Thompson Friday Forecast

What an awesome first week at Thompson Middle School!

As I have walked through the building, I have seen so many of the things that make me excited and proud to lead this school. I have seen students being kind, respectful, and responsible, but I have also seen something just as important: students figuring things out. They are working with new people, making new friends, navigating unfamiliar situations, collaborating with classmates, and learning what it means to be part of a community.

And, inevitably, they are running into challenges.

One of the greatest things students can learn in middle school is how to persevere. We cannot, and probably should not, protect our kids from every difficult experience. The trials and tribulations of growing up are part of the process. Students need opportunities to struggle, make mistakes, experience disappointment, work through uncomfortable moments, and discover that they are capable of getting to the other side.

I was reminded of this in a very personal way this summer.

My 16 year old daughter's boyfriend of a year moved away to Seattle last week. The impending move was a bit of a cloud hanging over the Clark household all summer. Our whole family really liked him, but obviously, this was hardest on my daughter. I know she is struggling with it. Maybe they will find their way back to each other someday. Odds are, they won't.

As a parent, it is hard to watch your child hurt. As much as I wish I could take the disappointment away, I know this is part of her story, and an experience she needs to navigate, learn from, and grow through. And while I don't know what the next chapter holds, I have a tremendous amount of confidence that she will be okay. More than that, I have confidence that how she writes this portion of her story will help shape who she becomes.

I have this same confidence in every student walking the halls of Thompson.

Every student at Thompson is writing a story this year. For some, that story begins with learning how to navigate a new school and make new connections. For others, it is about growing into the next version of themselves or preparing for what comes after Thompson. Along the way, there will be successes and setbacks, new friendships and difficult moments, celebrations and disappointments. Those experiences, especially the challenging ones, are what help shape who we become. That is why our theme this year is "What's Your Story?" We want our students to recognize that every experience is part of their story and that they have a role in deciding what comes next.

We want students to understand that their story is not something that simply happens to them. It is something they are writing every day through the choices they make, the relationships they build, the challenges they overcome, and the way they respond when things don't go their way.

And just as importantly, every student is part of the story of the 2026–27 school year at TMS. Every student brings something valuable to our school, and we cannot write the Story of Thompson without your child being part of it. Our job is to make sure every student feels known, valued, challenged, and supported as they discover not only what they can accomplish, but who they can become.

After one week, I already have a lot of great things to say about the story our students are beginning to write…I can't wait to see what comes next.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark

Thompson Principal

1. Parents are welcome to drop off lunch only for their own child - not a group.

• Parent deliveries should be brought to the main office.
• Food and beverages may only be provided for your individual student. For example, a pizza cannot be purchased for a group of students. And students are not permitted to use apps to have food delivered during the school day.

2. We WILL NOT accept or sign for delivered lunches for students

• If there is an emergency situation and you need to send something for your student, please get in touch with the main office with details so they don't turn away the delivery driver. 331-228-3100

Thank you for helping us ensure our school day runs smoothly and with little disruption!

• Organic Life is our food service provider at the Middle School

• They will have traditional school lunch choices available. Menus are posted on the District website on the Food Services page.

• 2026-2027 Breakfast & Lunch Meal Prices:
  Middle School Breakfast - $2.25
  Reduced Breakfast - $0.30*
  Middle School Lunch - $4.25
  Reduced Lunch - $0.40
  Milk - $0.75 (when purchased separately from meals)
  A la carte items - prices vary

• Click here to learn all about our meal service plans.

• Please make sure to put some money on PushCoin if you want them to access snacks.

• It is a good idea to have a conversation on how to budget for snacks. Topics like “not buying snacks for the table” and “you only have money for two snacks per week” are important topics to cover. Set your spending expectations up front.

At Thompson, we are dedicated to supporting each student’s academic and personal growth. Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in helping students stay engaged, connected, and successful. We truly appreciate your partnership in ensuring your student is present and ready to learn each day.

The attendance policies and procedures for the 2026-2027 school year that can be found in your student’s handbook beginning on page 11. We would like to direct your attention to the following:

1. Defined tardies: Minutes 1–6 late will result in a tardy. An extended tardy will be applied if the student is 7 or more minutes late to school or class.

