A Message to Our Thomasboro Grade School Families and Community
Setting the Record Straight Regarding the Recent Referendum
Dear Thomasboro Grade School Families and Community Members,
Following the recent referendum, I feel it is important to address an inaccurate news story that was published regarding our district's referendum request. Unfortunately, the information shared in that story did not accurately reflect what Thomasboro Grade School was asking our taxpayers to support or how those funds would have been used.
I believe our families and taxpayers deserve accurate information, especially when it comes to decisions that directly affect our children, our schools, and our community.
To clarify a few important points:
- The Tax Rate: Thomasboro Grade School was NOT asking for a $1.00 increase. Our request was to increase the district's limiting rate by $0.75. There is an important difference, and it is essential that this information be reported correctly.
- How the Funds Would Have Been Used: The referendum was not intended to fund gym upgrades or playground improvements, as reported in the news story. The additional revenue was needed to support the educational programs and daily operations that directly impact our students. Specifically, the funds would have helped support student programs, teacher salaries, technology, and textbooks.
These are not extravagant additions or unnecessary wants. They are fundamental components of providing our students with the education and opportunities they deserve.
The recent referendum marks the fourth time our community has voted against additional funding for our district. While I respect the right of every taxpayer to make their own decision at the ballot box, I also believe those decisions should be based on accurate information and a clear understanding of what is being requested.
As Superintendent, my responsibility is to be transparent with our community. I will never expect our taxpayers to support something without understanding why we are asking and how those dollars would be spent. However, I also have a responsibility to make sure our community understands the financial challenges facing our district and the consequences those challenges have on our ability to maintain the programs, staffing, resources, and educational opportunities our students need.
Our teachers and staff continue to work hard every day to provide an excellent education for our students, often doing more with less. We have worked diligently to improve student achievement, strengthen our programs, and make responsible financial decisions. We are proud of the progress Thomasboro Grade School has made, but sustaining that progress requires adequate resources.
Our children should never become the casualty of misinformation or the ongoing financial challenges facing our district.
I am incredibly proud of Thomasboro Grade School, our students, our staff, and the families who support us. Regardless of the referendum outcome, our commitment to providing the best possible education for every child remains unchanged.
I simply ask that our community seek accurate information, ask questions, and come directly to the district when there are concerns about our finances or our needs. We are always willing to have those conversations.
Thank you for continuing to support Thomasboro Grade School and the children we serve.
Sincerely,
Bonnie McArthur
Superintendent/Principal
Thomasboro Grade School
Support the Student Council Food Drive! Starting November 1st- November 23rd. Drop off Food or Monetary Donations to the School Office. We will be donating the food to the Fountain Valley Food Pantry.
Student Council is doing their annual Veterans Day Breakfast. They are inviting the veterans and their families and all active military in our community . November 11th 9:00 a.m.
On Friday, October 30th at 2 p.m. we will have our Halloween Parade. The Parade route is south on Phillips, east on Arnold, North Lincoln, West on Park , we are making a square around the church. If you would like to hand out candy to our students you can set up around the block that the church is located on. Happy Halloween!
In Loving Memory of Judy Lieb
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Judy Lieb, a beloved member of the Thomasboro Grade School family.
For more than 30 years, Judy served as our school librarian, but to our students, staff, and families, she was so much more than that. She was a gentle presence, a welcoming smile, and a constant reminder that kindness can change someone's day.
Judy had a remarkable gift for making our school feel like home. She created beautiful decorations that transformed our hallways and library into places filled with warmth, creativity, and wonder. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, no matter the task, and she gave so much of herself to everyone around her.
She truly loved her students and believed that the library was a place where curiosity could grow and every child could discover the joy of learning. Countless students will forever remember the care, patience, and encouragement she showed them as they turned the pages of their favorite books.
To those who knew her, Judy was a walking angel—treating students, parents, and staff with compassion, grace, and unconditional kindness. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the love of reading she inspired, and the beautiful memories she helped create within the walls of Thomasboro Grade School.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Judy's family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her.
Thank you, Judy, for the love, light, and kindness you shared with our TGS family. You will always be a part of Thomasboro Grade School. ❤️
FYI: Today is a 1:55 pm dismissal.
We have decided to move the 1st Quarter Honor Assembly to October 21st at 1:30 p.m.
