Dear TFS Community,

As we look to finish our 2nd semester, we look to continue to cultivate our opportunities to invest in our students as well as each other. If we are to accomplish our lofty goal of serving as an artistic, athletic and academic lighthouse of the south suburban area, we will need to harness the collective efforts of each of us as well as all of us as stakeholders in Thornton Fractional South High School.

Five key initiatives are in progress to help us work toward our goals:

School Improvement Plan

Our School Improvement Plan will focus on building a culture of high academic and behavioral expectations. In addition, we will be working with our staff and students to create opportunities for rich dialogue within our campus. Key to our future success will be establishing a school culture of rigor as well as a school climate of safety and security.

Rachel’s Challenge

In addition to the more concrete changes on campus we have made to increase our school safety, we will be working to provide and promote programming that will nurture a school climate of safety and security. Part of this plan involves working with a national community service organization called Rachel’s Challenge (see www.rachelschallenge.com). This initiative asks students and staff to eliminate prejudice, establish personal goals for school/life/work, choose positive influences and participate in simple acts of kindness. If you are interested in learning more about what TFS is doing regarding this initiative, please contact my office.

Rebel Pride Lives Here

Essential to cultivating a positive school culture is building and celebrating a sense of pride in school and pride in one’s self. Based on input from student leaders and staff members, TFS will celebrate through our “Welcome to TFS, A Place Where Rebel Pride Lives” campaign. Students and staff are working together to not only recognize examples of Rebel Pride but also create Rebel Pride awareness among students and staff.  If you would like to show your Rebel Pride, I encourage you to contact my office for ways to get involved in our school community.

Code Red

To build student school spirit as well as increase participation in school events, we invite all students to become part of Code Red, the official student cheering section for TFS athletic events. For a small fee, students can gain free entry to certain athletic events, receive an official Code Red t-shirt, and sit in priority event seating.  For information on joining Code Red, please contact our Athletic Director’s office at 708/585-2061.

Community Participation

TFS needs your talent, time and thoughts. Please consider joining anyone of the following parent groups essential to our core mission.

Parent Teacher Student Association – Ms. Mozella Adams-Brown (mbrown2@tfd215.org)

Athletic Boosters – Mr. Mark Brewe, Athletic Director (mbrewe@tfd215.org)

Drama Boosters – Ms. Ann Witting (awitting@tfd215.org)

Music Boosters – Mr. Mike Madonia (mmadonia@tfd215.org)

We wish you the best in 2010 and look forward to helping our students become as successful as they can.

Yours in Rebel Pride,

Dean Auriemma, Principal