proud to be able to extend our congratulations to the following students for the amazing accomplishments at the recent Chicagoland 4x5 Art Exhibition sponsored by OHS:
Mrs. Robinson's Class:
Kendra Padilla - FIRST PLACE
Aluminum Sculpture
Thompson Junior High (Code BG)
Daylin Melesio-SECOND PLACE
Aluminum Sculpture
Thompson Junior High (Code BG)
Keith Johnson-THIRD PLACE
Aluminum Sculpture
Thompson Junior High (Code BG)
Mr. Craig's Class:
Gabby Buchan - THIRD PLACE
2D Media Arts
Zaila Burbridge - HONORABLE MENTION
Again, congratulations, we are proud to call you Tigers.
Mr. Marcus Lewis
Principal
Thompson Junior High School
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Principal Lewis
Phone: 630.636.2610
Email: mlewis01@sd308.org
Follow us at Twitter handle: @thompson308
Goodbye and Good Luck Mrs. Trahant
Parent/Teacher Conferences - November 11th & 12th
Thursday, November 11th - Early Dismissal, 5 Hour Day, 1:10 PM
Friday, November 12th - No Student Attendance
Future Panther Night - Tuesday, November 16th, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Toys For Tots Collection
Toys For Tots Drive Happening Here at Thompson!
We are joining forces with the Oswego Fire Department to try and help those in need this holiday season.
If you would like to participate in this great cause, please send your student with a NEW and UNWRAPPED toy/item to school.
The toy or item can be brought to Mrs. Pethoud (in the gym) during SST time.
Collection will happen now through December 10th!
Thank you in advance for your participation in this great cause!
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!!
The fall play is here!! The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!
Final Performance: Friday, November 5 at 7:00 PM
Tickets available at the door: $3 for adults and $2 for students/children over 4
Butter Braids - Sales End Monday
BUTTER BRAIDS sale ends MONDAY!
Sale ends 11/8/21
ONLINE SALES!
No door to door selling. No money to handle. Everything is all online.
- Register your student at https://bit.ly/3lzuwSh
- Share your personal link with family, friends and neighbors.
- Check your personal sale page to see what you've sold.
- Pickup you sold items on 11/17/21 from 5-6pm at Thompson.
- Deliver your items.
NEW THIS YEAR…
1 Butter Braid = 1 raffle entry. Thompson HSO is raffling off 3 surprise gift baskets worth over $100 each. For every Butter Braid a student sells, they get 1 entry into the raffle. Sell 12, get 12 entries into the raffle. Students can win multiple baskets if they have multiple entries in the raffle.
DRIVE THRU PICK-UP for Butter Braids is NOVEMBER 17th from 5:00 – 6:00pm.
Thank you to the students and staff for making this a successful fundraiser!
Any questions, please call Gina Garza at (708) 372-1949 or gina@dpcollaboration.com
Welcome "Luna Blue" to Thompson
Dear Tiger Families,
We are incredibly excited to introduce to you a new staff member that will be joining. We will be welcoming Luna Blue to our Junior High team as a Therapy Dog in training. Luna is a Goldendoodle who is currently going through obedience training and is very excited to become an integral part of our school community. Below, we have set out the benefits of site based school therapy dogs, and have also tried to address some concerns that you may have.
What are the benefits of having a school dog(s)?
Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools. Therapy dogs have been working in schools across the nation for quite some time now, and have at times been a part of our school staff before.
Evidence indicates that benefits include:
● Cognitive- companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game playing.
● Social- a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing, and focused interaction with others.
● Emotional- school dogs improve self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety.
● Physical- interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses.
● Reading- reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on children as well as the fact that a dog will listen to children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.
Some challenges to consider:
My child is allergic to dogs-
It is understandable that some of you may be concerned about possible allergic reactions to a school dog. However, Luna has been and will be subjected to the most thorough cleanliness and grooming regime. She will also only be allowed in situations with students who voluntarily wish to work with her. Luna will also be located primarily in the front part of the building and away from the classrooms. She will work with students in one on one or small group capacities, in specified areas, so the possible spread of dander is limited throughout the building.
Will Luna be properly cared for?
Luna will be extremely well looked after and will be working with Ms. Jackson, School Social Worker at school a couple days each week. She will stay safely in the office until proper acclimation has been completed. She will then begin by meeting with students in small groups settings, and may even spend time listening to students read in a controlled setting. No matter where she is working, she will always be accompanied by a trained adult. She will continue to undergo her rigorous training courses. While Luna is in junior high, she will have access to a dog crate in her home area where she can relax during the day. This is where she will spend most of her time initially. She will also visit the vet regularly for all of her vaccinations as well as regular check-ups. If Luna is unwell for any reason, she will stay home for the day and be reassessed before returning.
My child is scared of dogs?
Some children may have had upsetting experiences and thus have a fear of dogs (or other animals). Luna will only be in contact with children that want to work with her. She is in training that helps her to remain calm and be gentle around children. This training is ongoing and will continue to take place even after she is fully certified as a school based therapy dog. Experience and research has shown that with proper guidance and handling, children can learn to overcome their fear of animals and grow in respect and appreciation for them. If for any reason you would like to opt your student out, please contact the school and we will add them to our no contact list
If you have any concerns regarding this, please email cjackson@sd308.org with the heading “School Dog”.
Thank you for being an integral part of our team!
In this together,
Cassie Jackson, MSW
School Social Worker
A Special Thank You from Mrs. Weber
Thank all the students who participated in Mrs. Weber's recent Ronald McDonald House fundraiser. We collected 265 items to give to the house in Winfield!
Thank you to the following students and their families for their participation!
