Welcome back to our fourth Family Expedition Newsletter! We're on a roll, and we're glad you're here!
Top 4 ways to support the Annual Appeal
Plus, we're thrilled to announce the return of the 5th grade Interview Squad!
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NOTE: Gmail may clip the content of this newsletter. View the full version on the web HERE. |
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Make a Dragonfly and Enter the Raffle! |
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Keep those dragonflies coming! Thanks to all the creations we've received thus far, our swarm is coming together beautifully. Each dragonfly is beautiful and unique, just like you! No need to use a template - create your own and turn it in. Once we have enough, we'll be able to put together the art installation for our whole community to enjoy.
Can you turn in more than one? Absolutely! The collection box is on Sarah's desk in the front office. We'll also have a table at Tuesday's book swap and TC Community Social with all the crafting materials for anyone who wants to add more to our collective art piece!
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Remember to write your name on the back to be entered into the raffle!
Updated prizes include:
- Two $50 gift certificates to Café Javasti
- $25 gift certificate to Van Gogh Coffeehouse
- Philips Sonicare Kids Power Toothbrush (donated by Wedgwood Dental Center)
- Dragonflies and Damselflies by Dennis Paulson
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Flash Sale at Snapdoodle Toys to Support TCPG Annual Appeal |
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Join fellow parents at Snapdoodle Toys in Greenwood or online between 5-7pm on Thursday December 8 to tackle your holiday shopping needs. 20% of ALL sales during this window will be donated to the TCPG Annual Appeal. For online sales, be sure to write " Thornton Creek Elementary" during checkout. Don't miss out - set a reminder on your phone now!
Date: 12/8/2022
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Online or Snapdoodle Toys and Games 120 N 85th St. Seattle, WA 98103 |
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Enjoy Some Cider this Holiday Season! |
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Gift yourself, your friends and your colleagues a bottle of delicious hard cider for the holidays and support your school all in one tasty sip!
Local cider shop Press Then Press has extended an incredible offer for TC families. They have over 300 different ciders to choose from, deliver locally and are donating a portion of the profits to TCPG Annual Appeal from all sales made with the checkout code: TCPG. This generous opportunity lasts through the end of the year! If you need any cider recommendations, they love to chat cider and you can email them at main@pressthenpress.com
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Few insects can match a dragonfly's uncanny flying skills. According to Dennis Paulson, local entomologist extraordinaire, "dragonflies are the best insect fliers, superlative in terms of high top speeds, extreme maneuverability, and the ability to hover for long periods." Each tiny line on a dragonfly's wing is actually a vein. These fill both biological and functional roles, delivering nutrients to the wing tissues while also providing necessary mechanical structure for flight. The veins are also arranged in a corrugated fashion (like cardboard) that strengthens the gossamer wings. A dragonfly's impressive mid-flight dexterity is largely thanks to the independent movement of the forewings and hindwings. Powering the wings requires serious strength; the wing muscles account for up to 60% of a dragonfly's total weight!
So what can't a dragonfly do? Walk. That's right. Adult dragonflies cannot walk, but when you've got those mad flying skills, does it even matter?!
Reference: Dragonflies and Damselflies by Dennis Paulson
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Dragonfly Word Search!
Click here to print yours!
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Gathering Together
When a group of insects gather together in a large group, for whatever purpose, it is often called a swarm. In the case of dragonflies, the swarm may be a bunch of dragonflies feeding together at one location. This is called a static swarm. Dragonflies can also form large groups and move from place to place. This is called a migratory swarm. Have you ever seen a dragonfly swarm? Here is a video of a dragonfly feeding swarm.
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Keep bringing in your colorful dragonflies for the TC art installation! |
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Fundraising: Annual Appeal Update |
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Check out Skimmy's progress below on our map. To date, we have raised $55,000 and are 31% toward our goal! We need your help to get us the rest of the way there!
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I hope you can hear us shouting THANK YOU from the rooftops!