Please sign-up for Parent /Teacher Conferences if you haven't already. If you did not receive a link to Sign-up Genius for the conferences please contact your child's teacher. The conferences are September 30th 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and October 1st 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Please sign-up for Parent /Teacher Conferences if you haven't already. If you did not receive a link to Sign-up Genius for the conferences please contact your child's teacher. The conferences are September 30th 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and October 1st 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Reminder: Parent Meeting for 5-8th Grade Basketball and Volleyball sports. The meeting starts at 5:00 p.m. Please enter through the Athletic Entrance.
School Store:
We would like to thank everyone that has donated to our school store. We still need more items for our school store, so please consider donating!
The following food items for the store would be appreciated:
Chips
Beef Sticks
Fruit Roll Ups
Gushers
Fruit Snacks
And we are looking for donations from our Amazon List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1HLGGAR4H6CZT?ref_=wl_share
We appreciate the help in making the store a success!
We would like to thank everyone that has donated to our school store. We still need more items for our school store, so please consider donating!
The following food items for the store would be appreciated:
Chips
Beef Sticks
Fruit Roll Ups
Gushers
Fruit Snacks
And we are looking for donations from our Amazon List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1HLGGAR4H6CZT?ref_=wl_share
We appreciate the help in making the store a success!
Tomorrow is an 11:30 dismissal.
We are celebrating Grandparents Day tomorrow. Thank you for the RSVP's! Grandparents please use the Athletic Entrance tomorrow (Entrance to the new part of the building) not the Front Entrance.
We are celebrating Grandparents Day tomorrow. Thank you for the RSVP's! Grandparents please use the Athletic Entrance tomorrow (Entrance to the new part of the building) not the Front Entrance.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Our school will be administering the BASC-4 (Behavior Assessment system of Children) universal screener during the week of September 21st, 2026. BASC-4 is completed by our teachers in grades K-8, while students in grades 3-8 complete their own 5-7 minute self-assessment. BASC-4 is a brief, norm-referenced tool for screening students to identify those who are at risk for social-emotional needs. We believe this survey is a valuable tool because BASC-4 can be used to identify students who are at risk for social, academic, and emotional needs and will be completed once in the fall and as needed in the winter/spring. By evaluating in which of the three specific domains a student is at risk, we may determine what type of support is most appropriate and which social emotional needs could be provided additional assistance throughout the school day.
Other Important Items:
1. Participation is voluntary and you and/or your child may decline to participate.
2. Participation is important. This data is extremely helpful in identifying needs and providing timely support and resources.
3. All data will be kept confidential and utilized to help guide social emotional support systems in the school district.
4. This screener is not a diagnostic tool and is only used to help provide adequate social emotional support for our students.
The State of Illinois requires us to notify you when students are being surveyed at school. Parents who are not comfortable with the school delivering this survey to their students must opt-out;; students have the option to opt-out as well. You may do so by completing this google form:
https://forms.gle/t29Mi74Rh5s7Dz4g8
Or by returning this paper form (see below).
A copy of the questions that will be asked is available for review. To learn more about the survey or how the information will be used, please contact our Behavior Specialist, Mandy Pope, mpope@tgs130.org.
Sincerely,
Bonnie McArthur
Superintendent/Principal
☐ No, I do not give permission for my child to participate in BASC-4.
Child’s Printed Name Date
Parent’s Printed Name Parent’s Signature
Our school will be administering the BASC-4 (Behavior Assessment system of Children) universal screener during the week of September 21st, 2026. BASC-4 is completed by our teachers in grades K-8, while students in grades 3-8 complete their own 5-7 minute self-assessment. BASC-4 is a brief, norm-referenced tool for screening students to identify those who are at risk for social-emotional needs. We believe this survey is a valuable tool because BASC-4 can be used to identify students who are at risk for social, academic, and emotional needs and will be completed once in the fall and as needed in the winter/spring. By evaluating in which of the three specific domains a student is at risk, we may determine what type of support is most appropriate and which social emotional needs could be provided additional assistance throughout the school day.
Other Important Items:
1. Participation is voluntary and you and/or your child may decline to participate.
2. Participation is important. This data is extremely helpful in identifying needs and providing timely support and resources.
3. All data will be kept confidential and utilized to help guide social emotional support systems in the school district.
4. This screener is not a diagnostic tool and is only used to help provide adequate social emotional support for our students.
