Welcome to Thomas Middle School

Hello, Future Thomas Middle School 6th Grade Families,

As the school year comes to a close, so does the end of elementary school. Your fifth graders will officially begin their journey as middle school students and become members of the Thomas Middle School Wolfpack! We are excited to welcome your family to our community and we cannot wait to help our newest T-Wolves learn, lead, and thrive. Enjoy a wonderful summer, and we look forward to seeing you on August 14th!

Items to Share:

• AHC PTA MIXER EVENT - Summer Splash Event - Saturday, 8/22/26
• TMS Summer Reading Information is below!
• School Supplies List 2026-2027: Please click HERE for the lists.
• Parent Presentation Recording: Please click HERE for a recording of the parent presentation.
• PTA President Elect needed for 2026-2027: Please reach out to thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com if you're interested.
• ACTION ITEM ~ Online Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year: Emails have been sent inviting you to submit your 2026-2027 online registration. Please click HERE complete the online registration process by the end of May.
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS ~ 6th Grade Orientation and Locker Set-Up Date is Friday, August 14th

The next newsletter will be around August 1st. Remember, the TMS website has links to all the information you need to know about TMS. Click HERE to check it out.

Thank you,

The TMS Admin Team

Lori Naumowicz, Principal

Greg Keadle, Associate Principal

Allie Yoder, Associate Principal & Student Services Coordinator

Jeremy Fischer, Associate Principal

TMS hosts a lending library each summer. Please stop by the office to check out one of our Summer Reading books.

TMS Summer Office Hours:

• Monday-Thursday 7 AM - 3 PM
• Friday: 7 AM - 11 AM
• We suggest calling the office to ensure we are open. 847-398-4260

Welcome to Thomas Middle School! We’re excited to begin this journey with you and your soon-to-be sixth grader. The transition to middle school is a big milestone—full of new opportunities, new routines, and lots of growth. Our goal is to make this transition smooth, supportive, and positive for both students and families.

This newsletter introduces the steps in our transition process, designed to help students and parents feel confident, connected, and ready for middle school. Over the coming months, we’ll partner with you to share information, answer questions, and build excitement as your child prepares to become a Timberwolf. We look forward to working together!

There are several STEPS in the transition process from elementary school to Thomas Middle School:

STEP #1 - COMPLETE

PARENT PRESENTATIONS: Thursday, April 16, 2026 - Two Options

• Online Presentation @ 9-10 AM (The link will be shared the week before the event.)
• In Person Presentation @ TMS 6-7:30 PM

*Attend one or both events; the Information is the same. The evening event includes a student-led school tour. These are parent-only presentations.

STEP #2 - COMPLETE

STUDENT VISIT/CLASS FIELD TRIP TO TMS: The last two weeks in April

All of the future 6th graders from Olive, Greenbrier, Ivy Hill, Patton, Westgate, and Windsor take a field trip to TMS with their class. During this event, students will learn all about what to expect in middle school. The students will meet with school administrators, tour the building, and attend a question-and-answer session with TMS student leaders. These are student-only events.

STEP #3 - TMS WEBQUEST ASSIGNMENT - Available Anytime

On the TMS website, you'll find a Quick Link on the TMS homepage called "6th Grade & New Families Start Here." This link provides several resources, including online videos for future 6th graders and families new to District 25. There's also a link called TMS In's and Out's which lists essential information about TMS protocols and procedures. These resources are currently available and can be explored through the Webquest assignment, which is also posted there. Students can work on this assignment at home, at their leisure, with friends and or family members. This activity allows the students and families to take a deep dive into all things TMS.

STEP #4 - 6TH GRADE STUDENT ORIENTATION: Friday, August 14, 2026, from 9-11 AM.

All incoming 6th-grade students are invited to attend this event. At this student-only event, students will have an opportunity to participate in the following activities:

• Tour the building
• Preview their schedule and visit their classrooms

• Meet peers who are in their PACK
• Open and set up their lockers. However, during this time, students should bring only items that fit in their backpacks. Two additional locker setup times are provided below. Students should NOT bring ALL of their locker items to orientation; please bring only what fits in one backpack.

STEP #5 - LOCKER PRACTICE TIME (Continued Locker set up time)

Friday, August 14, 2026 - Assigned Times between 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM.

Students and 1 family member are welcome to visit TMS to walk the hallways and set up lockers. This is an ideal time for students demonstrate independence by opening their lockers and organizing their materials. To reduce hallway congestion during this time, we ask that all students and 1 family member adhere to the scheduled times below and attend only during the assigned time by last name.

ASSIGNED TIMES:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - LAST NAME STARTS WITH Letters A - D

12:30 - 1:30 PM - LAST NAME STARTS WITH Letters E - J

1:30 - 2:30 PM - LAST NAME STARTS WITH Letters K - P

2:30 - 3:30 PM - LAST NAME STARTS WITH Letters Q - Z

STEP #6 - BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 4-6 PM. All TMS students and unlimited family members can walk the hallways and set up lockers during this time.

STEP #7: 6th Grade Curriculum Night - Wednesday, September 2, 202,6 from 6-8 PM. This is a parent-only event and an opportunity to meet each of your middle schooler's teachers and experience your child's daily schedule.

We are grateful to the Arlington Heights Council of PTA for hosting two 5th Grade Mixer Events. See below for more details!

• Friday, 4/10/26: Spring into Spring
• Saturday, 8/22/26 - Summer Splash

Health Office Info for Incoming 6th Graders 2026:

• All 6th grade physicals must be dated on or after 8/20/25 and are due by 10/15/2026. The physical must be turned in by October 15th, 2026 OR YOUR STUDENT WILL BE EXCLUDED.
• All 6th grade students will also need to provide proof of the Tdap and Meningococcal State required immunizations.
• Dental Forms must be dated after 11/15/25 and are due by 5/15/26. (This is the correct date - 5/15/26.)
• If your 6th grader is participating in Cross Country we must have the physical by the first day of practice which starts in early August.
• PLEASE do not wait until the last minute to schedule appointments as they fill up quickly.
• Paperwork can be mailed or dropped off at the Thomas Middle School Office or emailed to the TMS Nurse - Laura Toussaint (ltoussaint@sd25.org).
• Health Forms can be found on the TMS homepage at this link HERE.

Check out the TMS PTA Website.

Join the TMS PTA and help support the TMS community!

2025-2026 Executive Board Members

• President - Jim Moncada

• President Elect - Kym Battista

• Vice President - Ian Silverman

• Treasurer - Sara Hess

• Secretary - Joslyn Katz

The PTA has leadership positions open for the 2026-2027 school year. It's a great way to get involved.

Do you have questions or wish to put your name in for a position with our PTA?

Email the PTA at: thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com