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We love Thornton Creek Elementary! Our teachers, students and community inspire daily. Our Annual Appeal fundraiser provides additional resources for our school in order to offer our alternative educational model, Expeditionary Learning, which differs from our neighborhood schools. I hope you will consider making a donation. Contributions of any size matter and make a difference. This year, we have a goal to raise $175,000 in support of TC. An average gift of $425 per student would allow us to reach our goal. Ultimately, we measure our success through participation and are grateful for each and every gift.
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Employer Matching is an easy way to double your contribution! Please check with your employer to see if they offer matching funds for charitable donations.
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Tax ID Number: 501-C- 91-1037596
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UW and other WA State Employees! The combined fund drive is a great way to maximize your giving for TCPG. UW employee forms here.
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Microsoft offers 100% match for employees donations to TCPG.
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Share with your community! Friends, family and neighbors are often eager to help support your school. If you are unsure what to say, we've got you covered. The following template is yours to copy, paste and make your own.
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We love Thornton Creek Elementary! Our teachers, students and Expeditionary Learning model inspire daily! Like all public schools, parent financial support provides stability in staffing and learning that have meaningful positive impacts on students. I am asking for your support to keep our option school program intact. Any and all giving is GREATLY appreciated.
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Gratitude for Our Incredible Community! |
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As a public school, we are a cornerstone of our neighborhood. This week, we'd like to shine a light on some incredible businesses who are supporting us this year. Thank you! |
Van Gogh Coffeehouse
Café Javasti
Press Then Press
Snapdoodle Toys in Greenwood
Wedgwood Dental Center
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Interview Squad is Back by Popular Demand! |
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Please enjoy interviews with our wonderful staff led by the 5th grade class. This interview was conducted by last year's graduates, and we are excited for you to learn about Channon Agor, TC's incredible social worker. Her work is central in our school's Season of Sharing and is currently helping to get our Community Support Drive resources to our TC community. Thank you, Channon, for all you do! |
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Interview #8 with Channon Agor |
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French philosopher and writer Marcel Proust was known for his witty answers to a series of intriguing questions, now known as the Proust Questionnaire. To learn more about our teachers in a unique way, the TC 5th graders took on the challenge of creating their own set of interview questions. |
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Last year's Interview Squad interviewed Channon to ask some questions. Here are some cool things about her. Channon grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii in a Japanese and Filipino family, but now lives in Seattle. Channon has many favorite things. Her favorite book is I am Enough by Grace Byers and her favorite movie is Soul. Her cat is her favorite animal. She loves watching football, eating noodles and going for walks outdoors. Channon's favorite color is purple and her favorite number is 27. There is more!
Channon's secret talent is wrapping gifts, but it is not much of a secret anymore! Channon's college major was Social Work and she shares her time as a social worker at Thornton Creek and Decatur. And last but not least, her hopes and dreams - Channon's dream is to take a road trip across the country!
Thank you for being at Thornton Creek, Channon!
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If you could live as an animal, what would it be and why? I would live as an octopus because they have 8 tentacles. Have you ever watched a video about octopuses trying to get out of a jar? They can twist it open!
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If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? I would want to meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg just to thank her for all that she's done working against the system and in it. This is pretty awesome of her.
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If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? Flying. Because it just looks so pretty to see Earth or the ground from up above.
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If you could choose another job besides teaching (field of education), what would it be and why? I would want to be a flight attendant because I love to fly and go to different places.
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What is the best thing you ever learned from a student? Actually last week, I was talking to a student about their break, I asked a question about their gifts. They were telling me how it doesn't matter what gifts you get or how many, it matters who gives it to you. I though that was really sweet of him to say.
Thornton Creek Interview Squad (2021-22): Connor R, Emma F, Lucia H
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We are grateful for our TC Volunteers who contribute their time to our community! |
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Questions about the Annual Appeal or fundraising? Please reach out! |
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If you have any questions about the newsletter please email: communications@thorntoncreekparentgroup.org |
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