end-of-year stuff! - please read and respond

2 views
Skip to first unread message

Tina Shereen

unread,
May 15, 2021, 5:04:02 PM5/15/21
to TOPS
I have been gathering ideas for the 8th grade gift. This is a gift to the TOPS community from 8th grade families as our kids move on to high school. It can be funded by our class fund ($200) and any additional funds that families donate to the cause.  Below are some ideas that have been proposed:

1. A selection of pride flags ( GayPride, BLM, TransPride) that can be displayed at our school. This would not be very expensive. Each flag probably costs around $20. If we don't choose this option, it is quite possible that Friends of TOPS will fund it.

2. A foosball table - requested by Don and Eric. I don't know how much these cost, but I'm sure there is a wide price range. I imagine this gift would be enjoyed by generations of TOPS students to come.

3.  A cluster pendant light fixture (like this: 
Minerva's dad could build this. We would probably need to seek permission to install such a fixture.

Please respond with your thoughts about these options and your preference!

Also, I went ahead and put in an application with Seattle Parks and Rec for a covered picnic spot to host a graduation party either Saturday 6/12 or Saturday 6/19. I will let you know when I hear back from them. 

- Tina
Please note my new email address above and update your contacts.

Cynthia Steiner

unread,
May 16, 2021, 4:11:57 PM5/16/21
to Tina Shereen, TOPS

Hi Tina- Thank you once again for taking the lead on this!

I like all your ideas for the Class 2021 gift, especially the Fosball table. We would put a plaque on it, right?

Another idea that someone else brought up in our last Zoom meeting, that I think represents these last two incredible years the kids went thru, is to donate a collection of “Real US History” books. 

It would be great to know the Class of 2021 was part of the movement that helps bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. 

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”  -MLK

I’ve included an except below with some ideas, taken from the website:

***********************

Real US History for Elementary Students 

With elementary students, you can begin to dig a little deeper into the stories of real US History. Keep in mind, what is appropriate for a 4th grader is not appropriate for a Kindergartner. Although we want to introduce our kids to the truth, we also want it to be appropriate. The goal is to instill wonder, not fear. I tried to put the books in order of complexity, with the simplest text first. However, it’s always a good idea to preview texts before having your child dig in. Edutopia also has some great tips for teaching history in age-appropriate ways. 

Beautiful Feet’s Early American History Packs is a pack of books that teaches different aspects of history through the stories. 

The Tuttle Twins offers a series of books that present a variety of ideas about economics and civics to young kids in an age-appropriate yet thought provoking way. 

A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman by David A. Adler- The daring story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery written for elementary age students.

American Girl Books are factual but present the reality delicately.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World-chapter books about amazing women in history such as: Ada Lovelace, Madam C. J. Walker, Dr. Wangari Maathai, Junko Tabei, and Alicia Alonso.

Ground Breaking Guys: 40 Men Who Became Great by Doing Good by Stephanie True Peters (for grades 3-7)

A Young People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

Honest History Magazine is a quarterly magazine that presents factual history while encouraging kids to dig up facts and stories of their own. 

Find great resources for decolonized history. Teach you kids real US history by presenting them all sides of the story and allowing theim to draw thier own conclusions about our country's past #realhistory #blacklivesmatter #decolonization

Real US History for Middle School Students

A History of the US by Joy Hakim 

A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Rebecca Stefoff 

Stamped is recommended for ages twelve and up. There is even a free educator’s guide! Stamped from the Beginning is the preteen version if you have younger learners. 

Penguin Random House’s MarchSeries- This three book series tells of John Lewis’ lifelong battle for civil and human rights

History Smashers– fast, fun graphic novels that present the truth about historic events in engaging ways. 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie- Although this is not a history text, it gives us an inside look into a people group that is largely ignored in today’s society. 

The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong tells the story of America through 100 true tales- some of victory and some of tragedy. 



