Issue: #8
November 9, 2015

This Week:

Monday, Nov. 9: Parent Education Night
Tuesday, Nov. 10: Site Council Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 11: No School: Veteran's Day 

 

From Your Principal
Updates, Changes, and Tours
TC Principal
  
New Building - Roofing update
SPS and the roofing subcontractor have agreed to postpone roofing on the new building until an after burner unit is purchased for the asphalt burner. SPS told me that the addition of the after burner will substantially reduce the fumes during roofing. This is definitely good news.

Start time change creates new needs
With the likely change of our start time to 8:00 AM for the 2016-17 school year, morning needs for child care will diminish. With an earlier start time we will also have an earlier dismissal time at 2:10. Consequently, families' needs for after school child care will increase. Parents and I have begun discussing possible solutions. As plans emerge, we will keep you updated.

New Parent school tours
School tours for enrollment next year are being scheduled. If you would be interested in talking to prospective new parents and helping with tours, you can contact Emily Wong or Jennifer McDowell through the school office. Tours will begin in early February and run through early March.
From the Office
Updates from the Thornton Creek Office
by Jenny Evans - jevans@seattleschools.org
 
Is your child being left before or after school with no supervision?
Parents are reminded students are required to have adult supervision before 9:15 and after 3:40!  School staff are not on duty and students should NOT be left unattended at school when school staff are not on duty. This is a safety issue and parents must be responsible and make plans for their children's supervision.

Please have all children keep a change of clothes at school!
Even our 5th graders get wet outside at times. We cannot keep clothing on hand to change all students so please help your children stay dry by keeping a spare change of clothes on hand for them in their lockers or cubbies. 
  
Lost and Found... follow the dragon's tail!            
Some of you know we changed the location of lost and found to the west hallway. Find the dragon's tail on the wall outside the gym and it will point you in the right direction.  Very small items are in the main office. 
November Lunch Menu
 
November lunch menu is here
From the Library
Library News
by Ginny Allemann - vaallemann@seattleschools.org

Global Reading Challenge
Over 40 4th and 5th graders have signed up to do the Global Reading Challenge! For the next two weeks, we are meeting on Tuesday at lunch to get new books as we read up to 10 of the books (all are required to read at least five of the 10). It's exciting to see the energy the kids have for this project!  Stay tuned...
  
Volunteer Need: Cleaning
Do you like to clean? Do you love that feeling of satisfaction when swiffering? Or washing dried glue off tables? Or maybe you just love the pink rubber gloves I can supply! If this describes you, you should know that  I am still seeking a couple of volunteers to clean the library tables and Swiffer the computer areas and shelves every couple of weeks. This could be done after school any day except Wednesday, or right before school gets out on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. If these are times where you could help, please email me. Thanks!
  
Hour of Code coming....
The Hour of Code is coming to Thornton Creek. The week of December 7, students will be trying out concepts of computer programming during their library time. If you would like to volunteer, especially during times of 4th and 5th graders (I have many parent helpers in the primary grades), please contact me. Visit Hour of Code for more information on this nationwide event.
The Thornton Creek Fall Book Fair
by Dawn Noel Chen - dawnanc@gmail.com

Theme: "Cozy up this winter with books!"
When: Friday Dec. 4th through Monday Dec. 7th
Where: at the University Book Store

Come to the Thornton Creek Fall Book Fair!  The Fall Book fair is free, fun, and an exciting opportunity to support our school library, buy books and gifts, and enjoy special events with our school community.  

During the fair, if you mention Thornton Creek at the register, or use code (TCE) for online shopping, a percentage of your purchases go directly to the school library!  Gift wrap and U.S. shipping are free for books. 

More details to come - stay tuned!
From Your Counselor
Parent Education Night
by Kristina Miller - KLMiller1@seattleschools.org

Just a reminder that you are invited to attend a free event Monday 11/9/15.  We hope you can make it!
  
HELPING KIDS TO DEAL WITH DISAPPOINTMENTwith Author & Parenting Consultant "Betsy" Crary
11/9/15 Monday Evening-----7pm-8:15pm at Thornton Creek School

When kids are upset, they need concrete tools to deal with both the problem and the feelings.  Acknowledging feelings, while essential, is not enough. We need to teach the skills and information children need to handle disappointment appropriately.

Participants will learn: why a varied feelings vocabulary is important, skills children need to deal effectively with disappointment, two elements to consider when dealing with feelings, six categories of self-calming tools & a five-step process to teach them, and a way to intervene in the drama

Please contact Kristina Miller with any questions or offers to help with set up or clean up at the event (Please!). KLMiller1@seattleschools.org
From Site Council
Site Council Meeting Agenda
by Stacy Earlywine - stacy.earlywine@gmail.com
Site Council Chair

Please join us for the 2nd Site Council Meeting of the year!  Tuesday, Nov 10th at 7pm. The agenda is here for your review. Childcare is available.

Please note an exciting new regular feature of our meetings - the "Teacher Talk!" Each month, teachers will open the meeting with a presentation for families. The content will be  relevant across grade levels and will focus on different aspects of curriculum, school culture and parent, teacher, student relationships.  This is your chance to find out more about what goes on during the school day in your children's classrooms. Thank you teachers!  
Special Education Committee
by Jenny Benson - jennymossbenson@gmail.com
Please join us! In coordination with the Site Council, we are putting together a Special Education Committee whose goals will be to advocate for Special Education students and their peers, create community, and increase visibility. We would love to have your participation.Our first meeting is Monday, 11/16, at 6:15pm in the Library.

Thornton Creek in now a full continuum school, meaning it has three different types of special education services. Research shows that special education students learn best from their typical peer models. The inclusion program at Thornton Creek is one of the reasons that we love this school and want to make sure the program is robust and fully supported. We would love this committee to have parents from each special education, resource, and access classroom, as well as parents of children without special education needs, and teachers and staff.  

