The Gator Gazette

Earlier this week I was treated to a visit with Miss Geletzke's kiddos as they excitedly presented their new learning of rural, urban, and suburban areas. Students demonstrated proficiency, voice, ownership, and more as they spoke to their poster and research in front of their peers.

Something I have always enjoyed about our student population is that they are "do-ers". Our students have ideas and the drive to see them to fruition.

One such idea is pictured above. A few students approached me and asked if they could start a Sign Language Club at Thornton Creek. After about a week of brainstorming, we came up with the plan to hold the meetings outside during recess and the club has grown from 1-2 students to as many as 15 at a time!

Socktober is our annual service project in the Fall here at TC. This is where we help our local Northville Civic Concern by helping bring in socks for those in need to use in the winter months ahead. Our Socktober collection began this past week and we have already collected almost 2,000 pairs of socks!!!

An additional fun layer to this service project is that the grade that brings in the most pairs of socks will get a sock hop and glow stick party provided by our PTA!

Thank you to Mrs. Counts and her AMAZING TEAM for going above and beyond to create a truly memorable experience for all our Gators this week when visiting the library. If you look closely, you might even see something spooky in the bottom right corner of the second image. Is it a ghost? Nope, just Mr. Jewett trying to capture the moment when our lil Gators are moving about having fun :)

Thank you to Mrs. Buck, our new STEAM teacher, for all her hard work to prepare for another fun week in STEAM. Students used all their creative thinking as they designed and built towers, erected the tallest cup-stacks, and MORE!!

We had a great turnout for this year's Trunk-or-Treat and our Costume Parade was SPOOK-tacular!

Thank you to all our volunteers and families who decorated trunks, donated candy, ran stations during Classroom Parties, and cheered us on during our parade!

Our own TEAM got into the spirit of the day/week during Halloween as we celebrated together!

Thank volunteers and to Mrs. Woodall. This is a fun annual event that keeps our Gators moving, especially the day after Halloween.

More photos next week after the "Trot".

Although the in-person book fair is still a few weeks out, "early adopters" can take advantage now of the online book fair as it has already begun!! To access the online store, click HERE.

After a record number of submissions last year, we're hoping to increase the number of students entering this contest this year. Any level of artistic ability is encouraged and please explore the categories as it does not have to be limited to hand-drawn art, it can include a self-made dance, a poem, or even a photograph! I know we have many talented students at Thornton Creek and everyone should consider submitting a work of art!

There are several different categories a student can submit an entry for and there are no limits on the number of categories a student can enter in. Please review the rules and descriptions for the different categories here: https://sites.google.com/view/michigan-reflections/home

There are two age levels, Kindergarten through 2nd grade and then 3rd through 5th grades. Entry forms can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Omcg13JIWlFF6JHaChYLyJ3d0uoSqntL/view?usp=drivesdk

Watch the Gator Gazette and Monday envelope for more information. We will have a box for entries located in the office. Submissions (along with the entry form) will be due by November 27, 2024. Please contact Kate Sikorski (kate.bensmiller@gmail.com) with any questions!

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:

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

Join TC PTA Facebook Page

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

Reading aloud to children every day is one of the most effective ways parents or caregivers can foster their development as readers, thinkers, and compassionate individuals. This activity not only cultivates a love for books but also introduces them to stories and concepts they may find difficult to comprehend on their own, allowing even independent readers to explore richer vocabulary and more complex ideas than they might encounter alone. By sharing this experience, children can concentrate on understanding and engaging their imagination without the challenge of decoding text. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to model language, empathy, and curiosity while building meaningful family connections. This approach is inspired by insights from Rebecca Bellingham, a teacher, literacy consultant, and college instructor.

This year, all students receive free meals through the Michigan School Meals Program, which supplements the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. However, it is still essential that families who qualify or believe they may qualify for free or reduced-price meals submit the Education Benefits Form. This step ensures that our students and district receive the maximum available benefits.

By submitting a free and reduced meal application, eligible families may also gain access to additional valuable benefits, such as:

• Discounts on fees for athletics and activities
• Reduced fees for SAT, ACT, and AP tests
• College application fee discounts
• Discounted internet access services
• Federal, state, and local funding that supports school budgets
• Summer EBT benefits for additional food support

Even though meals are free this year, submitting this application helps support both your student and our district.

Qualifying families are encouraged to fill out the Education Benefits Form.

If you have any questions about the Michigan School Meals Program or completing the application, please contact our Food Service department at (248) 344-3690.

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