Thompson Friday Forecast

Good afternoon Thompson parents and guardians. It was a busy week at Thompson Middle School, capped off by an especially busy Friday! If I had to give this week's newsletter a title, it would be Safety, Security, and Accountability. From Quarter 1 report cards and adjustments to our high school course gradebooks to a successful fire drill and an important presentation from Kane County judges, these themes were woven throughout our week.

Quarter 1 Report Cards and High School Courses

Quarter 1 report cards are now available for families to review in ParentVUE. As we reflect on the first quarter, we encourage students to take responsibility for their learning, celebrate their successes, and identify opportunities for growth.

Additionally, we want to share an important grading update for students enrolled in high school courses at Thompson, including Introduction to Engineering, Spanish I & II, French I & II, German II, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra.

To better align these semester-long courses with high school grading expectations, teachers have carried Quarter 1 grades into Quarter 2 as a "Quarter 1 Score" within each grading category. A final exam category has also been added, accounting for 10–20% of the semester grade. These adjustments do not change grades already earned but ensure that students' final grades reflect their performance across the entire semester rather than a single quarter. Please contact your child's teacher with any course-specific questions.

Fire Drill: Safety and Security

On Friday, we conducted our second successful fire drill, with students and staff quickly and safely exiting the building and accounting for everyone. The St. Charles Fire Department was on hand, and Lieutenant Stephen Siwy confirmed that our procedures were effective and our students and staff responded appropriately. Our students demonstrated respect by following directions and responsibility by taking the drill seriously. Honestly, the most challenging part was getting everyone back inside on such a beautiful Friday afternoon!

Worries of the World Wide Web: Accountability and Responsibility

We also had the privilege of welcoming Mayor Clint Hull, Judge Sandra Parga, and Judge Lark Cowart to Thompson on Friday. Their presentation, Worries of the World Wide Web, challenged students to think about online safety, personal accountability, responsibility, and the consequences of their actions.

One of the most important takeaways is that being Respectful, Responsible, and Kind matters just as much online as it does in our classrooms, hallways, and homes. The decisions students make, the words they choose, and the way they treat others, whether in person or behind a screen, have real consequences.

While the presentation was directed toward students, its messages are equally important for families. Mrs. Favero (Wredling Principal) and I encourage you to ask your child what stood out to them. You don't need to have all the answers to start an important conversation. Sometimes, simply asking questions and listening with curiosity and kindness, rather than immediately jumping to conclusions, can make all the difference.

Consider asking your child:

• What stood out to you most from the presentation?

• Did anything surprise you or change how you think about being online?

• What message do you think the judges most wanted students to understand?

• Did anything remind you of a situation you or a friend might encounter?

Perhaps the most powerful question we can ask our children is: "If something happened online that you were embarrassed or afraid to tell me about, what could I do to make it easier for you to come to me?"

Ultimately, safety, security, and accountability are shared responsibilities. Whether we're practicing emergency procedures, reflecting on academic progress, or navigating the challenges of growing up in a digital world, we want our students to understand that being Respectful, Responsible, and Kind isn't just something we expect at school. It's how we hope they approach their decisions, relationships, and interactions every day.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us write the story of the Thompson 2026–27 school year. Have a wonderful weekend, and Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark

Thompson Principal

Get ready for an afternoon of Halloween fun, music, games, prizes, and plenty of school spirit! We’re inviting ALL Thompson students to come out and celebrate with their friends at our annual Monster Bash!

Wednesday, October 28 • 4:00–6:00 PM

Costumes are encouraged! Students are welcome to show their school spirit by dressing up in school-appropriate costumes for the Monster Bash, but please remember:

• No full-face masks, face paint, or items that could be considered weapons.

• Costumes should be safe, comfortable, and allow students to participate fully in the dance.
  
  

TICKETS
$10 in advance & $15 at the door

With 400+ students expected, we need plenty of adult volunteers to help keep the monsters under control and the party running smoothly! (And yes… costumes and Halloween-themed attire are encouraged for volunteers, too!)

High school students are welcome to volunteer, too! We’re happy to provide community service hours.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

We can’t make Monster Bash happen without our amazing volunteers. Thank you for helping us create a fun, safe, and memorable afternoon for our students!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We cannot wait to see your child at Monster Bash! Here are some reminders:

• The dance is from 4:00-6:00 PM in the main gym and aux gym. There will be a costume contest with prizes, a DJ, Halloween movie, lots of yummy treats to enjoy, and more fun!

• Please remember school appropriate costumes need to be worn to the dance. Costumes may not include weapons, masks that completely cover the face, or props that could be unsafe or disruptive. Costumes must be respectful and may not include offensive language, inappropriate images, or anything that targets or makes fun of others.

