Community Listening sessions
TC PTA wants to hear from you! During the pandemic concerns we will host virtual gatherings to engage in group discussions around difficult topics. These conversations help us grow stronger as individuals and support each other in community.
TC Parent + Caregiver Listening Sessions - Spring 2022
Parent Leaders would like to invite members of our community to join us at a series of small group listening sessions for caregivers. This will be an opportunity to share your input about cultivating a Welcoming Environment at Thornton Creek, School Values & Mission. Each of these meetings is designed to expand the opportunities for different families to find a foothold for belonging and participation in our intentional community.
In particular, if you are a parent of color, a parent in a multilingual family, and/or a parent whose child receives special education services, we encourage you to consider joining us to share your experience, or even to consider co-facilitating or taking notes at one of these conversations! Dr. Felder will be providing direction and training for facilitators/note-takers.
Accessibility + Privacy Note: Thornton Creek is committed to a welcoming, accessible experience. If you need support, accommodations or accessibility to join and participate in these listening sessions, please specify in your registration. Registered names and email addresses will not be used or shared outside of these listening sessions.
Training for Parent Facilitators + Notetakers with Dr. Felder
Thurs, May 12, 7-8pm via Zoom
Contact Parent Representatives to sign up to help:
Karen Foxley, TC PTA Treasurer: treasurer@tc-pta.org,
Chelsea Lin, TCPG Chair: chair@thorntoncreek.org
Michele Campbell, TC PTA Co-President: president@tc-pta.org
Facilitated Listening Sessions for Parents + Caregivers
Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) self-identified families
Wed, May 18, 7-8:30pm – Zoom: Registration Required
Families of Children with Disabilities and/or Neurodiversity
(including students who receive Special Education services)
Mon, May 23, 7-8:30pm – Zoom: Registration Required
All Families
Wed, May 25, 7-8:30 pm – Zoom: Registration Required
If you are unable to attend a listening session, we invite you to connect with a PTA board member to share your views. Please reach out so we can set up some time to talk (hello@tc-pta.org).
Unifying Parent Groups - Winter 2022
Tues, Jan 25, 2022, 6:30pm via Zoom - Register Here
Sun, Feb 6, 2022, 3-4pm via Zoom - Register Here
Principal Kischner has asked TC PTA and Site Council/TCPG leadership to consider the idea of merging parent groups at Thornton Creek. While we agree that a unified organization with an agreed upon mission, values, and goals is ideal, many of our board, founding members and regional PTA leaders have questions and concerns. We recognize that this kind of decision is one our board cannot make on it’s own; whether you are a founding member, or new to TC PTA, we invite you to join us in this important discussion. These listening session will serve as opportunities to gather feedback from our community and will center BIPOC families and families furthest from educational justice. If you are unable to attend either of these session, we invite you to connect with a PTA board member to share your views. Please reach out so we can set up some time to talk (hello@tc-pta.org).
Additionally, we created an online forum for people to post comments here: https://padlet.com/ThorntonCreekPTA/os9nivevko31mq8t
TC PTA was founded in 2018 by a group of dedicated anti-racist advocates interested in tapping into the vast resources of the local, regional, and national PTA network to advocate for equitable education across our school, district and state. We create space and opportunities for all families to feel welcome, empowered and see themselves reflected in our public school. Click here to read more about our history.
Community Listening Sessions - Spring 2021
Remote and In-Person Hybrid Learning Topics
During these 1-hour sessions, PTA board members will facilitate conversation on the designated topic, make note of families’ concerns, and follow up with our school administrators and our PTA network to offer support where possible.
If you are unable to attend these virtual listening sessions, but would like to connect, please email us with the topic of interest, and we will follow up with an outline of what was discussed. We intend to hold additional listening sessions with the community as we move through this transition. If there is another topic you would like to discuss, please let us know!
These sessions will center the voices of our BIPOC community, Special Education families, and other groups furthest from educational justice, and are open to all families.
In-Person Learning: Transportation Concerns, Childcare + Meal Support
Sat, Mar 27, 4:30-5:30pm
In-Person Learning: General Listening and Support
Sun, Mar 28, 2-3pm
Remote Learning: General Listening and Support
Sun, Mar 28, 3-4pm
The above dates will be hosted on Zoom. Please email hello@tc-pta.org for Zoom link
All TC Community members are encouraged to share your thoughts with TC PTA leadership anytime. We are available over email, via small group zoom sessions or over the phone. Email us to get the conversation started - hello@tc-pta.org
Community Listening Sessions - WINTER 2021
TC PTA is offering the following affinity group and broader community listening sessions. If you cannot attend at the times listed below, and would like to participate in a future session, please let us know what times work well for you.
Topic: Proposed SPS Return to In-Person Learning (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, SPED)
The purpose of these listening sessions is to offer a space for dialogue and sharing around this sensitive topic affecting our families and educators in different ways.
Fri, Jan 8, 8:30pm - Everybody Welcome
Sat, Jan 9, 1pm - Everybody Welcome
All the above dates will be hosted on Zoom. Please email hello@tc-pta.org for Zoom link
All TC Community members are encouraged to share your thoughts with TC PTA leadership anytime. We are available over email, via small group zoom sessions or over the phone. Email us to get the conversation started - hello@tc-pta.org
Community Listening Sessions - Fall 2020
TC PTA is offering the following affinity group and broader community listening sessions. If you cannot attend at the times listed below, and would like to participate in a future session, please let us know what times work well for you.
Topic: Response district investigation findings about racial discrimination and retaliation in our school community
Wed, Oct 28, 7-8pm - Families of Color
Mon, Nov 2, 7-8pm - Special Education Families
Fri, Nov 6, 4-5pm - Everybody Welcome
Tues, Nov 17, 7-8pm - Everybody Welcome
Fri, Dec 4, 4-5pm - Everybody Welcome
Mon, Dec 14, 7-8pm - Everybody Welcome
All the above dates will be hosted on Zoom. Please email hello@tc-pta.org for Zoom link
All TC Community members are encouraged to share your thoughts with TC PTA leadership anytime. We are available over email, via small group zoom sessions or over the phone. Email us to get the conversation started - hello@tc-pta.org