The Gator Gazette

We, the students, staff, and families of Thornton Creek share the responsibility of creating a safe and positive environment that promotes self-esteem, mutual respect, and optimum student learning.

Our Mission Statement is supported by the following Belief Statements:

• Learning takes place at different rates and at different times

• In utilizing multiple learning strategies

• A positive climate fosters risk-taking

• The application of problem-solving skills, higher-order thinking skills, and technology skills are critical to success in the 21st century

• In facilitating avenues for self-expression and celebrating creativity

• In encouraging students to reach their maximum potential for attaining knowledge

In Northville Public Schools, diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to opening a World of Possibilities for and with every student. We commit to developing a community that fosters a sense of belonging, respect, and access for all in order for students across race, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, abilities, and identities to reach their maximum potential.

Earlier this week, our Music Informances kicked off with 1st grade. It was a wonderful event during which time our music teacher, Mr. Kolpak, guided students who then taught family members all about what they are learning in music class this year.

This is such a wonderful and engaging community activity as well as a fantastic way for our students to demonstrate ownership and understanding of their learning!

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank our Thornton Creek community. Together, we were able to collect and donate over 2,700 books! These books were given to Birdie’s Bookmobile, which helped distribute them to great places where they will be put to good use.

Thornton Creek held our 1st ever Silent Disco the Friday before Spring Break. Students and classes who read the most minutes during March is Reading Month were invited to the gym for a VERY special and unique dance celebration with students from Mrs. P's & Mrs. Valleau's classrooms!

Students participating picked up a pair of wireless headphones and listened to music while toggling back and forth between songs by flipping a switch on their headphones. Others were able to tell what song you were listening to simply by looking at the color of your headphones as the color changed based on which song you were listening to at the time.

(In case you were wondering, silent discos can be a great way to have fun without the noise pollution, and they can also be a good option for people who are sensitive to loud sounds!)

Thank you to our March is Reading Month TEAM and to our friends from Hillside who helped set up this AMAZING experience!

Thanks to all our NHS volunteers and with the organization and supervision of Mrs. Richardson, our annual Math & Science Night was another HUGE success!!

Students' curiosity ran wild as they explored stations that included properties of magnets, sound, air flow, and so much more!!

With Spring Break and so many other things going on this time of year, it can be easy to forget to order breakfast and/or lunch for your children. Additionally, it can be just as easy to forget you ordered these meals and then also send a meal with your child.

Regardless, both situations can impact our food service as they not only do their best to ensure everyone receives the meal they ordered, but also feed our students who may not have a lunch ticket that day.

To assist, please continue to be diligent when ordering meals for your child so we do not end up with too much food or not enough.

Sincerely,

-Our Food Service Team

We are thrilled to introduce the "Regulation Station," a new initiative designed to help all students enhance their self-regulation skills through movement and mindfulness activities. Led by our school social worker and two 5th grade leaders, this program will offer morning and afternoon sessions to support students in managing their energy levels for a successful school day.

The Thornton Creek Native Flower Garden is entering Phase 2 - Planting Phase! We would like to invite our Gator students, staff, and families to help us plant almost 200 Michigan native flowers!

Please join us anytime on Saturday, May 24th 2-4pm and/or Sunday, May 25th 2-4pm at our Thornton Creek Native Flower Garden (located along the sidewalk at the northeast of the school property). If you have gardening gloves and/or small gardening shovels - please bring them (although we will have extras too).

We are appreciative of the parents and students who already volunteered in the Phase 1 - Preparation Phase. Thanks to the City of Novi Forestry and Landscape departments, we have logs to use as natural borders and a customized native flower landscape design. With funds from our generous PTA, we are able to purchase the flowers and complete the garden installation this spring. What a great TEAM effort!

Our Why - According to the World Wildlife Fund's 2024 Living Planet Report, "Biodiversity sustains human life and underpins our societies. Yet every indicator that tracks the state of nature on a global scale shows a decline. Over the past 50 years (1970–2020), the average size of monitored wildlife populations has shrunk by 73%...". As we plant this native flower garden, we are contributing to the ecosystem by providing resources to animals which coevolved with these Michigan plants. We are avoiding pesticides and herbicides while creating a low-maintenance garden adapted to our climate. We hope that this garden contributes to the ecosystem and to the understanding our Gators have of their ability to make a positive impact in our environment.

Be in the know – learn more about what is happening in your child’s school and district
Tap into a network – meet school and district staff as well as fellow parents and connect with valuable resources
Be part of the solution – have a voice and help make positive changes in your child’s school

Next Meeting dates are:

4/8 @ 9 AM - Grade 1 Presents!

5/13 @ 9 AM

Join TC PTA Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/920347345361627

Please click on the image below to be directed towards additional information.

Join us for NEF’s Play FORE Education Golf Outing, presented by Michigan Educational Credit Union! Spend the day at Fox Hills and help us spark opportunities and share support for Northville students and teachers.

⛳ Golden Fox shotgun start at 9AM
⛳ Strategic Fox tee times begin at 11AM

We’re looking for sponsors—you can help make it happen!
Sign up to golf | Become a sponsor

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Northville High School

K-12 Students can create a project to share their creativity and innovation with the community!

Scholarships and prizes will be awarded to 5th through 12th graders

In partnership with Northville Public Schools and powered by DTE MiGreenPower, this is your chance to showcase your ideas and inspire others!

Learn more & sign up: supportnef.org/steam-fair

Spread some joy with the Northville Educational Foundation’s Super Sub Program, proudly

sponsored by the Michigan Educational Credit Union!

Here’s how it works: Purchase tickets to enter a staff member into the Super Sub Drawing and

write a heartfelt thank-you message to celebrate their impact. Winners will enjoy a half day off

while leaders from Central Office step in to fill their role. The next drawing is on February 1st,

so be sure to include the recipient's first and last name, building, and your personalized

message for their Thank A Staff certificate. To purchase your ticket, visit: Super Sub Ticket

Purchase For questions, contact mitchellka@northvilleschools.org.

Please see the information above about the Walk and Roll event at Cooke School on April 12th. It is a fundraiser that we would like all to attend and/or support! If you are available for a couple of hours, please consider coming out to Cooke and participate! If you can't make it but are interested in supporting it, information is attached for that as well.

...please CLICK HERE!

...and HERE for information about Spring/Summer Sports Camps @NHS

Website: https://thorntoncreek.northvilleschools.org/
Location: 46180 West 9 Mile Road, Novi, MI, USA
Phone: 248-465-2350
Twitter: @CreekGators