• Your child will be receiving your wristbands during tutorial Wednesday. Please DO NOT forget to remind your child to wear them to the dance as this is their ticket into the dance.

• If your child forgets to purchase a ticket ahead of time, they can go to door 4 and pay $15. They will need their student ID to get into the dance.

• If your child is a sixth grader, they will be dismissed at Door 15. If your child is a seventh or eighth grader, they will be dismissed at Door 3.

We hope your child enjoys an evening filled with fun, friends, and Halloween spirit! We can’t wait to see their costumes and celebrate with you!

• No full-face masks, face paint, or items that could be considered weapons

• Costumes should be safe, comfortable, and allow students to participate in school

Our 7th graders are gathering canned goods and shelf stable foods for our Food Drive benefitting Veterans for Hope! Please see the letter here for instructions on donating. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

On Tuesday, November 17 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 17, here are the next steps students will need to follow. . .

1. Complete their blue/orange registration form

2. Have parent/guardian sign the form

3. Enter desired classes in Synergy

4. Turn blue/orange registration form into the Thompson Student Services Office as soon as completed.

Specific curricular questions should be directed to the high school counselors. Reach out to our 8th grade TMS counselors Mrs. McElroy or Mrs. Gary with any questions.

If math facts could learn themselves, we’d all have a lot more free time! Until then, practice makes progress! Math is more than memorizing formulas or solving for x. Students need opportunities to build number sense, strengthen fluency, solve problems, and explain their thinking. Consistent practice helps students move beyond simply knowing the steps to understanding why those steps work.

As a school, building math fluency is an important goal for us because these foundational skills support everything students learn next. When students can recall basic facts and use strategies efficiently, they have more mental energy available to tackle complex problems, apply their reasoning, and explain their thinking. Our goal is not simply speed, but accuracy, flexibility, understanding, and confidence. Regular, meaningful practice helps students make progress and prepares them for increasingly challenging math.

This is why we practice:

• Builds Problem-Solving Skills: Students learn to break down complex problems, recognize patterns, and use logical reasoning.

• Develops Persistence: Students learn to try different strategies, work through challenges, and view mistakes as opportunities to learn.

• Strengthens Fluency and Accuracy: Regular practice helps students recall foundational facts and skills more efficiently, freeing up mental energy for more challenging tasks.

• Supports Learning Across Subjects: Math strengthens analytical thinking and helps students make connections in science, technology, economics, and everyday life.

The goal is progress. We want students to develop the fluency, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to tackle increasingly complex math with understanding.

***Shout-out to our students who are practicing their fluency at school and home! Keep up the great work!

The PTO is teaming up with Big Hearts of Fox Valley for their 2026 Holiday Toy Drive, and we need your help to make this season brighter for local families.

What: NEW, unwrapped toys and gifts for young children and teens

Where: Collection box in the TMS lobby

When: October 19 – November 11

Every item collected goes to struggling families right here in our own School District 303. Whether it’s a puzzle, a board game, a art set, or a gift card for a teen, it will mean the world to a kid this holiday season.

We're excited to share our first volunteer opportunities of the school year. Please take a look at the committees and opportunities Thompson PTO runs and supports throughout the school year. We’d love to have you join us!

A quick note about these opportunities:

Many of the opportunities listed here are for planning and organizing roles that help make out PTO events and programs possible. These are ongoing committee opportunities rather than day-of event volunteer shifts.

There will also be opportunities to volunteer on the day of certain events, such as our dances. Those sign-ups will be shared closer to each event date.

Time commitments are our best estimates and may vary depending on the committee and event. Whether you have a little time to give or would like to take on a bigger role, there’s a place for you! Grab a friend and sign up to help—or jump in and lead a committee of your own.

Click HERE for 2026-2027 Thompson PTO Committee & Volunteer Opportunities

If you have questions about any of our current volunteer opportunities, please reach out to us. And, as always, we welcome your ideas! If there’s something you’d like to see the PTO do, please let us know. We’d love to hear your ideas and find ways to make them happen.

Board@ThompsonPTO.org

• October 28, 2026 - Monster Bash (Halloween dance)

• December 15, 2026 - Holiday Cookie Exchange (as gifts for Staff)

• February 5, 2027 - Snow Ball (winter dance)

• May 14, 2027 - 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration Dance

• May 26, 2027 - 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration Picnic

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!

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 Woodring - Assistant Principal

Mr. Ryan Wood - Assistant Principal

Mr. Sam Pasholk - Dean of Students

Ms. Christine Ellis - Dean of Students

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/

*please note the use of generative AI images are not the product of the author but the decisions of contributors to this publication