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Thomas Paine Elementary School

Stronger Together. Leading for the Future.

September Newsletter

Posted Date: 09/04/26 (01:42 PM)


The Thomas Paine Times

September Edition

A large group of teachers and staff stands smiling outside Thomas Paine Elementary School.
 

The Principal's Message

I can’t believe we are already wrapping up our third week of school!

This week, students completed MAP and mCLASS testing. Beginning the week of September 7, students in grades 3–5 will complete the Panorama Survey (Social Emotional Survey). Teachers in grades K–2 will complete the survey questions for each student in their classroom.

Reminder, there is no school on Monday, September 7th.

Thank you for a wonderful start to the school year! 
 

Attendance Matters!

September is Attendance Awareness Month! 

Our students are off to a fantastic start, with daily attendance at 95% or higher! Thank you, families, for your continued collaboration and support. Every day matters!
 

Thomas Paine Spirit Week!


A colorful flyer for Thomas Paine Elementary Spirit Week, detailing daily themes from September 28 to October 2.
 

2026-2027 Thomas Paine Reminders

🚗 Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
To help ensure a safe, efficient, and smooth arrival and dismissal process, please review and follow the procedures below. Your cooperation helps keep our students, staff, and drivers safe.

Arrival
  1. Please do not park along the right-side curb during arrival, as this blocks the flow of traffic. If you need to exit your vehicle, please use a designated parking space.
  2. Only staff members are permitted to use the left lane. All families and visitors must use the designated right lane.
  3. Once traffic begins moving, pull as far forward as possible. This allows us to unload more vehicles and keep traffic moving.
  4. For safety, students must exit vehicles from the passenger side only.
  5. Arrival operates in one lane only.
Dismissal
  1. The first eight vehicles should pull all the way forward to door 7.
  2. Once those spaces are filled, vehicles will be directed to the five colored dots. Students will wait at their assigned colors and will be released after all vehicles have stopped.
  3. Dismissal operates in one lane only.

End-of-Day Checkout Reminder
If you need to check your student out near the end of the school day, please do so before 2:30 p.m. Once dismissal begins, our office staff must manage transportation changes, deliver notices, answer phone calls, and support a safe dismissal process.

Thank you for following these procedures and helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone!
 

7 Mindsets

September

🧡 September’s Focus
This month, students are learning about Self-Management—understanding their emotions, staying
 

PBIS Roll Out

🐯 Tiger Tickets Are Here!
Staff are now handing out Tiger Tickets to students who follow our PBIS expectations: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible!

At the end of each month, students can use their tickets to purchase items at our school store.

We welcome donations to help keep our store stocked! Snacks, books, small toys, and candy are great options.

Thank you for supporting our students! 
 

Upcoming Dates


  • Monday, September 7: No School
  • Monday, September 14: PTA Meeting (6:45pm-7:45pm)
  • Wednesday, September 16: Curriculum Night (5:30pm-6:30pm)
  • Thursday, October 8: Student-Led Conferences (4pm-8pm)
  • Friday, October 9: Student-Led Conferences (8am-11am)
  • Monday, October 12- Friday, October 16: Fall Break
 

Upcoming Events

📚 Curriculum Night is September 16!

Join us from 5:30–6:30 p.m. to learn more about your student’s classroom and curriculum. Every student who attends will receive a FREE book!

We hope to see you there! 
 
🏀 Girls’ Basketball Tryouts

Calling all 4th and 5th grade girls! Try out for the basketball feeder program to middle school.
  • Dates: September 10 and 11
  • Time: 4–6 p.m.
  • Location: Urbana 6th Grade Center

For more information, contact Coach Adams or Coach Tosha.
 
🏈 Savoy Recreation Center Flag Football
For students in 1st–2nd and 3rd–4th grades!
  • Monday, October 5: 6–7:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays, October 10–November 14: 10–11:30 a.m.
  • Location: William A. Smith Park at Prairie Fields
  • Cost: $60 residents | $72 non-residents
Scan the QR code on the flyer for registration information!
 
The Nutcracker Auditions đŸ©°
Champaign Urbana Ballet welcomes dancers with or without experience!
  • Auditions: Saturday, September 12
  • Girls: Ages 5–11
  • Boys: Ages 5–12
  • Registration deadline: Friday, September 11, at 5 p.m.
Register at www.cuballet.com.
 

School Improvement Plan

TP Goals for 2026-2027

đŸŸÂ Cubbies Grow Together!
Our 2026–2027 School Improvement Plan focuses on four goals:
  • Attendance: Increase consistent attendance from 68% to 74%.
  • Belonging: Build kindness, connection, and social awareness.
  • Reading: Help 65% of students in grades 1–5 and 60% of kindergarten students meet their reading growth goals.
  • Math: Help 65% of K–5 students meet their math growth goals.

We are also focused on closing achievement gaps and supporting Black students and students receiving special education services.

Families can help by encouraging daily attendance, reading together, playing math games, and talking about feelings and kindness. Together, we help every Cubbie grow!Â