NewsNotes 4/23/17

Storyteller Len Cabral shares his craft with our second graders.

Life in Ghana - also a 2nd grade CAS program where students learn about everyday life in this West African nation.

*Staffing Update: The following is the first of a few updates regarding teaching assignments for next year.  As you may recall, we are reducing classrooms for next year from 19 to 18. After much consideration and deliberation about what will be best for students, the following are the first round of changes: First, Kate Blanchard will be moving to first grade. Claudia Hoover will leave the co-taught model to have her own classroom in 4th grade.  We will continue to have one co-taught classroom in 4th* and one in 5th*. Here is the complete lineup of classroom teaching assignments for next year:         K: Bonzey, Ferland, Seyferth         1: Blanchard, Chatfield, Gower         2: Bartley, Lewis, Sandison         3: Bard, Harris, Rosen         4: Berardi/Conley*, Hoover, Oldmixon         5: Akdag/Dias*, Feldstein, Moore Because of the reductions and the movement, we are actively trying to find spots for some of our staff who have been displaced. Unfortunately, Maddy Kenyon, Lauren Fischer, and Shayna Packer are in this situation.  I am doing all I can to support them in finding another spot in Newton. I will also have several important updates about our special education programming to announce in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Cultural Proficiency Curriculum: As I mentioned in earlier editions of NewsNotes, we have spent a good deal of time developing lessons and unites dedicated to being proactive around how and when we teach students about race, ethnicity, gender, disability, etc. At some point soon I will share a couple of the lessons so you can see what we’ve been working on. Teachers will pilot some of the lessons this year, and implement the remainder next year. Our hope is to make our work available to the entire district. Thought provoking article on “Redshirting” : The article gives an overview of what is meant be “redshirting” and talks about the pros and cons in light of some new research.  Enjoy: http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/youngest-kid-smartest-kid3rd Grade Recorder Concert: A couple of weeks back, our 3rd graders performed live for the first time (for both the school audience and for parents).  Ms. Lotz and the students worked hard all year to learn a brand new instrument.  Many children are learning to read notes for the first time, learning various musical terms, as well as learning to perform in an ensemble group.  The progress the students made has been amazing and culminated in this terrific performance. Congrats to this dedicated group of children! Talent Show: Another stellar group of performances were on display Friday night. As I mentioned during the show, I continue to be so impressed by the dedication and commitment of the artists. There is no doubt that they spend countless hours practicing, making mistakes, working through frustration, and getting better in incremental steps. The results on Friday were nothing short of phenomenal. Congratulations to all of the performers. Thanks again to Sudha Maheshwari, Melissa Meyerowitz, Lauren Gallagher, and Adam Brown for their efforts to put this great show together.

May 1, 2017 – With spring finally here, the kids at Horace Mann are back outside enjoying the fresh air and running, jumping, hopping, skipping, galloping and leaping over some rain puddles. Now is a good time for families to prepare to “make time for exercise.” Family hikes, family workouts, or any physical activity that involves the family unit will leave a positive and lasting impression on most children. The following is one of many links that will help you get started: http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/family-fitness-tips What’s been going on in Physical Education? - We have finished our striking and Volleyball Unit. The fifth grade took on some teachers in a great tournament of “Silent Elimination” last week. It was a great way to end the unit. What’s Next? - We have started our massive unit on Fitness, Nutrition and the Systems of the Body with emphasis on the cardiovascular system. We will be focusing on food labels and comparing and contrasting the old and new ones that are soon to hit your grocery store. We will be learning about cells, DNA, and the amazing, incredible human body. The students will be working out with over 25 machines and pieces of fitness equipment. Sneakers - Please make sure your H.M. student brings his or her sneakers on Physical Education class days.  Please no sandals, crocks flip-flops! Student Helpers from North - All year long students from Newton North’s Special Education programs come in to help assist me in Physical Education classes. We have students every Tuesday and Friday. This continues to be an enriching program for our students and for the students from North, as well! Save the Date - Fitness for Life is Friday May 26th! (Rain Date - 6/2) For those new to Horace Mann, this is an event that happens only at our school. We reserve the entire Aburndale Cove for the day and celebrate fun, families, and fitness. This is an event that I encourage all families to participate in. It is a wonderful way to connect with the entire Horace Mann community. You will be receiving a lot of information next week. Parent Helpers – WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are in need of parent helpers to be part of the set up and break down crew on May 26th for Fitness for Life. Please let me know if you are able to help out. SET UP - This involves meeting Mr. Tynes at the Cove to unload the truck and set up the stations. If you are available we will meet at 7:00am. I will have a map, tools, and instructions for each station. BREAK DOWN - At 1:45 we will begin breaking down the stations. We will load up the truck and head back to Horace Mann.  If you have a pick up truck and don’t mind throwing some stuff in the back, this will be a big help. Four Tips for Family Members Who Coach - The students are just beginning to figure out how to use their amazing bodies. At Horace Mann, I encourage all children to give their best effort. As they grow and participate in sports, the right coach can shape, make, or break a child. Make sure you are familiar with child development and what research, data, and science says is best for a particular age group. Try not to punish with exercise (it is not what happens here in Physical Education class). Exercise should be meaningful and fun. Remember - it is about them, and you have a great opportunity to make a lasting impression. Make it fun and “make their day.” In The Sprit of Sportspersonship, Mr. Tynes