Thompson Friday Forecast

Good afternoon everyone. At Thompson, we spend a great deal of time reinforcing our three core values: Respect, Responsibility, and Kindness. Responsibility, in particular, is something we emphasize regularly. As the parent of two teenagers myself, I can assure you that this message is reinforced just as frequently in the Clark household. I can also assure you that repetition does not necessarily lead to results!

Which brings me to this week's topic: The TMS Lost and Found.

As you'll see in the pictures below, our collection of lost clothing has reached rather impressive proportions. We currently have enough sweatshirts, jackets, and other clothing displayed on tables just inside Door 1 to open a small department store, and that's not even counting the growing collection of water bottles and miscellaneous items still located in our Lost and Found in the cafeteria. Apparently, remembering to bring a sweatshirt to school and remembering to bring it home are two entirely different skills. Clearly, we're still working on the latter!

In all seriousness, we would appreciate your help in reminding your children to take responsibility for their belongings. Please encourage them to check the tables just inside Door 1 as well as the Lost and Found in the cafeteria. If something went missing at school, I have a pretty good guess where it might be!

We will continue to reinforce responsibility here at Thompson, just as I'm sure you will at home. And who knows? Maybe one day our collective efforts will result in teenagers who consistently remember their sweatshirts, water bottles, and everything else they arrived with.

A principal (and parent) can dream!

Have a wonderful weekend, and Roll Thunder!

Dr. Matt Clark

Thompson Principal

Friday: November 13 at 7:00 pm

Saturday: November 14 at 2:00 pm

All shows are at the Haines Center Gymnasium Stage, tickets are $5 at the door or may be purchased online through the Push Coin Wizard of Oz Ticket Link

Thank you to the 7th and 8th grade students, staff, veterans and families that were able to attend our Veterans Day Assembly. This is always a moving ceremony that is brought to life by impactful speeches and wonderful music. Thank you to the staff that helped the event run smoothly, to Mrs. Rybski, Mr. Blank, and Mrs. Pogge for the musical highlights, to Mr. Terrence Pogge for help streaming the event to our 6th graders, and Mrs. Van Camp for the beautiful balloon display. We feel honored to have celebrated this day with our Thompson community. To all of our veterans, thank you for your service!

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.

***Sale ends November 23rd. NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED.

Orders distributed at the school by Dec 8th.

Did you know that just 5–10 minutes of math practice a day can make a big difference in building math fact fluency?

The good news? Practice doesn't have to look like a worksheet! One simple pair of dice can turn math into a fun family activity. Rolling, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing help children strengthen their number sense, recognize patterns, and become more confident with math facts.

The goal isn't just to get the answer quickly. It's to build confidence, recognize number relationships, and develop strategies that make solving problems easier.

***Shout-out to our students who are practicing their math facts! Every roll, every try, and every minute of practice helps build confidence and stronger math skills. Keep it up!

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