2. 8 excused absences: Once a student has reached 8 excused absences, a staff member may reach out to help problem-solve and offer support.

3. 10 full-day absences: Once a student has accumulated 10 full-day absences, a medical note will be required for all absences to be excused. *See handbook for specific requirements of the medical note on pg. 14.

4. Problem-solving meetings: All students will be required to have a problem-solving meeting with building staff to address attendance concerns. At this time, a parent/guardian may be asked to participate in the conference.

5. No more pre-arranged absences: Vacations during school days are discouraged and will be considered unexcused. Students should make up their classwork from unexcused absences.
   
   

If you have specific concerns regarding your student as it relates to attendance, please reach out directly to one of our Deans:

• Sam Pasholk - samuel.pasholk@d303.org
• Christine Ellis - christine.ellis@d303.org

Is My Child’s Absence Excused?

Attendance Interventions & Actions

HR Imaging is the company we use. The link to order pictures is now live.

To contact HR Imaging with questions: https://shop.hrimaging.com/pws/contactus.aspx

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Next week, students will be taking the Fall iReady assessment for Reading (Tuesday, August 18th) and Math (Thursday, August 20th). Makeups will be administered during periods 1-3 on Thursday, August 27th.

Please see the district’s communication regarding the iReady assessment for more information.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor.

Thank you,

TMS Admin

Attention parents of incoming 6th grade students! Per Illinois school code, your student will need a school physical and a complete record of immunizations prior to the first day of school which is August 12, 2026. Please note - a sport physical is not the same as a school physical! You may turn the required forms into the main office or email a copy to TMSC-Nurses@d303.org . If you need resources or have an appointment scheduled after the first day of school, please contact the nurses at 331-228-3104. Thanks! Diane Isbrandt, Certified School Nurse TMS

Dear Thompson Middle School Families,

I am Andrea Zitella, the Math Intervention Specialist at Thompson Middle School, and I’m excited for this coming school year. I am looking forward to getting to know our students, supporting their growth, and partnering with families throughout the year.

In my role, I will provide targeted math intervention both inside and outside of the classroom. My goal is to help students strengthen their math skills, build confidence, and recognize that they are capable mathematicians.

Each week, Math Corner will provide a quick look at what students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade general math are learning. I’ll share key strategies and concepts from the classroom, along with helpful ideas and information to support your child’s math learning.

One of the most important messages I want our students to hear is that struggling with something does not mean you are not good at it. We all struggle when we are learning something new, and that is okay! Mistakes, questions, and challenges are all part of learning and growing, and mathematics is not any different.

Math is not always about being the fastest person to find an answer. It is about thinking, making connections, solving problems, explaining our reasoning, and persevering when things get challenging. Sometimes the most valuable learning happens when we make a mistake, try a different strategy, or take the time to figure out why something works.

I believe every student can grow in mathematics with patience, effort, and a willingness to learn. My hope is that students leave this year not only with stronger math skills, but also with greater confidence in themselves as learners. I’m excited for this school year and look forward to working together to make it a positive year of learning and growth.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Andrea Zitella

andrea.zitella@d303.org

We’re on a mission to collect one million pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities, and we can’t do it without YOU (and your grandparents, cousins, neighbors, and carpool crew)!

Those tiny aluminum tabs from soda cans, soup lids, or sparkling water may seem small—but when we collect them together, they add up to real support for families with seriously ill children.

Here’s how to pitch in:

• Save your pop tabs at home—and ask your grandparents, cousins, friends, and neighbors to do the same!

• Bring them to school all year long.

• Every tab brings us closer to our 1,000,000-tab goal!

Let's pull together and make a difference!

All students are eligible for a St. Charles Public Library card. Check out the FAQ to learn how to obtain a card for you child.

District 303 has created a Pushcoin link to donate to student food accounts with negative balances. Please feel free to donate if you are able to do so! Every little bit helps!

Mrs. Michelle Woodring - Assistant Principal

Mr. Ryan Wood - Assistant Principal

Mr. Sam Pasholk - Dean of Students

Ms. Christine Ellis - Dean of Students

Email: katrina.michaelis@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/