NewsNotes 5/17/18

Carr School Update -  It appears at this point that we are very likely to be moving to the Carr School Building next summer and opening up in the fall of 2019.   The following notes are an excerpt from the School Committee meeting that took place on Monday, May 14th.  The notes discuss the preparations needed for the move: "There are facility adjustments and costs associated with preparing the Carr building to become a permanent school, and other costs associated with moving the school. The district has begun to make rough cost estimates and to delineate the type of work that will be required. The following activities andprojects at the Carr building will be needed in the upcoming fifteen months to ensure a smooth transitionfor the Horace Mann community, including: Adding a separate bus lane Possible modification to two adjoining smaller size classrooms to create more flexible space Addition of a storage area because only crawl space storage is available in the building HVAC work to add cooling to the Carr building as a permanent school building (CIP funds) A furniture and equipment inventory (to facilitate move, reuse or surplus existing furniture and needs assessment for new student furniture; Carr was furnished with a mix of good quality used furniture and new items five years ago) Limited replacement of student furniture Teacher stipends; packing support Professional movers to transfer curriculum materials and limited furniture and equipment" May Assembly - At this month’s assembly, we got together as a whole school to share a number of things that we wanted to celebrate: Kindergartners in Ms. Seyferth’s class decided on their own to celebrate KIND WEEK in their classroom.  They started by making a giant poster for a new student, made an effort to do kind acts at school and at home, did a craft project where students created tiny cutout versions of their classmates, and talked about Kindness at whole class meetings throughout the week.  We also decided to make KIND WEEK an annual event for the whole school! We recognized Erica Sato, 3rd grader in Ms. Rosen’s class who recently was selected as one of five national finalists of the Future Chefs Challenge, sponsored by Sodexo.  She won some cool prizes, including a scooter,  an iPad and more. Congratulations again to Erica. We finally unveiled the Buddy Bench, complete with each student’s fingerprint creature.  The bench is aimed at providing students with an opportunity to connect with others at recess.  So far, we’ve seen students display tremendous empathy and kindness as they’ve reached out to one another to invite new friends to play.   Mr. Feldstein’s class memorized and performed the poem Human Family by Maya Angelou.  I’ve included the text of the poem at the end of my NewsNotes section. Newton Serves - A belated thank you to all of the families who came out on Sunday, April 29th to take care of the grounds around Horace Mann.   Volunteers came to spread fibar and mulch, do some trash cleanup, and otherwise take care of the area surrounding our school. Thanks also to Ashley Sullivan and Kristy Moore for coordinating this year’s event. My Friends, My City - David Tynes, Priscilla Bartley, and Claudia Hoover have recently initiated an effort to connect Boston and Newton students and families.  We began by asking students in the Metco program to identify a friend in Newton who they would like to connect with.  On Thursday mornings, the two groups of children come to the gym to play basketball before school.  Later this spring, the students and their families will then spend a day in Boston getting to know more about one another as well as more about life in the city.  Our hope is to expand this program next fall! Teacher Appreciation Week - Last week, the PTO provided a wonderful array of daily treats to show appreciation for the tremendously hard work that our teachers put in on a daily basis.  We had a nice, light breakfast and lunch, ice cream treats, classrooms supplies, and an array of appreciative cards and notes from students and families.  Thank you to all of the community members who participated.  Thanks also to Jess Schiefer, Jacqueline Freeman, and Megan Anapolle for organizing.  It was a great morale boost for staff. Human Family Maya Angelou I note the obvious differences in the human family. Some of us are serious, some thrive on comedy. Some declare their lives are lived as true profundity, and others claim they really live the real reality. The variety of our skin tones can confuse, bemuse, delight, brown and pink and beige and purple, tan and blue and white. I've sailed upon the seven seas and stopped in every land, I've seen the wonders of the world not yet one common man. I know ten thousand women called Jane and Mary Jane, but I've not seen any two who really were the same. Mirror twins are different although their features jibe, and lovers think quite different thoughts while lying side by side. We love and lose in China, we weep on England's moors, and laugh and moan in Guinea, and thrive on Spanish shores. We seek success in Finland, are born and die in Maine. In minor ways we differ, in major we're the same. I note the obvious differences between each sort and type, but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.

Calendar

Fitness for Life Friday, May 25 No School-Memorial Day Monday, May 28 Family Appreciation Night and PTO Open House Friday, June 1 Deadline for ordering School Supplies June 15 Parent Pick-Up Basketball Friday, June 15 5th grade Graduation Thursday, June 21  Last Day of School-noon dismissal Friday, June 22 Visit the entire Horace Mann Calendar at www.horacemannpto.com

From the PTO

THANK YOU to all who helped at NEWTON SERVES! It was a great day, despite the rain. Lots of volunteers helped pick up trash and spread mulch and Fibar. A big thanks to our organizers Ashley Sullivan and Kristy Moore.  Fitness For Life is getting greener!  The PTO has approved the donation of individual, reusable water bottles for all students. These water bottles are BPA-free and feature exclusive Fitness for Life artwork designed by our very own Mr. Dailey. In addition, Belmont Springs has agreed to donate 50 gallons of water to help us fill them! Thank you Belmont Springs. Don't forget to pay on-line if you haven't already. [Store_Button] Order your School Supplies for next year   Horace Mann is again working with SchoolKidz.Inc. to bring great school supplies into our school. Skip the back-to-school lines and have your child's school supplies delivered to his or her classroom on the first day of school— it couldn't be easier! Teachers have put together lists of required school supplies. To order, either fill out the form that was sent home with your student or:  1. Go to WWW.shopttkits.com 2. Enter Account 32991 3. Fill in your child's name and grade 4. Add to cart and checkout Kits will be delivered to your child's classroom on the first day of school. As always, ordering an extra kit for the classroom is much appreciated. If you choose not to use this great service, (why wouldn't you?)  remember to print out the list of required school supplies for your child and purchase them on your own. (Avoid the hassle-order through us! )  DEADLINE: JUNE 15, 2018 Family Appreciation Night! Bring the whole family to the Horace Mann gym on Friday, June 1 from 6-8 p.m. for a fun game of Bingo with prizes and refreshments. Hosted by the PTO. Let's gather together one last time before school lets out for summer! Board members will be on-hand to answer questions about the PTO and offer a year in review.  Let us know you plan to attend by signing up below. [Signups_Button] Parent Pick-up Basketball Friday, June 15 Horace Mann Gym Just a $1! [Store_Button] Want to get involved? The PTO needs help with two committees next year. We need someone to head up our Box Tops committee. This includes coordinating all of our purchase-to-donate programs, such as AmazonSmile and Stop and Shop A+ Rewards. We are also looking for someone to help run two (or more!) community building events. Ideas can range from a night at the Paint Bar to trivia night at a local pub or anything in between!  Please email freeman.jac@gmail.com if you are interested.