Parent Conferences

It has been a ridiculously busy past few weeks for Thompson faculty as preparations were completed in anticipation of our parent/teacher conferences which took place yesterday and today. Teachers have been collecting data, speaking with students, collaborating with colleagues, navigating new software layers to support “virtual” conferences all in order to maximize the effectiveness of both individual and team conferences. These past two days have provided a great opportunity for parents and guardians to communicate with your child’s teachers. Making a connection between home and school is a major contributing factor to student success.

Through the parent lens, I hope your conferences provided the opportunity for you to hear about your student as a learner and that you were able to ask teachers any questions you may have. By participating in these conferences and communicating with your child’s teachers throughout the year, you are sending a strong message to your child that education is important! Although yesterday and today were specifically identified as conference days, please know that we encourage parent/teacher conferences anytime that the need arises. If you would like to schedule a conference, please contact your child’s teacher, team leader, or counselor. As parents, you are a vital component to not only your child’s educational success, but the overall success of our school. Thank you for supporting all of the learning that goes on here!

Schools will be closed this coming Monday, October 12th for Columbus Day. Enjoy your long weekend!

~Steve

Picture retake days are scheduled for Wednesday, October 14th and Thursday, October 15th. Students that need to have their picture retaken will need to bring their package with them if they preordered. Pictures will be taken in Room 253 during PE.

Full remote learners that need their pictures taken or retaken are welcome to come to Thompson between 3:45 - 4:30pm on October 14th or October 15th. Enter through Door 5 off of the south parking lot and exit through Door 6. Staff will be assisting students. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

If you have any questions, please call the Main Office (331) 228-3100.

It’s time for the Global Read Aloud! The two GRA books this year are Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park.

Students are invited to hear from the authors virtually, read the book, and join D303 students for a roundtable discussion. Information to join the author presentation and the discussion can be found below.

Stamped by Jason Reynolds (Recommended by School Library Journal for grades 7 and up)

• October 9- Meet the author live

• November 5- Participate in a 6-12 roundtable discussion

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park (Recommended by School Library Journal for grades 5-8)

• October 30- Meet the author live

• November 18- Participate in a 6-8 roundtable discussion

We hope students will join in the reading fun!

Please join us for our next PTO meeting of this school year on Thursday, October 15th from 9:00 - 10:00 am. This meeting was rescheduled from October 1st due to our Safety Day. All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please email Nicole Snopko or Kim Walters for a link to the virtual meeting.

Parent University was developed in response to the need for programming to address the social and emotional needs of students in District 303. Over the last decade, the district has strived to provide information on topics that are relevant, timely, and beneficial for all parents and guardians.

October 29, 2020
Parenting The New Teen In The Age of Anxiety
Virtual
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Dr. John Duffy, a nationally recognized expert in parenting for nearly twenty-five years, wrote this book as a guide for parents raising children who are growing up too quickly and, as a result, dealing with unresolved adolescent issues that can lead to anxiety and depression. Please indicate your interest in getting a copy of the book and event by filling out this form.

November 2, 2020
Technology Talk
Sessions will be organized as follows:
7:00-7:30-Seesaw
7:30-8:00-Google Classroom
8:00-8:30-Schoology
In this upcoming Parent University session, families will familiarize themselves with the 3 digital platforms teachers may use in the district: Seesaw, Google Classroom, and Schoology. Each digital platform will have its own 30-minute session. During these sessions, families will learn how best to support their children with their classwork. They will see where assignments are posted, how teachers communicate and collaborate with their child, where students turn in their work, and the many ways teachers can utilize the platform. Please fill out this form to indicate which session you are interested in attending.

District 303 offers all students enrolled in 8th grade, 7th grade AVID, and Infinity to take the PSAT 8/9 in the fall. This PSAT is a part of the SAT series of assessments that help guide students through academic measures of college and career readiness ending with the SAT taken in their junior year. The SAT can be used with most colleges as a part of the admission process.

Your son/daughter will be participating in the PSAT test on either Wednesday, October 21st (A day) or Thursday, October 22nd (B day). Like any other day, attendance is important. If students arrive late to school, they will be held in the main office until the window for one of the tests has closed.

If you are a remote student, you were sent a separate email regarding testing and the location from the Department of Assessment and Accountability. Please review this document with more information.

Below are some helpful tips to help your child as they prepare for testing day:

• Get a good night sleep

• Eat a healthy breakfast

• Be sure to charge your child’s chromebook overnight

If you have specific questions about the assessment please contact David Chiszar (david.chiszar@d303.org) You can also find additional assessment information at https://district.d303.org/departments/assessment.

Thank you-

Welcome to remote learning! Remember that remote students have classes every day. Below are resources for our full remote learners:

• Remote Academy Calendar (and Bell Schedule)

• Overview and Expectations

• Teachers and Resources

You can check the attendance for any of your students at any time by logging into the Home Access Center and clicking on the attendance tab to view. Toggle between students using the arrow in the upper right hand corner.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the main office at (331) 228-3100! We are here to help!

• Monday, October 12 - Columbus Day Holiday
  
• Wednesday, October 14 - Picture Retake Day
  
• Thursday, October 15 - Rescheduled PTO Meeting - 9:00 - 10:00 am
• Thursday, October 15 - Picture Retake Day

• Friday, October 16 - End of the 1st Quarter

• Monday, October 19 - Start of the 2nd Quarter

• Wednesday, October 21 - PSAT for 8th Grade 'A' & 7th Grade AVID 'A' Students
  

• Thursday, October 22 - PSAT for 8th Grade 'B' & 7th Grade AVID 'B' Students

• Friday, October 23 - Grades posted in the Home Access Center (HAC)

• Thursday, October 29 - Parent University "Parenting The New Teen In The Age of Anxiety"
• Monday, November 2 - Parent University "Technology Talks"
• Tuesday, November 3 - Election Day Holiday (No School for Students)
• Monday, November 9 - Remote Learning Planning Day (No School for Students)