Thompson Friday Forecast

Good afternoon parents and guardians. On Monday, April 8th a solar eclipse will be visible in St. Charles. The eclipse will begin at 12:50 pm, will reach its maximum at 2:06, and end at approximately 3:21 pm. Students are dismissed at 3:40 so the entire window will take place during our school day.

This celestial event presents an excellent learning opportunity, but measures also need to be taken to ensure the safety of our students’ vision. I want to assure you that our school is taking proactive steps to protect our students' eyesight during this event. As such, I would like to outline our plans and precautions:

Indoor Activities: When the eclipse is expected to be visible, students will be kept indoors to minimize direct exposure to the sun's rays. Teachers may be conducting special lessons or have live streaming or photos available for students to experience the eclipse safely.

Eye Safety Awareness: Understand that eye damage can occur rapidly and without any noticeable pain. Even a brief glance at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent harm to their vision.

We are taking these precautions in order to protect our students.

We understand that some families may wish to provide a safe, supervised, and protected viewing experience for their children. If you wish to pick up your student from school during the eclipse, the absence will be excused, however, it will still be included as a reportable absence.

Below are some additional resources you may wish to use with your children at home to further explore this eclipse event.

Solar Eclipse Learning Resources:

Science Penguin

NASA Computer Game About the Eclipse

National Science Teaching Association Handout

Great American Eclipse

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Matt Clark

Principal

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness is well underway. Thompson has completed the ELA portion of testing this week.

Next week we will continue with Math testing from: April 9-11

**Makeup test dates: April 12-19**

Our building will be running an adapted schedule on these days. Please see the letter below from Mr. Dave Chiszar, the D303 Director of Assessment and Accountability.

IAR Letter from the Director of Assessment and Accountability

Please make sure your child is well rested, has a good breakfast, and is on time for school on these dates. This will help set them up for success as they take these tests.

They will also need to bring the following items to school with them for each day of testing:

• Chromebook FULLY charged and ready to go

• Wired Earbuds - (check to ensure they are working, please)

• Book to read (Hard Copy)

• Writing Utensil

***STUDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO KEEP THEIR PHONES AND SMARTWATCHES
IN THEIR LOCKERS OR AT HOME***

Note: If you have questions regarding IAR testing, please feel free to contact David Chiszar, Director of Assessment & Accountability, at (331) 228-4911 or your child’s grade level counselor.

Thank you for your assistance as we prepare for these assessments.

Danielle Moeller

Interim Assistant Principal

Date: Friday, April 26th

Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Thompson Middle School, Track and Field

Description:
Get ready to experience a burst of color and fun at Thompson's Color Palooza! This exciting event is open to all Thompson students and their families. Whether you want to run, walk, or simply stand and toss colors, there's something for everyone at this vibrant celebration.

Join us at the Thompson Middle School Track and Field on Friday, April 26th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM for an evening filled with laughter, music, and colorful powder. Participants will receive a commemorative black and white t-shirt to color up and make their own.

Come together as a community to support Thompson Middle School's programs and initiatives while enjoying an unforgettable experience. Let's paint the track with joy and unity at the Color Palooza!

$30 Admission includes: participation for the event, t-shirt, goggles, pizza, drink, Kona Ice, color packet

Team 6-1 collected over 150 boxes of cereal for our Spring BREAKFAST Cereal Drive. The team donated the boxes to Lazarus House and The Northern Illinois Food Bank. Thanks to all who contributed. The winning tutorial was Mrs. Bemer's class with 60 boxes collected!

Order deadline: April 21st

Orders will be distributed early/mid May

NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED

https://thompson2024.itemorder.com

Happy Shopping!

The AAUW (American Association of University Women) holds an annual writing contest for 6-8th grade students in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. This year there were over 300 entries for three categories: Poetry, Non-Fiction, and Fiction. Thompson Middle School Students were among the winners for the 45th annual creative writing contest.

7th Grade

1st Place Poetry--Bella Casey

3rd Place Poetry--Julia Grawender

3rd Place Non-Fiction--Tallulah Bell

8th Grade

1st Place Poetry-- Olivia Vancura

2nd Place Poetry-- Zoe Lotesto

1st Place Non-Fiction-- Melanie Guzman

3rd Place Non-Fiction-- Aria Bhate

Fiction Honorable Mention--Peter Morton

Poetry Honorable Mentions-- Guliana Munoz, Matthew Russ, and Erin Skidmore

Non-Fiction Honorable Mention-- Jane Tegmeyer

Here are some of the 8th grade winners at the Awards Ceremony with Mrs. Abbinante. From left to right: Olivia Vancura (1st place poetry), Melanie Guzman (1st place non-fiction), and Aria Bhate (3rd place non-fiction).

Improv Club meets Tuesday 4/9 and Wednesday 4/10 next week in Room 108 until 4:30pm. Come work on acting skills and have fun by playing crazy games!

It’s time for some Spring Cleaning! Please consider donating your gently used children’s books (ages birth- sixth grade) to Bernie’s Book Bank. Thompson Middle School will be collecting new and gently used children’s books throughout the weeks of April 1st - April 12th. You may begin dropping off books in the bins outside the main office after Spring Break.

Thank you for giving the gift of reading to students in our community. If you have any questions please reach out to Deborah.Baron@d303.org or Annie.Leppin@d303.org

When: Thursday, April 18th

Where: The Northern Illinois Food Bank, Geneva

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Contact: David Simone at david.simone@d303.org

Ms. Sarah Frankiewicz - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Danielle Moeller - Interim Assistant Principal

Mr. Sam Pasholk - Student Support Coordinator

Ms. Maureen Logsdon - Interim 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/