This week we welcome you to our final Family Expedition Newsletter with a heartwarming video of the Thornton Creek experience.

NOTE: Gmail may clip the content of this newsletter. View the full version on the web HERE.

Who else was wildly impressed by your kid's teacher at the student-led conferences a few weeks back?

I know I was not the only parent to clearly see the dedication, the patience, the kindness, the creativity, the space held for big emotions and the pure passion for helping students thrive in and out of the classroom. There are no two ways about it. Our teachers are wizards!

We're excited to share this short film TCPG made to show families what a day at Thornton Creek is like, highlighting Expeditionary Learning. Enjoy!

Check out Skimmy's progress below on our map. To date, we have raised over $70,000 and are 40% toward our goal! We need your help to get us the rest of the way there!

I hope you can hear us shouting THANK YOU from the rooftops!

We love Thornton Creek Elementary! Our teachers, students and community inspire daily. Our Annual Appeal fundraiser provides additional resources for our school in order to offer our alternative educational model, Expeditionary Learning, which differs from our neighborhood schools. I hope you will consider making a donation. Contributions of any size matter and make a difference. This year, we have a goal to raise $175,000 in support of TC. An average gift of $425 per student would allow us to reach our goal. Ultimately, we measure our success through participation and are grateful for each and every gift.

Visit www.thorntoncreekparentgroup.org/fundraising to learn more.

Dragonflies are a part of cultures around the world, and their cultural significance varies enormously. Here in Seattle, you don't have to look too hard before finding dragonflies integrated into jewelry, logos and even tattoos, all of which suggest a positive association with the Odonate species. Both Chinese and Japanese cultures have traditionally revered the insect. Japan was even called the Island of the Dragonfly, or Akitsushima. Many Native American tribes such as the Hopi and Pueblo have associated them with healing and transformation, and the act of killing a dragonfly was highly taboo.

However, not all cultures looked so fondly on dragonflies - just look at the names they gave them. In Latin America, they may be called caballito del diablo, or little horse of the devil. The literal translation of the Norwegian term for dragonfly, Oyenstikker, is "eye poker". One English pejorative nickname is "Devil's darning needle" that according to old fables would sew the mouths of naughty children shut while they slept!

Whether held in high esteem or cast as the villain in folklore, the dragonfly certainly leaves a strong impression.

Dragonfly two-and-a-half dollar coin of Dutch Island of Sint Euestatius in the Caribbean (Paulson, Dragonflies & Damselflies, p. 166)

Keep those dragonflies coming! Thanks to all the creations we've received thus far, our swarm is coming together beautifully. Each dragonfly is beautiful and unique, just like you! No need to use a template - create your own and turn it in. Once we have enough, we'll be able to put together the art installation for our whole community to enjoy.

Can you turn in more than one? Absolutely! The collection box is on Sarah's desk in the front office. We'll also have a table at Tuesday's book swap and TC Community Social with all the crafting materials for anyone who wants to add more to our collective art piece!

Keep bringing in your colorful dragonflies for the TC art installation!

Gift yourself, your friends and your colleagues a bottle of delicious hard cider for the holidays and support your school all in one tasty sip!

Local cider shop Press Then Press has extended an incredible offer for TC families. They have over 300 different ciders to choose from, deliver locally and are donating a portion of the profits to TCPG Annual Appeal from all sales made with the checkout code: TCPG. This generous opportunity lasts through the end of the year! If you need any cider recommendations, they love to chat cider and you can email them at main@pressthenpress.com

Employer Matching is an easy way to double your contribution! Please check with your employer to see if they offer matching funds for charitable donations.

Tax ID Number: 501-C- 91-1037596

UW and other WA State Employees! The combined fund drive is a great way to maximize your giving for TCPG. UW employee forms here.

Microsoft offers 100% match for employees donations to TCPG.

Share with your community! Friends, family and neighbors are often eager to help support your school. If you are unsure what to say, we've got you covered. The following template is yours to copy, paste and make your own.

Visit www.thorntoncreekparentgroup.org/fundraising to donate and learn more.

Have you donated? Thank you! We'd love to hear why giving to TCPG matters to you! Send us your thoughts at: fundraising@thorntoncreekparentgroup.org