Thornhill Elementary PFC Newsletter
Volume 26, Issue 21, January 22, 2019
From the Principal...
Dear Thornhill Community,
I hope you all have had a wonderful three day weekend! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday reminded me of the significant sacrifices that MLK and others have made to move our nation further towards equity. I am humbled by the teachings of MLK that advocate a country that works together in spite of our differences. I know we struggle as a nation to stay the course and we need to keep our eyes on the prize.
Tuesday, February 5 brings Thornhill 3rd-5th graders a famous pianist, Emanuel Ax. We are so fortunate to have him perform a concert for us and we thank music teacher Linda Green for arranging this spectacular event. There will also be an interactive part of the show where students will be able to participate with their instruments. Emanuel Ax will be performing with the Oakland Symphony February 8.
Best,
Mr. Daubenspeck
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A Little Auction Competition!
ATTENTION PARENTS:
As we get ready for the Auction less than two months away on Saturday, March 2, we would like to throw a little competition in!
The class with the most parents in attendance to the Auction will win a FREE PIZZA PARTY! No need to bring lunch that day because we will provide pizza, drinks, and fruit! (If your child has dietary restrictions, we will work with you to provide a special treat for your child). The date is TBD for the pizza party, but will happen shortly after we get the results.
Thank you!
Kay Chinn & Kim Olofsen
Auction Co-Chairs
P.S. Volunteer the day before and/or the day of the auction! Sign up now and you'll get your first choice. ;)
P.P.S. Got a donation? The online donation form is here — send it to anyone who might have something to donate!
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Enrichment Classes Start This Week!
Check the Homeroom website for the room location(s) and any "no class" days.
REMINDER: There is no school this Friday, January 25 and therefore no enrichment classes.
ANOTHER REMINDER: Friday, February 1 is a "Minimum Day for Science" and therefore no enrichment classes.
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Host a Party!
Our combined efforts through volunteering, donating, or community-building contribute to what makes Thornhill unique. “Do” a little or a lot but consider helping us continue the programs that enrich our students’ learning experiences by getting involved with the 2019 Auction Benefit. We need your participation Thornhill community!
Host a Party needs hosts and/or co-hosts! We have upcoming parties that need attendees! We are here to help you with party ideas, connect you with other hosts, and assist any way we can. Become a participant, have some fun, build community and support our school Thunderbirds. Join us, it’s easy. Contact your friendly host a party co-chairs, Karen Shotts or Keely Spina, at hostaparty@thornhillschool.org.
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MLK Oratorical Festival and Black History Celebration
Families and community members are invited to the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Festival and Black History Celebration on Friday, February 22 beginning at 8:45am in the Multipurpose Room. Students will be reciting poetry and speeches about, or written by, influential African American leaders, poets, and heroes. Original student orations are encouraged too.
Any students feeling inspired to perform an original piece should please sign up with Ms. Forbes, Room 4. Please join us for this inspiring event!
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Reminder and Clarification About OUSD Enrollment
The OUSD enrollment period that is open until February 8 is only if you have incoming TK or new kindergartener(s) that need to enroll. If you currently have students in any grade at Thornhill you do not need to do anything with their enrollment. Once they are here they are with us until they leave, and Sherry will send out an “are you returning?” form in late spring.
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Sustainability Update
Happy New Year Thornhill!
As a school we made huge sustainability strides in 2018, and we are on a great path to continue this important work. We've got this — for our kids, for us, for our environment.
1. We will continue to sort our trash, limit our single-use plastic waste, recycle our markers, dig into garden learning and growing, and up the ante on our Clean and Green game.
2. A campaign for new bins is in the works!
3. Anyone and everyone is invited to be part of Thornhill's Green Team — please contact Elyse Bart for more info: sustainabilty@thornhillschool.org.
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Calendar
The website always has the latest calendar information, and here's what's coming up!
- Tuesday, January 22: Spring Enrichment Classes Begin
- Friday, January 25: Staff Development Day (no school)
- Friday, February 1: Minimum Day to support Science (no enrichment classes)
- Monday, February 4: Round Table Dine Out (11am-9pm)
- Monday, February 11: PFC Meeting (6-7pm)
- Monday, February 18: Presidents Day (no school)
- Friday, February 22: MLK Oratorical Festival (8:45am)
- Saturday, March 2: Thornhill Auction (6-11pm)
- Saturday, April 27: Thornhill Spring Carnival (10am-3pm)
Be sure also to download the OUSD District calendar here and subscribe to our Google calendar here.
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About the Thornhill Newsletter
The Thornhill Parent-Faculty Club (PFC) eNews team publishes this weekly newsletter each Tuesday in the school year to communicate school, PFC and OUSD news, events and information.
Email submissions to our Newsletter Chair, Evie Nagy, at newsletter@thornhillschool.org by 3 p.m. Thursday for approval—fine to include text in the body of the email with links and no formatting, and attach photos preferably as 150 x 150, 72 dpi JPG or GIFs only (not embedded in email or word file). Submissions may be edited for spelling, grammar, brevity and clarity. Advertising and items not related to Thornhill are not accepted.
THANK YOU to everyone who submits articles and to PFC Board Members, Teachers, VP of Communications Erin Proudfoot, PFC President Rex Crum, and Principal Steve Daubenspeck. Member of Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).
Email: webmaster@thornhillschool.org
Website: thornhillschool.org
Location: 5880 Thornhill Drive, Oakland, CA, USA
Phone: 510-339-6800