Thornton Creek Digest
November 20, 2025
From the Principal
Happy Thursday, TC Community,
Thankful for another week of smiles, joy, and connection across our campus. Our buddy classes are in full swing, and it has been such a delight to see students learning with and from one another. Earlier this week, I had the chance to stop by a Kindergarten class where students were reading alongside their Fourth grade buddies—so many sweet moments of patience, encouragement, and shared laughter. I also visited a first grade class where one of our new Dragonfly Council members was leading a discussion with 3rd grade buddies about lunchtime routines and how we ensure everyone has the time and space to eat. Our Dragonfly Council, sponsored this year by our Race and Equity Team, is working to elevate student voice and leadership across our school. Each grade level will take turns sending representatives to monthly meetings, where students discuss issues they are noticing around campus and propose solutions or goals that can be lifted into Morning Meetings. It is empowering to see our students step into leadership roles with such thoughtfulness.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Tuesday night’s Community Meeting. The conversations were rich, reflective, and collaborative. If you were not able to join us, you can find the slides and resources we reviewed down below—including our overview of expeditions across grade levels and the “typical age-based behaviors” tools from Yardsticks. We also shared a set of family-friendly math conversation starters to help spark thinking and dialogue at home.
Today kicks off Conference Week! I’ve seen so much preparation happening across the building as students get ready to share their learning, their growth, and the goals they are setting for themselves. Student-led conferences are such powerful moments for reflection and confidence-building, and I look forward to seeing these celebrations of learning.
As we look toward the upcoming break, I want to share how grateful I am—for your students, for the incredible staff who make TC such a special place, and for all of you who partner with us day in and day out. It is a true privilege to do this work in community.
I hope you all enjoy a restful and joyful break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in December. Be sure to read below for all of the upcoming winter happenings and opportunities to volunteer!
Warmly,
Brandee
Calendar of Events
November
- Today - Fri 21 | Food Drive | Drop off non-perishables in the vestibule by the office
- Today - Wed 26 | TCPG Gear Swap | Donate your old TC gear and find something that fits
- Fri 21 & Mon 24 | TCPG Pies for Teachers & Staff | Sign up to bring a pie
- Today - December 31 | TCPG Annual Appeal | Donate to the TCPG Annual Appeal Today!
- Mon 24 - Wed 26 | Elementary School Conferences | No School for Students
- Thurs 27 - Fri 28 | Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day | No School for Students
December
- Thurs 11 | Book Swap w/ Cocoa | 5:30-7 p.m. | Bring gently used books to trade and/or a new book to donate to our school library | See the library's wish list and/or sign up to help
- Mon 15 - Fri 19 | Spirit Week
- Thurs 18 | Thornton Creek School Tour | 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Fri 19 | 1 hour early dismissal | School is out at 1:25 p.m.
- Mon 22 - Fri Jan 2 | Winter Break | No School
January
- Mon 5 | Welcome Back! | 7:55 a.m. is the start of the day
- Thurs 8 | Coffee with Ms. Spencer | 8 a.m. | All Parents and Guardians welcome
- Wed 14 | Thornton Creek School Tour | 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Thurs 15 | Eckstein Middle School Open House | 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thurs 22 | Thornton Creek School Tour | 6-6:45 p.m.
Good Information
Annual Fee
To help cover the cost of field trips and experiential learning opportunities, we are asking for an Expedition Fee of $100.00 per student. Please pay what you can, any amount helps and is greatly appreciated! Please let Shannon know if you have any questions smwesterman@seattleschools.org
Donations to the Gym & Art Rooms
We are always in need of more PE/recess equipment. Gently used sports equipment is appreciated. If you want to purchase something for the school, we have an Amazon wish list. The Art Rooms always welcome empty, plain, toilet paper and paper towel rolls. Thanks so much!
