Thompson Elementary Newsletter

• Parent/Teacher Conference Reminder
• October's Habit of the Month
• Student of the Month Celebration
• October Principal Pride
• Red Ribbon Week
• Halloween
• Veteran's Day
• October 15th Health Requirement Deadline

Reminder: Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week:

• Thursday, October 8: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Friday, October 9: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Please note: There will be no school for students on these days.

If you have not signed up for a conference, please reach out to your child's teacher.

This month, our school family is focusing on Habit 1: Be Proactive. Being proactive means taking responsibility for our own actions, attitudes, and choices rather than waiting for things to happen or blaming others. When children learn to be proactive, they understand that they are in the "driver's seat" of their own lives!

What It Means at School

• Taking Initiative: Doing the right thing without being asked (e.g., hanging up backpacks, putting away supplies).

• Choosing Good Attitudes: Realizing that even when things don't go as planned, we can choose how we react.

• Using "I Can" Language: Focusing on things within our control rather than complaining about things we can't change.

How to Practice Habit 1 at Home (PreK–5th Grade)

• Use Proactive Language: Model phrases like "I choose to..." or "I can try..." to help them focus on what they can control.

• Encourage Responsibility: Give simple chores they can take ownership of without reminders (e.g., tidying toys or packing their backpack for the next day).

• Pause Before Reacting: When frustration hits, take a breath together and ask: "What's a proactive choice we can make to solve this?"

• Celebrate Initiative: Praise them when they take charge—a quick "Thanks for hanging up your coat on your own!" reinforces the habit.

This month, we are excited to continue our Principal Pride Awards! Throughout the school year, we are celebrating students who embody the core characteristics of our district's Portrait of a Learner.

For October, our focus shifts to Perseverance. Staff members will be nominating students all month long who demonstrate resilience, determination, and a growth mindset. Here is what perseverance looks like in action across our grade levels:

• Pre-K & Kindergarten (Trying Again & Building Stamina): Working through initial frustration, trying a challenging task a second time, and sticking with activities even when they take extra effort.

• 1st & 2nd Grade (Growth Mindset & Problem-Solving): Learning from mistakes, asking for help after trying on their own, and working through multi-step tasks without giving up easily.

• 3rd – 5th Grade (Goal Setting & Strategic Effort): Staying focused on long-term goals, trying new strategies when facing set-backs, and pushing through challenging academic concepts or social situations.

Keep an eye out as we celebrate our hard-working October award recipients!

A Staff Shout-Out is an unsolicited special recognition that acknowledges a Thompson staff member who has really helped you or your student or has been highly effective and motivating. Our staff takes great pride in helping students achieve their potential. Take a few minutes and let a staff member know how much you appreciate their work! Here is the link.

Red Ribbon Week will take place October 26- 30th. Students are invited to participate in dress up days to support the theme this year about being a hero. A reminder email will come out closer to the week we will celebrate making healthy choices.

Save the Date! Halloween Parade will take place at 9:00 am on Friday, October 30th. Students are able to wear their costumes to school that day. Please be sure that costumes are appropriate in that your student will be able to learn in it for the day. No masks, weapons, or overt violence will be allowed.

More details about individual class parties and opportunities for alternate activities will be forthcoming.

Thompson School's annual Veterans Day celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 11th this year. If you or someone in your family is a veteran or a current military member, we would like to honor you with a breakfast and an assembly with our students and staff. Please see the invitation that was sent home with your student this week for details on how to RSVP. We hope to celebrate all the veterans and military families in our Thompson community!

RSVPs are due by October 16th.

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.

Mark your calendars with our District 41 PTO Events! Join us in supporting our school community—your presence and participation make all the difference.

Family Fun Night will be Thursday, November 5th 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

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.

2026-2027 Student Handbook

Thank you for your partnership in fostering a positive, safe, and supportive environment for all our students!

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment .Please see the following documents that were presented on curriculum night, and contact me if you have any questions.

District-wide Behavior Expectations

Report a Concern

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.

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.

LATE START - School begins and bus pick-ups are approximately 90 minutes later than normal. (Monday - Thursday Only)

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.

Reminder that the District provides free and reduced meals for students who qualify.

To apply for Free/Reduced meals visit our website under Food Service.

Click here for information on how to create a meal account for food purchases.

Paid Lunch is $3.85 and reduced lunch is $.40.
Paid breakfast is $2.20 and reduced rate breakfast is $0.30.

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

As a reminder-

No personal communication devices, including but not limited to cell phones, are allowed to be used during the school day. Smartwatches may be worn and used as watches. However, they may not be used as communication devices. At the middle school, communication devices should be off or disabled, and phones should be in lockers. At the elementary school, communication devices should be off or disabled, and phones should be in lockers or in backpacks. In addition, personal communication devices should not be used until students are outside of the school building at the end of the school day.

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.

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

Please see the attached flyer for more information about our Preschool for All Program.

At the beginning of each school year, school districts, charter schools, and non-public schools are required to notify parents and guardians of the availability of ISBE’s Resource Guide: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Faiths-Law-Resource-Guide.pdf

October 8 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 12:00-8:00 PM - No School

October 9 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 7:30AM-12:30 PM - No School

October 12 - Columbus Day - No School

October 29 - Student of the Month Celebration

October 29 - 5th Grade Music Concert

October 30 - Halloween Parade 9:00 AM and Classroom Parties

November 2 thru 6 - Thompson Book Fair Week

November 3 - Non Attendance Day - No School

November 5 - Family Fun Night @ the Book Fair 5:00 - 8:30 PM

November 11 - Veteran's Day Assembly

November 13 - First Trimester Ends

November 16 - Picture Retake Day