Thompson Friday Forecast
January 10, 2020
From the Associate Principal...Dr. Alicia Honnert
Dear Parents:
This was shared with me and I thought it was interesting and important so I wanted to share it with you too.
As our kids get older, it is natural for them to start to tell you less, to keep secrets where they might have told you something in the past, and to be more private about parts of their lives. As parents, it is our job to figure out how to balance honoring their privacy while still making sure there are open lines of communication.
We encourage parents to ask specific, but still open-ended questions to dig into their lives. Here are some samples that you can use:
Tell me about one challenge you had at school today? What was one success?
Who is your favorite teacher and what is it that you really like about him/her?
Tell me one fact you learned in school today and why you think you remembered it. Do you think it will be useful in your adult life?
There are also more nuanced reasons your child may talk to you less. You may find this article, This is Why Your Teen Won't Always Tell You About Their Day, has some new ideas to consider. The article is short, but offers some insight.
Enjoy your weekend!
Alicia
From the School Nurse
Parents, please remind your children not to use spray perfumes or aerosols in the locker rooms or by their lockers. Many children have asthma and/or allergies that are triggered by strong scents. Thank you!
Coffee with the Principal
Parents are welcome to join us for our second ‘Coffee with the Principal’ informal dialogue next Tuesday, January 14th from 1:00 - 2:00 pm! Just stop in the main office to sign in.
PTO Meeting
Please join us for the next PTO meeting this coming Thursday, January 16th from 10:00 - 11:00 am. All are welcome!
Parent Satisfaction Survey
Every year, District 303 conducts a satisfaction survey that gives us meaningful feedback from our students, teachers and parents. As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) we are participating in the statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about Thompson Middle School.
The Parent Survey is currently open and will remain so through February 14, 2020. To take the survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey.
We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to provide Thompson Middle School with your input!
Middle School Top Chef Competition
Do you want to be the next Middle School Top Chef? Join the Thompson Team for the 12th Annual D303 Middle School Cooking Competition. This year the theme is all about the color orange. The competition is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students competing as individuals or in teams of 2. Official team selection of the top 15 dishes will take place during the last week of January 2020. To enter, fill out a registration form and submit a recipe along with 10 samples of a dish containing visible orange color to Mrs. Schmidt in room 121 during the week of January 27 to January 31, 2020.
The competition will be held on Saturday morning February 29, 2020 at St. Charles East High School. Registration forms are available in the FACS room, and just outside of the office. Please contact Mrs. Schmidt for details and to answer any questions!
Thompson Yearbook
Every year, Thompson students publish 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 your Thompson 19-20 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 April 1, 2019. We are extending the due date for ordering books to Thursday, January 16, 2020. Contact Kim Walters (kimberly.walters@d303.org or 331-228-6410) if you have any questions or need financial assistance. Or stop in the main office during conferences!
Holiday Lights Recycling
Thompson is proud to be participating in the Holiday Lights Recycling program sponsored by American In Bloom - St. Charles, Elgin Recycling, and the City of St. Charles! In the past two years, these organizations have kept over 6000 pounds of lights out of landfills.
Drop off working or non-working Holiday Lights to the large bin in our main foyer. These include:
Please do not drop off prelit garland, wreaths, trees, or lighted lawn decorations or ornaments. Thank you for your support!
Parent University Book Study
District 303 Parent University presents our second annual book study when we read "The Whole Brain Child" by Dr. Dan Siegel.
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling book Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. Conversations will be based upon the book as well as supplemental workbook activities.
Study sessions will be offered during both morning and evening times at the following locations:
Baker Community Center (101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles)
Fox Ridge in the LRC (1905 Tyler Road, St. Charles)
Join us for the book study sessions on the following dates:
February 13, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
February 27, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
March 12, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
Crossing Guard Opening
Calling any Thompson Parents/Guardians! If you have an interest in expanding your daily experiences, we are in need of three additional crossing guards. Each position would support morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. The hours are 7:40 to 8:30 am and 3:15 to 4:00 pm at $35/day. This position is posted on the
district website. If you have questions about the position, please contact the main office at (331) 228-3100.
SmartSocial App
Recently District 303 hosted national digital citizenship speaker Josh Ochs at both our middle and high schools, and as part of our Parent University series. During his presentation with students, Josh spoke about the importance of creating a positive online profile. His evening presentation to parents focused on ways to keep children safe online, including what apps children can use safely and which ones to avoid.
Because he spoke in our district, all our families have the opportunity to register for a free one-year subscription to his SmartSocial.com Digital Driver’s Ed program. This resource provides information about current social media trends, statistics, and app guides. In addition, there are webinars that teach both parents and students about how to create a positive online presence. You must register by January 21, 2020 to take part in the free 12-month offer.
Here’s how you can access this resource:
You will be given a username/password to log into the program. Your login information provides you with access to the videos and online workshops.
If you were unable to attend Josh’s presentation, there are links to both an audio and video version in the membership area of his website.
Thompson Middle School
Mr. Steve Morrill - Principal
Mrs. Sarah Cann - Assistant Principal
Mr. Shane Darnell - Assistant Principal
Dr. Alicia Honnert - Assistant Principal
Let's Talk!
