Thomas Community Newsletter August 4, 2025 | | |
|  | Dear TMS Community,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! We hope that your family has been enjoying a restful and super fun-filled summer. TMS is ready to MAKE WAVES!
On Friday, August 8th an email will be sent to each family with student TEAM, PACK (formerly known as homeroom), & LOCKER ASSIGNMENTS. (If you have not completed registration, your email will not include these assignments.)
Please take some time to read through our first Community Newsletter of the school year. Communication is essential to providing an outstanding middle school experience. The TMS Community Newsletters are our primary method of communication and are sent on or near the 1st and 15th of each month. We strive to condense our communication into just these two newsletters and fill them with important learning updates and event details. All newsletters are archived on the TMS Website.
In this newsletter you'll find the following: TMS Administrative & Office Team TMS In's & Out's, District 25 Parent/Student Handbook, Arrival & Dismissal Links Locker Set Up Event Information 6th Grade Orientation Information Orientation for Families New to District 25 First Day of School & Back to School Schedule Walk Evening Event TMS PE Uniform Pick-Up and Purchase TMS Athletic Information - Cross Country, 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 The Importance of Daily Attendance School Resource Information Safe2Help Illinois
SAVE THE DATES for the 2025-2026 School Year:
- Team, PACK & Locker Assignment Email - Friday, 8/8/25
- 6th Grade Orientation - Friday, 8/15/25 from 9-11 AM
- Locker Set-Up - Friday, 8/15/25 from 11:15 AM - 3:00 PM
- 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 Event - Thursday, 8/21/25 from 4-7 PM, PTA Kona Ice Fundraiser!
- Picture Day - Monday, 8/25/24 [During PE/Health Classes]
- 6th Grade Curriculum Night - Wednesday, 8/27/25 @ 6:00 PM
- 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night - Thursday, 9/4/25 @ 6:00 PM
- 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 | | | 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
| |  | | - Creative Arts Drama Teacher - Naomi Beckley
- Epsilon Team PE/Health Teacher - Rob Weis
- ILP/ERP Social Worker - Jeff Pawelski
- Advanced Learning Specialist - Chrissy Dastice
- Science/Math Teacher - Molly Nelson
- Creative Arts Teacher - Clair Felde
- 7th Grade Special Education Resource Teacher - Betty Henderson
- .5 Speech and Language Pathologist - Elizabeth Clark
- .5 Spanish Teacher - Jackie Van Wyk
- Nurse - Shelly Grossman
| 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.
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WHO: All TMS students & family members *Note, students not attending TMS must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.WHAT: An opportunity to set-up the student's hallway locker and to practice opening the combination.WHERE: Thomas Middle SchoolTRANSPORTATION: Students are welcome to walk, ride bikes, or carpool to this event. Please note that crossing guards will not be available for this event.
DIRECTIONS: There could be over 1000+ students attending this event. In order to attempt to organize this, we are suggesting the following times:
- 6th Grade Students: 11:15 AM - 1 PM
- 7th Grade Students: 1 PM - 2 PM
- 8th Grade Students: 2 PM - 3 PM
*These are just suggested times. This is a drop-in event and students & families can opt to come anytime between 11:15 AM - 3 PM. Please just be mindful that the hallways may be crowded and parking could be limited.
6th grade students and 7th & 8th grade student leaders attending the LOCKER SET-UP EVENT immediately following 6th Grade ORIENTATION will remain in the Large Gym. Parents should park and plan to enter the Large Gym at 11:15 AM to meet their student. | | |  |
WHO: All 6th Grade Students *This is a student only event!* WHAT: Orientation provides the 6th graders with an opportunity to further familiarize themselves with TMS, tour the building, and to meet peers in their PACK. WHERE: Thomas Middle School - This event will start in the Large Gym. Students will enter the building by team based on the assignments below. Students will be dismissed to these locations at 11 AM. WHEN: Friday, 8/15/25 from 9-11 AM TRANSPORTATION: Students are welcome to walk, ride bikes, or carpool to this event. Please note that crossing guards will not be available for this event. DIRECTIONS: There will be over 300+ students attending this event. In order to attempt to organize the drop-off and pick-up for this event, please note the following: DROP-OFF & PICK-UP: - ALPHA STUDENTS - Enter at the main entrance at the Belmont Avenue parking lot. Drop off & pick up should occur on Belmont Avenue.
- BETA STUDENTS - Enter door #8 by the LMC via the drop-off line accessible from the Arlington Heights/Thomas Street parking lot.
Students attending the LOCKER SET-UP EVENT immediately following ORIENTATION will remain in the Large Gym. Parents should park and plan to enter the Large Gym at 11:15 AM | | ATTENTION SIXTH GRADE FAMILIES:
- 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!
| Click HERE to download and print a copy of the physical form.
| | | 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 | | | The first 5 days of school, 8/21/25-8/27/25, TMS will run the Advisory Schedule 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 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.
| |  | | | 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. WHEN: First Day of School - Thursday, 8/21 from 4-7 PM
WHERE: TMS - All hallways will be open. | | | 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 $5 PE Uniform Shirt? Stop by the PE uniform table during locker set-up on Friday, 8/15/25 between 11:15 AM - 3 PM and during our Back to School Schedule Walk Event on Thursday, 8/21 from 4-6 PM and pay cash or check for a uniform shirt. You will receive the uniform shirt that day!
- Online Uniform Shirt Purchases: Click here for a link to the online school store to purchase a $5 shirt. Students can purchase PE uniforms online all school year long.
| | | - Cross Country: Please click HERE for information on the 2025 Cross Country Team which is open to all TMS 6th, 7th & 8th grade students! This is a great way to start the school year.
- 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. | | | | | | - 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
| | |  | Thomas Middle School Summer Office Hours: 7 AM - 3 PM / Office Phone: 847-398-4260 |
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