Thornton Creek Bulletin

Dear TC Community,

There’s been so much wonderful busyness happening across campus these past couple of weeks! Our 5th graders returned last week after three fun-filled days at Camp Seymour — squid dissections, zip lining, canoeing, camp songs, and skits… they did it all!

Back on campus, students have settled in as we dig into our seventh full week of school. Our 4th graders led a fantastic skit at last week’s assembly focused on inclusion and handling conflict — thank you, 4th grade, for modeling what it looks like to be caring community members!

Across classrooms, I’ve loved seeing the joyful learning in action — from lively morning meeting games like SPLAT, to students sharpening their typing skills with Typing Club. I also had the joy of stopping by Piper and Kerri’s art rooms to see creativity in full swing — students exploring line and shape, experimenting with warm and cool colors, and some of our older artists posing for live sketches. A big shout-out as well to our 1st–5th graders who have been hard at work completing their Fall MAP testing, which wraps up this Friday.

And of course — don’t forget to join us this Friday from 6-8 p.m. for the Monster Mash Bash! It’s sure to be a fun-filled evening of activities, dancing, costumes, and tasty treats. I can’t wait to see everyone there for a night of community fun!

Next week, we’ll keep the festive spirit going with our Harvest Festival! On Friday, from 12-2 p.m. students will enjoy games and activity stations created by our amazing 4th and 5th graders as they play and parade around in their costumes. Please see the note below for important details about wearing costumes at school on Halloween.

Scroll down for pictures, too!

With appreciation and a smile,
Brandee

October

Wed 22 | Room Parent Kick Off Meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Fri 24 | Monster Mash Bash: Kickoff to the TCPG Fall Fundraiser (details about TCPB Fall Fundraiser below)

Sun 26 | Landscaping Party | (details Landscaping Party below)

Tues 28 | Picture Day Make Up | (details below)

Fri 31 | Harvest Festival | 12:25-2 p.m. | (details about Harvest Festival below)

November

Fri 14 | TCPG Movie Night | 6:30pm (details below) | Sign up to attend TCPG Movie Night

Tues 18 | Community Meeting (virtual and in person) | 7–8:30 p.m. | Live Stream Community Meeting

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

* Check out new Thornton Creek gear—sweatshirts, t-shirts, and more. Orders close Monday, November 3rd. Don’t miss out—place your order for Thornton Creek Gear. If you need help purchasing a sweatshirt, please contact our social worker, Channon Agor chagor@seattleschools.org

* Winter Evergreen sale now through November 9

As we celebrate the season with our upcoming Harvest Festival and Halloween festivities, we ask families to help ensure costumes are safe, inclusive, and school-appropriate.

Please review the following guidelines:

Keep it safe and simple: Students should be able to move, sit, and learn comfortably throughout the day. Costumes should allow full participation in class and outdoor play.
No masks or full face paint: Students’ faces must be visible at all times for safety and communication. Light face paint is fine.
Leave pretend weapons at home: Items such as swords, knives, wands, or toy guns should not come to school.
Avoid costumes that could scare or exclude others: Please skip anything violent, gory, or culturally insensitive. We encourage creativity, humor, and kindness!
Wear safe shoes: Students will still attend recess and specials—footwear should be comfortable and playground-safe.
No props needed: Costumes should be complete without extra items that could get lost or distract from learning.

We look forward to a fun and festive day that celebrates our community and creativity while keeping everyone safe and included!

We are excited to offer a variety of enriching field trips, classroom experiences, and materials to enhance your child's learning during the 2025-2026 school year. To help cover the costs of these activities, we are asking for an Expedition Fee of $100.00. This fee will go toward funding:

Field trips: Covering transportation, entry fees, and special activities.
Classroom experiences: Supporting hands-on learning activities, guest speakers, and additional educational projects.
Materials: Purchasing supplies and resources that enhance students' learning, like books, art supplies, and technology tools.

Payment Options:

In Person: You can pay by cash or check (make checks payable to Thornton Creek) directly to the school office or to Shannon Westerman.
Online: You can also make payments using School Pay via credit card (a small processing fee may apply) through the Source.

Important Notes:

Be sure to make the payment under your child’s correct grade band:

Kindergarten: Class of 2031
1st Grade: Class of 2030
2nd Grade: Class of 2029
3rd Grade: Class of 2028
4th Grade: Class of 2027
5th Grade: Class of 2026

Please Pay What You Can:

We understand that financial circumstances may vary, so please contribute what you are able to. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated! We truly appreciate your support in helping us provide these exciting learning opportunities for our students. Thank you for being part of our school community!

Please let Shannon know if you have any questions.

If your student needs a Make-Up Picture ask the teacher to send your child for a picture. Please send them to school “Camera Ready” and make sure they bring their SMILE!

Make-Up pictures may be taken for 3 reasons:

1. Your student missed the previous school picture day

2. You want to purchase school pictures, but would prefer a new pose

3. You want a different picture in the yearbook

It is completely FREE to have your child photographed again. After Picture Day you'll receive an email link to see your child's new pictures, as well as their previous pictures.

No purchase required - Pay only if you order!

