Sample inscriptions for bricks

There are so many different ways to leave a lasting memory at Thornhill. It may be a tribute to the best teacher you ever had or a friend you miss, but remember your friendship throughout the years at school.

Here are some suggestions for inscriptions.

If you click on the text to the left, the image will enlarge so you can print.

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Order Form for Engraved Bricks

Just click on the image and print the form. We welcome you to take part in this wonderful gift to Thornhill School and to come back and visit with your children and their children for many years to come. Along side the form are sample inscriptions.

If you wish to send in a contribution to the Memory Lane program, please print out the PDF form below, complete and mail to:

Memory Lane Program 2008
Thornhill Elementary School
5880 Thornhill Drive
Oakland, CA 94611

Please email 50th@thornhillschool.org if you would like to be invoiced to pay by credit card.
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Memory Lane Program 2008 - engraved bricks

Memory Lane Program 2008 - Paving the Way for Thornhill Students

To commemorate Thornhill School’s 50th year we are offering a unique opportunity to support the school and leave a lasting memory. For a limited period, engraved bricks are available to honor your family, loved ones, teachers or friends.

Your personalized brick will be permanently displayed in a whimsical pathway running through the newly completed outdoor classroom. The beautiful, lush outdoor classroom was part of Phase 1 improvements and enhancements by Thornhill School Volunteers.
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Creature Feature at Thornhill - Friday, Oct 24th 2008

This week our very own Mr Rob Wilkins will host a Creature Feature show at Thornhill school on Friday at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to Thornhill. There will be snacks, popcorn and drinks available, as well as a raffle. Be sure to come and join in the fun. Wear you Halloween costume and bring a Jack-O-Lantern to light up the night. Contact: 50th@thornhillschool.org to let us know if you and your family are coming.
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Creature Feature - Bob Wilkins

Image from http://www.bobwilkins.net/

Did you grow up in the Bay Area? If you did you probably remember 'Creature Feature' and stayed up late every Saturday Night glued to the TV. Bob Wilkins hosted the show and is the father of our 5th grade teacher, Mr Rob Wilkins. The show was a huge success and I know there are parents at the school who got to visit the studio and go on the show!

"Don't stay up late, it's not worth it," Bob Wilkins warned as he leaned back in his yellow rocking chair, smoke wafting from his big cigar. But monster movie fans in Northern California stayed up with him, every Saturday Night . Creature Features made it's debut on Channel 2 (KTVU) in 1971, and was an immediate success with it's grade- Z horror films and Bob's dry sense of humor.

Many of the films were pretty good, and his guests were even better: Ray Harryhausen, Christopher Lee, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, John Landis, William Marshall, Forest J Ackerman and . . . well, too many to list. You never knew who (or what) you'd see next on Creature Features. There was an endless parade of the weird: People who claimed to be witches and martians, inventors who built robots, a woman who knitted a sweater for King Kong, local filmmakers who showed bizzare TV commercial take-offs. Once, Bob received a phone call from a man claiming to be a vampire. When he asked if he could be a guest, Bob said "Sure, can you come down to the studio at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon?" When the caller said yes, he could, Bob replied, "If you're a vampire, how is it you can be there at 2 p.m.?" There was a pause, then 'click'. The vampire hung up.

These quotes and more can be found at: http://www.bobwilkins.net/
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Sally Wilkins - a very active Thornhill volunteer and mom

(From left) Connie Schroepfer, Eileen Ingenthron and Sally Wilkins.

All former Thornhill parents and very involved in the PFC.

Sally Wilkins is the mother of two children, Rob and Nancy, who both attended Thornhill elementary school in the 1970’s. Yes, her son is our very own Mr. Wilkins, 5th grade teacher extraordinaire!

During the years Rob and Nancy attended Thornhill, it was not uncommon to see Sally on the campus, busy making plans to improve the school and organizing for the PFC. “I was there everyday,” said Sally. “I served as both chair of fundraising and president during that time.”

Sally was instrumental in the planning, purchase and installation of the Thornhill play structure. “There was just asphalt when my kids started at Thornhill,” said Sally. Wendy Brainerd and Connie Schroepfer were the lead women on the new play structure.

She was also involved in planning the first Walk-a-Thon and the first auction! As if that wasn’t enough, Sally also helped to bring the Kodaly music program to Thornhill.

“My best memory of Thornhill is when my second child (Nancy) went to the environmental living program on the C.A. THAYER sailing schooner at Hyde Street Pier” said Sally. “It was an overnight trip where the kids slept and cooked food on the schooner. They learned about team work, how to tie knots and how to raise the sails. I particularly remember Ranger Dave who the kids really loved.”

Another fun memory of the school is when her husband, Bob Wilkins, who was the host of the TV show Creature Features, brought the actors who played Darth Vader and Cp3O to the school. The kids loved it!

Sally Wilkins met lifelong friends at Thornhill Elementary. Just this past August, she attended a luncheon with old friends and teachers who she met while her kids attended the school. Sally has fond memories of Thornhill and is proud of what the school is today.

You can meet Sally during the rededication ceremony on November 12th. She looks forward to celebrating the past 50 years with the entire Thornhill community.
Kass Day - 50th Chairperson

First PFC meeting 1958

Beautiful black and white shot of one the first PFC meetings.

Random act of kindness - 1958

Montclair School donated a TV to Thornhill School so the kids could watch the KQED channel. Back in 1958 Thornhill had zero funds in the bank as they had just formed the newly established Thornhill PFC group.

PTA resolution - an independent group is formed

The Parent Faculty Club was formed as an independent group. Dr Stanford Plainfield was appointed one of the temporary officers and held the position as the 1st PFC president.

Letter to the Editor

In response to the earlier published article, the above article was published to clarify the 'togetherness' at Thornhill. One of the reasons for not forming a PTA was because it was expressed in the earlier article of 'lacking togetherness'. As you read through this piece it's clear to say one of the main reasons to form an independent group, was so both parents could attend meetings together. Formerly mothers would meet at noon - afternoon meetings and dads would meet in the evening at Dad's club. Click on the image to read the details.

PTA vs PFC - custard hit the fan! September 1958

There are 3 promient articles that were featured in the Montclarion about the parents at Thornhill rebelling against the usual formation of a PTA. After a man stood up at the first school meeting and said he would rather contribute his dues to the school, rather than a national organization - at this point the custard hit the fan! Click on the article above to read the details. The next 2 articles summerize the decisions of all the involved parties.