Issue: #4
October 12, 2015
Running Club
by Danny Chapman, The Lodge

There is now Running Club. The running track is around the playground and what's left of the field. Six laps is a mile. For every mile you do, you get a plastic token that looks like a foot. Running Club feet are given out on Friday. If you are interested in Running Club, meet at the edge of the playground, next to the portables, in the morning before school. Grades K-5. Parents are welcome to run with their kids.

This Week:

Tuesday, October 13: Site Council Meeting (7-9pm)

 

From the Principal
Thornton Creek Families
by John Miner - jminer@seattleschools.org
Thornton Creek Principal
  
I believe you are aware that SPS has made staffing displacements at many Seattle schools based on enrollment differences between Spring enrollment projections and October 1st actual enrollment counts. The enrollment count in Thornton Creek's resource room program has declined. As a result, we have been directed to reduce two of our instructional assistants. Instruction assistant displacements are made by seniority based on SPS department of human resource rules.  Staffing changes will likely take affect the week of October 19th.
  
This presents many challenges. Know that I am working with parents, Thornton Creek and district staff to address these challenges. I will keep you updated on what is accomplished.
From the Office
Updates from the Thornton Creek Office
by Jenny Evans - jevans@seattleschools.org
 
First Day Packets!
Wow!  We're almost there! Only 15 left to go! We have 420 families and Cindy and Jennifer are busy every day checking in all your paper work.They've been really busy and we appreciate your support on this - everyone will breathe a little easier once this part is finished. The work on our end is still going - now to update everything in the computer.

FERPA
Last week we received a new FERPA form, you can also access it using this link. It's been in the works for a long time, but wasn't through the final approval process until last week. I'm sending it home to anyone who checked "No" on their form and we'll put it on the website during the week for anyone who wants to pull it off and change their permissions. The new form has the Yes/No box as before, but also has 5 other permissions boxes parents can choose, like Media/Website/Yearbook...etc. Each choice has to be entered in the computer but tracking permissions should be much easier than in years past. I will not be releasing information for a family directory even though that is one of the choices. The parent group has done that already and we feel it would be a major issue to figure out exactly which phone/email to release so we will be keeping the directory a parent group project so only the information you want others to see actually goes in the directory.  Replacement forms need to be received in the office this week so the district can have it's official notification.

Earthquake Preparedness
We are about to add a link to the website regarding emergency preparedness. JoAnn Jordan, from the City of Seattle Disaster Preparedness team has made a presentation each year over the last two years. We video taped both presentations and encourage parents to take time to listen. JoAnn has lots of great idea about disaster planning and she has helped us with our preparations. A very important part of our plan is that each child always have a change of clothes on hand in their backpack or locker. We need to purchase replacement water for our disaster trailer and I will need some help moving it off pallets and into the trailer once it's delivered. This is a job that has to happen the same day the water is delivered. If you would like to help us please email me at jevans@seattleschools.org The long blue trailer on the playground is the disaster trailer.  We'll be sharing more on disaster planning in the months to come. 
October Lunch Menu

Click here to view the October lunch menu.
From Site Council
Join Us! October Site Council meeting this week!  
by Stacy Earlywine - stacy.earlywine@gmail.com
Site Council President

Tuesday, Oct 13th at 7pm. Email me if you need childcare. It will be provided at no cost to you.

If you are interested in participating in the Bell Times Preferences Poll here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GDSG65P, There are only two options being considered at this point (8am or 9:40am). Your input is requested NO LATER than Wed, Oct 14th.   

