As many of you have likely noticed—sometimes around homework time, sometimes around bedtime, and occasionally at the mere suggestion of wearing a coat—your middle schooler may be pushing back a bit more these days. There’s solid science behind this: their brains are busy building independence, sharpening decision-making skills, and running sophisticated internal tests like “What happens if I pretend I didn’t hear Mom the first three times?” At the same time, their social wiring is shifting, and peers become the shiny new center of their universe. Yes, it’s normal. No, you’re not alone. And yes, your child still loves you even when they claim they “need” to FaceTime a friend while walking from the kitchen to the living room.

The good news—and the research backs this up—is that even as their peer world grows louder, middle schoolers still crave adult approval. They may not show it with the enthusiasm of a kindergartener presenting a glued-together macaroni masterpiece, but it’s there. They are quietly scanning the adults in their life for reassurance, stability, and the occasional, “Hey, I’m proud of you.” Speaking from experience (and from watching my own girls drift toward the gravitational pull of high school), once they hit the upper grades, that desire to spend time with family shifts again. Suddenly peers become the default, and parents must file formal requests for quality time.

So why share all this? Because we’re cruising toward our second break of the year, and these middle school years offer a sweet spot that passes faster than any of us expect. Over the next few weeks, take advantage of the moments—big or small—when your child is still willing to hang out, talk, joke, or even just exist in the same room as you without headphones. This window of openness won’t slam shut overnight, but it will absolutely tighten as they get older. Enjoy the time now, savor the connection, and know you’re doing important work, even on the days it feels like you’re negotiating with a very charming, very opinionated tiny lawyer.

Have a wonderful weekend and Roll Thunder!

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.

🚗 Morning Arrival Update & Appreciation 🚗

Thompson Parents and Guardians,

We want to take a moment to thank our families and students for helping make morning arrival a smooth, safe, and efficient process. Over the past several weeks, our arrival team has noticed a significant decrease in morning tardies—a direct result of everyone’s cooperation and effort in keeping our front circle moving quickly and safely. We truly appreciate your partnership!

As we move into the colder months, we typically see an increase in the number of students being dropped off by car, which can slow down our arrival line. To keep things running efficiently, please help us by reviewing and following these friendly reminders:

✅ Drop-off begins at 7:30 AM.
Staff are on duty to welcome students at that time—early arrivals before 7:30 are not supervised.

✅ Doors 3, 4, and 5 close promptly at 7:48 AM.
Students arriving after this time will need to enter through the main office and will be marked tardy.

✅ Keep the line moving.
Please pull all the way forward towards the cone with the red flag, have backpacks ready, and remind your student to exit quickly and safely when you stop (think of it like an airport drop off).

✅ Stay in your car.

To ensure a steady flow of traffic, we ask that drivers remain in their vehicles while students exit on the passenger side (right side).

Be patient and courteous.

Our arrival team and safety patrol are there to help. Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and on time!

Thank you again for your ongoing support and for modeling patience and positivity each morning. With your help, we’ll continue to keep our arrival process safe, efficient, and welcoming for all—even on those chilly mornings!

Warm regards,
The Thompson Middle School Administrative Team

Help make our staff at Thompson Middle School have a sweet treat this holiday season! Click here to sign-up to bake cookies or donate to the cause!

Drop off homemade goodies in a disposable container (container will not be returned), in the main office anytime on Monday, December 15th or up until 9:00am on the morning of the 16th of December. ****New this year for all the west side residents, you can also drop off to my residence if it makes your life easier, 3N995 Emily Dickinson Lane, on the dates previously listed. I will leave a cooler outside my front door, you can just leave them right in there.

Assembling of treat boxes will take place on Tuesday, December 16th from 10am to Noon in the Main Entrance hallway.

What can you bake? Anything your family loves! We ask that you donate in increments of 2 dozen, anything from cookies, brownies or any holiday sweet treat. These goodies will be boxed up and given to each staff member. If you make GLUTEN FREE treats, please label them that way BEFORE you drop them off! Also if possible, please no chocolate chip cookies. If you have any questions please contact aliciafulgencioflint@yahoo.com or 989-295-9037.

8th Grade High School Updates

On Tuesday, November 18 during 1st hour (7:50-8:36), 8th grade students will be attending presentations from North, East and Compass High School counselors. Counselors will review the course selection procedures and deadlines with the students. D303 High School Counselors will be visiting again in January to meet individually with students for course registration.

Once students meet with the High School Counselors on Tuesday, November 18, here are the next steps students will need to follow. . .

Complete their blue/orange registration form
Have parent/guardian sign the form
Enter desired classes in HAC
Turn blue/orange registration form into the Thompson Student Services Office prior to winter break.

Specific curricular questions should be directed to the high school counselors. If your child has difficulty entering classes into HAC, they can reach out to either Mr. Cortina or Mrs. Gary,TMS School Counselors.

Assessments…

As we wrap up our winter i-Ready assessments, I want to recognize the effort our students put into these tests. I know that assessments can sometimes bring on feelings of test anxiety. Please remind your child that these assessments are not about perfection, but they are more about showing what students know right now so we can support them moving forward.

i-Ready is given three times a year to help us do exactly that:

Fall gives us a starting point.
Winter shows us progress and areas needing a boost.
Spring helps us see growth over the full year.

These assessments aren’t used for grades , but they help us tailor instruction, form small groups when needed, and identify skills students may need more practice with. The most important thing is steady growth and effort.

If your child felt anxious or discouraged, please reassure them and let them know that we celebrate progress of all kinds. Every student has strengths, and every student grows at their own pace. Thank you for supporting them, and please reach out if you have questions about their results or how to help at home.

Math Tip: Estimate before you calculate. A quick estimate helps you know if your final answer makes sense. (This is also a math practice standard!)

***Shout-out to all of our math students who showed perseverance during the iReady test. Way to be…

🛍️ Glue Guns, Glue Sticks, & Paper Bags 🛍️

Mrs. Ray is seeking donations to support a hands-on TEK activity for 7th grade students this December and during team events in December and January.

She’s hoping to gather glue guns, glue sticks, and paper bags to ensure all students can fully participate. An Amazon Wish List is available for convenience (though purchases do not need to be from the list).

Donations would be most helpful if received by Friday, December 5. Items can be dropped off in the main office labeled for Mrs. Ray or delivered directly by students to Room 229 (Team 7-4). Thank you for considering and supporting this engaging learning experience!

Help Us Collect ONE MILLION Pop Tabs!

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!

Community Gingerbread Contest & Display – Dec. 6!

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!

Thompson

Activities and clubs information

Homework Help

NHS Honors students help our Thunder students with their homework 2:55 - 3:40 pm every Tuesday and Thursday in the LRC

Referral GPS

An anonymous, easy-to-use, secure website to locate mental health and substance use treatment resources

Thompson Middle School

Dr. Matt Clark - Principal

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/