IMPORTANT DATES

  • 12/18 Minimum Block Day (school out 1PM) 1st Semester FINALS – 0, 1, 2
  • 12/19 Minimum Block Day (school out 1PM) 1st Semester FINALS – 0, 3,4
  • 12/20 Minimum Block Day (school out 1PM) 1st Semester FINALS – 5, 6
  • 12/23 - 1/6 Winter Break
  • 1/7/2020 Second Semester starts!
  • 1/6/2020 Kindness Challenge starts!
Kindness Challenge Starts January 7, 2020
Has your student created their online page?

Click on this link to see if they have:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16lwLXTia-YZOBlpkIQQm3kI9VKkge4_cPXVWJNH0Ms8/edit?usp=sharing



  • 470 students out of 692 have created their Kindness Challenge webpage (Not all the students were able to sign up during their classroom time)
  • Students were asked to use their school email address and password
  • Students were asked to choose 3 acts of kindness or create their own
  • Students can change or add their own Kindness acts to their webpage

  • To signup go to: https://my.raisecraze.com/APGMNS5/
  • If your child is under 13 to signup, they can use 2005 for birth year
  • Watch the video here: https://raisecraze.com/how-it-works-video
  • Our goal is to have all the students signed up before January 7, 2020
Thank you Ball Room Volunteers:
Jade Spalding & Katie Hanson

A big THANK YOU to Trisha Dearing for creating the pdf layouts for both our Kindness Challenge Sponsorship Banner and t-shirt sponsors!
Ball Room Sign Up


A parent volunteer is needed at lunch time each day to check out balls.

The job entails showing up at the specified time, going to the Ball Room, pulling out the sign-out sheet for the balls, monitoring that kids sign the balls out.

After 45 minutes and the end of lunch, the kids will return the balls, the parent volunteer puts the sign-out sheet away and the job is completed.

You can sign up for a weekly, monthly, or one time experience. It takes less than one hour of your time. Questions? Contact Ball Room Chair Leslie Heard HERE
December Super Hike Canceled

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the December Super Hikes. The P.E. teachers had to cancel the Super Hike this month, but will resume in January.
Thank you to the 68 out of 273 8th grade families that have made a donation to the 8th Grade Promotion. Donations are needed by December 20, 2019.

Click HERE to see how much has been raised so far or to make a donation.

If you didn't receive the 1st 8th Grade Promotion email last week, please contact PTA President Celine Macmillan at cmkllb@gmail.com
Meet the Thurston Team!
This week we are pleased to highlight: 


Jennifer Hill
7th Grade Language Arts teacher, 
READ 180 teacher, and 
Academic Support

Birthday: November 2




Tell us little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Northern Colorado with my four little sisters, who are my best friends in the world. I am from a long line of teachers and education has always been a central value of mine. 

When it came time for me to select my course of study, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Being a teacher fills your life with opportunities to learn and share your curiosity and knowledge with others, and I love every second of it. 

I attended the University of Colorado for my Bachelor's Degree and received my Masters from the University of Texas. I hope to always continue my education throughout my life and love all the creative ways the internet has opened up learning to everyone. 

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, nothing is better than hanging out with my family. I enjoy movies and books because nothing is better than a good story. I also love getting outside, being active and seeing the world. 

What is the best advice you have for students?
The best advice I have for students is to be brave and go after what you want in life, even if it takes a couple of tries to get there. Turn every setback into a learning experience. 

What is something you like to do the old fashion way?
Cook from scratch, everything is so much better when you take the time to do it right. 

What is your favorite drink?
Lemonade, I love the sour with the sweet. 

Are you usually late or early?
Early! I hate being late more than anything.

What is one of your favorite smells?
Fresh cut grass. 

What are you most likely to become famous for?
Being on Jeopardy, I watch every night and am surprisingly good at it. 

Thank you Jennifer for participating in our weekly Teachers & Staff interview!

Thurston School : (949) 497-7765
Durham Bus: (949) 376-0376
www.thurstonmiddleschoolpta.org