October 13th Site Council Meeting Agenda (subject to change)
  •   Welcome
  •   Site Council Expedition 
    • "The First 6 Weeks" activity (teachers) (7:05-7:15)
    • Formation of a new committee to explore our school mission, vision and values in preparation for the transition to a new building and the expansion of our community. (John to introduce idea) (7:15 - 7:25)
    • Call for volunteers (7:25-7:30)
  •   Principal's Report, John (7:30-7:45)
  •   Treasurer's Report, Robin and Krista (7:45-8:00)
  •   Approval of June meeting minutes, Stacy (8:00 - 8:05)
  •   Committee discussions (8:05 - 8:45)
    • Review of roles and tasks for each committee
    • Status update - what's being done, what needs to be done
    • Call for volunteers
  •   Staff Report (8:45-8:55)
  •   Final Comments (8:55-9:00)
  •   Adjourn (9pm)
From Your School Counselor
Counselor Support at Thornton Creek
by Kristina Miller - klmiller1@seattleschools.org
Thornton Creek School Counselor

I am glad to be starting my third year as your school counselor. We are lucky this year to also have Edmary Serrano, a second year MSW student from the University of Washington working as my intern this year.  She will be here 24 hours a week until May. 
 
As your school counselor, I am someone for students to talk to if they need help solving problems, managing friendships or for support. Students often are invited to come to friendship and skill building groups in my room, P5 (yellow portable) either at lunch time or during the school day. We will send you a permission slip if we are inviting your child to a regular group or might be providing him/her regular support. Please let me know if you would like to learn more about the groups offered at your child's grade level or would like to talk with us about your child.
 
We will also be teaching social skills in many of the classrooms; we have already started in third grade and will start in kindergarten soon.  We will be using The Incredible Flexible You, You are a Social Detective and Superflex which are all curricula based the work of Michelle Garcia Winner and her Social Thinking work (socialthinking.com). We also draw from Second Step, Steps to Respect and other related materials. 
 
I also have many meetings with teachers and parents about students; I am an advocate and someone who can help facilitate connections and teamwork to support students.  Don't hesitate to call/email me about resources, parenting ideas, school issues or just to brainstorm. 

Coat Drive
From October 7-19th Thornton Creek is collecting new and gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves for students in other Seattle Public Schools who do not have a warm coat for the winter.  A box will be near the front office and in some classrooms if you would like to contribute.
  
Thank you!
Kristina Miller- your counselor - klmiller1@seattleschools.org 206-252-5262
Edmary Serrano- counselor intern - edmarys@uw.edu
Parent Group Fundraising
Walk-A-Thon / Fall Fundraiser
  
A substitute for the parent-group sponsored Walk-a-Thon is being planned; look for a flyer soon announcing the date and activities.
From the Scrip table

by Leslie Cary - scrip@thorntoncreek.org


Did you know that you can support our school just by going grocery shopping? If you make your purchase using a scrip card, then the Thornton Creek Parent Group keeps a percentage of the sale. It can really add up!

Scrip are gift cards to the stores where you normally shop. It doesn't cost you anything except some advance planning. You can stop by the scrip table outside the office to purchase cards (bring cash or checkbook), or you can purchase them online (scripzone.com, group ID is 206TCPG). Scrip cards stocked at the table include: Starbucks, PCC, QFC/Fred Meyer, Metropolitan Market, Safeway, Whole Foods, and several others.

Volunteers needed!
Do you drop off or pick up your child at least one day per week? Do you have a few extra minutes to volunteer at that time? Working at the scrip table is a great way to get in your volunteer hours! It only takes about 30-45min of your time. The more we have the table staffed, the more scrip we can sell!

If you would like more information about volunteering or purchasing scrip cards, please contact Leslie Cary at scrip@thorntoncreek.org.

From the Parents
Yearbook Head Start
by Anna Farr -  yearbook@thorntoncreek.org

Yearbook Classroom Coordinators
I'd like to find classroom coordinators who can help track down photos and identify students for the yearbook.  If you are interested in being the yearbook coordinator for your student's classroom please let me know at yearbook@thorntoncreek.org.
 
5th Grade Baby Photos
Get a head start and avoid the end of the year crunch.   If you have a 5th grader we'll need at least one baby photo for the yearbook Guess Who pages and up to 10 photos for the age progression 5th grade segment of the annual slideshow.  Photos can be jpg, png, RAW, however you have them, but digital is much preferred over scanning and returning photos.  Email photos to yearbook@thorntoncreek.org.
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The Bike Fairy Is Coming!
by Amanda Thornewell - thornewell@hotmail.com
Good news, the bike fairy is coming back to Thornton Creek school in October, courtesy of the Safe Routes to School grant and JRA Bike shop. The bike fairy helpers will install bike lights on bikes at school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (weather permitting) until all the bike lights are distributed.
  
