Thomas Community Newsletter

Dear TMS Community,

⭐2026 is off to a great start! Students and staff are back in action, bringing focus, enthusiasm, and positivity to TMS! It's awesome to see so many students participating in extracurricular activities such as the Spring Musical, Science Olympiad, Wrestling, Girls volleyball, Boys Basketball, Poms, Cheerleading, Band, Battle of the Books, Student Council, and a wide range of TMS Clubs. There's something for everyone! Your children are amazing ~ thank you for sharing them with us!

📅 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are coming up! We’re sending this newsletter a bit early because the sign-up portal is OPEN—don’t miss your chance to reserve a spot and connect with your child’s teachers.

📅 Join us for the TMS PTA Meeting TONIGHT ~ Wednesday, 1/14/26 @ 7 PM in the TMS LMC or login and join us online. See below for details.

🎉 Celebrate Student Growth! This week marks the final week of 2nd quarter, giving students the opportunity to reflect on their progress, showcase their achievements, and finish strong. Families, your support with routines, encouragement, and open communication continues to make a big difference—thank you for helping make TMS a place where every student can thrive.

💛 MLK Day & Anti-Bullying Event: Monday, 1/19/26 is a day off for school, but we hope your middle schooler will join us for the FREE ABC25 Anti-Bullying Event at TMS at 1 PM, a fun and engaging way to learn, connect, and stand up for kindness. Click HERE to register and see below for more details.

In this newsletter, you'll find information on the following items:

• Prompt Arrival Time & Behavior Celebrations for Qtr 2 ~ Way to go TMS students and families!
• TMS Poms Team heading to STATE!
• Congratulations to the TMS Junior Honor Band Students!
• 2nd Quarter Ends - Friday, 1/16/26
• 2nd Quarter Student Recognition Assembly - Wednesday, 1/21/26 during Advisory
• 2nd Quarter Report Cards Visible in PowerSchool - Friday, 1/23/26
• Parent Teacher Student Conferences - Monday, 2/16/26 and SIGN-UPS OPENS - Tuesday, 1/13/26 @ 9 AM & SIGN-UPS CLOSE on on Monday, 2/9/26 @ 9 AM
• 8th Grade Gown & Diploma ACTION ITEM
• 8th Grade Vision Screening - Tuesday, 1/20/26
• 8th Grade Optional Graduation Photos - Monday, 2/16/26
• ABC/25 Foundation - TMS needs just a few more families to sign up!

Standing Newsletter Information Includes:

• PTA Information

• School Resource Office Information
  
• Safe2Help Illinois

• TMS Administrator Team

Save the Dates:

• PTA Meeting- Wednesday, 1/14/26 @ 7 PM @ TMS LMC on & online

• TMS Dance Invitational, Friday, 1/23/26 @ TMS (Spectator doors open @ 5:30 PM)

• TMS-Kildeer Science Olympiad Invitational, Saturday, 1/31/26 @ TMS

• 8th Grade Graduation, Tuesday, 6/2/26, 7:30 PM, Forrest View Educational Center

With gratitude for your partnerships and support,

The TMS Administrative Team

Lori Naumowicz, Principal

Greg Keadle, Associate Principal

Jeremy Fischer, Associate Principal

Allie Yoder, Associate Principal & TMS Student Services Coordinator

Join us for our new ABC/25 Foundation’s Anti-Bullying Campaign!

We're partnering with Box Out Bullying for an inspiring age-appropriate, theatrical, interactive event. They will use an interactive live theater, multimedia visuals, colorful characters, audience participation, and evidence-based bullying prevention techniques to capture attention and empower students.

Location: Thomas Middle School, 1430 N Belmont Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Cost: Free for all!

Goal: Empower students to be stand-up citizens and key players in ending bullying

Reserve your spots: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949A4AC2FA0FCCF8-60701181-antibullying#/

As we close out 2nd quarter, our staff are participating in Winter Data Days to thoughtfully reflect on how we can continue to support every student. During this time, teams review academic data to determine targeted intervention supports and analyze behavior data to identify both strengths and areas for continued growth.

We have so much to celebrate—our data shows that 90% of TMS students earned zero, one, or two minors during the second quarter, which speaks volumes about the positive choices our students are making and the strong, supportive school culture we enjoy together. Our data also shows that almost ALL TMS students are consistently arriving to school early and on-time. Wow! Way to go TMS students and families!

In addition, staff are examining connections between students and adults at TMS, focusing on how connected students feel within our school community. Students will be given a TMS Connections Survey to ensure that every child can identify at least one trusted adult at TMS, reinforcing our commitment to belonging, care, and support for all.

