Dear Thoreau Families,

Just like that, the first quarter of the 2025-26 school year is complete! It’s incredible how quickly the time has passed, and we have many significant accomplishments to celebrate. Our students truly rose to the occasion, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to their education. We were thrilled by their outstanding attendance, their eagerness to demonstrate their learning in all subject areas, and their lively participation in clubs and activities. Most importantly, they consistently showcased the character traits we value: Respect, Integrity, Service, and Engagement (RISE). We are so proud of the foundation they've built and can't wait to see what amazing things our students achieve during the second quarter and throughout the rest of the school year!

You will be receiving two important communications. In addition to progress reports being mailed home, we are introducing something new to emphasize the importance of consistent attendance. The enrolling parent will receive an "Attendance Report Card" via email this week, summarizing your child's tardies and absences for the first quarter. While this data is always available in SIS ParentVUE, sharing your child's cumulative attendance record is a key step in our efforts to keep chronic absenteeism rates low.

Lastly, we want to make parents aware of a concerning social media trend that some students have been participating in recently: creating “darts” out of folded paper and staples or paper clips and throwing them into the ceiling. This behavior is disruptive to the learning environment and can be dangerous, as the sharp tips could potentially injure other students or staff. Please talk with your child about the risks and encourage them to make safe, responsible choices while at school. Students should also report any unsafe behavior to a staff member immediately. Together, we can ensure Thoreau remains a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone.

Enjoy the long weekend and we look forward to the return of students on Wednesday, November 5!

Teresa Khuluki
Principal