Get out your bike and ride to school, grocery store, or anywhere. You can record your miles for any trip starting in October. Total miles for the school will be reported in 2 weeks. Highest mileage ridden by room number and individual will be reported. Top 3 riders will get some treats.

To get a free bike light, you can:
1.  Ride your bike to school on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.  Put a label with your name and room number on your bike, and a bike fairy helper can put a bike light on your bike.
2.   Ride your bike ANYWHERE, log your miles on the website or mobile app and click "Yes"  to "Deliver bike light to room" if you would like the bike light to be delivered to your room at school.  (A bike fairy helper will make that happen)  

Bike fairy helpers will be needed to help install bike lights.  Anyone interested in helping can show up by the bike racks near the Kids Time building between 9:15-10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.   A Phillip screwdriver #2 is all that are needed for installation.
Bike Friday, Walk Monday - Thursday
by Amanda Thornewell - thornewell@hotmail.com

Our first Bike Friday of the school year turned out well despite the misty rain. There were lots of bikes at the bike rack. Ride your bike to school on Fridays and meet other riders on the bike train. Bike trains run regularly on Fridays, weather permitting, until Oct 24. Parent riders are always welcome.   

A map for Thornton Creek bike train route can be found here.
  
- North bound route leaves 39th and 65th at 8:55 am on Fridays. Please contact Tracy Fuentes at tracyfuentes@gmail.com if you want to coordinate or just show up on the route.

- South bound route leaves 89th and 38th (behind Our Lady of the Lake) at 9 am on Fridays. Contact Amanda at thornewell@hotmail.com if you have questions or just show up on the route. All major hills are gone at this starting point. If your kids can follow directions and not attempt anything dangerous, you can drop your kids off to ride to school at this location.

Walk Monday - Thursday
Can't ride the bike to school, walk to school instead. Enjoy the nice weather and avoid traffic congestion at school by walking to school. There's an informal walking-school-bus leaving Our Lady of the Lake playground (89th and 38th) at 9 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays during nice weather. Last Thursday there were 9 kids on that "bus". Kids can be dropped off at this "bus stop" if they can behave during the walk to school. 
District Approved Communications to Families
Please Note: Information below is not specifically endorsed by the school, nor have they been vetted by school staff.
Advertising Review/Approval Process

Per Seattle Public School Board Policy, outside materials must be approved before being distributed. The materials must meet district criteria, be approved by the Office of Public Affairs, and must be pre-printed and delivered to the school with the approval form attached.

 

You can find details regarding the review/approval process here. All requests to include information in the Thornton Creek Newsletter should be submitted via this process. 
TC Logo Medium7711 43rd Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115

TEL: 206-252-5300
FAX: 206-252-5301
In This Issue
Running Club
From the Principal
From the Office
From Site Council
From Your Counselor
Walk-A-Thon / Fall Fundraiser
Scrip
Yearbook
Bike Fridays
Article Headline
calendar icon
CALENDAR 

The 2015-16 Seattle Schools Calendar (in PDF format) can be found here.   
 
Thornton Creek calendar can be found here

October 12-23
Activity-a-thon

October 13
Site Council Meeting (7-9pm)

October 28
2-Hour Early Dismissal
  
November 5
Picture Re-Take Day
  
November 10
Site Council Meeting (7-9pm)
  
November 11
No School - Veteran's Day
  
November 23-25
No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences
 
November 26-27
No School - Thanksgiving holiday

Quick Links

 
  
  
  
The Source Children's
Library accounts
Thornton Creek is a Box Tops for Education School

 

Thornton Creek Elementary is a Box Tops for Education school! Look for pink Box Top coupons on products you have at home (e.g. Cascadian Farm cereal), then just clip and drop them in the collection basket just inside the front door of the school. For coupon information, go to:  

www.boxtops4education.com 

Say Thank you
 

We have a tradition at our school of saying "thank you." If you would like to submit a thank-you note, send an email to ae2newseditor@gmail.com or  click here.

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