Thompson Friday Forecast

This week, we began our second round of Pod Talks with our students (8th grade will have theirs next week). These small-group conversations are a great opportunity for us to connect directly with students, share what we’re seeing throughout the building, and reinforce the values that make Thompson a great place to learn. Each discussion focuses on three things: celebrating what’s going well, identifying areas for growth, and reminding students that school is first and foremost a place for learning. We’ve been proud to highlight how respectful, responsible, and kind our students have been in the classroom and, for the most part, in our Pods and hallways. We’ve also recognized how well students have followed our cell phone policy—something that positively impacts student engagement and focus.

We also spent time discussing where we can improve. A few themes included staying focused during class, limiting distractions like paper darts (yes, really), Chromebook games, and extra locker trips. We reminded students that their learning belongs to them—they are the ones who get to own it and invest in it every day. Overall, our students are doing an outstanding job as we settle deeper into the school year, and we’re confident they’ll continue this positive momentum as we move toward the holidays and the heart of the school year.

Have a wonderful weekend and Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark

Principal

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.

1. Parents are welcome to drop off lunch only for their own child - not a group.

• Parent deliveries should be brought to the main office.
• Food and beverages may only be provided for your individual student. For example, a pizza cannot be purchased for a group of students. And students are not permitted to use apps to have food delivered during the school day.

Thank you for helping us ensure our school day runs smoothly and with little disruption!

Thompson will hold its first Saturday Detention on November 8, 2025, from 8:00–10:00 AM. These detentions will be assigned by our Student Support Coordinators (Deans) for a variety of reasons, most commonly when students miss an assigned after-school or lunch detention. While the goal is accountability, Saturday detentions also provide students with an opportunity to reflect, reset, and take ownership of their choices. Our ultimate goal is to help every student grow in being respectful, responsible, and kind—both in their actions and in how they contribute to our school community.

*Please note students are sorted by Teams - tabs at the bottom of the webpage.

*Some students excluded due to FERPA preference

Join Alice as she travels through Wonderland and encounters all of the iconic characters that audiences have come to love: including the ever-tardy White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cat, a cool Caterpillar, the wacky Mad Hatter, and the hot-tempered Queen of Hearts.

Tickets are available through Push Coin or cash-only at the door: $5

Alice in Wonderland Tickets

In Algebra, we learn to solve for x. This helps us to uncover the unknown and make sense of challenges. Life works the same way. Every day, we face new problems to solve, new questions to answer, and new goals to reach. Algebra teaches our students more than equations; it builds perseverance, critical thinking, and the confidence to keep “solving for x,” both in the classroom and in life.

Algebra is more than just numbers on a page. It’s a way of thinking that helps students understand the world around them. It strengthens problem-solving skills, encourages logical reasoning, and helps students recognize patterns that guide creative solutions. These lessons extend far beyond math class, empowering students to manage real-world challenges, navigate technology, and prepare for future success in math, science, and beyond. So,every time students “solve for x,” they’re also discovering their own potential in learning. One equation, one idea, and one success at a time!

We got this!

Math Tip: Checking if a Point is on a Line

To see if a point (x,y) lies on a line, follow these steps:

1. Start with the equation of the line.

2. Substitute the x and y values from the point into the equation.

3. Simplify: If the equation is true, the point is on the line. If it’s not true, the point is not on the line.

***Shout-out to all of our math students who keep practicing! Success begins with effort, and you’re proving it every day!

See the grade level below to find out what we are studying in math class!

TMS PTO is excited to be partnering with Big Hearts of Fox Valley for their 2025 Holiday Toy Drive. We are collecting NEW and unwrapped items for young children and teens. All items collected help provide gifts to struggling families in our own School District 303. A collection box will be in the TMS lobby from October 20th – November 12th. Please help fill the box for kids in District 303 this holiday season.

For more information:
https://bigheartsfv.org/
https://bigheartsfv.org/holiday-toy-drive/

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!

We wanted to bring to your attention the City of St. Charles’s Bike Policy page. It outlines the rules, definitions, and expectations surrounding bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices within our community.

Key Updates to Note:

• Motorized bikes and scooters are not permitted on sidewalks, including in downtown and school areas.

• Class 3 e-bikes require riders to be 16 or older, and e-scooters require riders to be 18 or older.

• All riders must obey traffic laws, use proper signals, and ensure lights are used when riding at night.

These updates are designed to promote safety for the entire St. Charles community.

🔗Learn more: stcharlesil.gov/Resources/Getting-Around/Safety-Regulations-for-Bicycles-E-Bikes-and-Scooters

Join Random Acts Matter for our 2nd Annual Community Holiday Event on Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Baker Community Center.

Enter the Contest: Build and show off your gingerbread creation — all ages and skill levels welcome!
Enjoy the Fun: Free admission, holiday music, sweet treats, and community voting for your favorite house.

Let’s spread kindness and kick off the holiday season together!

Join us for an engaging and practical three-part series designed to help parents navigate the growing challenges of anxiety and school avoidance. Led by Dr. Megan Schmitz of Vital Living Wellness Solutions, these sessions will give parents tools to:

• Recognize anxiety in their child and understand its impact on learning and growth.

• Learn strategies to balance empathy and compassion with boundaries and expectations.

• Gain concrete tools to support positive school attendance and resilience.

Where: St. Charles North High School Auditorium
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Dates: October 8 • October 22 • November 12

This series is designed to strengthen the partnership between families and schools, offering tools and strategies that foster belonging, perseverance, and achievement. Together, we can create the support and consistency children need to thrive. Please note: An interpreter/translator will be available for families who need language support.

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/