Thompson Friday Forecast

Good afternoon Thunder families. As both a principal and a parent, I have the unique privilege of experiencing middle school from just about every angle. At home, my wife Kristin—an amazing second grade teacher—and I are raising two incredible daughters: Juliet, who will be a sophomore this year, and Beatrice, who’s heading into 7th grade. Having lived with a middle schooler for going on five years now (with the grey hairs to prove it), I’ve developed a deep appreciation for this exciting, unpredictable, and character-building stage of life. I truly believe that middle school is when kids begin discovering who they are and what they want to become—and what an honor it is to walk alongside them on that journey. I humbly try to make sure students have a meaningful and enjoyable experience by attempting to inject a little humor into the day… whether it earns a laugh or a well-practiced eye roll.

This will be my third year serving as the principal of Thompson Middle School, and I can honestly say it’s an honor and a privilege to lead this incredible school community—one that I humbly and wholeheartedly embrace. I feel incredibly lucky to work alongside such a dedicated staff and vibrant student body. Every day, I strive to create a welcoming, joyful, and safe environment where everyone who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and inspired. Whether it’s popping into classrooms, greeting students at the door, or landing a well timed high five, I try to make each day memorable and filled with heart. You’ll receive our final summer Friday Forecast on August 8th, but I hope to see many of you soon at materials pickup on July 31st or August 5th. As I close, I’d like you to remember three things: 1) We’re better together, 2) This is going to be the best year yet, and 3) Roll Thunder!

Matt Clark

Principal

PLEASE NOTE: Families will be receiving a flier from HR Imaging with school picture information. The teams listed on the mailer may not be accurate.

Schedules are still being finalized and will be available on July 31st. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Mark your calendars! Students will be able to pick up their schedules, get their school pictures taken, drop off supplies, and walk the building:

• Thursday, July 31st (1:00-7:00 PM)
  
  

• Tuesday, August 5th (1:00-7:00 PM)

PLEASE NOTE: School pictures are taken on Material Pickup days! Order forms will be available at Material Pick-up. 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

Makeup Picture day is August 19th

RETAKE Day is September 17th

Student schedules will be released digitally via Home Access Center on July 31st. We’ll send a message as soon as they’re live. With that, please note the following regarding student schedule changes:

• Specific teacher requests and specific course period requests will not be granted.

• Please note the only course request changes that can be considered at this time are due to:
  
  

• Placement error (i.e. wrong level course or repeating an elective course)

• Irreconcilable schedule conflict (i.e. missing a class or lunch)

• Duplicate course enrollment (enrolled in the two different sections of the same course)

At TMS, we’re excited to welcome our newest Thunder students! Our incredible 8th grade WEB Leaders are planning a fun and engaging orientation day filled with building tours, small group activities, and team-building fun to help our incoming 6th graders feel confident and connected before day one.

This year our WEB Orientation will be split into two bookend sessions—odd-numbered teams will attend from 1:00-1:50 and and even-numbered teams from 1:40-2:30. The overlapping time will be spent in the gymnasium with all of our incoming 6th graders.

Prior to August 8th, students will find out which 6th grade team they’re on. We’re asking students on odd-numbered teams (6-1, 6-3, and 6-5) to wear blue, and those on even-numbered teams (6-2 and 6-4) to wear white to show their team spirit!** A confirmation and reminder will be emailed in the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity to get better acclimated, meet new students, and learn more about middle school. Our goal is to see every in-coming 6th grader (who is available) attending.

** Please note: 6th Graders will find out their Team Placement when schedules are released on July 31st in HAC

We can’t wait to see you!

👉 6th Grade Web Orientation–Sign-up Link

A completed physical form with required immunizations must be on file with the school nurse prior to the start of school for all students entering 6th grade. The physical must have been completed within one year of the first day of 6th grade attendance.

All 6th grade students must also present proof of a dental examination by May 15th of the school year. Forms can be turned in directly to the office or emailed to tmsc-nurses@d303.org. Forms can also be brought to material pick up.

Registration for all 2025-2026 athletics IS NOW OPEN! Note: Incoming 6th Graders are eligible to participate in Cross Country. Please register online (choose the registration tab). Please bring sports physicals to the front office or email to jamie.bedenbaugh@d303.org. ALL ATHLETES MUST BE REGISTERED AND HAVE A CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL IN ORDER TO TRYOUT FOR A TEAM! Parents will be billed separately through PushCoin once your student makes the athletic team.

Please find additional information for the start of the school year here.

It's been a great summer for our athletic camps! Thank you to those who were able to join us!

Skip the store and have your school supplies delivered straight to your door!

Heads up—delivery can take up to two weeks, so avoid the rush fees and don’t delay!

When you order through our partner, School Tool Box, you’re doing more than just checking off your child’s supply list—you’re making a real impact.

• Every box sold provides a meal to a hungry child through Feed My Starving Children—over 1.5 million meals donated so far.

• At checkout, round up your total to support Cal’s Angels, bringing hope to kids fighting cancer. Small change, big difference—more than $25,000 raised each year!

One box. Two kids helped. Big Impact.

Order today and make back-to-school shopping meaningful.

Here's a weblink to our school's page: https://schooltoolbox.com/school-supplies/school/list-boxes/?schoolId=107060&utm_source=site&utm_medium=qr+code&utm_campaign=School+Page

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!

The Thompson Theater Department is excited to announce the 2025 Fall Musical:

Alice in Wonderland, Jr!

This updated version of the musical includes both the classic Disney cartoon characters as well as modern music and elements from the live-action version! Audition packets will be available the first week of school from the Choir room or the LRC, contact Mrs. Rybski for more information!

We’re excited to share a fun and creative opportunity for our elementary and middle school students this summer!

In partnership with District 303, the St. Charles Business Alliance is hosting a Water Bottle Design Contest inviting students to design a label for a 100% recyclable aluminum water bottle. The winning design will be printed on over 1,600 bottles and handed out during the 40th Anniversary of Scarecrow Weekend in fall 2025!

Who can participate?

All D303 elementary and middle school students are welcome to submit a design.

What are the judges looking for?

Designs will be evaluated based on:

• Creativity – Is the design unique and visually appealing?

• Relevance – Does it reflect the 40th Anniversary of Scarecrow Weekend?

• Execution – Is the artwork clean, clear, and high quality?

How do students submit their design?

All details, including the downloadable template and the submission form, can be found here:

Water Bottle Design Contest Info & Submission Link

Deadline to submit: August 20th

Students are welcome to start their designs over the summer, and art teachers may also be sharing this opportunity during the first week of school for those who’d like to participate then.

We can’t wait to see what our creative students come up with!

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

Mrs. Danielle Moeller - Student Support Coordinator

Mr. Sam Pasholk - 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/