Congratulations to the following students and Candi Horton for their acceptance into the All-Illinois Junior Honor Band! This is the "state" competition for 'individual events' in the band world.

• Momoko Suzuki - Clarinet
• Caleb Nelson - Trumpet
• Harshan Rajkumar Anusha - Tuba (FIRST chair!!!!!!!)

Hundreds of students from all over the STATE of Illinois submitted audition recordings to make this prestigious group. The 2-day event will be held at the University of Illinois on Fri/Sat January 16-17 where students will work with the well-known band director, Chris Gleason.

Congratulations to these hard-working musicians!!

8th Grade Parents,

Please check your email for messages that were sent from Ryan George (rgeorge@sd25.org) on 01/05/26 & 01/09/26 regarding gown sizes and your child's name on diploma. The firm deadline on submitting this information is 1/25/26. The default settings for not submitting this information is a gown size at 5'5" and the diploma name listed as your child's current name in PowerSchool.

Thank you,

Ryan George

TMS Administrative Assistant

Email: rgeorge@sd25.org

All 8th grade students have the option of taking graduation photos with Stuart-Rodgers Photography. These photos are NOT required and are for family use only. TMS does not use these photos in the yearbook.

WHEN WILL THIS BE OFFERED? February 16, 2026 by appointment between 8:00am – 2:00pm at TMS in the Small Gym. This is during Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences. There is a Retake/Make-Up Day on March 16, 2026 from 4:00 – 5:30pm at TMS in the Small Gym.

HOW DO 8th GRADERS SIGN UP? Stuart-Rodgers Photography will send an email with details and a sign-up link to parents of all 8th graders. NOTE: TMS does not have the ability to schedule these individual appointment slots.

WHAT IS THE ATTIRE? TMS gowns will be provided for these photos, if student wish to wear them.

Dear 8th-Grade Parents and Guardians,

On Tuesday, January 20th, the 8th grade students will be screened by District 25 nurses who are IDPH Certified Vision Screeners. The State of Illinois mandates vision screening for all Illinois 8th grade students.

• If your student wears glasses, please remind them to wear/bring them on this day as it replaces their screening.
• If your student has seen an eye doctor within the last 12 months, please send in the completed form.
• If you prefer we not screen your student please send a note or email stating you prefer we not screen your student.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Laura Toussaint (ltoussaint@sd25.org) one of the Thomas School Nurses.

Per Illinois Department of Public Health:

"Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months." (Section 27-8.1 of the School Code)

Thank you,

Laura Toussaint RN

Email: ltoussaint@sd25.org

Help us earn $2,500 by joining the ABC/25 Foundation.

Membership is $40, but District staff have a discounted rate of $25. Membership dues directly fund the teacher grants.

Thomas needs JUST 15 MORE FAMILIES to join to meet our goal and receive this grant!

The TMS PTA has a lot to offer this year! We are excited for all the activities we have planned!

• Wednesday, January 14, 2026
• Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Wednesday, May 13, 2026

• President - Jim Moncada

• President Elect - Kym Battista

• Vice President - Ian Silverman

• Treasurer - Sara Hess

• Secretary - Joslyn Katz

TMS PTA Memberships - Have you joined the PTA? Your membership gives you exclusive access to the Thomas Middle School Directory through Directory Spot. Not a member? No problem! You can join by visiting the AH25 Webstore to purchase online or by emailing us at thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com.

Social media concerns, incidents that occur after school hours/on the weekends, or outside of school can be reported to the SRO or you can contact the Arlington Heights Police by calling 911 or the non-emergency phone number (847) 368-5300. You can also go directly to the Police Department located at 200 E Sigwalt Street in Arlington Heights. It is open 24 hours. The SROs can be contacted as well:

SRO: John O'Leary joleary@vah.com Cell Phone: (847) 344-2330

SRO: Chris Seebacher cseebacher@vah.com Cell Phone (847) 878-2949

Station Number: 847-368-5393

Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, and website (safe2helpil.com) to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. Once vetted, the information provided will be shared with local district and school officials and/or local 911 call center, depending on the nature of the information shared. Safe2Help Illinois is a long-term initiative to change the school culture in Illinois by helping students reach out when they have concerns. To learn further about Safe2Help Illinois, please see the videos below. More information can also be found on their website at safe2helpil.com. Video for Middle School Students

• Principal - Lori Naumowicz
• Associate Principal - Greg Keadle (Delta, Epsilon, & Zeta Teams)
• Associate Principal & Student Services Coordinator - Allie Yoder
• Associate Principal & Teacher - Jeremy Fischer (Alpha, Beta, Gamma Teams)