Thompson Friday Forecast

Dear Parents,

As we celebrate National School Counseling Week, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work our Thompson and Wredling middle school counselors do day in and day out. They play a vital role in the lives of our students, providing support, guidance, and resources to help them navigate the challenges of adolescence and achieve success both academically and personally. Let's take this opportunity to recognize and honor their dedication, compassion, and commitment to our children's well-being.

With our counselors in mind, we want to consider…

Ways Parents and Schools Can Support Students with Mental Health Struggles

In addition to honoring our counselors, it's essential for parents and schools to work together to support students facing mental health challenges. Here are five ways we can collaborate to create a supportive environment for our children:

• Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication between parents, teachers, counselors and other mental health professionals. Share any concerns or observations about your child's behavior or well-being, and work together to address them proactively.

• Promote Self-Care: Encourage your child to prioritize self-care activities such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and engaging in hobbies or activities they enjoy. Model healthy self-care habits at home.

• Normalize Seeking Help: Break the stigma surrounding mental health by normalizing the idea of seeking help when needed. Encourage your child to talk openly about their feelings and emotions and reassure them that it's okay to ask for support from trusted adults or professionals.

• Educate Yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about common mental health issues affecting adolescents, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Stay informed about available resources and support services both within the school and in the community.

• Promote Resilience: Foster resilience in your child by helping them develop coping skills and strategies to manage stress and adversity effectively. Teach them problem-solving techniques, positive thinking patterns, and the importance of seeking help when facing challenges.

• Limit Screen Time: Research clearly shows that adolescents who spend more time in front of screens often have greater mental health challenges. You can help your child by not only limiting screen time, but monitoring when they are online.
  
  

And know that our Wredling and Thompson counselors, social workers, and administrative teams are here to support you and your child through these challenges! By working together, parents and schools can create a nurturing and supportive environment where all students feel valued, understood, and empowered to thrive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in our shared mission to promote the well-being and success of every student.

Best regards,

Matt and Tim

Dr. Matthew Clark, Principal Thompson Middle School

Mr. Tim Loversky, Principal Wredling Middle School

Dear TMS Parents and Guardians:

This is a follow-up to the email I sent about the IL 5 Essentials Survey...this data is important for our growth. We only have 141 surveys completed and I need about 200 more for the survey to be valid. Can you help me?

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.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Matt