After a two year hiatus we will hold the 2022 Move-a-thon on Friday, June 3. For those of you new to TC, this is a chance for all grades to get out on the field and MOVE (walking, running, jumping or whatever suits your kiddo). Participants gather sponsorships from family, friends and neighbors -- you should have received sponsorship packets in kid mail.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to Kathleen Phan at fundraising@thorntoncreek.org

New this year, we are asking all families who are able, to purchase a yearbook using this online process. If you have the means, we invite you to please order an extra book or two to cover scholarships. If you need a scholarship, no action is needed - all students will receive a yearbook at the end of the school year.  The link will be available for purchases THRU MAY 30.

1.Go to the ordering link 

2. Type in your STUDENT's NAME. 

3. From your cart, you may adjust the quantity, and click the pencil icon to update. It doesn't matter if all of your kids are listed. We just need total number of books you are purchasing (including any donations).  

I'm looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Wednesday night (on Zoom, 7-8:30pm, register here), when our community will have a facilitated listening session, for parents and caregivers only, related to creating a welcoming school environment at Thornton Creek. This is meant to be casual, and just an opportunity to voice your questions, concerns, and ideas--all things that will be used in conjunction with the data gathered in the Seneca survey to move TC forward next year. Wednesday's event is for all families; if you have a student with disabilities and/or neurodiversity, please also consider attending tonight's listening session (also on Zoom, 7-8:30pm, register here). 

If you missed last week's special edition, pleeeeeease consider joining us next year--TCPG needs leaders like you! We're actively seeking folks interested in taking on critical roles like chair, vice-chair, and co-treasurer, in addition to chairs for committees such as fundraising, communications, hospitality, and many more. You needn't have any experience, just curiosity, interest in collaboration, and commitment! Please use this form to let us know you're interested, or email me personally at chair@thorntoncreek.org if you'd like to chat. 

Can you share your time and talents by taking on a TCPG volunteer role next year? Please indicate your interest, using this form, by June 1, 2022. Take a look at last week's Volunteer Drive special edition newsletter to learn more about how you can continue the work next year. We are crew, not passengers! 

As a parent or primary caregiver, you're already a member of TC Parent Group! We strive to support TC students' learning through organizing volunteers, fundraising, building community, and participating in decision making in Site Council. Learn more on our website, thorntoncreek.org to see how you can make the most of your time at TC! 

It's almost time for 5th grade graduation, which traditionally includes a slide show

featuring 5th graders! If you would like your student to be included in the slideshow, we invite you to submit up to 5 photos of your 5th grader with the theme of “I am…” in mind. For some, an age progression may feel most fitting, for others, you may want to highlight places and activities that celebrate what makes your child happy or proud. This can be interpreted as broadly as you like but all photos should clearly feature your child. The goal is for our wonderful kids to feel embraced by our community as they move on to new adventures.

 

Another tradition is including a Guess Who photo section for 5th graders in the yearbook. While most families choose to submit a baby photo for this section, feel free to submit whatever photo you are comfortable with for this page.

Submit all photos, in whatever digital form you have, to 2022tcslideshow@gmail.com ASAP, with a final deadline of May 25. Please write your student's name in the subject line and clearly indicate which photo should be used for “Guess Who.”

Fellow 5th grade parent Kaori Tanaka is asking for at least one parent volunteer from each classroom to help with fleshing out the plan for graduation. If you can help, please reach out to her directly at tanaka.kaori@gmail.com.

Last week the FDA and CDC approved a booster dose of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, to be received 5 months after completion of the primary two-dose series. Use this Vaccine finder  to see where you can get the booster.

If your student is displaying any new symptoms (not caused by another condition) please keep your student home. Take a look at the symptoms guidelines and this flow chart from Washington State Department of Health

Email Nurse Twinkle and notify the office if your student tests positive for Covid.

Check out all of the updated SPS protocols for Covid exposure and what to do if your child has symptom(s) of Covid.

If you’d like to order a PCR lab test, use the following link and email the office.

You can also email the office if you would like to have two boxes of Covid tests sent home with your student.

https://www.covidtests.gov and https://www.sayyescovidhometest.org

All people with Covid (with or without symptoms) need to isolate for at least 5 days from a positive test. Follow here for the latest quarantine requirements if your student has tested positive for Covid. Per SPS and Public Health guidelines, students who are: a close contact of someone who is COVID-19 positive, have submitted proof of vaccine status and are symptom free do not need to quarantine.

King County COVID-19 Dashboard

King County COVID-19 free testing locations link

**Interested in being on the Safety Committee for the 2022-2023 school year? Email us: safety@thorntoncreek.org

If you are interested in volunteering at Thornton Creek this year, please go to this link to complete your paperwork today! The front office receives a list of eligible volunteers from the District every Wednesday. You can check in with Sarah in the office to confirm your status. Questions? Reach out to the TCPG volunteer committee at volunteer@thorntoncreek.org. 

Every Friday through May 27th, the Bike Fairy will install safety light sets on any bicycle parked at Thornton Creek (generally 30 minutes after class starts). While supplies last, and again Fridays only.

Still interested in the Bike Train? A bike train is a group of students and parents cycling together to school for enhanced safety and visibility and can help less experienced riders gain comfort and experience riding to school. More information here:

Northbound: https://bit.ly/3Notdli

Southbound: https://bit.ly/3tH6Srb

Get your bike out of storage, inflate your tires, clean and lube your chain, and get ready to roll! Happy (and safe) riding!

Sincerely,

The Bike Fairy

Wedgwood Coop Preschool is now enrolling for the 2022-23 school year! We offer quality play-based learning programs for children ages 1-5 and ongoing parent education from experts who can help de-stress your parenting. The whole family benefits from being part of our invested, supportive community. Many of our families have found lifelong friends at Wedgwood Coop! We are located at 8208 18th Ave NE in Seattle. For more information about us and our next playdate, go to wedgwoodcoop.org. Hope to see you soon!