Thornhill Elementary PFC Newsletter

✨Opens: Monday, February 24 at 9:00 AM

✨Closes: Thursday, February 27 at 9:00 PM

Browse, bid, and support our school! You’ll receive text and/or email notifications if you’re outbid, so stay engaged and keep the competition going! Check out Auction FAQs for more details, and if you have further questions, feel free to email Bart Lounsbury at benefit@thornhillschool.org.

✨Bonus! You can also buy a spot at one of our teacher- or parent-hosted parties—a fun way to connect with the Thornhill community and all proceeds go directly to the school!

Vinyasa Yoga Class - Saturday, March 1 *Adults Only*

Family Capoeira Dance Class - Saturday, March 22

2nd-5th Grade Bingo Party! - Thursday, March 25

Let’s Play at Bay Play! - Friday, April 11

TK/K Romp! - Saturday, April 12 *Drop off party*

• Mrs. Steimle’s Class
• Ms. Finnell’s Class
• Ms. Harder’s Class
• Ms. AJ’s Class

Peace of Pizza in the House of Art - *SOLD OUT*

Books & Bubbles - Friday, April 18 *Adults Only*

Adult Trivia Night - Saturday, April 25

TK-1st Grade Parents' Dinner and Game Night - Friday, May 2 *Adults Only*

Pedi Party - Thursday, May 8 *Adults Only*

First Grade Sundaes in the Park! - Friday, May 9

Pancakes & PJ’s with Ms. Gustafson - Saturday, May 3 *Drop off party*

What to Expect

Led by the brilliant Dr. Akilah Cadet, this workshop will be engaging, interactive, and empowering. You'll leave with:

✅ A better understanding of microaggressions—what they are, how they show up, and what to do about them.
✅ Strategies for meaningful conversations with kids, friends, and colleagues.
✅ Tools to build a more inclusive community at Thornhill and beyond.
✅ A chance to connect with other parents who are also navigating these topics.

Feeling Hesitant? That’s OK!

If the topic makes you nervous, you're not alone. But real change happens when we’re willing to step into discomfort. Bring a friend, bring an open mind, and let’s figure this out together.

RSVP Today!

We’ve made it even easier to RSVP—just fill out this Google Form to sign up. Childcare and light bites included. Already RSVP’d through Konstella? You’re all set!

We need you to show up—because this work, this conversation, and our community can’t move forward without you. Let’s make this event ripple out in a positive, powerful way.

📅 Wednesday, February 26 | 🕘 9:00 AM

📍 Thornhill Elementary, Multipurpose Room

Join us as our talented students from TK through 5th grade take the stage to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans through music, storytelling, and more. You’re sure to shed a tear (or more!) as young voices uplift us, honoring the resilience and impact of Black history. Don’t miss this heartwarming celebration of learning and community!

A clean campus provides a positive learning space and environmental stewardship. It is everyone's responsibility to keep it clean. In fact, Green Team volunteers have been cleaning the school grounds for years. Yet, trash on the ground has remained pervasive despite the presence of trash bins in several key areas of the outdoor campus.

Join the Trash Patrol and keep the school clean!

Let’s adopt better habits to keep trash off the ground and into its appropriate bins.

Remind your student to be mindful of their trash when they eat snacks outdoors.

Join the Trash Patrol! It takes only 10-15 minutes to pick up trash and lost clothing on the ground and it makes a huge difference. Volunteer once a week at drop off or pickup or any other convenient time. We have trash pickers and bags available. Register here.

Thank you,

Thornhill’s Sustainability and School Beautification Team

Last Friday morning trash at Thornhill Elementary play area

Van Gogh added “As daffodils bloom, so does the canvas of life, painting the landscape with the hues of fresh starts.”

Indeed, spring brings a fresh start and lovely daffodils that recently opened on the green area along the school gate, streetside. This area is maintained by the Green Team for everyone's enjoyment. Please don't pick the daffodils! We've seen kids and adults pick them and sometimes leave them freshly cut on the ground. Let's be respectful of the environment and let the flowers grow.

Thank you!

Thornhill’s Sustainability and School Beautification Team

We’re excited to announce that Thornhill Elementary is partnering with the Oakland Roots through their Champion Fundraising Program for the 2025 season at the iconic Oakland Coliseum! This initiative helps support local schools, nonprofits, and youth sports clubs while promoting the positive impact of professional sports in the East Bay.

With every ticket purchased using our special promo code, Thornhill earns 20% of the ticket sales revenue (excluding fees). Whether you're a passionate soccer fan or just looking for a fun family outing, this is a fantastic way to cheer on the Oakland Roots while giving back to our school!

The Oakland Roots' 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with an away match against Orange County SC. Their first home game is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM, where they will host San Antonio FC at the historic Oakland Coliseum.

For a complete schedule of the 2025 season and to purchase tickets, visit Thornhill’s unique link: oaklandrootssc.com/fundraiser
Use promo code: THORNHILLROOTS (case-sensitive)

ShopRaise Partnership
We’re also excited to introduce our new partnership with ShopRaise this year! Whether you're buying daily essentials like groceries, shopping for home office furniture, or booking your next trip, the ShopRaise app allows you to raise funds for Thornhill Elementary while you shop online—all at no extra cost to you. Now, your everyday shopping can directly support our school. Click the link here to learn more and download the app.

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. We all have plenty of other things to do, but please try to read it weekly, as it will more than likely answer most questions you have about what’s up at school. Information about how to submit to the newsletter is below, but you can reach out to us at any time at newsletter@thornhillschool.org.

Email submissions to our Newsletter Chair, Annie Sartor, 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 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, PFC co-Presidents Becky Gonzales and Catrina Vrankovich, VP of Communications Jill Evans, and Principal Steve Daubenspeck, member of Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).