Thompson Elementary Newsletter
September 2026
Let’s show our youngest learners some big school support! Our kindergarteners are diving into their colors, and the whole school is invited to join the fun by dressing up with them. Check out what colors to wear on each day here.
Show off your school spirit, help our kindergarteners spot their daily colors, and let’s fill the hallways with color all week long!
Mark your calendars with our District 41 PTO Events! Join us in supporting our school community—your presence and participation make all the difference.
Thank you to our amazing parents and guardians for your ongoing support! We rely on volunteer helpers to make our school activities engaging and memorable for our students.
ALL prospective volunteers must submit a completed Volunteer Information Form and Waiver of Liability prior to volunteering.
Ways to Get Involved:
Chaperoning field trips
Reading as a classroom Mystery Reader
Helping out during Field Day
Assisting with seasonal events
Please compete this form if you plan on volunteering at Thompson this year. The form must be completed each school year. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to making great memories together!
Be sure to have reviewed the handbook.
Thank you for your partnership in fostering a positive, safe, and supportive environment for all our students!
Please be sure to check out the 2026-2027 school calendar here!
Attendance in elementary school is essential for academic success, skill development, and socialization. Regular attendance ensures children do not miss critical lessons, helping them perform better academically and develop foundational skills in reading, writing, and math. It also fosters social skills and friendships, establishes routine and discipline, and provides access to necessary support systems. Consistent attendance also encourages parental involvement and sets the stage for long-term educational and career success. Your children need to be at Thompson School all day, every day!
To report an absence, please call the attendance line at 847-245-8398 or you can email wltdimissal@district41.org with the detailed reasons for the absence.
At Thompson Elementary School, we believe that strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and school leaders create the best learning environment for our students. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to be part of our new Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)!
What is the Parent Advisory Committee?
The PAC is a group of parents and guardians who work closely with the school administration to provide input, share ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that benefit our students and school community. This committee serves as a bridge between families and the school, ensuring that parent voices are heard and valued.
Why Join the PAC?
Have a Say – Share your thoughts on school practices, programs, and initiatives.
Stay Informed – Get updates on school events, curriculum, and upcoming decisions.
Build Community – Connect with other parents and school staff to support student success.
Make a Difference – Help shape the future of our school and create a positive learning environment.
How Can You Get Involved?
Please contact Mrs. Rhodes if you are interested in serving on the PAC.
Dates: September 28, January 11, and May 17
Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!
District 41 puts students and staff first. Our goal is always to have students at school, when we can do so safely. Therefore, the district considers several factors when determining whether to close schools due to extreme weather, including data provided by the National Weather Service, including the temperature, windchill, and warnings. Although we strive each and every time to make the best decision regarding in-person or remote learning, oftentimes, no perfect decision exists. If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school. Additionally, parents/guardians may choose to drop off/pick up their child from school.
The following are some criteria that are used when making school closure decisions. Invariably, there will be situations that do not fit into these guidelines, in which case the administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible.
COLD DAYS - The National Weather Service predicts wind chills below -30 degrees, with other conditions considered.
SNOW DAYS - Heavy snow or icy conditions overnight or that worsen during the day.
E-LEARNING DAYS - An E-Learning Day may be an alternative to being fully closed. These days do not need to be made up at the end of the year. Students and staff would be notified before the end of the preceding day to bring their Chromebooks home. The e-Learning Plan is available on the District website under ‘Parents and Guardians Resources.’
Other Considerations
Multiple conditions that may include blowing snow, winds greater than 20 mph, heavy snow accumulations during travel times, hazardous driving conditions, ice accumulation, the ability of buses to start due to extreme cold, and power or phone outages.
A district-wide alert will be sent out via phone and email as early as possible. Parents can also check the district’s website. If schools are open due to weather, parents may keep a child home. They will be marked as excused.
If schools are closed...
District 41 Administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible. District 41 will notify parents by 1:00 PM the previous school day of an e-Learning Day due to extreme weather. Parents will be notified with a target by 5:30 AM if schools need to close entirely for the day. The district makes every effort to inform parents as soon as possible. If schools are closed for the day, all after-school activities in the district, including sports and evening events, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated.
If schools are not closed…
If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school in a timely manner. If school is already in session and conditions begin to worsen, the district will decide by 1:00 PM whether after-school activities will be canceled for that afternoon.
How is the decision to cancel school made?
Superintendents from area districts start communicating with each other as soon as the weather reports start to look threatening. District 41 collaborates with the Millburn, Emmons, Grass Lake, Lakes High School, Woodland, Grayslake Elementary, Grayslake High School, Gavin, Big Hollow, Fox Lake, and Grant High School superintendents. The superintendents generally attempt to reach a consensus on school closures. When area school districts make various decisions, the full District 41 administrative team finalizes the decision.
Fueling our minds with healthy food supports student concentration, energy, and overall wellness throughout the school day.
District #41 has recently updated our approved list for classroom snacks. Please remember that this list applies specifically to snacks eaten in the classroom. Individual lunchbox choices remain up to your family.
Click here to see the latest approved classroom snack list
Imagine IM is a problem-based core curriculum designed to address content and practice standards to foster learning for all. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Teachers can shift their instruction and facilitate student learning with high-leverage routines to guide learners to understand and make connections between concepts and procedures.
Accessing the Family Support Hub:
Visit ilclassroom.com to access the Family Support Hub without logging in. Click the “Explore Curricula” button at the bottom of the screen and navigate to your student’s subject and grade!
Please click this link to access the Illustrative Mathematics Parent Information.
Sue Smart
847-265-2488 x 41001
Illinois State Health Requirements:
Early Childhood Health Requirements:
- Current Physical exam and up to date immunizations are due by OCTOBER 15TH, 2026
Kindergarten and Out-of-State Transfers Health Requirements:
- Current Physical exam and up to date immunizations are due by OCTOBER 15TH, 2026
- Dental exam dated 11/15/2025 to current
- Current Eye Exam (from Optometrist or Ophthalmologist)
2nd Grade Health Requirements:
- Dental exam dated 11/15/2025 to current
Medications:
- Please contact the Health Office if your student requires medication during the school day.
Hearing and Vision Screenings:
The State of Illinois requires hearing and vision screening to be completed on an annual basis. The purpose of hearing and vision screening is to aid in the detection of school-age children who have or are at risk for developing hearing and vision disorders.
Hearing screening is required for preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, special education students, transfer students, and teacher referrals.
Vision screening is required for preschool, kindergarten, 2nd grade, 8th grade, special education students, transfer students, and teacher referrals.
Thompson will be holding the hearing and vision screenings for those students listed above on Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2026-2027 school music concerts!!! ALL Thompson Concerts will start at 6:00 PM!
See dates below:
5th Grade: Thursday, October 29th, 2026
4th Grade: Thursday, December 3rd, 2026
3rd Grade: Thursday, January 28th, 2027
2nd Grade: Thursday, February 25th, 2027
1st Grade: Thursday, March 11th, 2027
Kindergarten: Thursday, April 15th, 2027
