Thornhill Elementary PFC Newsletter
Volume 26, Issue 11, October 16, 2018
From the Principal
We hope all is well and that you are enjoying Indian Summer weather. Thank you all for your contributions. It is very much appreciated. Important dates to remember in the next few weeks:
NO SCHOOL Friday October 19
Fall Sweep at Thornhill Saturday October 20 (9am-12pm)
Halloween Parade 12:50pm Wednesday October 31
Science Friday Minimum Day Friday November 2
Have wonderful three-day weekend!
Best,
Mr. Daubenspeck
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Thank you so much for supporting Thornhill in the Back to School Donation Drive!
Thanks to the generosity of our amazing Thornhill families, the Back to School Donation Drive (BSDD) has just exceeded its goal and raised $192,000! That is over half of the total PFC budget for the year and puts us in a good place to continue to fund the teachers' aides, librarian, PE coach, music teacher, art teacher and art supplies, computers and so much more. Participation was the highest we’ve seen in recent years: 59%! So many families contributed, and it really adds up!
By now, every family who contributed should have received their Thornhill hat and an emailed receipt for tax purposes. If you haven't, email bsdd@thornhillschool.org and we'll sort it out.
We would like to give a SUPER HUGE THANKS to our BSDD co-chairs Adrienne Selke & Rianna Stoll for their amazing job in leading this fundraising effort for our school. We couldn't have done it without you. THANK YOU!!!
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The Walkathon Is Coming on Saturday November 3!
Our theme this year is the “Thunderbird Turkey Trot” and Thornhill Spirit Wear will be sold at the event! We’ll be sending out information this week via backpack mailers, Konstella, this newsletter, and on the website.
If you want to want to get a head start, though, here are two key websites:
Donation and pledge site: http://thornhillschool.dojiggy.com
Volunteer SignUp: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4AAFAF2BABFF2-thornhill
For questions or to volunteer to be on the committee, please contact our Walkathon Chair, Carmen Childs, at walkathon@thornhillschool.org.
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Book Swap and Donation Drive
Reading is one of life's great joys but managing stacks of outgrown volumes is no fun. Has your student outgrown Eric Carle? Long to take a dip into Harry Potter territory? Want to clean off the shelves and maybe stock a few new favorites? Bring your GENTLY used volumes to the Walkathon. We will be collecting donations, trading books, and handing out good reads to anyone who wants one.
In addition, we will be accepting new and used donations to the Thornhill Library. Please check out the latest wish list for ideas. Any books not picked up by Thornhill students will be donated to the East Bay Book Project.
Can't make it to Walkathon? No problem. We will be setting up donation-swap opportunities after school between Walkathon and Thanksgiving.
Questions? Contact Becky Urbano at vpsupport@thornhillschool.org.
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Your Kid Photos with MugsyClicks
Just a reminder that the promo codes offered for our kids’ pictures from MugsyClicks expire on Thursday, October 18. Online, enter UGET5OFF at checkout for $5 OFF YOUR ORDER (with minimum purchase of $50) and enter FREE4U at checkout for FREE SHIPPING (with minimum purchase of $25).
Photo Make-Up day is Thursday, October 25. The photographer will only be around for an hour or so since we only have six students who missed the original picture day. If you are interested in a re-take on October 25, please contact MugsyClicks directly.
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Prospective Family Info Nights!
Tell your friends and neighbors! We will be holding two information nights for all new and incoming families. Meet our principal, learn more about Thornhill, see the TK and K classrooms, and get all of your questions answered. Please note these are adult-only events (no kids, sorry!). No reservation is needed.
Thursday, November 8 from 6:30-7:30pm
Thursday, January 17 from 6:30-7:30pm
Questions? Please contact our Kindergarten Co-Chairs, Keely Spina and Carmen Childs, at kindergarten@thornhillschool.org.
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Put the FUN in FUNdraising by Hosting a Party
We need your help Thunderbird families! We’re gearing up for the annual Thornhill Auction on Saturday, March 2, 2019 and need hosts to volunteer for our Host-a-Party events.
Host-a-Party(ies) (previously called Pay-to-Play) are social fundraising events organized and hosted by a Thornhill parent, group of parents, and/or our teacher(s) who share the cost of putting together their event. The guests pay to attend the event and all of the proceeds go to the Thornhill PFC (last year’s Host-a-Parties raised over $40,000!). These parties take place throughout the school year and can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. Check out the website for more detailed information and some party ideas to get you started.
A sneak peek of upcoming parties will be offered at this year’s Walk-a-thon on Nov. 3 for ticket purchase. So, put your sneakers on and bring a credit card to get a head start on the fun.
Thanks,
Keely Spina and Karen Shotts
Host-a-Party co-chairs
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Dads Club—First Meeting
Wednesday, October 17, 5:30-6:30pm
Sarah and I are hosting the first meeting of the year at our house on Wednesday, October 17 from 5:30-6:30pm. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the kids and we will have pizza and snacks for everyone. We want to welcome new parents and talk a bit about the upcoming school year.
RSVP on Konstella and let us know you're coming! (Our address is in the Konstella event.)
Rudy Gonzalez, Dads Club President
dadsclub@thornhillschool.org
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Eat for Thornhill
October Dine Out: Pattys & Buns
When: Tuesday, October 16, 11:30am-7:30pm
Where: Pattys & Buns Burgers, 2852 Mountain Blvd
What's for dinner tonight? Dine in or take out at Pattys & Buns today and 15 percent comes back to Thornhill. In a rush? Call ahead (510-531-5000) and your order will be ready for you. Please remember to tell the cashier you are there for Thornhill so your order can be counted for our school fundraiser.
Shop, Eat, and Earn: Good Eggs
This month and next, order fresh, local groceries or meal kits and Good Eggs will donate 5 percent back to Thornhill.
SPECIAL BONUS ALERT: If 5 new families join this week, Good Eggs will host a brunch for teachers at our school!
Here are the details:
1. Visit schools.goodeggs.com
2. Enter the code TBIRD18 and click “Shop Now"
3. When you place your order, you will see confirmation text on the checkout page that says “You’re supporting Thornhill Elementary School!”
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Calendar
The website always has the latest calendar information, and here's what's coming up!
Tuesday, October 16: Dine Out at Pattys & Buns (11:30am-7:30pm)
Wednesday, October 17: Dads Club Meeting (5:30-6:30pm), RSVP here.
Friday, October 19: Lincoln Day, observed (no school)
- Saturday, October 20: Fall Sweep (9am-12pm)
- Thursday, October 25: Photo Make-Up Day
- Tuesday, October 30: Shoo the Flu! (free flu shots for kids)
- Wednesday, October 31: Halloween Parade (12:50pm)
- Friday, November 2: Minimum Day to support science literacy
- Saturday, November 3: Walkathon (10am-4pm)
- Monday, November 5: PFC Meeting (6-7pm), RSVP here.
Thursday, November 8: Prospective Family Info Night (6:30-7:30pm)
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, including Word or Text files, with links and no formatting, and 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