Questions: info@classactportraits.com

Spirit Store is Open!
Check out new Thornton Creek gear—sweatshirts, t-shirts, and more. Orders close Monday, November 3rd. Don’t miss out—place your order for Spirit Gear today! If you need help purchasing a sweatshirt, please contact the Thornton Creek School social worker, Channon Agor. chagor@seattleschools.org

Monster Mash Bash: Kickoff to the TCPG Fall Fundraiser | Friday, October 24, 6-8 p.m.
Join us for a spooktacular community event! We will have three food trucks, games, crafts, a haunted walk, music, dancing, costumes, and more! Don’t miss out on the fun!

We are still looking for donations and volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, and to help run games stations.

Don't miss the Pumpkin Painting Station! Reserve your pumpkin today.

All proceeds support Thornton Creek Elementary! Thank you so much!

Harvest Festival - Friday, October 31, 12:25-2 p.m.

The Harvest Festival is a fun, longstanding TC tradition held during school hours. Each year, the 5th graders design and lead creative activities and game for their classmates, while the other grade levels get to enjoy and participate in the festivities. Please volunteer to help at the Harvest Festival.

Landscaping Work Parties

October 26 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Sign up to help with Landscaping on October 26.
November 9, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Sign up to help with Landscaping November, 9.

Winter Evergreen Sale - Now through November 9

Celebrate the season with fresh evergreens—perfect for every holiday and tradition! Wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces are available for purchase now through November 9th. Encourage family and friends to buy or gift them this season! Let’s hit our $5,000 goal! Order your Winter Evergreens today. Your festive greenery will be ready for pick-up the first week of December!

All fundraising proceeds go directly to Thornton Creek, supporting Expeditionary Learning, teacher development, academic support, library and art materials, and emergency supplies. Your generosity truly makes a difference. Thornton Creek wouldn’t be the school it is without you!

Family Movie Night: Live Action Lilo & Stitch | Friday, November 14, 6:30 p.m.

Pizza and concessions will be available for purchase. Please sign up to attend and volunteer. Bring your family and cozy blankets for a fun night of community.

If you plan on attending with your family, consider being a floating volunteer to help wherever needed. Set-up starts at 6 p.m.. Tasks include: setting up the space, popping popcorn, serving pizza. We hope you'll find something that interests you.

Get Involved
Whether you have a little time or a lot, there are so many ways to connect—volunteering, attending events, or simply showing up to support our school community.

Stay Connected: TCPG Website | Newsletter Sign-up | Facebook Page

Sincerely,

Kelsey Johnson

Chair, Thornton Creek Parent Group

chair@thorntoncreekparentgroup.org

If you are able to donate unscented tissues to the school office we will distribute them to classes as needed. Also, individually packaged, allergen free, snacks are greatly appreciated for students who forget or don't have snacks. Thank you!

From Your TC Art Teachers:

Thank you for donating your egg cartons and toilet/paper towel tubes! Please keep those donations coming all year long!

Kerri is still hoping for some volunteers on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 12-2 to assist with the younger artists in our school. She's also looking for help every morning from drop off to 8:20 a.m. to help with putting away materials and filing. Please email her at klmckeighen@seattleschools.org if you're interested.

Kids Co @ Decatur

There are still spaces available for After Care programming at Kids Co at Decatur. Students are picked up from Thornton Creek and brought to our neighbor school, Decatur, for programming. If you are interested, please contact Adam Foote the Kids Co. at Decatur Program Director. He can be reached at 206-747-2584. For additional information visit Kids Co.

Session 2 classes will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays (12/2/25-2/5/26). After-school camp is only offered on days when SPS is in session, so there will be no HOFTC Tuesday 12/23/25-Friday 1/1/26. Please note that we have moved from a Quarter schedule to a Session schedule. HOFTC will run every Tuesday and Thursday, with no breaks, that school is in session.

Hall of Fame

When registration opens on Monday, November 3, 9 a.m., you will be able to send enrollment requests through the Parent Dashboard by clicking Enrollment, and then Enroll for 2025-2026. New families should complete the New Family Enrollment Form prior to registration opening, to get through the process faster. Registration closes on Friday, November 14, 11:59 p.m. and schedule adjustments cannot be made after that time. Please note that class information will not be available in the Parent Dashboard until registration goes live.

School Start | End of Day

School begins at 7:55 a.m. At that time, our gates will be closed to help keep our campus safe and ensure our complex systems run smoothly. If you arrive after 7:55 a.m., please plan to pull around and drop off at the front entrance.

Attendance and Office Procedures

If your child will be absent or late, please email thorntoncreek.attendance@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-5304 with the reason for the absence.
Vacation days are recorded as “unexcused vacation” absences. These are not considered truancy, though you may still receive an automated call or email from the District. If so, you can simply disregard the message and enjoy your trip.
To pick up your child early for an appointment, please come to the office to sign them out. We’ll call your child to meet you once you arrive. Advance notice by emailing thorntoncreek@seattleschools.org or calling 206-252-5300 is always helpful. While we understand that appointments during school hours are sometimes necessary, minimizing classroom interruptions is greatly appreciated.