Patricia Polacco is Visiting Thornhill!

Beloved children’s author Patricia Polacco will visit Thornhill on Thursday, October 5th, from 1:15 - 2:15 pm courtesy of OUSD Library Services and Barnes & Noble! Ms. Polacco is a gifted storyteller, and many of her stories take place in Oakland and Berkeley. Her latest title, Remembering Vera, is no exception.

In 1962, a stray dog was found under a pile of boxes in a Coast Guard warehouse in what used to be called Government Island, the Coast Guard Base in San Francisco Bay, when a seaman named Dave Bunch was mopping the floor. It was love at first sight. At first the men decided to hide the pup from the Commander, thinking she wouldn’t be allowed. But soon enough all of the men in the barracks fell hard for the little dog. Then one day when high waves challenged another vessel at sea, it was Vera’s fierce determination and natural swimming ability that brought the life preserver and safety line to the sinking boat. Vera became a hero and the beloved pet and mascot of the San Francisco Coast Guard. ~From the publisher.

Part of Ms. Polacco's visit is set aside to sign purchased copies of Remembering Vera. If you would like to purchase her latest title, please complete this pre-order form and have your student bring it to school with cash or check on Thursday, October 5th. Please read the form for important details.

Bruce's Big Move - Ryan T. Higgins

Ryan T. Higgins will appear courtesy of Mrs. Dalloway's at the Elmwood Theater this Sunday, October 1, at 11 am! He will present his latest title in the Bruce series, Bruce's Big Move. You won't want to miss it! Recommended for ages 3-7, but all ages welcome. Use this link to RSVP for this fun and free event.

Library Kahoot!

This week, the 5th Graders played a library skills review game with Kahoot! The students worked in pairs to answer questions and earn points for correct answers. The team with the most points won scratch-and-sniff bookmarks! The students had so much fun playing Kahoot! while refreshing their recall of library skills, and I could assess which library skills we need to boost. I can't wait to use this online learning platform again in the library!

5th Graders Ready for the Kahoot! Challenge

Library Skills Kahoot!

Have a Great Summer

Have a great Summer Thunderbirds! Be sure to sign up for the Oakland Public Library Summer Reading Program. It won't be long until I see you in August. Make the most of your wonderful break!

Read-a-thon a Great Success!

Thanks to the students, staff, and parents that made our Read-a-thon so successful! We raised more than $24,000 in pledges alone. Way to go Thornhill!

Some highlights: The benchmark challenges that our amazing staff met. Who knew that Ms. Novak could walk on her hands across the multipurpose room? The amazing work parents did to get the sponsors for your students. And last but not least, the culture of reading at Thornhill that was brought to new levels with this event!

Read-a-thon in Full Swing!

So far, Thornhill has raised more than $16,000 with the Read-a-thon! Way to go Thunderbirds. Our goal is $25,000 and we have one more week to go. I think we can, I think we can. . . !

Pajama Nite Read-In

Ms. Gustafson getting a pie in the face!

Ms. Forbes doing the ice bucket challenge!

Author Visit with Tania Del Rio

We're are looking forward to Tania Del Rio's visit on Monday, March 27th at 10:45 am! Print out this flyer for more about her book series, Warren the 13th, and to buy books at the event.