Issue: #16
January 25, 2016

This Week:

Thursday 1/28 - Thornton Creek Tour

Friday 1/29 - School Day (revised)

Donation deadline less than a week away!
by Lissa Armato - auction@thorntoncreek.org

Donations are due FEBRUARY 1st!  Get yours in today.  We still need about 125 donations!  Donate online or download the procurement form.  Ask your favorite business, get together with other parents to make meals or plan an adventure.   Find great ideas on our website.  
 
Also consider donating a bottle of wine for our wine grab.  Put an extra bottle in your cart at the store, or grab one from the cellar.  

We will have the auction table set up through January on Wednesdays 9:20-9:50, and Thursday and Fridays 3:20-3:50.  

Tickets are selling fast!  Don't miss your chance to attend our biggest fundraiser of the year!  Early bird pricing is in effect, so buy your tickets today.  Buy now!

School . Community . Together
WE ARE ONE!

From Your Principal
The Importance of Alternative Schools
by John Minor - jminer@seattleschools.org

SPS Board Directors and staff have asked alternative school principals to articulate the importance of alternative schools in SPS.  Principals have been asked to begin the dialogue by considering changing the name "alternative."  SPS staff maintain that their use of the word alternative to describe our group of schools is confusing because of WA State's use of the designation ALE (alternative learning environment).

Thinking about the community origin of each alternative school's program design, the community's request for Board designation, and parents' choice requesting assignment, I am considering proposing the following.  Let me know what you think.
 
Community Choice Schools 
There is a great deal of significance in the creation and history of Seattle's public alternative schools. Each school has its roots within an ideological community.  Each school is attended by choice.  Each school was created to address diverse community needs.   Each school is accountable to its program design, vision, mission and community.

Each alternative school program Lichton Springs, Thornton Creek, Salmon Bay, Orca, and Pathfinder was begun by a community of parents seeking a program design for their children not available to them in SPS.  Parent communities crafted and proposed explicit program designs which Board Directors considered and later approved.  Board approval recognized the diversity of educational needs within our geographical communities, as well as the diversity of instructional programming needed to meet those community's needs. Board designation validated not only the core values of each program but also the community identity and roots of each school.

We continue to ask to be recognized as unique school communities within SPS with different needs and different approaches to meet those needs.  The current value of each alternative school is found in its ongoing appeal to Seattle families.  Many of our schools have wait lists-the most tangible sign of our continued importance, relevance, and service to Seattle's diverse communities.

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 the Library
Library events coming up!
By Ginny Allemann - vaallemann@seattleschools.org
 
On February 4, author Gordon Korman is visiting our school, courtesy of the Secret Garden Book Shop! Mr. Korman is the prolific and well-known author of Swindle, Schooled, and Ungifted, among many others. 3rd - 5th graders will hear his dynamic presentation and learn about his new book Masterminds!.
 
The Global Reading Challenge in-school challenge is February 11 in the cafeteria at 1:45. 3rd - 5th graders are invited to attend! Our GRC teams have been working very hard to prepare for this exciting, and fun event.

Site Council
January Meeting Minutes

by Stacy Earlywine - stacy.earlywine@gmail.com
 

The January meeting minutes can be found here.

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. 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
Yearbook Class Coordinators and 5th Grade Baby Photos
by Anna Farr - yearbook@thorntoncreek.org
 
Yearbook Classroom Coordinators
I'm looking for classroom yearbook coordinators to help get class photos from parents, and identify students for all classrooms except 1 and 11.  If you can be the yearbook point person for your student's classroom please let me know at  yearbook@thorntoncreek.org. 
  
5th Grade Baby Photos
It's that time of year again! If you have a 5th grader please email me 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 or email me to setup photo drop off if you don't have digital copies.
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.

Parking and Traffic
by Lynden Belina - lyndeebelina@comcast.net
 
Have you noticed the new parking signs reminding us to park away from crosswalks?  If you see one tipped over, please tip it back up!  Thanks for noticing and keeping our crosswalks clear and kids safe.

Starting in February, our drop-off zone helper Jim will be helping Sue with archery before school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  We can't replace Jim, but we need 1-2 volunteers on those mornings to help the drop-off zone run smoothly.  It's a short time commitment - from 9:15-9:40.  Please sign up here if you can help.

We have received around 50 responses to our traffic survey.  It would be great to get more, so if you haven't filled it out please take a look.
     
Thank you!
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.
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. 

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
Auction Donation Deadline
From Your Principal
Office Updates
School Tours & Open House
From the Library
Site Council
Talent Night
Thornton Creek Directory
Yearbook
Science Fair
Parking and Traffic
Auction Volunteers Needed
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 5
Talent Night 6 p.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.

March 8
Site Council Meeting 7 p.m.

March 9
Science Fair 6:30 p.m.

March 17
Family Dance Night 6:30 p.m.

March 25
Auction 5 p.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.

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.