Eli Barrett
Madelyn Becker
Ana Cemortan
Jill Kenmotsu
Sarah Mundher
Lily Musallam
Brianna Parquette
Alysen Shinault
Madalynn Svendsen
Nina Witkowski
Future Wolves Night
Are you looking for some new Thompson gear to wear?
Chromebook Reminders
- Charge their chromebook and bring it every day
- Treat them carefully. If they break the chromebook, the technology department will contact home regarding the cost of the repair.
Attendance Reminder!
- Your name
- Your student's name
- Student ID number
- Phone number you can be reached with any questions
- Reason for absence (including any symptoms, if out for illness).
*** Please note, online learning via Google Meets is only allowed with nurse approval. Parents/guardians and teachers will be notified if such accommodations will me made available for the student during their absence from the classroom.
Oswego Library Cards
This is a friendly reminder about the partnership we have with the Oswego Public Library District. This partnership has been created to give all students in SD308 access to the digital resources available through our public library. Some of our SD308 students don't live within the boundaries of the library district, so they have not had access in the past. In addition, many of those that do reside within the library district boundaries, do not have cards, or have misplaced their cards so they no longer have access. This new partnership will give all students access to the amazing resources our public library has to offer! There are so many great databases and ebooks that students may use for research, homework, classwork and personal enjoyment.
Thompson Reading Program
The Thompson Reading Program starts September 13th! Students who choose to participate need to read 3 books from either the 2021-2022 Caudill Books or the Tiger Tales lists. After reading a book, they complete a book review and receive a prize.
Book Review Form:
https://forms.gle/RCLUJKai74g435Yd8
After 3 books, they qualify for the Spring Reading Celebration!
To check out the book choices, visit the following link:
http://www.sd308.org/Page/10127
From the Front Office
Masks - We ask that you please send a fresh, clean mask to school with your child daily. We are seeing an increased amount of students coming directly to the office in the morning to grab a mask for the day. While we do love helping our Tigers, our supply of masks must be reserved for emergency situations. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Outside/Vendor Food - Outside vendor foods are not permitted in the lunchrooms this year. We cannot accept a delivery from a vendor (store or delivery such as Grub Hub) on behalf of a student. If a parent delivers outside food, the student will be able to receive their lunch, however, will need to eat in the Main Office and then return to lunch. Thank you.
Food Pantry
The district runs a satellite location of the Kendall County Community Food Pantry the first Friday of every month from 6-7:30. We provide supplemental food for families in the SD308 boundaries, as well as those who live in Kendall County. Please encourage families that you work with to attend if they have a need.
Food is available for staff as well. If you are in need of supplemental food once a month, you are welcome to visit the pantry. If privacy/confidentiality is a concern, please reach out to Heidi Podjasek at hpodjasek@sd308.org of x3667 and we will discuss a plan to maintain your privacy from other staff and families.
Volunteers are always needed and welcome! Please click here to apply as a NEW volunteer. If you've volunteered with use before, and would like to do so again, click here.
For more information, please visit our website at www.sd308.og/foodpantry or contact Heidi Podjasek, Director of Social Emotional Learning at x3667. Thank you!!
Conflict Resolution
Are you having problems with another student
that you would like resolved?
Or do you know of a friend who has ongoing problems with a specific student?
Almost all students who have a confrontation say that there has been a history between the two that has been going on for a while. Instead of letting those feelings continue to build up, consider trusting Mr. Buono to assist in resolving the ¨beef.¨
Fill out the 5 second form by scanning the QR code. Mr. Buono will then set up a time to talk to you and decide if we can all sit down for a peer mediation session to calm things down.
*If you have any questions/comments/concerns, you can also email Mr. Buono: NBuono@sd308.org
Home and School Organization
HSO needs volunteers!
We need you! The Thompson HSO is looking for volunteers to help us with events and activities.
Please take a look and sign up to help out.
https://forms.gle/x2uHafV5yUMaoLW9A
Questions? Contact thompsonhso@gmail.com
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Have FACEBOOK?
Stay up to date with the most current HSO info.
Like the HSO page: Thompson Jr. High Home & School
Nurse's Nook
Stay healthy and safe over the weekend.
You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to bed with satisfaction
If you have any questions, contact Kathy Struve, Building Nurse
Phone: (630)636-2602
Fax: (630)636-2697
Email: Kstruve@sd308.org
Care Closet
The Care Closet is ready to help if you are in need.
If your family is experiencing any hardships, we would love to provide some relief with food, clothing, basic hygiene supplies, school supplies, etc?
For more information about the care closet and details on how to use it please click on the link.
Please call – Counselor (A-L), Amy Shaw, at (630)636-2614 or Counselor (M-Z), Ashley Gilbert, at (630)636-2615 if you have any questions or to set up an appointment in the Care Closet.
Technology Links
Tyler SIS Helpline
Having trouble with Tyler SIS?Please email the Tyler helpline at TylerHelp@sd308.org
Tyler SIS Parent/Student Portal
https://www.sd308.org/domain/2589
Student Password Reset
HELP Desk for Technology Questions
Parents and students, please submit any technology questions on this form. It will create a ticket in the new HELP ticket system.
HELP Desk
The new HELP ticket system is LIVE! Please click on the links below for a preview.
Link to the video tutorial - https://youtu.be/n2UihWCSKWo
Link to HELP - http://sd308.link/help (Please bookmark this link!)
Thompson Junior High School
Website: www.sd308.org/thompson
Location: 440 Boulder Hill Pass, Oswego, IL, USA
Phone: (630)636-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/thompsonjuinorhighschool
Twitter: @thompson308