Thompson Friday Forecast
May 7, 2021
From the Principal...Steve Morrill
Powerful Learning Experiences
Recently I had the opportunity to spend time with a group of 8th graders working within an interdisciplinary unit. An interdisciplinary learning experience takes place when teachers from two different content areas work together to align topics of studies and skills. A group of our 8th graders during social studies classes were engaged in a unit about Genocide, specifically the Holocaust. Learning about Genocide is a state mandate for Illinois public schools.
A team of 8th grade social studies and language arts teachers designed powerful learning opportunities that included the use of young adult novels and memoirs documenting the Holocaust to prepare for this learning. One of the end results of this learning was that our students engaged in discussion circles deliberating the merits of the novel as it pertained to the factual events of Nazi Germany. What I observed were students engaged in rich dialogue with one another.
This interdisciplinary learning environment allowed students to grow their understanding of the topic, make connections between the stories of the time included in their novels, and generate personal thoughts and feelings about this very difficult topic. I saw how powerful this lesson was for students as I was able to participate in one of the discussions myself. When these types of learning opportunities are designed by teachers, our students don’t just remember information for a test or during the unit; rather, the students participate in learning that they will be able to remember for a life-time. Kudos to our 8th grade faculty members for making this happen.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Our Thompson teachers are fabulous! In my eyes, every week is Teacher Appreciation Week thanks to our wonderful Thompson Staff! And thank you to our families and the PTO for spoiling us during this week. We are fortunate to have the support of such a caring and giving community!
Enjoy your weekend!
~Steve
May PTO Meeting
Please join us for the final PTO meeting of this school year on Thursday, May 13th from 9:00 - 10:00 am. All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please email Jenny Hunt or Kim Walters for a link to the virtual meeting.
Notes from the Nurse…
Please do not forget to pick up all medications by the last day of school! Those medicines not picked up by an adult by May 28th, will need to be disposed of. The only medications that can be given to a student to transport home are those that are allowed to be self carried (Epi Pens, Pancreatic Enzymes or inhalers). If there is a self carry form on file for one of those medications, please remind your student to stop in and pick up medication before leaving on the last day. All medication orders must be renewed each school year. Forms are available on the district web site under “Parents”, then “forms” or by contacting the health office.
Appointments for the required 6th grade and 9th grade physicals tend to fill up quickly and should be scheduled now! Please submit the completed physicals to the respective schools as they are done. They are required to be submitted for review prior to the first day.
The health office is closed during the summer months. I will return for limited hours beginning in early August. Please contact me if there are new medical concerns for your child or if your child will need a health plan at school.
Have a safe and healthy summer!
Diane Isbrandt RN, M.Ed.
Professional Educator License-School Nurse
331-228-3104
332-228-3101 (Fax)
Track Meet Spectators - Guidelines for Parents
The Thompson Athletic Department is asking parents of track athletes to follow the guidelines below to help align with I.D.P.H. and prevent the spread of the COVID-19. These are the guidelines that all schools in the athletic conference are following in order to maintain consistency and fairness.
Home meets: We are encouraging no more than two spectators per family.
Away meets: Parents are asked to not attend away track meets this season. In accordance with this, we are asking that athletes be picked up upon arrival back at Thompson.
Spectators must maintain 6 feet social distancing when possible; masks are required. Any questions or concerns should be emailed to the Thompson Athletic Director, Chris Wilke @ christopher.wilke@d303.org. We are looking forward to our Track Meets this season!
Online Registration for Next Year
Returning Student Registration for 2020-2021 is once again an online format. All acknowledgments and authorizations are contained in a single electronic, online registration form. Please complete this by June 1st!
The form will be located in the Parents/Community menu of the District website and on Thompson’s website under Parents/Registration Materials. Parents can sign into the Returning Student Online Registration form using their Home Access Center (HAC) credentials, select individual students, and complete their registration.
Registration fees for all students will not be billed in PushCoin until July 1, 2021. A 2021-2022 district fee waiver application will be available on the District 303 website in July, accessible from the Parent/Community menu, for families who may qualify for a fee waiver and are not directly certified by the state.
Please contact the main office if you have any questions at (331) 228-3100!
Saints Tutoring Thunder 2020-2021
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.
A reminder from the school nurse…
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
Chromebook Device Exchange
Dates to Remember
Monday, May 10 - Early Release Monday
Thursday, May 13 - PTO Meeting (Virtual) 9:00 - 10:00 am
Monday, May 17 - Early Release Monday
Monday, May 24 - Early Release Monday
Friday, May 28 - Last Day of School
Thompson Middle School
Mrs. Michelle Dague - Assistant Principal
Mr. Shane Darnell - Assistant Principal
Mrs. Danielle Moeller - Student Support Coordinator
Mr. Sam Pasholk - Student Support Coordinator
Email: kimberly.walters@d303.org
Website: http://thompson.d303.org
Location: 705 West Main Street
Phone: (331) 228-3100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thompson-Middle-School-671638232903851/