This week, we’re getting to know Ms Fox, our wonderful librarian!  All grades spend time in the library once a week while grades K-5 are able to check out books.  Please take a moment to hear directly from Ms Fox below:  

Hello, my name is Marie Fox, and I am excited to begin my seventh year as the Thornhill librarian. I have lived in Oakland for the last 20 years, and my husband and I have three daughters - two Thornhill alumni, Lucy (now in 10th grade at Tech), Kaya (7th grade at Montera), and Grace (4th grade). I have a BA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my Masters in Library and Information Science from SJSU. 

The library is a unique communal space for our school where students can follow their interests and explore materials that offer windows and mirrors to their worlds. During our weekly sessions, we read and discuss books that are related to current cultural events, just for fun, or are connected to their curriculum, supporting what they are learning in their classrooms. I also coordinate author visits, collaborate with teachers, make book recommendations, offer activity centers, open the library to students during recess, and work with 5th grade library aides. 

Research has shown that schools staffed with a qualified librarian have a boost to their student achievement. I am passionate about supporting students in discovering what sparks their interest and helping to develop their critical thinking and information-gathering skills. My aim is to assure that the library is a safe space for all students to experience reading joy and support their development in becoming life-long readers and learners. 

I am very grateful to be a part of the wonderful Thornhill community of students, families, staff and readers! 

-Marie Fox

Straight from the Students: What They Love About the Library!

"I love the library because picking out books is cool."  - Bellamy B., Kindergarten

“I enjoy library because I love books. I am a bookworm!” - Viaan L., 2nd Grade

“I look forward to library because I can’t wait for Ms Fox to read to us!” - Anaamika L., TK 

“We love library and Ms. Fox because she has the most awesome books!!” - Penelope L. Dylan S. and Ollie M., 1st grade

"I get to pick my own books to read and Ms. Fox helps me. Ms. Fox knows what books I like and saves them for me!"  - Carter V., 3rd Grade

Ready to donate? Great! There are a variety of ways to submit your donation:

You can double or triple your contribution by taking advantage of your corporate match benefit. Many companies, both large and small, will match donations made by their employees. To see if your employer offers matching gifts, visit Charity Navigator to submit a match request online. It only takes five minutes.

Here are some companies that offer a matching program: Disney, Pixar, AAA, Expedia, Google, Pandora, Kaiser, Genentech, PayPal, Apple, Salesforce, Williams Sonoma, Microsoft.

Thank you for your continued support!

Selam Brown, Stefani Miller, Deepa Lounsbury & Annie Sartor

Annual Fund co-Chairs

annualfund@thornhillschool.org