Thomas Community Newsletter August 16, 2025 | | |
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Dear TMS Community,
It’s official—the 2025–2026 school year is underway!
Thanks to the generous support of 60+ TMS Student Leaders, yesterday’s 6th Grade Orientation and Locker Set-Up Day was a success ~ check out the adorable evidence in the photos below. It felt like nearly every student and family stepped into the building, explored team classrooms, organized learning materials in lockers, and practiced combinations. We hope you took a photo at our new TMS backdrop as well!
We are so proud of how our students (and parents!) persevered through the challenges of finding new lockers and beginning new routines. The smiles of success were everywhere! Each year, we continue to be impressed by the independence our Timberwolves show—well done, students, you’ve got this! Parents, thank you for trusting your child to navigate TMS with confidence. Your belief in their abilities helps reduce anxiety for them (and for you, too!). Together, we’ve got this—and we’re excited for our first day together- Thursday, August 21st!
ACTION ITEM FOR PARENTS:
Please click HERE to carefully review the TMS Arrival & Dismissal Procedures. To help prevent frustration, we encourage you to read these procedures in advance and plan to leave early each morning. Safety is our top priority at TMS, and we ask for everyone’s cooperation in following these expectations.
New Items in this Newsletter: - Meet Penny ~ TMS K-9 Friend
- Community Safety Night - 9/10/25 @ TMS 6-7 PM
In this newsletter you'll find a review of the following information: Orientation for Families New to District 25 First Day of School & Back to School Schedule Walk Event & PTA Kona Ice TMS PE Uniform Pick-Up and Purchase TMS Athletic Information - Girl's Basketball, Girl's Softball PTA Information & ABC25 Memberships Summer Reading Information - Make Waves School Supply List for 2025-2026 District 25 Food Services Chromebook Information TMS Administrative & Office Team TMS In's & Out's, District 25 Parent/Student Handbook, Arrival & Dismissal Links
SAVE THE DATES for the 2025-2026 School Year: - Orientation for Families New to District 25 - Tuesday, 8/19/25 @ 6 PM
- First Day of School - Thursday, 8/21/25 [Students should arrive at 7:30 AM]
- Back To School Schedule Walk Event - Thursday, 8/21/25 from 4-7 PM *PTA Kona Ice
- Picture Day - Monday, 8/25/24 [During PE/Health Classes]
- 6th Grade Curriculum Night - Wednesday, 8/27/25 @ 6:00 PM *5:30 Administrator Welcome!
- 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night - Thursday, 9/4/25 @ 6:00 PM *5:30 Administrator Welcome!
- Bus Information - Emailed just before school starts [Contact Laura Comastro, Transportation Coordinator (lcomastro@sd25.org) if you have questions]
We are looking forward to an incredible year of learning! Thank you for sharing your children with us!
The TMS Administrative Team ~ Lori, Greg, Allie, & Jeremy | | | | WHEN: First Day of School - Thursday, 8/21 from 4-7 PM WHO: All TMS Students & Parents & Family Members *Note, children elementary school age and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. WHAT: A time to walk the student's schedule, set-up lockers, and become more familiar with TMS. WHERE: TMS - All hallways will be open. | | | WHO: Families NEW to District 25 (move-ins or transfers) Bring your TMS student and at least 1 parent. WHAT: Orientation offers a time to learn essential information about what to expect from TMS and to tour the building. WHEN: Tuesday, 8/19 @ 6 PM
WHERE: TMS Large Gym PARKING: Please park in the main entrance parking lot off of Belmont Avenue | | | Didn't make it in yet? You can join us on Tuesday, 8/19/25 from 6-7 PM. Student Leaders and staff will not be available at this time, but there are QR codes for reporting locker challenges in each hallway.
Can't make this time work? No worries, students do not need much on the first day of school - just a pencil and a notebook will do.
