Tiger Tales

Hello Thompson Families,

Beginning January 30th, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All teachers and fourth through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Student participants will be required to log-in using their state student ID and birth date in order to complete the survey. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material.

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the UChicago Impact Support Center (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/article/illinois-5essentials-survey-questions).

If you do not want your child to participate, complete and submit the 5Essentials Student Survey - Parent Opt Out Form by Friday, February 2nd.

Additionally, District 41 has chosen to provide the optional supplement parent survey. If at least 20 percent of Thompson School parents/guardians complete this survey, a parent report will also be generated. The parent data will not be included on the State Report Card.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted from January 30th-March 29th. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same period. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Sincerely,

Sandy Allen, Principal
sandra.allen@district41.org
(847) 265-2488 x41003

The State of Illinois requires all students in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th Grades to have a Dental Examination. Exams must be performed by a licensed dentist, and the dentist must sign and date the Proof of School Dental Examination Form. Dental Exam Forms must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15th.

Imagine a school morning where everyone knows what to do and is ready on time. Organization is a skill learned over time. By teaching organization at home, your student will learn this important skill. Modeling these skills will encourage your student to take responsibility for their own organization.

Thompson students have learned about the first three Habits. Families can also use these habits as a learning tool at home in the following ways:

HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE

Habit 1 is about initiative and responsibility. Each night, help your student determine what they will need for the next day. To start, writing a list may be helpful.

HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

Habit 2 is about visualizing how you would like something to turn out before it happens. If a smooth morning is the goal, brainstorm with your student how that will look and feel. Your student may actually have time to do something extra in the morning if they are organized, and you will all have a happy start to the day.

HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST

Habit 3 means focusing on the task when there’s something else you would rather be doing—the hardest part of all! Help your student learn how to avoid distractions by reminding them that, if they stick to it, all the fun things can come right after!

Thompson students know these habits and how to apply them, and are ready to start tackling more difficult tasks independently. They will begin to feel self-confident and proud when they’re able to complete homework and other tasks by themselves.

Remember, it may take time for your child to solidify these skills. Sometimes, it may seem simpler just to do it for them, but using Habits 1–3 at home will benefit them their entire lives.

Friday, March 1st

• Report Cards Available at 4:00pm

Thursday, March 7th

• Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences; 3:10pm-7:40pm

Friday, March 8th

• Non-Attendance Day

Thursday, March 21st

• 1st Grade Music Concert; 6:00pm

Monday, March 25th - Friday, March 29th

• Spring Break

Thursday, April 25th

• Kindergarten Music Concert; 6:00pm

Thursday, May 16th

• Choir Concert; 6:00pm

Thursday, May 23rd

• Band Concert; 6:30pm

Monday, May 27th

• Memorial Day; Non-Attendance Day

Thursday, May 30th

• Move-Up Day

Friday, May 31st

• Field Day

Monday, June 3rd

• Last Day Half Day of School - Dismissal at 11:15am

Email: sandra.allen@district41.org
Website: district41.org/thompson
Phone: (847) 265-2488
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/William.L.Thompson.School
Twitter: @ThompsonTigers1