We will be meeting about every six weeks and will determine our specific objectives and projects after the committee is more fully formed. 

For questions, please contact Jenny Benson, jennymossbenson@gmail.com.
Parent Group Fundraising
The  Winter Bazaar is a Month Away!
by Robin Belz & Carrie Tzou
Winter Bazaar Co-Chairs
 
Mark your calendars now for Thornton Creek's exciting Winter Bazaar!
 
This fun, annual Thornton Creek tradition will be held on Friday, December 11, beginning at 1:00pm and continuing into the early evening. The Winter Bazaar provides an opportunity for students, classrooms, family members, and outside vendors to sell handmade items to others in our community, with 20% of sales being donated to Thornton Creek.*
 
We'll be doing sign-ups online this year! Stay tuned for further information.
 
More details about this event, including the link for signing up, will be coming home with your child in the next week.
 
Please contact Robin Belz (robinbelz@gmail.com) with questions or for additional information.
 
* The Thornton Creek Winter Bazaar is an event co-sponsored by the Thornton Creek Parent Group and the Thornton Creek Associated Student Body (ASB). Therefore, profits from the event will be distributed as follows: of the 20% booth fee collected from each participant, Thornton Creek's ASB fund will receive 10%, and the Thornton Creek Parent Group will receive 90%.
From the Scrip table
by Leslie Cary - scrip@thorntoncreek.org

How much does your family spend on groceries in one month? Did you know that a percentage of that can support the school, at no cost to you? For every $100 spent at a grocery store, the school can earn between $3-5. That adds up quickly! Stop by the scrip table today to get cards for your favorite stores (note that some offer even higher percentages). New at the scrip table - Amazon and Lands End!

The next national order will be placed on November 20, at the start of Thanksgiving break. Order cards online (hundreds of retailers available), and pay at the scrip table when you pick them up. Cards will be available the first week of December, in plenty of time for holiday gifts! Sign up at scripzone.com and use our school group ID: 206TCPG.

Volunteers still needed! For more info, contact Leslie Cary.
From the Parents
Pies for Teachers
by Lisa Skylynd - skylynd@nurturingknowledge.com

Pies for Teachers has become a fall tradition at Thornton Creek. Please join us in celebrating our teachers and school staff by contributing a pie (or two)! On Friday, November 20th, each teacher will get to select his/her pie choice from the contributions we receive from families so we can send them into the Thanksgiving holiday with lots of love. We need 80+ pies (or other desserts) to make sure everyone has something special to take home.
  
Please sign-up on our Sign-up Genius poll so we can make sure we have a nice variety and enough quantity. Although everyone appreciates a homemade pie/dessert, store purchases are fine, too. Bring your pie to school on Friday morning (Nov 20th) before school. Please include a note so teachers can thank you, too. Thank you for supporting our school staff and an early Happy Thanksgiving!
  
Lisa Skylynd, Amy Roberts, Heather Sorenson, Polk Prud'homme
TC Hospitality Committee
Looking for Yearbook Volunteers
by Anna Farr - yearbook@thorntoncreek.org

The yearbook is looking for a few volunteers who can take pictures of classes, events and teams and volunteers who are able to do some organization and editing.  Many classes have sent out notices asking parents not to share photos of anyone other than their children, but the yearbook and the slideshow run photos based on who has a signed form on file, so please share your photos with yearbook@thorntoncreek.org, or there won't be one.

Yearbook needs photographers for: Harvest Fest, Instrumental Music, Field Day, Athletic Skills Night, Cover Art, Book Character Day, Archery, Talent Night, Makeup photos of new students, staff photos and additional classroom photos.

Yearbook also needs volunteers who can: crop, color correct and mosaic the student artwork for the cover; gather photos for each class; track down 5th grade baby photos and age progression photos.

If you can help out email Anna Farr at yearbook@thorntoncreek.org

Also, feel free to only run yearbook notices for 1 week. Later in the year when I'm in full nag mode I'll just send an update if it needs to run for more than a week. Thanks, Anna
Lost Jacket

Lost: Girls Black Hooded Puffer Jacket. Gap brand. Probably size medium. Please keep an eye out and return to office if found. Thank you! ~Sharyn 206-817-8709
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. 

The Roosevelt High School Jazz Band performs the Jazz Nutcracker on December 5th & 6th

The Roosevelt Jazz Band is one of the few bands in the United States to have the score for Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's 1960's take on Tchaikovksy's Nutcracker.  Ellington reworked Tchaikovsky's tunes into swinging versions; 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' becomes 'Sugar Rum Cherry' and 'Arabian Dance' is now 'Arabesque Cookie.' The Roosevelt Jazz Boosters' presentation of Ellington's Jazz Nutcracker is a treat for the whole family.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 5th at 7:30pm andSunday, December 6th at 2:00 pm.  For more information and to purchase tickets, click here or call 206-201-1650.
TC Logo Medium7711 43rd Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115

TEL: 206-252-5300
FAX: 206-252-5301
In This Issue
From the Office
Lunch Menu
From the Library
Fall Book Fair
Parent Education Night
From Site Council
From the Parents
calendar icon
CALENDAR 

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

November 9
Parent Education Night - Helping Kids Deal with Disappointment
  
November 10
Site Council Meeting (7-9pm)
  
November 11
No School - Veteran's Day

November 16
Special Education Committee (6:15-8:15pm)
  
November 20
Bring in Pies for Teachers
  
November 23-25
No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences
 
November 26-27
No School - Thanksgiving holiday

December 4-7
Fall Book Fair

December 8
Site Council Meeting

December 11
Winter Bazaar

December 21-January 1
Winter Break 

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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