Thompson Friday Forecast

Good afternoon and happy weekend Thompson Families. I’m delighted to share that our Thunder students deserve a standing ovation (or at least a polite round of applause in the kitchen) for the ways they’ve been showing respect, responsibility, and kindness to kick off this school year. They are exemplifying:

• Responsibility: by making sure they get to class on time—because nothing says “ready to learn” like sliding into your seat before the bell rings.
  
  

• Respect: by ensuring their phones are off and put away during the school day—yes, those magical rectangles of distraction are actually staying in lockers where they belong.
  
  

• Kindness: by sharing friendly smiles in the hallway and helping each other out, our students are proving that a little kindness really does go a long way.

Of course, middle school is a time of growth, and with growth comes the need for frequent reminders. We always assume best intent—our students truly want to do what’s right—but sometimes it takes a nudge (or three) to help those good intentions turn into daily habits. The effort and progress we’ve seen so far is exactly what makes us proud to work with your kids each day.

That said, we’d love your support with one key area: getting to 1st period on time. Please read the message below about tardy expectations for students who are being dropped off. Arriving to class promptly isn’t just about beating the bell—it sets the tone for the whole day.

Thanks for your partnership in helping our students continue to be their best selves. Together, we’ll keep the momentum going.

Have a wonderful weekend and Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark

Principal

Tardy to School (after 7:50 a.m.)

• Any student who arrives late to school will report to the main office and complete the Tardy Attendance Google Form at the front entrance upon arrival.
  

• On their 3rd Tardy: Warning issued; notification sent home
  

• 4th & 5th Tardy: Detention (before or after school), assigned by the Student Support Coordinator
  

• After 5th Tardy: Parent problem-solving meeting with administration
  
  

Note: All tardy counts reset at the end of each quarter.

On Wednesday, September 10th, students will participate in Safety Day to practice our emergency procedures. Drills will include:

• Bus evacuation (for students who arrive by bus in the morning)
  

• Fire drill
  

• Lockdown drill (with support from the St. Charles Police Department)
  

• Severe weather drill
  
  

These drills help us ensure that students know what to do in the event of an emergency.

If you would like your student to opt out of the lockdown drill, please email samuel.pasholk@d303.org.

Picture RETAKE Day will be September 17th.

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

As we have completed the Fall i-Ready Diagnostic, please click on the links below for access to a letter from Mr.Dave Chiszar, the Director of Assessment and Accountability, and instructions for how to access your student’s results.

• Letter to parents about i-Ready fall testing

• Letter to parents about i-Ready fall results

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

Thank you.

Sixth Grade Thunder students kicked off our One Book, One Grade adventure with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone!

Today in the library, every student received their own copy of the book along with a reading schedule, which is coming home with your child. We are so excited to share this magical journey together and look forward to the reading, discussions, and special experiences that await in the weeks ahead!

-Sixth Grade Teachers

Tutorial math groups provide students with additional support to strengthen their math skills and confidence in math. These groups meet twice a week during tutorial and are designed for students who may need some extra practice and strategies, but may not be in an intervention math class.

During sessions, students:

• Review grade-level content to reinforce classroom learning

• Practice and strengthen math fluency facts connected to current skills

• Learn and apply problem solving strategies that support deeper understanding

The goal is to give students just the right amount of support to stay on track and feel more successful in math. I am excited to be a part of this journey! Please reach out to me if you have any questions. andrea.zitella@d303.org

As per this week’s math strategy, we are working on building multiplication strategies. We are using tools such as: arrays, skip counting, modeling, and breaking numbers apart. These strategies move beyond memorization and build number sense. One example of breaking apart is:

In D303, we value the opportunity to provide a community of care and support to our families, especially those faced with financial hardship.

If your family is currently experiencing a significant financial need, our community partnerships have several supports available for families including: school clothes/shoes, winter coats/accessories, school supplies, toiletries, holiday meals, and/or holiday gifts.

If you would like to be considered for any of these supports, please COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW. This is the only opportunity this form will be opened this school year.

The Parent/Guardian Resource Form is now open for the 2025-26 school year. Families can complete this form to request support, such as Big Hearts of Fox Valley holiday programming or Thanksgiving meals. The form will close on September 12th.

• English Form Link
• Spanish Form Link

El Formulario de Recursos para Padres/Tutores ya está disponible para el año escolar 2025-26. Las familias pueden llenar este formulario para solicitar apoyo como los programas navideños de Big Hearts of Fox Valley o comidas para el Día de Acción de Gracias. El formulario estará abierto hasta el 12 de septiembre.

• English Form Link
• Spanish Form Link

We are excited to share information to purchase athletic wear supporting three of our Fall sports. Please see the information below to see the flyers and access the online stores for our volleyball, cross country and football programs.

We would love to have you proudly wearing your Thunder gear around TMS and throughout the St. Charles community.

Please note - ALL ORDERS ARE DUE BY THIS SATURDAY 9/6 AT MIDNIGHT.

Football Flyer

Passcode- THUNDERFB

https://theedgesportsapparel.com/collections/thompson-football-2025

Volleyball Flyer

Passcode- THUNDERVB

https://theedgesportsapparel.com/collections/thompson-volleyball-2025

Cross Country Flyer

Passcode- THUNDERXC

https://theedgesportsapparel.com/collections/thompson-cross-country-2025

This year marks a very special milestone—Thompson Middle School’s 100th anniversary! To honor this occasion, in partnership with Thompson Middle School, the TMS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is proud to present a gift that will serve our school and community for years to come: new outdoor bleachers!

These bleachers will provide seating for families, friends, and fans during sporting events (like football, track and field, cross country, and cheerleading) as well as other outdoor activities. These seats will be a place for our community to gather, cheer, and celebrate Thompson.

We are thrilled to dedicate this gift during our centennial year. It will be commemorated with a plaque that will stand as a reminder of both our history and our ongoing commitment to supporting students, staff, and families.

We are grateful for the strong partnership between Thompson Middle School and our families. Together, we are building memories and traditions that will carry forward into the next 100 years.

Stay Connected with the Thompson PTO

Sign up to receive updates about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and important PTO news.

Sign up here to join our Communications List

There are no dues or fees to be part of the PTO—all Thompson families and staff are welcome and encouraged to get involved.

Stay informed, stay connected, and help us build a strong school community.

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!

Builders club will have its first informational meeting Thursday, September 4 at 7:15 AM in Mr. Simone's classroom. room 237.

• No backpacks, bags, or outside food or drinks are allowed. Only small bags (8x6 or smaller) will be permitted, and all bags are subject to search.

• These games are official school events and are considered an extension of the school day, so behavior expectations still apply.

• Middle school students must be with a parent or guardian at all times while inside the stadium.

• There is no re-entry once someone leaves the stadium.

• Not allowed: profanity, taunting (including racial or inappropriate remarks), throwing objects, or bringing anything that blocks the view of others.

• If a student is asked by staff to provide their name and school, they are expected to respond honestly and respectfully. All workers—whether staff or event personnel—should be treated with respect at all times

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 Dague - Assistant Principal

Mr. Ryan Wood - Assistant Principal

Mr. Sam Pasholk - Student Support Coordinator

Ms. Christine Ellis - Student Support Coordinator

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/