Good afternoon Thompson parents and guardians. As we inch closer to winter break—when the energy in a middle school starts to feel a bit like a snow globe that’s been aggressively shaken—I want to highlight the great things happening here at Thompson. Even with all the seasonal excitement, our students continue to lean into learning with curiosity, humor, and heart. They’re engaging deeply in class discussions, asking thoughtful questions, taking academic risks, and showing the kind of steady perseverance that makes middle school both chaotic and wonderful.

nd let’s be honest: in a building with nearly 1,400 middle schoolers, mistakes are not a surprise—they’re practically part of the curriculum. But what sets our Thunder students apart is how they respond. Day after day, they work to be respectful, responsible, and kind. When they misstep, they recalibrate, they grow, and they keep moving forward. Their resilience, paired with the dedication of our incredible staff, is what helps them thrive.

As we move into the final week of quarter 2, families play a huge role in keeping that positive momentum going. A consistent time at home for schoolwork, studying, or simply reviewing notes can help students stay grounded as finals and the end of the semester approaches. We know this time of year brings family traditions and enough festive activities to fill a calendar twice over. Still, carving out even a predictable 15–20 minutes of academic time each day can go a long way in helping your children feel confident and prepared.

Thank you for trusting us with your students each day. Their growth, questions, quirks, and everything in between bring us joy on a daily basis. We’re grateful to partner with you, and we’re excited to finish the semester strong.

Have a wonderful weekend and Roll Thunder!

Families who wish to learn more about Free and Reduced-Price Meals or fee waivers can find information and application links on the District 303 website under Parents & Community.

• For Free and Reduced-Price Meals, visit: district.d303.org/foodservices
• For Fee Waivers, visit: district.d303.org/fee-waivers

Applications are available year-round for families whose household circumstances may have changed.

🚗 Morning Arrival Update 🚗

Thompson Parents and Guardians,

Please DO NOT drop your child off in the parking lot near door 5 (off of Indiana Avenue). There are buses that drop off students in the parking lot, and they need to be able to enter and exit in a timely manner. You are welcome to drop off or pick up your child along the sidewalk near door 5.

Thank you,

The Thompson Middle School Administrative Team

Help make our staff at Thompson Middle School have a sweet treat this holiday season! Click here to sign-up to bake cookies or donate to the cause!

Drop off homemade goodies in a disposable container (container will not be returned), in the main office anytime on Monday, December 15th or up until 9:00am on the morning of the 16th of December. ****New this year for all the west side residents, you can also drop off to my residence if it makes your life easier, 3N995 Emily Dickinson Lane, on the dates previously listed. I will leave a cooler outside my front door, you can just leave them right in there.

Assembling of treat boxes will take place on Tuesday, December 16th from 10am to Noon in the Main Entrance hallway.

What can you bake? Anything your family loves! We ask that you donate in increments of 2 dozen, anything from cookies, brownies or any holiday sweet treat. These goodies will be boxed up and given to each staff member. If you make GLUTEN FREE treats, please label them that way BEFORE you drop them off! Also if possible, please no chocolate chip cookies. If you have any questions please contact aliciafulgencioflint@yahoo.com or 989-295-9037.

Hey Parents! As we head into winter break, remember that this is the perfect time to encourage a little extra reading at home. Without the usual pressure of homework, after-school activities, and those cold early-morning wake-ups, your teen may actually say they’re “bored” and have nothing to do! If that’s the case, before they hop on video games or head out with friends to shop at Geneva Commons, consider encouraging 30 minutes of reading each day. Yes… they may complain at first, but research shows that being tech-free and focusing on a relaxing activity—like reading for pleasure—is truly good for their brains.

And… don’t forget — books make fantastic Christmas gifts, too! When I was growing up, my parents always gave me a book for Christmas, and I’ve continued that tradition with my own daughters. Check out popular middle school reads at Barnes & Noble or Amazon, or explore award-winning choices like those on the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award lists (books voted on by Illinois students in grades 4–8). And don’t forget the Saint Charles Public Library! The books there are free, the librarians always have awesome recommendations, and there are plenty of fun activities planned for no-school days over the break.

Happy reading (and surviving the holiday craziness)!

—Mrs. Leppin (TMS Reading Specialist)
If all else fails… blame me for making your teen read over break! 😄📚

Muscle Memory...

Muscle memory plays a powerful role in athletic performance. It allows athletes to move efficiently and accurately without consciously thinking through every step. The more consistently an athlete repeats a motion, the stronger and more reliable their muscle memory becomes.

For example, a baseball player may take thousands of swings before their body automatically performs the correct technique. This repeated practice builds automaticity, the ability to perform a skill effortlessly.

The same principle applies to mathematics. Through repeated practice, math facts and procedures become so familiar that they can be recalled quickly and accurately, without needing to consciously work through each step. When skills become automatic, students free up mental energy to focus on problem-solving, reasoning, and deeper understanding.

Just as athletes train their bodies, mathletes train their minds. Consistent practice builds confidence, accuracy, and mastery.

HOMEWORK + PRACTICE + KNOWLEDGE = SUCCESS

Let’s unlock the full potential of our mathletes by applying the same principles of muscle memory that help athletes succeed!

Math Tip: Estimate totals, split bills, or calculate discounts when shopping.This makes math functional and practical, building “real-life” muscle memory.

***Shout-out to all of our mathletes who are building their muscle memory one problem at a time through facts, calculations, and practice. Keep practicing, thinking, and shining!

🛍️ Glue Guns, Glue Sticks, & Paper Bags 🛍️

Mrs. Ray is seeking donations to support a hands-on TEK activity for 7th grade students this December and during team events in December and January.

She’s hoping to gather glue guns, glue sticks, and paper bags to ensure all students can fully participate. An Amazon Wish List is available for convenience (though purchases do not need to be from the list).

Donations would be most helpful if received by Friday, December 5. Items can be dropped off in the main office labeled for Mrs. Ray or delivered directly by students to Room 229 (Team 7-4). Thank you for considering and supporting this engaging learning experience!

Help Us Collect ONE MILLION Pop Tabs!

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!

Dear 8th Grade Students & Parents,

We are excited to invite you to St. Charles North High School’s Future North Star Night on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This special event will start in our auditorium and is designed to give you and your child an opportunity to learn more about the academic programs and resources available at our school.

During the evening, you will have the chance to:

Meet and speak with department chairs and teachers from various courses.
Meet your student's counselor to learn more about academic, college/career, and social/emotional supports at North.
Explore our school’s offerings and ask any questions you may have about your upcoming Freshmen year.
Visit our school store, which will be open throughout the event.

We encourage you to attend this informative event and take full advantage of the opportunity to connect with our staff, ask questions, and get a glimpse of what it means to be a North Star!

We look forward to welcoming you to North Star Nation and can’t wait to see you January 15th!

Thompson

Activities and clubs information

Homework Help

NHS Honors students help our Thunder students with their homework 2:55 - 3:40 pm every Tuesday and Thursday in the LRC

Referral GPS

An anonymous, easy-to-use, secure website to locate mental health and substance use treatment resources

Thompson Middle School

Dr. Matt Clark - Principal

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/