On Sat, May 15, 2021 at 2:04 PM Tina Shereen <she...@uw.edu> wrote:
I have been gathering ideas for the 8th grade gift. This is a gift to the TOPS community from 8th grade families as our kids move on to high school. It can be funded by our class fund ($200) and any additional funds that families donate to the cause.  Below are some ideas that have been proposed:

1. A selection of pride flags ( GayPride, BLM, TransPride) that can be displayed at our school. This would not be very expensive. Each flag probably costs around $20. If we don't choose this option, it is quite possible that Friends of TOPS will fund it.

2. A foosball table - requested by Don and Eric. I don't know how much these cost, but I'm sure there is a wide price range. I imagine this gift would be enjoyed by generations of TOPS students to come.

3.  A cluster pendant light fixture (like this: 
Minerva's dad could build this. We would probably need to seek permission to install such a fixture.

Please respond with your thoughts about these options and your preference!

Also, I went ahead and put in an application with Seattle Parks and Rec for a covered picnic spot to host a graduation party either Saturday 6/12 or Saturday 6/19. I will let you know when I hear back from them. 

- Tina
Please note my new email address above and update your contacts.

--
To reply only to the person who sent the message hit "Reply".
To reply to the entire group hit "Reply All" and it will go to everyone.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TOPS2021" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tops2021+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tops2021/CAPsXtJJ_hPXXoKbGKFp%2BuCq1-Y_7C4S1LbU6NXgARzG5t%3D2%2B8Q%40mail.gmail.com.

Dena Ecker

unread,
May 16, 2021, 4:53:10 PM5/16/21
to Cynthia Steiner, TOPS, Tina Shereen
I agree with Cynthia!!! Thanks so much for brainstorming these ideas. 
Dena

--
xDAEcker

John Holdcroft

unread,
May 17, 2021, 10:49:56 AM5/17/21
to Dena Ecker, Cynthia Steiner, TOPS, Tina Shereen
Holdcrofts (Leo's parents) are very happy to support whatever everyone else agrees upon.  All options would be great.  Thank you Tina.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tops2021/CAHUXon9FVSSzLhsxWoNsdwTHm62E7qYoYxQTx9GDboA3_S-WOA%40mail.gmail.com.


--
John Holdcroft

Gill Chang

unread,
May 17, 2021, 12:54:13 PM5/17/21
to Tina Shereen, TOPS
Hi Tina,

Thanks for putting this list together.

We are down for whatever the majority agrees on. Just in case you need a tide breaker, our top vote goes to the foosball table.

Gill (Aka Tetra's mom)

On Sat, May 15, 2021 at 2:04 PM Tina Shereen <she...@uw.edu> wrote:
--
To reply only to the person who sent the message hit "Reply".
To reply to the entire group hit "Reply All" and it will go to everyone.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TOPS2021" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tops2021+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tops2021/CAPsXtJJ_hPXXoKbGKFp%2BuCq1-Y_7C4S1LbU6NXgARzG5t%3D2%2B8Q%40mail.gmail.com.


--
Gill

Sean Congdon

unread,
May 17, 2021, 3:28:40 PM5/17/21
to Gill Chang, Tina Shereen, TOPS
Tina - we have to echo the thanks from everyone else. We really appreciate your efforts.

We're supportive of the Foozball table and also like the donation of books - if they could be combined, great.

However, if the majority leans differently, we're flexible.

Sean & Julie Congdon (Pen's parents)


To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tops2021/CAKO%2Bu%3DVZzBrHC8kNXOh0kR_WNdMeW90N0m%2B160R8UPu%2Btpn6zA%40mail.gmail.com.

Linda Maschhoff

unread,
May 17, 2021, 5:52:25 PM5/17/21
to Tina Shereen, TOPS
I like the  idea of the flags - I hope Friends of Tops buys them if we do Foosball. That said, Foos ball sounds good to me.
Linda, Kate's mom

On Sat, May 15, 2021 at 2:04 PM Tina Shereen <she...@uw.edu> wrote:
--
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages