Veterans Day: This week and next, Mr. Tynes has initiated an effort to honor all Horace Mann families and staff who have served in the military. If you or a family member has served or is actively serving please bring in a couple of photos for us to display in the front lobby next week. You can bring the photos directly to Mrs. Mariano. We will return all photos the following week.
Staff PD Update #2: As I mentioned last time, I will share some details in each newsletter about the small group work teachers are engaging in around issues of equity and connectedness. This week focuses on our commitment to expanding our core curriculum to be more reflective of our diverse student population and to provide a more well rounded perspective of historic events. Specifically, teachers are...
- gathering books and resources that will be used to foster classroom discussions about a variety of issues related to diversity.
- developing lessons that promote discussions about inclusiveness, bullying, identity development, and more.
- expanding the focus of our social studies curriculum to include multiple perspectives. For example, in our 5th grade European explorer unit, one teacher is working to develop lessons that also incorporate exploration efforts from China and Japan.
Our plan is to have at least two new lessons at each grade level.
Article: Given that we are in the midst of perhaps the most contentious and unpleasant election season in recent history, I thought I would share an article that describes the dilemma teachers face with regard to sharing values/beliefs vs. remaining neutral in a classroom setting.
School Council Summary: At our first School Council meeting last month, we made the decision to focus our energy on family engagement. At our next meeting we will work to identify several monthly themes centered around concepts that are in line with our theme of connectedness and equity. We will identify a focus (like empathy), find stories that align with the focus, and create a discussion-based activity that will be designed for parents and children to share at home. For anyone who wants to be part of the process of developing these activities, our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16th.
Book Fair: Thank you to all of the families who came out to support our Book Fair, either by making purchases or offering to help out in some way. A tremendous thank you goes out to Jacqueline Freeman and Megan Anapolle for their efforts to coordinate this year’s event.
Building Updates: Thanks to John Mendecina for arranging for the purchase our new Hawk Flags at the front and rear of the building. They look great! You also may have noticed that we’ve finally had the damaged letters replaced on the front of the building! Both are a welcome improvement.
Social Media Release Settings: This year, Newton changed its approach to the way parents provide permission for a variety of social media settings. In Skyward, you can decide if you want to provide permission for the school to post photos on our website, on Twitter, etc. The default option is NO for all settings. So far, only 85 families have updated their preferences. Please click on the following link to login to SKYWARD and update your settings.
https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedunewtonma/seplog01.w
Have a great week!
Mark Nardelli
Principal
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