The Gator Gazette

Our after school cooking class is back up and running in the new year and it was a GREAT first week! Each session is packed with fun and creativity as we explore essential skills in the kitchen.

• WEEK 1: Foundational lessons on kitchen rules and safety while whipping up tasty waffle bowl parfaits and granola bites.

•WEEK 2: Students will learn knife skills by preparing flavorful sheet pan chicken fajitas and fresh salsa.

•WEEK 3: We explore new tastes with delicious avocado toast and veggie dip pots.

• WEEK 4: This is a fun homemade spinach ravioli session.

• WEEK 5: The finale! We'll have a wrap-up competition inspired by the popular "Chopped" challenge, where kids can showcase their culinary creations!

It's a fantastic opportunity for young chefs to learn, taste, and compete in a safe and supportive environment. All while using great TEAMWORK for a delicious cooking adventure!

Check out the photos from our 1st class as students wear their TC aprons to make delicious treats!

Thank you to this brave group of student leaders who is working hard to ensure we have the very best selection of books for children big and small during the cold, wintery days.

ABCD Awards - Do you know a staff member at Thornton Creek that has gone Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Someone who has made your child's day better? Someone you would like recognized for the care and attention that provide your child?

If so, now is your chance to let it be known for the whole district to hear! Nominate any staff member today for this award!

To nominate a TC staff member, use this link --> https://www.northvilleschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=350915&type=d&pREC_ID=2080986&fbclid=IwY2xjawGYqhVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZnT6v1T45ywFtFTSEM8L-ZxQ3ybXT-eS7L2fIKjc07ZmWe-7AIDs8cN0g_aem_4BSCXADQuo0a_X5FIh8dPg

The fun begins on Tuesday, January 14th @ 6:00 PM.

Things kick off with our January PTA meeting at 6:00 immediately followed by our 4th grade team who will be sharing some of their new learning and growth around SNORKL and how it is changing how our teachers teach and how our students learn and interact with math concepts.

To follow this up, one of our District Math Coaches, Mrs. Christina Witter, will be joining us for an informational Math Parent Night titled, "Helping Your Child Learn Math at Home". If you've ever said, "That's not the way I learned math!", then this conversation is for you! Student-centered, problem-based learning IS different from the way most of us experienced math as K-5 students. Come and engage in strategies you can use to support your child's learning math at home.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening!

Winter is here and many students are wearing winter boots to school. Friendly reminder to please send your child(ren) to school with gym shoes on their designated PE days. Students without gym shoes will not be able to participate during PE class. Thank you for your understanding and support!

Mrs. Woodall, Mrs. Salah, Mr. Vargo

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:

1/14 @ 6 PM - Grade 4 Presentation!

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

Join us for Northville Parent Camp 2025, a free event on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:00

AM to 12:30 PM at Northville High School. Gain valuable insights and strategies to confidently

address the challenges of modern parenting. Dive into a variety of several topics such as

parenting techniques, communication skills, mental health and more. Open to families of all

ages! Sponsored by Schoolcraft College, Galvin Growth Group, DTE MiGreenPower, Michigan

Educational Credit Union, Royal Truck and Utility Trailer, Flourish Psychology and Wellness,

and Life Driving Academy. Sponsorships are still available! Learn more:

www.supportnef.org/parent-camp.

Get your glow on and support the Northville Educational Foundation at our largest fundraiser

of the year! Join us on March 1, 2025, from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM at Northville Square Mall,

133 West Main Street, Northville, MI 48167, for an exciting evening featuring the vibrant Killer

Flamingos band, dancing, live and silent auctions, wine pull, raffle prizes, heavy hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, and exclusive seating!

Tickets are limited—secure yours now for an unforgettable night of fun, entertainment, and

giving back. Together, we can continue to support innovation and inspiration for Northville

teachers and students.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and to purchase tickets, visit: Night for

Northville.

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.

Helping Curious Kids Search Smarter!

Curious kids love asking questions, and the internet is full of answers! Support your child in learning how to search effectively online with these simple tips inspired by Fountas and Pinnell:

• Use Keywords – Type only the most important keywords.
• Try Synonyms or More Specific Words – If the first search doesn’t work, experiment with different or more precise words.
• Use Quotation Marks – Search for exact phrases by putting them in quotes, e.g., "To be, or not to be."
• Exclude Words – Use a minus sign (-) to filter out unwanted results. For example, to find the animal and not the baseball team, type: Tigers -baseball.
• Add “Kids” – Locate kid friendly websites by adding the word "Kids" to your search, e.g., Tornadoes Kids.
• Check Credibility – Look for web addresses ending in .gov or .edu, which are often (but not always) reliable.
• Look for Experts – Verify whether the site’s author is knowledgeable on the topic.

Supervise your child’s online activity to help them stay focused on trustworthy information.

Encourage your child to explore safely and discover answers with confidence!

Do you have a great idea or project in mind? The Northville Educational Foundation’s second grant cycle is here! Students from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as school clubs, are encouraged to apply for funding to bring their ideas to life.

Deadline to apply: January 17, 2025
Apply now:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PIm1SYCGRpZpQbeqluX_lYmAmW9sNbt0fS8zWRp8cUc/copy

Applications must be signed by an NPS staff member or advisor and your principal. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Mitchell at mitchellka@northvilleschools.org. We can’t wait to see your creativity and innovation in action—let’s make great things happen together!

Northville Youth Lacrosse spring registration is now open for 5th grade boys! Welcoming all skill levels and running from late March to early June. This spring season includes practice 3 days a week at Meads Mill Middle School, 10-12 games vs Metro West teams, and 1 end-of-season tournament. Register at the Google Form linked here. Questions: NorthvilleYouthLacrosse@gmail.com

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