Family Newsletter Archive
Archived Family Newsletters
December 2022
Croyle’s Corner
As we enter our fourth and shortest month of the school year, Thorndyke Staff remains focused on high achievements and rigorous instruction for all our scholars. Looking ahead, we will be starting our winter i-Ready diagnostic in the coming weeks. It is important that we begin having those conversations with our scholars regarding the importance of taking their time on math and reading assessments and trying their best. We are excited to see how their hard work and dedication will show in the achievement of their student growth goals! While we want to make sure that every student is present every day, cold and flu season is upon us. It is important that, if someone is sick, they stay home. Indicators of illness include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, cough, chest congestion and/or running nose. When symptoms are subsiding, including fever free without medication for 24 hours, then your scholar may return to school. We greatly appreciate your help and support in creating a healthy environment for all our scholars!
In the spirit of this holiday season, I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to all of you for everything you do to support our Thorndyke Community. As the upcoming holiday season is upon us, it is my sincere wish for good health and well being to all of you. It is also during this time that I am reminded of my own good fortune to serve as the principal of Thorndyke Elementary School. Indeed, my career as a public school educator and servant has afforded me rewarding opportunities to teach and to learn from our scholars everyday.
Respectfully,
Michael Croyle
To make an appointment with Mr. Croyle, please call (206) 901-7602
Winter Sing-Along
Friday, December 16, 2:35 p.m. in the Thorndyke Cafeteria
Communities in Schools
Communities in Schools is having a food drive! Boxes are in the entryway of the school. Bags will be assembled for families in need. Please consider donating non-perishables to this worthy cause!
Staff Spotlights
Specialist Team
We want to celebrate our specialist team: Kyla Crawford (Teacher Librarian), Morgan Music (Music), Kim Norris (STEAM) and Courtney Martinez (PE)! They deliver instruction to all of Thorndyke's students in the areas of Library, Music, STEAM, and P.E. Kyla is a mom of 3 and has been in the TSD for about 12 years! She loves dancing, singing, writing poetry, and making jewelry. Morgan is a mom of 2 and is in her 6th year in the TSD. She loves playing her alto saxophone, listening to music and going outside. Kim has been in the TSD for 32 years! She has 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren. She loves reading, camping, and the ocean. She also plays guitar and the ukulele! Courtney is a mom of 2 and she has been in the TSD for about 9 years; 8 of which were at Thorndyke! She loves to spend time with her family and her 3 dogs.
Food Service Team
We also want to celebrate our amazing Food Service staff: Loi, Rajwinder, Kiet and Lidia! Loi has been with the TSD since 2019 and is our kitchen lead! Rajwinder has been with the TSD also since 2019 and has a daughter that attends Thorndyke! Kiet has been with the TSD for the past 2 years and always has a warm smile for everyone. Lidia is new to TSD, but has 4 children who all attend schools in our district! Next time you see one of these amazing staff members, give a smile and a wave!
Enrollment Event - In Memory of Lisa Pie
Public Health of King County is holding their annual enrollment event in memory of Lisa Pie on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Foster High School. They will be providing health insurance enrollment, ORCA Lift enrollments, COVID vaccines, giving away Rite Aid flu vouchers, frozen chicken (and other meat), mammogram screening and free lunch.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run completed their 5K race! A huge shoutout to all of the participants and coaches for all of their hard work this season!
Vaccine Clinic
Join the Thorndyke PTA (Parent/Teacher Association)
More information can be found on their website: thorndykepta.com
Who to Call
Attendance - (206) 901-7603
Bus Information - (206) 901-8050
Champions - (800) 246-2154
Popcorn Fridays
Every Friday! Bags are $.50 each
School Opportunities
- Intramural Sports
https://www.tukwilaschools.org/departments/athletics/elementary-sports - Champions After School Program
- Team Read
Please ask your student's teacher for more information
November 2022
October Highlights
Math & Reading Night
Thanks to all of our families for coming out to Math and Reading Night! It was a huge success and fun was had by all! We loved connecting with families and sharing our love for Math and Reading! Families left with many new books, fun and impactful Math and Reading games to do with their children and much much more!
Air Force: Careers in Aviation
We are so fortunate to have visitors from the US Air Force come to visit. They presented information to our 4th and 5th Grade classes about careers in aviation. Students then got a chance to use the flight simulator!
Croyle’s Corner
We have had a busy and successful second month of school. I was so happy to see so many of our families last month during our Math and Reading Night! These events are created to help build those connections and reinforce how we are all partners in the learning of our scholars. I also want to celebrate our successful participation in "The Great Shake Out". The Great Shake Out is a nationwide practice of earthquake safety. It happened on 10/20/22 at 10:20 AM. Students were able to practice how to keep themselves safe, in the event of this type of natural incident. All our scholars did such a fantastic job practicing this in a safe and serious manner. As we transition into our third month of school, I look forward to having everyone in the building again for Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conversations help to highlight our scholars' brilliance and also refine our growth mindsets about areas of improvement.
