The Gator Gazette: Welcome Back!

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year at Thornton Creek! We can't wait to get started and are thrilled to have you with us. At Thornton Creek, our core values focus on creating an inclusive environment where every child feels a strong sense of belonging.

During the first few weeks of school, our teachers will focus on building classroom community and establishing routines. We know that children thrive with structure, and establishing these routines helps reduce anxiety and stress. By taking the time to get to know our students, build new routines, and establish trust, we lay the foundation for a welcoming and supportive school environment.

Together, we will make this year a successful and enjoyable journey for all students. Let's work as a TEAM to support our children in reaching their full potential.

Take care and see you in a few...

- Mr. Jewett

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! All new and returning families: It's time to fill out your required online Annual Registration!

Every year, all families (including those who recently enrolled) are required to fill out the digital Annual Registration for each student. Families may complete these forms through https://sisweb.resa.net/Northville/ParentPortal/. After logging in to your Parent Portal account, click the RED Annual Registration at the top right of your screen. Then select Register Now to the far right of your student’s name to begin the process.

Through this process you will be asked to update your student’s emergency contact information, home address and health information, review our technology use policy and student handbooks, learn more about PTSA/PTA, access the web store and much more.

Need Help? Many of the most commonly asked questions can be found on our FAQs page (located in the upper right-hand corner of ParentConnection.) If you have further questions, please email the helpdesk at parentportal@northvilleschools.org

Registration deadlines:

• All elementary students must have the annual registration completed prior to the start of school on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

Bus assignments will be available before the first day of school in Parent Connection https://sisweb.resa.net/Northville/ParentPortal

ARRIVAL

• Drop off begins at 8:35 AM. DO NOT drop your child(ren) off before 8:35 as we do not have adults outside to monitor for safety.
• With the exception of Mrs. Heisner's class, ALL Kindergarten Families are to meet on the East side of the building on the Kindergarten Playground and wait with their child(ren) until the first bell @ 8:41 AM. This may be a change from what I shared with a handful of families recently as I mistakenly said you would line up outside your child(ren)'s kindergarten classroom door. Don't worry, if you line up there, we will help get you to where you need to be :)
• Mrs. Heisner's class will meet by our main doors near the front office for lineup.
• ALL 1st and 2nd grade students will line up by our main doors near the front office.
• All 3rd-5th grade students will line up on the blacktop nearest the "Big" playground to the West of the building.
• The first bell rings at 8:41 AM and school starts at 8:46 AM.

DISMISSAL

• The school day ends at 3:45 PM.
• ALL Kindergarten students will be picked up at the exterior door of their classroom by a family member.
• ALL Kids Club students will be walked down to the cafeteria stage.
• ALL Students who ride the bus will walk to the cafeteria.
• ALL Students who walk or meet a parent who has walked will meet on the blacktop of the "Big" playground.
• ALL Students who will receive a car ride will be out front under the awning.

Dear Northville Families,

We are pleased to announce that for the 2024-25 school year, Northville Public Schools will continue providing free breakfast and lunch to all pre-K through grade 12 students through the Michigan School Meals Program, funded by the state’s fiscal year 2025 School Aid budget.

Please note that all elementary and Pre-K students will still need to order their breakfast and lunch through Nutrislice.

While all meals are free, it is crucial that families who qualify for free and reduced meals complete the annual Education Benefits Form (EBF) to access additional benefits. These forms are vital for ensuring that our schools receive additional educational funding. This funding supports various programs, including discounts on student fees for athletics and activities, SAT, ACT, and AP test fees, college application fees, discounted internet services, and Summer EBT benefits.

For more details, please review the Frequently Asked Questions document surrounding the Free Meals Program this school year.

Thank you for your continued support in making Northville Public Schools an exceptional place for our students to learn and grow.

​If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the NPS Food Service Department at 248-344-3690. And make sure to click around on the Food Service website to explore Menus, Free & Reduced Lunch Program, Nutritional Information, and many more resources.

Families must preorder breakfasts and lunches for preschools and elementary students. Orders must be in by 7am for all students for breakfast and lunch. The system will not allow you to order after the time listed above. For your convenience, meals can be preordered up to 30 days in advance. To avoid any issues, we recommend ordering the night before.

• Order Online at Nutrislice

• Download the App (Apple Store)

• Download the App (Google Play)

Personal Electronic Devices, including Cell Phones and Smartwatches with Cellular Connections

Northville Public Schools is dedicated to enhancing student outcomes through ongoing review of research and our own educational practices. Examining research on the impact of cell phone use by school-aged children reveals that excessive exposure to cell phones can have a detrimental effect on school-aged children. While we understand the importance of children having access to their electronic devices before and after school, the district is creating a space where students can be together in learning during the school day without their personal electronic devices in classrooms, hallways and in the lunch/common areas.

Consistent with Board Policy 2143, K-8 students will not be allowed to carry or use cell phones or other personal electronic devices, including smart watches and other digital device connections, during the school day unless allowed in special circumstances by their teacher or building administration. Phones are available in the office of each school and in each classroom should a student need to contact their parent/guardian. If families believe that their child needs access to a cell phone before or after school, it will be the student's responsibility to ensure that their phone remains stored away from the classroom while they are at school.

Personal Electronic Device Expectations

Cell phones and other personal electronic devices, including Smartwatches, may NOT be turned on during school hours. They must remain in the student’s backpack. Electronic devices confiscated from students may be picked up by parents in the school office.

The ALPS Planning Committee was established to evaluate data and strategically plan for the future of the ALPS program. This committee will facilitate a collaborative process, as we aim to ensure balanced representation from all elementary buildings. Please complete the below form if you are interested in serving (please note submission of this form is a request to participate, but not guaranteed). Any questions can be sent to:

Ms. Sarah Hanes, District Literacy Coordinator hanessa@northvilleschools.org

Dr. Sandra Brock, Director of Instructional Programs brocksa@northvilleschools.org

ALPS Committee Application Fall 2024

Parents and guardians can now report their student's absence in two convenient ways. You can continue to call your student's school directly to report an absence, or you can use our new feature through MiStar ParentConnection. Simply log in to the ParentConnection portal and follow the desktop directions to submit an absence report online. Instructions for reporting absences via the mobile version will be available soon.

To register, use this link --> Thornton Creek Elementary GOTR Registration

This year, we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with parents, teachers, and staff to reach our shared goal of enriching the educational experience for all our students. Our PTA takes great pride in the contributions we make to the learning and social environment at Thornton Creek!

Our goals as a PTA are to:

• Enhance educational experiences for student
• Provide community-building experiences for students
• Keep parents informed

Join Our MemberHub Site

Thornton Creek PTA will once again be using MemberHub to keep parents informed. Make sure you are a member of our site so you don’t miss out on event information, signups, and our Thornton Creek family directory.

To Join our MemberHub site, go to: https://thorntoncreek.memberhub.com/join/78834b

Already in? Log into MemberHub at https://thorntoncreek.memberhub.com/

Set or update your profile, privacy preferences, family profile for the directory & join class hub.

Become a PTA Member

Go to https://thorntoncreek.memberhub.com/store and select an individual or family membership for the 2024-2025 school year.

“WHY?” Join as a show of appreciation for all the programs and resources that Thornton Creek PTA makes available to your child. Your membership also supports the largest child advocacy organization in the country and gives you voting rights.

“I’m too busy to join!” You can join without having to volunteer for anything! (But we love and depend on volunteers, too!)

“I already joined at a different school.” You need to join each school PTA separately every year. For example, a Hillside Middle School PTA membership does not count at Thornton Creek.

“I already joined last year.” Memberships expire in the summer, so a new membership is needed each school year.

Donate to our Fall Fundraiser

In order to fund our programs and make a difference in your child’s education, we ask parents to invest in their children through our fuss-free fundraiser. This program works because:

• 100% of the money raised goes directly to Thornton Creek

• Our children will not engage in door-to-door sales, and you do

not have to buy what they are selling

• Your gift is 100% tax deductible and confidential

To make your tax-deductible donation to our Fall Fundraiser, visit our online store at https://thorntoncreek.memberhub.com/store

Attend PTA Meetings

• 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

Meeting dates are:

9/3 @ 9:00 AM

10/8 @ 9:00 AM - Grade 5 Presents!

11/6 @ 9:00 AM ( Wednesday meeting due to election day)

1/14 @ 6 PM - Grade 4 Presents!

2/11@ 9AM - Grade 2 Presents!

3/11 @ 9 AM - Grade 3 Presents!

4/8 @ 9 AM - Grade 1 Presents!

5/13 @ 9 AM

Volunteer

• To share your skills and be a role model

• To demonstrate the importance you place on education

• To have fun while doing good!

• You can choose your level of involvement: low-key or highly

involved

• We can’t run our programs without you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080949A9AE29A4FC1-50908116-2024

Be on the look-out for information about volunteer opportunities throughout the school year or contact the PTA Board for more information!

Join TC PTA Facebook Page

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

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