Thomson Tidbits
August 23, 2021
Important News for You!
Dear Thomson Families,
We had an amazing week one! I can not tell you how proud I am of our staff and students. While day one might have looked a bit like organized chaos, by day two the kids had learned the 'lay of the land' and were mostly finding their way to their classrooms on their own. Even after returning from the long weekend today, kids remembered how to get to their classrooms. However, know that we will continue to have staff members throughout the building ready to help all year long.
I also want to thank all of the parents and guardians for trusting us with your children and respecting our 'kiss and go' at the door. As a parent, I know how hard it can be to watch your little one enter or get on a bus on their own, but your support with this has also contributed immensely to our smooth start and growing your child's independence at school.
As the school year progresses, please expect a Thomson Tidbits at least every two weeks. Also watch your child's red folder for flyers and other information. As a reminder, the red folder should be checked and emptied each night. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher or the office.
Here's to a great year!
Natalie Miller
Proud Thomson Principal
Transportation Tags
Just a reminder that your child needs to have their 'transportation tag' on their backpack everyday! This is how we know if a child is parent pick-up or will be riding the bus. If you have to change how your child is going home, please call the office. Do not leave transportation changes on the teacher's voicemail. This is often not checked until after school is out.
Visitors at Thomson
- Drop off/pick up student medications
- Attend IEPs, 504 meetings, or during Parent-Teacher Conferences
- As an Approved Volunteer
For other reasons such as dropping off a student late, picking up a student early, dropping off items such as a forgotten lunch or library book, parents/guardians should come to the front door and ring the doorbell. At that time an office member will greet then meet you at the entrance of the school to assist with the reason for the visit. Any parent that is entering the school building is asked to wear a mask.
Handle With Care!
Medicine
Please remember that children should not be sent to school with medication of any kind (over the counter or doctor prescribed). If a student has a medication that they need to take a school, please contact the office so that we can ensure that the proper forms are issued to be signed by your child's doctor. This is same procedure for over the counter medications. Just a reminder that a new “Authorization to Administer Medication” forms needs to be completed each school year. If you have any questions about medicine administration or medical concerns for your child that you have not discussed with us, please contact our office.
Counseling Corner with Mrs. Ganabathi
Free Parent Literacy Resource
Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Education released the following press release regarding a wonderful free literacy opportunity for kindergarten parents. Check it out:
LANSING – A new public library service for families, called “TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten,” will help build early literacy skills for young children, the Library of Michigan announced today.
TALK sends two text messages each week suggesting early literacy activities that parents and caregivers can easily incorporate into daily routines with their children.
The service also notifies parents of free activities and services at their local public libraries. TALK is available to parents and caregivers in Michigan with children ages 5 and under. Parents can sign up by texting TALK to 75547 or visiting www.texttolearn.com.
“The more parents and caregivers speak positively, read, and listen to young children, the better prepared children will be in their emerging literacy when they begin school,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “TALK is another support we can provide for our families to help meet the state’s Top 10 strategic education plan goal of improving early literacy achievement.”
“TALK is a great resource for all parents, but it’s really designed to reach parents who may not have a lot of free time or resources” said Jodi Krahnke, the head of youth services at the Ypsilanti District Library. “We’re excited to provide parents ideas for quick and easy things they can do to help their children be ready for school.”
The service is funded in part by a national leadership grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant allows TALK, originally created by libraries in Washtenaw County, to be used by all public libraries in Michigan to support early learning in their communities.
State Librarian Randy Riley said, “TALK is a great opportunity for libraries to engage and encourage families to practice simple activities each day with their young children, such as singing and playing, which then helps to develop the cognitive and language skills they need to do well in school and beyond.”
TALK is derived from the research-based program Every Child Ready to Read, which promotes five practices to build essential pre-reading skills: reading, singing, talking, writing and playing. Each message begins with one of the five practices and details an activity that parents can use to help their child develop early literacy skills. The content goes beyond literacy and helps parents build other important skills such as pre-math and social emotional skills.
While the service is available and valuable to every family, the goal is to reach parents who may not otherwise have the time or the ability to attend library programs. It is available in English and Spanish.
This project is led by the Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) and any requests for additional information can be made to YDL’s head of youth services, Jodi Krahnke, at TextAndLearn@gmail.com. The technology platform to distribute the messages is being developed by the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, and materials to promote the service will be available to libraries through the Library of Michigan. HighScope Center for Early Education Research and Evaluation helped ensure messages were aligned to a child’s development and will be conducting an evaluation of the project.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [LG-246434-OLS-20] with support from the Library of Michigan.
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The Library of Michigan is an agency within the Michigan Department of Education and is dedicated to providing the people of Michigan and their government one perpetual institution to collect, preserve and provide access to the story of the State, and to support libraries in their role as essential community anchors. To learn more, visit www.Michigan.gov/LibraryofMichigan.
Attendance Line-Available 24/7
September Lunch Menu
Important Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
Friday, September 3rd-No School, Office will be closed.
Monday, September 6th-No School, Happy Labor Day!
Monday, September 20th-First PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Thomson Library...Please join us!
Wednesday, September 22nd-Picture Day! Early Release Day, students will be dismissed at 1:28 p.m.
We are Here to Help-Important Contact Information!
While it is always best to reach out to your child's teacher first, below is a list of other Thomson Staff that you may want or need to contact. Please remember that we are here to help!
Mrs. Miller, Principal-Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0910
Mrs. Ganabathi, School Counselor-Email: aganabathi@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0907; Google Phone Number: 810-346-3166
Mrs. Campbell, Literacy Coach-Email: mcampbell@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
Mrs. Anna Wojciechowski, Secretary to the Principal-Email: awojciechowksi@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
Mrs. Sue Dorman, Secretary-sdorman@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
ATTENDANCE LINE (24/7) 810-591-0916
Thomson Elementary
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-0911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThomsonPTO