Thornhill Elementary PFC Newsletter
Volume 28, Issue 10, October 13, 2020
In This Issue
- Note from our PFC Co-Presidents
- Importance of Mental Health
The Star on Grand Take Out Event --> tomorrow!
Annual Fund
Harvest Season is Coming to an End
Individual Class Packets
Calendar of Important Dates
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From our PFC Co-Presidents
Aloha,
Well, you might have noticed that this is a short week, as there was no school on Monday. Yes, with our kids learning from home, it may seem like one day is just like another. But, a day off is a day off, and we hope that you were able to get a little extra relaxation with the three-day school break!
And maybe, some of that relaxation included a trip with your kids to one of the classroom pumpkin patches? Halloween is likely to be different than usual this year, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. We can thank Thornhill parents Jennifer Anderson, Kelsey Nariani and Bonnie Forbes for organizing the pumpkin patches at various homes so that our kids could have a classic Halloween experience. It’s efforts like these that show the strength of our community, and how lucky we are to be a part of it.
If you are looking to be more of a part of Thornhill, there are a few positions on the PFC Board that are still open. Please check out the PFC website for more information.
Mahalo and lots of Thornhill love,
Rex Crum and Alicia Streight
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The Importance of Mental Health
As we roll into Fall, this can be a difficult transition, compounded with our current state and a monumental election (please vote!). We wanted to post a few reminders and hopefully helpful tips to ease you through this transition:
Use this time as the sun sets earlier to modify quiet time and bedtime to help everyone get a little more shut eye or relaxation.
Check out Calm (Kaiser and AmEx users can get a free year of Calm Premium, but the basic version is a lifesaver on its own). This can help with many things, from bedtime stories to breathing exercises to anxiety to sleep issues.
Eating soups, even while cooking out some nutrients, makes the nutrients left very bioavailable and can help soothe the digestive system and your nerves after a long day (plus easy dinner, pull out that crock pot!).
Root veggies are great for seasonal transitions! Try any roots you enjoy (parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rutabaga) or a combination of them. Peel, quarter and boil the veggies until soft and then add a bit of butter and broth of your choice. Next, mash and serve as is, with an egg on top or in a bowl with wilted greens, an egg and chili flakes. This is a great way to start your morning or for an afternoon snack as the weather changes.
Don't forget the basics: hydration! healthy, whole foods! sunshine! fresh air! 3 deep breaths in through the nose and out the mouth!
If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, sad or going through an emotional crisis, text “HOME” to 741741 and a crisis worker will text back immediately and continue to text with that person.
For 27/7 non-emergency support, contact California Warm Peer Line at 855-845-7415.
Please check out MentalHealth.gov for more mental health resources.
Remember, you're not alone, there are so many resources out there and the Thornhill community is one of them. We'll get through this!
Take care,
Alicia Streight
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The Star on Grand Take Out Event
It's time for deep-dish deliciousness!
Our October Take Out event is at The Star on Grand. Think Dine Out... except now it's Take Out!
Wednesday, October 14 ***that's tomorrow!***
12 pm - 9 pm
Place your order for Take-out or Delivery!
The Star donates 10% of ALL orders placed on October 14 back to Thornhill! When you and your friends and family order take-out or delivery by calling direct or through The Star's preferred delivery partner, Caviar, on October 14, 10% of your purchase will be donated directly back to Thornhill PFC.
Make sure to share this event with your friends & family to increase our earnings!
Christina Gibbons, Merchant Partnerships Chair
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Thornhill Annual Fund
Hello Thunderbirds,
Thank you to everyone who has already participated in the Thornhill Annual Fund. We’re off to a solid start! In the first week, 9% of our Thunderbird families contributed. We’ve raised $29,737 in donations and $9,180 in corporate matches, for a total of $38,917.
Let's hear it for Ms. Gustafson’s 5th grade! This class is leading the way with 21% of families contributing so far. If you make a contribution or set up an installment plan by the end of October (3 weeks to go!), your Thornhill student(s) will get a Thornhill baseball tee.
Check Konstella for all the info you need to donate.
Thank you Thunderbirds!!!
Adrienne Selke and Rianna Stoll, Annual Fund Co-Chairs
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Harvest Season Coming to an End
It has been a pleasure to share the bountiful summer harvest from our school garden with the school community. This Friday will be the last school garden food pick up for this season. Please come enjoy figs, zucchinis, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, and herbs.
We're coming to that time of year when the tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes that likely won't ripen. Last year I discovered a great recipe for green tomato quickbread, which is surprisingly good and the kids loved it in gardening class. I will be putting out some green tomatoes if you want to try it.
I am in the process of planting new Fall and Winter veggies in our school garden and will let you all know when they are ready to harvest. A huge thanks to Jennifer and Kelsey for sharing the school garden rainbow corn and pumpkins at the pumpkin patches!
Wishing you all health and happiness!
Miss Alexis
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Individual Class Printed Packets
If your teacher tells you that printed materials need to be picked up, they will continue to be in the same spot — on the fence near the TK trailer and the Alhambra entrance.
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Calendar
Wednesday, October 14: Take Out for Thornhill: The Star on Grand (12-9pm)
Wednesday, November 4: Take Out for Thornhill: Chipotle (details TBA)
Monday, November 9: PFC meeting (5:30-6:30pm, Zoom link in Konstella)
Wednesday, November 11: No School: in lieu of Veterans Day
Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 10: Take Out for Thornhill: Zachary’s (details TBA)
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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, Jill Evans, at newsletter@thornhillschool.org by 8 p.m. Thursday for approval—nothing sent after this will be included in the following week’s newsletter unless there are extremely compelling extenuating circumstances. It’s 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, as we need to keep the newsletter focused on need-to-know info for the community.
THANK YOU to everyone who submits articles and to PFC Board Members, Teachers, VPs of Communications Erin Proudfoot & Evie Nagy, PFC Presidents Rex Crum & Alicia Streight, 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