Family Events

TC PTA hosts family-friendly events throughout the school year. These events are open to all community members, and center issues surrounding racial equity, social justice and environmental justice. To stay up to date on our family-focused events, we invite you to subscribe to our mailing list.

Winter 2023 - Focus on Advocacy Day

Monday, February 20, 2023, 9am-3pm

Thornton Creek PTA invites you to participate in "Focus on Advocacy Day" on February 20, 2023, in person at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. The event runs from 9am-3pm, and is organized by the Washington State PTA. It is an opportunity for families to advocate for children and schools with their legislators. TC PTA reps have an appointment scheduled to meet with Senator Javier Valdez, and have requested appointments with Representatives Gerry Pollet and Darya Farivar. There will also be speakers and opportunities to tour the capitol.

Interested in attending or have any questions about the event? Email TC PTA Inclusion Co-Chair, Amy Moses-Lagos at specialed@tc-pta.org

For event info and free tickets click here: WSPTA Focus on Advocacy Day

To hear more about advocacy opportunities sign up here: TC PTA Advocacy Team

winter 2023 - BLM at School + Lunar New Year Community Social

Monday, January 30, 2023, 6-7:30pm at Thornton Creek

Join TC PTA for a drop-in Community Social event to celebrate the kick-off of Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action + Lunar New Year. This event is designed for caregivers to attend and participate with their students. 

We will have a variety of stations to engage families including: 

Do you have questions or would like to volunteer to help out at this event? Please get in touch with TC PTA Board Members: hello@tc-pta.org  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Black Lives Matter at School - 13 Principles Posters on yellow Bulletin Board, Thornton Creek Elementary, January 2020

Black Lives Matter at School - 13 Principles Posters Bulletin Board, Thornton Creek Elementary, January 2020

2023 Seattle MLK Jr March - PTA Meetup

Monday, January 16th, 12pm meetup for 12:30pm March
Garfield Community Center Playground, 537 25th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
RSVP + More Info Here

What's Happening? 

Meet up with families from local Elementary School PTA's for the 40th Annual MLK Jr March hosted by the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition to honor the life, legacy, and unfinished work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr!

When and Where? 

Gather on Monday, Jan 16th at Noon at the Garfield Community Center playground on Cherry Street just east of 23rd (537 25th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122) - Look for YELLOW balloons! After handing out balloons we will join the 12:30pm march starting at Garfield High School. You can march the whole way (about 2 miles) and join the rally at the end or peel off at any point. More details can be found here: www.seattlemlkcoalition.org

How Do I Get There and What Should I Bring?

Consider public transportation such as taking Light Rail to UW, and catching the 48 bus to the Cherry Street exit. Bring ORCA cards or cash - Kids ride light rail and metro buses for FREE. Dress for the weather and bring snacks, water, strollers, signs and fun noise makers (drums, bells, etc).

COVID-19 Precautions

We understand that every family makes health and safety choices based on their own specific family needs. This is an outdoor event where large crowds will be gathered, and the organizers encourage participants to wear a mask. Please do not participate in community events if you feel ill, have active respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, fever (or other symptoms of COVID-19), or have recently been exposed to a close contact with documented COVID-19.

Questions? 

If you have questions before or day-of the march contact Thornton Creek PTA, hello@tc-pta.org 

RSVP by Saturday, 1/14/23 

We hope to provide a YELLOW balloon for every child marching with our group so we can stay together and find each other in the crowd. PLEASE fill out this form by Saturday, Jan 14th so we know how many balloons to bring to the March.

FALL 2022 - TC Community playdate

Sat, Oct 8, 10am - 12pm, TC Playground

This year, TC PTA and TCPG are partnering up to host Community Playdates on the TC Playground. Gather with familiar friends and meet some new ones! We will provide name tags, a few snacks, music, and some activities for families to engage in - including a chalk mural and a small craft.

TC PTA’s Latinx Families Group will host a table for caregivers to sign up for new or existing affinity groups (Latinx Families, Families of Color, and Families of Students Receiving Special Education Services). In past years, these groups have met for potlucks, playdates, and/or zoom listening sessions. Here’s a message from TC PTA Latinx Affinity Group Lead Ruth Martin Losada…

Hola familias! Desde el grupo de Familias Latinas nos queremos enfocar en crear una  comunidad donde los niños y las familias puedan compartir experiencias, tradiciones, un lenguaje en común y pasarlo bien! Un lugar seguro para apoyar a familias que quieran que sus hijos crezcan aprendiendo y usando el idioma español. Nuestra primera reunión será el Sábado 8 de Octubre a las 10am - 12pm en Thornton Creek Playground. Esperamos veros allí a todos. Si se puede!

Cualquier pregunta contactar a Ruth Martin Losada: latinx@tc-pta.org

Hello TC families! From our Latinx Families group, we want to focus on creating a community where kids and families can share experiences, traditions, common language and have fun! This is a safe group intended to support families who want their kids to grow up using and learning Spanish. Our first meet up will be Saturday, October 8th at 10am - 12pm at Thornton Creek Playground. We hope to see you all there!

If you have questions, please contact Ruth Martin Losada: latinx@tc-pta.org  community members!

Spring 2022 - TC PTA Day of Service

Sat, April 2, 11am - 3pm, YES Farm, 715 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98104
Hosted by: Black Farmers Collective
In honor of the 125th anniversary of PTA, we are gathering for a Family Day of Service! Join with the TC community to support the work of Black Farmers Collective at their Community YES Farm on Saturday, April 2nd. Come for an hour or two, or plan for the whole day! Be prepared to get muddy and bring your own work gloves and mask if you have them. Black Farmers Collective does have extra gloves and masks as needed, and will have a QR code for volunteer check-in and out. Hope to see you out there!

Please Note: We are aware that this event falls on the first day of Ramadan, and apologize for this scheduling conflict. Black Farmers Collective supports a volunteer day at the YES Farm weekly on Saturdays from 10am-3pm. If you would like us to set up an additional TC community service opportunity at this location, please let us know (email: hello@tc-pta.org). We want to be supportive of our Muslim community members!

Yellow square with arm raised holding a shovel
Teal Square with drawing of hands holding up a sign with vegetables and print that reads "Justice"
Orange square with a brown box with a hear and the word "Donations". Hand above the box dropping a heart into the box.

Winter 2022 - BLM at School + Lunar new Year Play date

Sat, Feb 5, 11am - 2pm, Thornton Creek Playground
Hosted by: Thornton Creek PTA

Gather together with TC families to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the important work around Black Lives Matter at School our students engaged in this week!  We will have music playing and sidewalk chalk along with a couple tables set up with BLM at School and Lunar New Year giveaways. We will provide hand sanitizer and follow SPS district policy asking all students, staff and visitors to mask on school property. 

Important Notes:

Seattle Public Schools: Masks and COVID-19 mitigation

One of the best defenses against COVID-19 is the correct and consistent wearing of face coverings or masks. All staff, students, and visitors are required to wear a mask when on SPS property or events.

Families of students with a medical condition, mental health condition, developmental or cognitive condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering may request an exemption. Read more about the district mask guidance.

Winter 2022 - Family Civic Engagement Night

Family Civic Engagement Night - Learning about SPS Levies

Thurs, Jan 20, 2022, 6:30-7:30pm
Hosted by: Thornton Creek PTA, Thornton Creek Parent Group + View Ridge PTA
Zoom Link  /  Meeting ID: 890 0344 4827  /  Passcode: 312104

Seattle Public Schools will be asking voters to renew two critical levies on the February 8, 2022 ballot. Gather with TC PTA, TCPG and View Ridge PTA for an evening of family engagement to learn about how school funding works and what these levies mean for our students, families, staff, and schools. We will start the night with a family read-aloud, followed by a presentation and Q&A with SPS Assistant Superintendent of Business & Finance Jolynn Berge. The presentation will provide an overview of the Educational Programs & Operations Levy and the Building, Technology, Academics/Athletics Levy.

Links:
Seattle Schools 2022 Levies - SPS Resource
Schools First Poster - Advocates for Seattle Schools Levy Funding

Fall 2021 - Film Screening + q&A

There Is No Planet B - Documentary Film + Q&A Panel
Fri, Sept 17, 6:30-8pm - via Zoom

Note: Recording and resources from this event can be found here

TC PTA is proud to host a screening of the 2020 locally-made documentary There Is No Planet B (45 min) followed by a Q&A panel. We will view the film together, then gather virtually to discuss what Environmental Justice is, and how families and students can take action locally and beyond.

Climate change is not only an issue of the environment; it is also an issue of justice and human rights. People of color and low-income communities are less responsible for climate change yet bear disproportionate risk.
- Saleem Chapman, EPA Climate Change Outreach Roundtable

Our panelists include:

There Is No Planet B explores the efforts of young people in Seattle to inform citizens about the threats of climate change and actions needed to reduce these threats. They show how key solutions could effectively reduce greenhouse gases on a global scale and also provide examples of their involvement in the implementation of these practical solutions in the Pacific Northwest. The film features several Seattle based climate activists who have been successful in motivating the involvement of young people in the climate movement, including Jamie Margolin, the co-founder of Zero Hour.

View the film trailer here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thereisnoplanetb

Please Note: The film contains footage of recent climate events including fires and flooding that may be unsettling to a younger audience. For this reason, we leave it up to each family to determine whether this film is appropriate to view with your child(ren).

As public health guidance allows, TC PTA will organize community outings for families with PreK - 5th grade students to engage with local climate action work. Stay informed by subscribing to the TC PTA newsletter: www.tc-pta.org/news

Color photograph of coastline with waves breaking, black title text overlaid, "There In No Planet B, Dos Dingos Production"

Summer 2021 - Picnic, Play and Popsicles in the Park

This summer, we will gather in community at local parks near Thornton Creek one evening each month to connect with families, share the work of TC PTA, and enjoy the long evenings of the season. You provide your own picnic, we'll provide popsicles, and hopefully, Seattle Summer will provide the sunshine! If you have any questions, please reach out to us at hello@tc-pta.org

Please Note: We understand that every family makes health and safety choices based on their own specific family needs. During these outdoor play date gatherings, we follow the Play Area Public Health Guidelines provided by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Leading up to each event, we will continue to monitor local Covid-19 transmission rates, and review how the City of Seattle asks public park visitors to interact. As necessary, we are prepared postpone or cancel events as recommended.

We Are Family - Rainbow colors coming from white letters on a pink background.

Jun 30, 2021, 5:30-7:30pm - Family PRIDE Celebration
Location: Matthews Beach Park

Join us to celebrate summer time and show our Family PRIDE. Bring a blanket, a picnic and we will provide the popsicles! Wear bright colors and join us for a mini family parade around the park!

Jul 28, 2021, 5:30-7:30pm at Magnuson Park Playground
Aug 25, 2021, 5:30-7:30pm at Dahl Playfield Playground CANCELLED

Fall 2020 - Family Fold-In for MIgrant Rights

Support Tsuru for Solidarity by folding cranes with your Thornton Creek Elementary community. We'll be learning about the work of Tsuru for Solidarity and how the history of internment camps in this country connects to current events. We'll also have a crane folding tutorial and fold origami paper cranes to support Tsuru for Solidarity's goal to fold 525,000 cranes to represent 125,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans held in detention during WWII and the 400,000 migrants that are incarcerated in the US every year.

This is a kid friendly event. Younger children may need help folding while older kids may be able to attend independently. We encourage community members of all ages to join us. Origami paper available upon request.

illustration of origami crane folding, illustrated by Lauren Sumida

image credit: Lauren Sumida