Locker set up can be completed during the Back to School Schedule Walk PTA Kona Ice Event on 8/21/25 from 4-7 PM. | | | Remember to mark your calendar to ensure your student is dressed and all set for photos! You don't need to submit anything before Picture Day. Every student will have their photo taken at school on Monday, August 25th, during their PE/Health Classes. You can expect to see these photos online, ready for viewing, about 2-3 weeks after the photo date. Ordering online is a breeze! Plus, free shipping is offered for a limited period. | |  | |  | | | The first 5 days of school, 8/21/25-8/27/25, TMS will run the Advisory Schedule. Students will report directly to their PACK (homeroom) placement by 7:50 AM.
First Day of School - Thursday, 8/21/25 - Advisory Schedule - 7:30 AM Arrival: Students should plan to arrive at TMS at 7:30 AM each morning.
- 7:40 AM First Bell: Students will enter the building at 7:40 AM.
- 7:50 AM Advisory: Students should be in their seats in PACK by 7:50 AM. Students will receive their complete class schedule when they arrive in PACK. Sixth graders will work with 8th graders to walk their schedules and locate all of their classrooms.
- 2:45 PM - Dismissal
- 4-7 PM Back to School Schedule Walk PTA Event with Kona Ice
Safety Drills: - Second Day of School - Friday, 8/22/25 - TMS will have Safety Drills with the Arlington Heights Police Department (Hold, Secure & Lockdown) during Advisory.
- Friday, 8/29/25 at 2:30 PM - TMS will have Safety Drills with the Arlington Heights Fire Department (Shelter & Evacuate) during PACK.
| | | Students and families will have an opportunity to pick-up TMS PE uniform shirts on Friday, August 15th, during locker set-up. You can pick up items that were ordered online during registration or to pay cash or check for a PE uniform shirt.- Need to Purchase a $4.50 PE Uniform Shirt or Pick Up a uniform shirt paid for via registration? Stop by the PE uniform table during our Back to School Schedule Walk Event on Thursday, 8/21. The table will be open from 4-7 PM and we accept cash or check.
- Online Uniform Shirt Purchases: Click here for a link to the online school store to purchase a $4.50 shirt.
- PE shirts will also be distributed during PE classes during the first few days of school.
- Students can purchase PE uniforms online all school year long.
| | | Last year, Penny started visiting TMS on Fridays during 4th quarter with Mrs. DeLuca and the students and staff loved engaging with her. Penny has brought many smiles to our Wolf Pack and we are grateful for the joy she spreads. We plan to have Penny visit on Friday again this year. Stay tuned for Penny updates throughout the school year. |  | This guide details the daily operations for students on all things TMS. Click here to learn what to expect this year.
| This handbook details the policies and guidelines that govern District 25 schools.
| These detailed and specific safety directions for drop-off and pick-up are essential for all families that are driving students to and from school. Please carefully read these directions and share them with anyone who is driving your child.
| | | We’re excited to host a Community Safety Night at Thomas Middle School on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:00–7:00 p.m.. This event will focus on electronic bike and scooter safety, including local ordinances and expectations on school property. We’ll also highlight drop-off/pick-up routines and before- and after-school expectations. It’s a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect. More details coming soon! | | | - Girl's Softball Tryout Dates/Times
- Monday, August 18th & Tuesday, August 19th: 7th & 8th Graders - All players 3:15-4:45pm @ TMS
- QUESTIONS: Please reach out to the Coaches
- Girl's Basketball Tryout Dates/Times:
- Wednesday, September 17th & Thursday, September 18th
- QUESTIONS: Please reach out to the Coaches
| | | The TMS PTA has a lot to offer this year! We are excited for all the activities we have planned! - MEETINGS: If you are interested in getting involved in the PTA or simply checking out a meeting @ 7:00pm in the TMS Library. Everyone is welcome!
- Wednesday, September 10, 2025
- Wednesday, October 8, 2025
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026
- Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- 2024-2025 Executive Board Members
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TMS PTA Memberships - Have you joined the PTA? Your membership gives you exclusive access to the Thomas Middle School Directory through Directory Spot. Not a member? No problem! You can join by visiting the AH25 Webstore to purchase online or by emailing us at thomasmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com.
ABC 25 Memberships - As well as providing teacher grants, each year, the ABC/25 Foundation grants $2,500.00 to all District 25 schools when 25% of the school's families become members. These funds may be used at the school’s discretion. Past Membership Incentive Grants include: lighting and sound system updates, playground equipment, app subscriptions, digital books, Chromebooks, Nooks and iPad minis. We invite you to join ABC/25 Foundation and make an impact on District 25 student learning. Your support ensures that we can continue to provide students with projects and programs that foster innovation, creativity and excellence. One membership counts towards all district schools your children attend.
Become an ABC/25 Foundation Member by donating a minimum of $40.00 per family. District staff may join at an educator’s rate of $25.00 or more. |  | | |  | |  | | | - Summer access to Chromebooks and Google accounts for students is modified. 7th & 8th-grade Chromebooks will only work when connected to the District 25 network.
- Access to Schoology and PowerSchool is restricted until late August while the district works on updates and rostering for the new school year.
- 7th & 8th-grade students should bring their device back to school, FULLY CHARGED, and be ready for the first day of school 8/21/25.
- 6th grade students will get Chromebooks the first week of school.
| | | | | A District-wide communication to all parents with information about our school meal program, including menu access, payment, and our required notification to all families about how to apply for free/reduced meal will be sent in the near future. This correspondence will also include the student ID#, which will help parents link their student to our online payment system or online free/reduced application. For more information about paying for school lunches, please visit our website. | | | | Click HERE to download and print a copy of the physical form.
| | - This is a reminder that we need a completed state of Illinois physical and complete vaccine list (including TDap and Meningococcal MCV4) BEFORE October 15, 2025 to avoid school exclusion. Click HERE for a copy of the physical form for your doctor.
- The exam must be dated on or after August 21, 2024. This is a state of Illinois mandate.
- If you already have these forms, you can drop them off in our office over the summer!
- Please ensure that all of the questions on the form are filled out before you leave your provider's office.
- Please contact our school nurses with any questions or concerns after their return on August 18, 2025. THANK YOU!
| | | - Bus information will be sent the week before school starts.
- Click here for the Bus Safety Guidelines and Rule as well as details on lost items on the bus.
- Please direct bus transportation questions to the District 25 Transportation Specialist: Laura Comastro as she can answer your questions and resolve issues. lcomastro@sd25.org. Phone: 847-758-4888
- Bus Company Questions: Contact Cook Co. School Bus Company at 847-439-0923
| | | | | | | | We want to take a moment to introduce the AMAZING TMS office team. We are here to support all our students and families. We hope to connect with our families throughout the year at the school and at different events. If you have any questions you can always call the school office, 847-398-4260 or email us directly. Allstar Administrative Assistants: Heroes in the Health Office: Administrator Team: - Lori Naumowicz, Principal - lnaumowicz@sd25.org - Administrator Liaison for Creative Arts, Multi-Language, PE/Health, & World Language
- Greg Keadle, Associate Principal - gkeadle@sd25.org - Administrator Liaison for 8th Grade Epsilon & ZetaTeams, 7th Grade Delta Team, Math, Science, & MTSS
- Jeremy Fischer, Associate Principal - jerfischer@sd25.org - Administrator Liaison for 6th Grade Alpha & Beta Teams, 7th Grade Gamma Team, 504s, ELA, Social Studies, & Band
- Allie Yoder, Associate Principal & TMS Student Services Coordinator - ayoder@sd25.org -Administrator Liaison for Special Education
| | Click HERE for support with Mental Health, Housing, Health Care, Food, etc.
|  | Thomas Middle School Summer Office Hours: 7 AM - 3 PM / Office Phone: 847-398-4260 |
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