Thompson Friday Forecast

I owe you a quick (and heartfelt) apology. I was out of the building last Friday, fully believed I had scheduled the Friday Forecast to send, and I did not. The irony that I sent it three times the week before is not lost on me. Apparently I overcorrect with great enthusiasm.

At Thompson one of our Guidelines for Success is responsibility. A big part of responsibility is accountability. As I’ve shared before, middle schoolers are learning (daily) that mistakes are part of the adolescent journey. What matters most is owning them and growing from them. We often talk with students about “falling forward”: if you stumble, learn from it and come back stronger. Consider this my adult modeling of that lesson.

On a related (and very positive) note, regular attendance is one of the most powerful ways students can set themselves up for success. I’m pleased to share that our overall attendance continues to improve as the year progresses. That trend supports stronger academics, steadier behavior, and healthier social connections. Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce the importance of being present and engaged each day as it truly makes a difference.

Have a wonderful weekend! You can expect a Friday Forecast email from me in your inbox each Friday afternoon moving forward. Consistent communication is important, and I’m committed to keeping that rhythm steady. Last week was a rare miss, not a new pattern.

Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark

Thompson Principal

Thank you for your ongoing support and for modeling patience and positivity each morning/afternoon. With your help, we’ll continue to keep our arrival/departure process safe, efficient, and welcoming for all!

Please help us by reviewing and following these friendly reminders at TMS:

✅ 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. In inclement weather, students may enter Door 5 to await the official entry time.

✅ 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).

✅ Drop off should only occur in the circle drive next to the curb

Students should not exit a vehicle from 7th Street, Route 64, or as soon as they enter the circle drive. Students must exit next to the curb out of the passenger side of the car.

✅ Drop off in the parking lot by the Gym is off limits

Please DO NOT park or pick up your child near door 5 in the marked out areas. Use Indiana Street to drop off or pick up your child. Thank you for your cooperation!

The 5 Essentials survey is now open and awaiting your feedback. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

This survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete!
Here is the link to the survey. It is in Spanish and English.

Please be sure to put in Kane County as our county so you can find Thompson. Also, please read the questions and possible answers carefully as they sometimes mix up the "importance" of the responses.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we begin to prepare for our standardized assessments in March and April, we wanted to share some dates with you so that you can plan accordingly. Please see below:

• IAR Reading will be Tuesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 26th

• IAR Math will be on Tuesday, April 7th - Thursday, April 9th

• Illinois Science Assessment for 8th graders will be on Tuesday, April 21st

Please note that we will be running building wide schedules on the IAR testing days. Please click here to access a letter from the Director of Assessment and Accountability. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor. Thank you.

This year Thompson Middle School will be joining the St. Charles North HOPE Club in supporting Mental Health Awareness. The theme this year is: Mental Health is a Team Effort, which highlights our need to support one another in this cause. We will have Spirit Days the week of March 2nd - March 6th in support of HOPE Week. We hope you will join!

On Thursday, March 12 and Thursday, April 30 Builders Club is scheduled to volunteer at the Northern Illinois Foodbank. The volunteer shifts are from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity for students and family members to make a difference in the community while spending time together. There are not many opportunities in which parents may participate with their child in a school activity.If you would like to attend any one of these opportunities, or both, with your Thompson student, please email David Simone at: david.simone@d303.org. In the past, there have been entire families that volunteered. Participants need to be eight years of age to volunteer at the foodbank. Builders Club looks forward to sharing this volunteer opportunity with our Thompson families.

I’ve been looking at the plans for the next few weeks and can hardly believe how quickly this year has passed. We have just four weeks remaining in the third quarter, followed by the final nine weeks of the school year. It’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on our time and progress together.

Am I meeting my personal goals?
Am I doing everything I can to support my learning?
Am I holding myself accountable for my results?

As you reflect on these questions, remember these words of encouragement:

It is okay to…
• Not know everything
• Make mistakes
• Ask for help
• Have bad days
• Begin again
• Not be okay

And definitely, always be yourself! You have the power to achieve your goals! You can do this!

***Shout-out to our students who are advocating for themselves and taking on challenges! You are courageous!

Math Tip: Most mistakes are not made from not knowing what to do. Most mistakes are made from rushing. Slow down, model each step, and check your work!

Our 6th grade Service Learning class will be collecting supplies for children-themed birthday parties to be donated to a local food pantry. Items requested are party supplies, such as streamers, signs, banners, wall decorations, candles, plates/napkins/cups as well as non-perishable cake/cookie/brownie mixes, flour, and frosting. Collection boxes will be located in the 6th grade pods and outside of the front office. Please see the attached flyer for info. Thanks for your support in ensuring that every child is able to celebrate their special day!

Check out the SPRING SPIRIT WEAR SALE for Thompson! All orders must be in by April 15th.

NO LATE ORDERS will be accepted.

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!

This awesome dance party is a public event and will take place in the small gymnasium at St. Charles North High School. The Project Dance proceeds support organizations within our district and our community that involve individuals with Special Needs. We provide a safe and comfortable environment where anyone and everyone is invited, no special attire is needed!

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/