The State of Illinois requires us to notify you when students are being surveyed at school. Parents who are not comfortable with the school delivering this survey to their students must opt-out;; students have the option to opt-out as well. You may do so by completing this google form:
https://forms.gle/t29Mi74Rh5s7Dz4g8
Or by returning this paper form (see below).
A copy of the questions that will be asked is available for review. To learn more about the survey or how the information will be used, please contact our Behavior Specialist, Mandy Pope, mpope@tgs130.org.
Sincerely,
Bonnie McArthur
Superintendent/Principal
☐ No, I do not give permission for my child to participate in BASC-4.
Child’s Printed Name Date
Parent’s Printed Name Parent’s Signature
We are looking forward to Grandparents Day! Please RSVP by September 4th!
Reminder: Today is an 11:30 dismissal!
In Memory of Mrs. Marilyn Paul
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mrs. Marilyn Paul, a beloved former teacher at Thomasboro Grade School, on August 21st. She was 89 years old.
Mrs. Paul dedicated 36 years of her life to teaching Kindergarten at Thomasboro Grade School. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of countless children and families and helped create a strong foundation for generations of students.
One of the things I remember most about Mrs. Paul was something she told me many years ago: “All students are gifted in some way.” That simple but powerful belief has stayed with me throughout the 32 years I have been at TGS. It is a reminder that every child has unique strengths, talents, and potential—and that it is our responsibility as educators to help them discover those gifts.
Mrs. Paul’s legacy will continue to live on through the many students she taught, the lives she touched, and the educators she inspired.
Thank you, Mrs. Paul, for your 36 years of dedication to the children of Thomasboro Grade School. You will be remembered and greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Paul’s family, friends, former students, and all those whose lives she touched.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mrs. Marilyn Paul, a beloved former teacher at Thomasboro Grade School, on August 21st. She was 89 years old.
Mrs. Paul dedicated 36 years of her life to teaching Kindergarten at Thomasboro Grade School. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of countless children and families and helped create a strong foundation for generations of students.
One of the things I remember most about Mrs. Paul was something she told me many years ago: “All students are gifted in some way.” That simple but powerful belief has stayed with me throughout the 32 years I have been at TGS. It is a reminder that every child has unique strengths, talents, and potential—and that it is our responsibility as educators to help them discover those gifts.
Mrs. Paul’s legacy will continue to live on through the many students she taught, the lives she touched, and the educators she inspired.
Thank you, Mrs. Paul, for your 36 years of dedication to the children of Thomasboro Grade School. You will be remembered and greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Paul’s family, friends, former students, and all those whose lives she touched.
We will do dismissal using our normal routes. Thank Goodness the water has receded!
I am so sorry everyone is having to deal with all this water. Please let us know if there is something we can help with- clothing, food, resources- you can call the school and ask for Mrs. Tammen or Mrs. McArthur.
We have school as usual tomorrow. Right now the only possible change will be dismissal will need to take place through the front door as the car rider exit is currently flooded. See everyone tomorrow.
The typically car rider line is flooded, so we will be dismissing through the front entrance only today.
Due to the weather, if your student is a car rider, please arrive by 2:45 for dismissal at the front doors. We are dismissing only at the main entrance this afternoon.
Reminder: We have a 1:55 p.m. dismissal today!
FYI: In case you need some school clothes or shoes!
Parents starting on back-to-school shopping will get a temporary sales tax break for 10 days this month.
From Friday, Aug. 7, through Aug. 16 the state’s sales tax on school supplies will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%. Items with a lower sales tax will include traditional supplies such as markers and pencils, notebooks and folders and other classroom items, as well as many clothing purchases.
Clothing items, including shoes, that cost less than $125 will qualify for a lower sales tax rate, while there will be no price limit on school supplies.
Thomasboro Grade does cover school supplies for the school year.
Parents starting on back-to-school shopping will get a temporary sales tax break for 10 days this month.
From Friday, Aug. 7, through Aug. 16 the state’s sales tax on school supplies will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%. Items with a lower sales tax will include traditional supplies such as markers and pencils, notebooks and folders and other classroom items, as well as many clothing purchases.
Clothing items, including shoes, that cost less than $125 will qualify for a lower sales tax rate, while there will be no price limit on school supplies.
Thomasboro Grade does cover school supplies for the school year.