Issue: #15
January 18, 2016

This Week:

Monday 1/18 - No school

Friday 1/22 - Juggling club begins

The Thornton Creek website has moved!
by Anna Marshall - anna@sunshineslowdown.com
 
Our thorntoncreek.org URL now directs you to a new website on the Seattle Public Schools platform.

The Thornton Creek web team-a small group of parent volunteers-has been working to update, expand on, and move existing content to this site since late summer. We moved the site for a number of reasons, including:
  • We needed to transition to a mobile-friendly website; the district's platform is mobile friendly.
  •  The district is pressuring all schools to move to its new platform, which is designed to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities, such as sight impairment. 
  • The district will maintain the platform, allowing Thornton Creek's parent volunteers to focus on content. 
This new site contains the same or more information on Thornton Creek, our learning environment, staff, and ways to get involved. The information is slightly reorganized to fit the district's requirements.

Visit the new site and click around. We hope you enjoy the new digs. And, as ever, please feel free to ask questions, provide feedback, make requests, or supply content. 

You can email the web team at website@thorntoncreek.org. 

Thank you very much,
The Thornton Creek web team
(Jacob Kosman, Amelia McGee, Anna Marshall)
From the Office
Office News
by Jennifer Evans  - jevans@seattleschools.org
 
Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is Feb. 17 - March 1. New kindergarten families will have the best chance of being assigned to a school outside their attendance area if Choice forms are returned during this window. May 31 is the final deadline for current students to request a different school. Kindergarten Admissions Nights will be held in each of the district's five regions beginning in January. Please see the flier for more information.
School & Program Tours and Open House
by Emily Wong - emily.seattle@gmail.com
Jennifer McDowell -  jenniferwisemcdowell@hotmail.com
Co-Chairs Hiring and Recruitment Committee 

We are quickly approaching the time of year when families take on the challenging task of choosing a school for their children. After break during 5 weeks, Thornton Creek will offer several opportunities for families to see what our school and community are all about.

Our morning tours will begin at 9:30 am on the following dates:
  • Jan 28 (Thurs)
  • Feb. 4 (Thurs)
  • Feb. 8 (Mon)
  • Feb. 11 (Thurs)
  • Feb. 25 (Thurs)
There will be one evening open house & tour: Feb. 23 (Tues) 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Tours can last up to 2 hours. 

There are two ways for you to get involved:   
  1. Volunteer!  We need parent volunteers to assist creating a welcoming and informative environment for prospective families.
  2. Spread the word!  If you know families who are looking for a great school, let them know about Thornton Creek and the upcoming tours and open house.  You can always refer them to our website.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Emily or Jennifer.
From Your PE Teacher
It's time to sign up for Archery!

4th and 5th graders came home with information about the Archery team along with a permission slip.  For students to participate, they must return the permission slip to me as soon as possible. Space is available on a first come, first served basis as we are limited to 32 archers.  Once I receive their student's permission slip, an email will be sent to parents with a link to sign up for practices.  Sign-ups will close no later than January 22.

Here are the highlights you need to know:
  • Practices begin Tuesday, 2/2/16
  • Practices are either mornings or afternoons on T/TH
  • Archers must choose two consistent practice times for the 7 week season, attending at least 10 practices
  • The TC tournament is Saturday 3/5
  • The State Tournament in Ellensburg is Monday 3/21
  • Parents are responsible for the transportation of their student to and from practices and all tournaments
  • Parents are needed to volunteer at least one practice to help keep everyone safe and things running smoothly
     
Thanks for your continued support of PE.

Sue Doty

Parent Group
Talent Night Reminders
by Kirsten Fonken - Kirsten.fonken@gmail

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the first Saturday rehearsal!
The kids are excited, the acts are AWESOME!
 
Here are just a few things to keep in mind:
  • Saturday Rehearsals take place at Thornton Creek School.
  • Dress Rehearsal and Talent Night will take place at Eckstein Middle School.
  • If your child's act has recorded music to go with it, please send the mp3 file to Kirsten.fonken@gmail and to alan@pugetsounddj.com.
  • Fill out the online Permission slip for your child, if you haven't already.  It's available online at http://goo.gl/forms/C63s6rBLeJ
Saturday Rehearsals:
  • Remaining rehearsals are Jan. 23 and Jan. 30 at Thornton Creek.
  • You are free to arrive ANYTIME within the time block you choose (Ex. In the 11:00-1:00 time block, you can show up when it is most convenient for you within that time block).
  • Please plan on staying at school while your child (and friends) complete their rehearsal.
  • Kids will not be allowed into their classrooms or anywhere else inside other than the designated rehearsal locations: the main hallway and the cafeteria. Bathrooms will be available.
  • Every act is required to attend at least one rehearsal. It is recommended to attend three rehearsals to ensure that an act runs as smoothly as possible.
 
Dress rehearsal:
  • Wednesday, Feb. 3 at Eckstein - 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. Once we have assigned the line-up, we will send you the time block for arrival and dress rehearsal.
 
Talent Night:
  • Friday, Feb. 5 at Eckstein - 6:00 pm.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Kirsten Fonken via email at Kirsten.Fonken@gmail.com.
Thornton Creek Directory 2015-16
by Karen Selboe -   kselboe@gmail.com
 
The Thornton Creek Directory is now available to view and download from the Thornton Creek website.  Access is password protected.  An email including the password will come to you directly from your student's teacher.   Please keep in mind that the password, link and directory information is to be used only by Thornton Creek staff and families.  Do not share the password or directory with anyone outside the TC community, or use information for business purposes.  

Questions?   kselboe@gmail.com
Start getting ready for the Thornton Creek Science Fair
by Pat Boyle and Tracy Fuentes - patboyle@gmail.com tracyfuentes@gmail.com
 
Thornton Creek parents are organizing a science fair. The Thornton Creek Science Fair is scheduled for Weds., March 9 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. More details are available at: http://tcsciencefair.blogspot.com/

There will be 2 informational sessions to help students in the library on Weds., Feb. 10 and Weds., Feb. 24 from 6-8 p.m. in the library.

You can sign up online.

There will be 1-2 informational sessions to help brainstorm ideas and help with the project in February.

Thornton Creek Juggling Club is back for its 4th year
by Robert McAbee - rdmcabee@hotmail.com
 
The Thornton Creek Juggling Club is a free club that meets on Fridays from 3:50 - 4:35 in the Gym, starting on January 22nd. Students in grades 3-5 can join. This club teaches kids how to juggle balls, clubs, Chinese Yo-Yo's and much more. All props are provided. Registration forms are beside the bulletin board in the main hall across from the office and can be filled out and left in the Juggling Club envelope there.  If you have a question, contact Robert McAbee at rdmcabee@hotmail.com.

Parent Group Fundraising
AUCTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
by Hee Jung - heejungkimbel@gmail.com

We are still in need of many volunteers for TC's Annual Auction to be held on March 25th.  We need your help to make this event successful. 

This week's featured volunteer positions:
  • Greeter: Greet guests as they arrive, direct them to elevators to event and to check-in table. Time frame:  4:30-6 pm
  • Game Table: Relive your young carnival days and help manage one of the fun game tables. Time frame:  4:30p-7 pm

Make the night even more fun by volunteering together with a friend!  Detailed job descriptions here.


Please sign up using the Signup Genius link. 
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e45a5af2aa7f49-2015
  
Thank you for volunteering.
Read-A-Thon Pledges - Final Request
by Deb Glazer - debglazer@gmail.com

Forgot to turn in your Read-A-Thon pledges...you are in luck!!  It is not too late to turn in your financial pledge for your children's reading efforts.  So far, we've only collected 1/3 of the money pledged. 

We are doing one more shout out to remind those that meant to contribute, but for one reason or another did not get around to it.  We have been told by several parents how much their children enjoyed the Read-A-Thon and hope to see it continue next year.  We now need to turn our children's hard work reading into dollars.  

Remember, the Read-A-Thon helps fund academic assistants, our music program, arts, expeditions, playground supervisors, and the library.  Read-A-Thon money also goes to scholarships so that all our children can participate in music, field trips, camp, and other classroom activities.  If you like what you see at Thornton Creek and want programs to continue or want to see changes, we need your pledges!!  So, bring in those checks or click here to make an online payment.  Checks can be turned in to the office.  Thank you to everyone who has already turned in their pledges and helped make our first ever Read-A-Thon a success.  

Keep on Reading!! 
Deb and Erin
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. 

Northeast Seattle Little League Registration is Open!

Spring is just around the corner so it's time for kids to gear up for baseball, softball, and tee ball with Northeast Seattle Little League (NESLL)!
  
For kids 5-6 years old, NESLL's tee ball program is a great way to introduce the game.
NESLL's softball program is a great way to get young girls involved in athletics and be a part of championship teams.

NESLL's baseball program is for boys and girls ages 6-13 and a great opportunity to learn about teamwork and the fundamentals of the game.

For parents, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities within the league and with your child's team.
  
Please go to www.NESLL.net to start the registration process.
For baseball and tee ball questions contact  registrar@NESLL.net
For softball questions contact Scott Rossick at srossick@msn.com
Save your Stuff and Save the Date: Eckstein Rummage Sale

The Annual Eckstein Band Rummage Sale is Saturday, April 2nd, 2016.

Your donations will make this event a success.  Please save household items, books and music, furniture, toys, games and puzzles, sporting equipment, clothing in wearable condition, and any other re-sellable items for the sale.
We are unable to accept unassembled furniture, car seats or strollers

On Friday, April 1st bring your donations to the Eckstein cafeteria between 1:30 and 4:00 pm.  The cafeteria's entrance faces the garden in the east parking lot. (Eckstein's Address is: 3003 NE 75th Street, Seattle)

Mark your calendar and come to the Rummage Sale on Saturday, April 2nd from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  There will be great deals to be had, baked goods, and music from our very own jazz combos.

This sale is a fundraiser.  Monies raised from the rummage sale go directly to the Eckstein music program and are used to help offset some of the cost of off-campus music performances, repair damaged instruments and provide scholarship to children who needs assistance.  We work to make music accessible to everyone.

Thank you for supporting The Eckstein Bands!  

Contacts: Sarah Fulton (sarahcfulton@mac.com) and Maggie Sweeney (davidmaggie@comcast.net)
Hazel Wolf Tour Dates

Weekday morning tours 9-11 a.m.
Thursday January 28th
Wednesday February 3rd
Tuesday February 23rd
Monday February 29th

Weekday evening tours 6-8 p.m.
Thursday February 4th
Wednesday February 24th
 
No RSVP necessary. 
Loyal Heights Tour Date - February 10, 2016

Loyal Heights Elementary Open House/Tour date for prospective students and parents, will be Wednesday, February 10, 7 p.m.
JAMS Tour Date - February 11, 2016

Jane Addams Open House/Tour date for prospective students and parents, will be Thursday, February 11th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is Feb. 17 - March 1. New kindergarten families will have the best chance of being assigned to a school outside their attendance area if Choice forms are returned during this window. May 31 is the final deadline for current students to request a different school. Kindergarten Admissions Nights will be held in each of the district's five regions beginning in January. Please see the flier for more information.
TC Logo Medium7711 43rd Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115

TEL: 206-252-5300
FAX: 206-252-5301
In This Issue
TC Website has moved!
Office Updates
School Tours & Open House
Archery
Thornton Creek Directory
Science Fair
Juggling club
Auction Volunteers Needed
Read-A-Thon Pledges Due
District Communication to Families
calendar icon
CALENDAR 

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

January 28
Thornton Creek Tour 9:30-11:30 a.m.

January 29 
School Day (revised)

February 4
Thornton Creek Tour 9:30-11:30 a.m.

February 8
Thornton Creek Tour 9:30-11:30 a.m.

February 11
Thornton Creek Tour 9:30-11:30 a.m.

February 15-16
President's Day/Midwinter Break

February 17-19
School Days (revised) 

February 23
Thornton Creek Tour 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

February 25
Thornton Creek Tour 9:30-11:30 a.m.

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.

THANK YOU WEB TEAM!
I want to send a
HUGE thank you to Jacob Kosman, Amelia McGee, and Anna Marshall for the many hours of work that have gone into the fabulous new website! We all recognize that this is a "volunteer" job, and the work that you have put into giving TC a user-friendly website is "above and beyond!" The site is beautiful, easy to use, and informative!

Thank you so much for your dedication to TC!
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Do you have an article or Bulletin Board item you would like to submit to the newsletter?

Click here for submission guidelines. Click here to send your article to the editors. Content is due Thursday for the following Monday's edition.