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Dear Thornton Creek Elementary families and caregivers,
As the weather turns from warm to chilly, glimpses into our incredible Thornton Creek community continue to warm our hearts. Students and teachers are finding their rhythm in the classrooms, friendships blossom on the playground, and parents are stepping forward to volunteer in the classroom, help at school wide events, supervise field work and even chaperone at Camp Seymour with the 4th and 5th graders.
Another fall tradition is Thornton Creek Parent Group’s Annual Appeal fundraiser to support our school. At the heart of our warm, supportive community is our school’s commitment to each student’s well-being: academically, socially and emotionally. Option schools like Thornton Creek benefit from additional support to provide an exceptional learning experience; the resources deployed for academic support (e.g. tutors and academic interventionists), supplemental specialist instruction beyond what the district provides (e.g. art, music, library), teacher professional development, and our renewed commitment to Expeditionary Learning are made possible in part with contributions from our generous community.
The State of Washington does not fully fund public education. Fundraising is one important way to provide stability for our school in the face of continued budget cuts and the negative impact of projected SPS school closures in the next year. We collectively work to approach difficult decisions by centering equity for students furthest from educational justice. For example, this school year, TCPG funds significantly increased staffing for academic interventionists who serve all students while prioritizing additional support for those struggling to meet grade-level expectations. When the district reduced this year’s interventionist staffing allocation from 2.2 FTE to 0.3 FTE, the Building Leadership Team was able to request $142,630 from TCPG to increase this critical support by 0.8 FTE. In turn, this staffing meant the 4th and 5th grade team could ensure grade-level math for all students. This kind of investment in stability and sustained relationships was funded entirely by donations from families like yours. Simply put, this solution wouldn't have been possible without your help. Thank you!
Each fall, TCPG sponsors our Annual Appeal fundraiser to solicit and replenish these much relied upon funds. This year, we aim to raise $175,000 in support of Thornton Creek Elementary by December 31, 2023. We ask for your support to help us get there so that our school can deliver on its mission to engage students in academically rigorous exploration and discovery through Expeditionary Learning. We encourage everyone to give an amount that is meaningful for your family. An average gift of $400 per student would allow us to reach our goal. We welcome single donations as well as recurring monthly payments to allow flexibility for your family’s budget. And if you are able to go above and beyond with your donation, THANK YOU! We can all make a difference and help provide stability to our school in the context of an underfunded school district.
Prioritizing fundraising in the fall allows families to plan their giving every year and also prepares Thornton Creek’s Building Leadership Team to be better informed in the spring as they make difficult budget decisions to ensure that TC students have access to critical educational supports. The Annual Appeal remains TCPG’s primary fundraiser. We also plan to host a shared fundraiser in the spring to support schools in SPS with less access to financial resources. Give today to support our school! Please submit this donation for corporate matching if your employer does this!
Sincerely,
Sterling Maximo, TCPG Fundraising Co-Chair and parent of TC 4th and 2nd graders
Erin MacDougall, TCPG Chair and parent of TC 3rd grader
For questions about TCPG Fundraising, refer to our website, swing by our table at the Monster Mash Dance Party, or email us: fundraising@thorntoncreekparentgroup.org
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