Respectfully,
Michael Croyle
To make an appointment with Mr. Croyle, please call (206) 901-7602
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences are coming soon. They are on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Please contact your child's teacher to schedule a conference or look for an invitation coming home with your child.
To find teacher's contact information, please see Thorndyke's staff directory: https://thorndyke.tukwilaschools.org/about/staff-directory
Staff Spotlight
New teachers - Kristy Pham (2nd grade), Jenny Le (4th grade), and Dita Ellermeier (4th grade)
Kristy grew up in Tukwila (attending Tukwila School District schools). She has 2 dogs and loves K-Pop! Jenny has 2 Corgi's (Mako & Luna) and is from the Tacoma area. She loves reality TV shows and math! Dita has been a guest teacher at Showalter for the past 6 years! She loves cooking, sewing and is working on her Master's degree in Middle Level Science!
We also are recognizing our AMAZING custodial staff, Theresa Cassel and Artis Martin.
Theresa is lovingly referred to by all our students as "Ms. SpongeBob". What no one knows is that she also loves Hello Kitty! She has worked for the Tukwila School District for 33 years, first at Foster, then Showalter, and lastly here at Thorndyke. She has a 34 year old son and two step-daughters that she is very proud of. She also has a cat Mia and a dog Boomer that was found abandoned at Thorndyke many years ago. She was born in Maryland.
Artis has worked in the Tukwila School District for 11 years. He has been actively involved in community service this past year in his spare time. He enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Proposed Revisions to Director Districts Public Hearing
Because of population changes reflected on the 2020 census, Tukwila Schools are proposing changes to the geographic boundaries of our director districts.
These boundaries are completely unrelated to school attendance boundaries; this process will not change any neighborhood school boundaries.
A public hearing on this proposal will be held on Monday, November 7 from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. virtually and in-person | Tukwila School District Administration Building, 4640 S. 144th St | Zoom link
Click here for more information, including the proposed changes.
Vaccine Clinic
Join the Thorndyke PTA (Parent/Teacher Association)
More information can be found on their website: thorndykepta.com
Who to Call
Attendance - (206) 901-7603
Bus Information - (206) 901-8050
Champions - (800) 246-2154
School Opportunities
- Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund
Apply by November 14, 2022 and you could get at least $1000; you can apply if you're over 18, are not eligible for federal stimulus funds or unemployment due to your immigration status, and you've experienced difficult times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's safe to apply - no information goes to the government.
Apply here - Intramural Sports
https://www.tukwilaschools.org/departments/athletics/elementary-sports - Champions After School Program
- Team Read
Please ask your student's teacher for more information
Coming Soon!
- Popcorn Fridays - Every Friday! Bags are $.50 each
- Scholastic Book Fair - November 1st 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Scholastic Book Fair - November 2nd-4th 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Student of the Month Assembly - November 18th @ 2:15 PM
October 2022
Croyle’s Corner
Please welcome Mr. Michael Croyle, Thorndyke's New Principal
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. We are already off to a great start to get things in place to support academic and social emotional learning for our scholars at every grade level. Our primary focus is to increase our overall academic achievement school wide. I am looking forward to an enriching school year ahead for all of our students and building stronger home-to-school connections with all of you.
Respectfully,
Michael Croyle
To make an appointment with Mr. Croyle, please call (206) 901-7602
Join the Thorndyke PTA (Parent/Teacher Association)
More information can be found on their website: thorndykepta.com
Who to Call
Attendance - (206) 901-7603
Bus Information - (206) 901-8050
Champions - (800) 246-2154
School Opportunities
- Girls on the Run-Register here: https://www.gotrpugetsound.org/programs **USE CODE FALL 2022 for free registration
- Champions After School Program
- Team Read ***Please ask your student's teacher for more information
Staff Spotlight: Jen Trise and Janell Lewis
We would like to welcome our new office staff! Office manager, Jen Trise, and secretary, Janell Lewis! Jen has worked with children and their education for the last 15 years. She loves children and baking. She has two children of her own and a lovely dog named Charlie. Janell grew up in Tukwila and attended Tukwila School District schools as a child. She loves reading and true crime stories. She previously worked at the Tukwila Community Center and has many ties in our greater Tukwila community! She has one child who attends FHS. Stop by and say "Hi" to welcome our new office staff!
Mascot Update
Under our new leadership, the mascot committee continues the work that was started for identifying a new mascot during the 2021-2022 school year. There is research being done in conjunction with the Duwamish tribe, parents, community leadership and current/former Thorndyke staff and students. We will communicate to all when new information becomes available.
Coming Soon!
- Popcorn Fridays - Every Friday! Bags are $.50 each
- Reading & Math Night - October 20th
- PTA Meeting - October 17th in Thorndyke Cafeteria
- Student of the Month Assembly - October 28th
- PTA Fall Bash - October 28th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM