| It's been a while since I've published NewsNotes, and there's a fair amount of material to catch up on...I hope everyone had a safe April break, and warm regards to those of you who celebrated Easter and/or Passover the past week or two. During the break, the Nardelli familiy ventured up to Bar Harbor, ME and spent a couple of days hiking in Acadia. It was off season and some of the park was closed, but the weather was gorgeous and there was NO ONE there (for those of you who know I hate crowds...this was the best part). Vincent was a trooper, hiking over 3 miles over rockey terrain on one day...mostly without any help. Not bad for a 3 year old. This weekend, in addition to the talent show, we also had Alora's communion celebration. We spent most of Saturday cleaning, cooking, and doing yard work, and all of Sunday entertaining family. Needless to say, I was looking forward to coming back to work. Sadly, amidst the joy and time with family, the news continues to remind us that not everyone is as fortunate as we have been. The recent horrific events that have taken place in Sri Lanka and California, again force us to reflect on and wonder what's going on in the world. I find it increasingly challenging to make sense of the hatred and bigotry that continues to threaten our daily existence. Despite the prominence of terrible news, we continue to keep our minds busy with responsibilities and activities that will take us through the end of the school year, which is only a few weeks away. You should know that we will be focusing on placement, spring data collection, purging and packing, field trips, end-of-year work displays and celebrations, and more. Here are a few additional details that specific that are worth mentioning: Staffing Update - Speech pathologist Courtney Ravalese has joined the Horace Mann team to cover for Kristyn Stem, who is out on maternity leave. Kristyn gave birth to Cameron Richard Evjy weighed in at 7lbs. 9ozs. Both mom and baby are doing well! Nevada St. - Construction Update - The 2nd floor wall relocation project was completed over the April break. This created a larger classroom space (Jason Harris’s room), and also our 2nd floor special ed working space. The work really looks great. Traffic/Busing Update - In April we held an information session for families about a possible busing and crossing guard plan for getting to Nevada St. in the fall. Since that time we have come up with a second plan to consider as well. As part of that process, we are conducting a survey to gather more information from families. The survey went out to a selection of families based on address. We will use the information to make a final determination on bus routes and placement of crossing guards. We will then have a second evening meeting for families on May 30th to share. Here are some details I can share so far: 1) Regardless of the plan we choose, CROSSING GUARDS WILL BE PRESENT at Craft/Watertown St., Nevada/Linwood, and Nevada/California. 2) There will NOT BE CROSSING GUARDS at Albemarle/Watertown or Watertown/Walnut. 3) We are considering crossing guards in one of two other locations. The decision about the placement of these crossing guards will determine final bus routes for families around these areas.
Anxiety Article- I thought the following article offered an interesting perspective on helping families manage anxiety in children. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/15/711213752/for-kids-with-anxiety-parents-learn-to-let-them-face-their-fears Talent Show - The talent show was a big success on Friday night. We had magic tricks, kindergartners telling jokes, karate, a unicycle act, Chinese yo-yo experts, and a wide array of singing, dancing, and instrumental performances...over 40 acts in all! It was truly a celebration of talent, hard work, perseverance, and inclusion. Thanks to Melissa Meyerowitz and Adam Brown for organizing this effort, as well as to all of the parents who came to help out back stage. Congratulations to all of our performers for sharing their special moment with the school community. Newton Serves - On Sunday, a large number of families came out to clean, pick up trash, spread mulch, and improve the grounds surrounding the school. The effort was much needed…thanks to everyone who came out to help! Thanks also to Ashley Sullivan and Kristy Moore for coordinating the cleanup. |
| Calendar |
Bingo!
Friday, May 3, 6-7:30 p.m.
Early Release Day
Thursday, May 9th 12:30 p.m.
MCAS Schedule
4th Grade Math - May 3rd and May 8th
5th Grade Math - May 6th and May 7th
3rd Grade Math - May 9th and May 13th
Visit the entire Horace Mann Calendar at www.horacemannpto.com
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| From the PTO |
This Friday! Family Appreciation Night Bingo!
Hosted by the PTO. Board members will be available for questions and suggestions.
Snacks and Prizes!
Friday, May 3, 6-7:30 p.m., Horace Mann Gym
Free, but register here:
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 Help teachers prepare for move
We are looking for some parents to help teachers prepare for our September move. Some teachers are looking to begin purging on Tuesday, April 30, from 1-3 p.m. We need parents to help them in any way they need, including packing boxes and carrying them to a donation trailer. Please note that this is an ADULT only event. Please sign up to help here:
As the school year winds down, we have two ways planned to say "Thank You" to our wonderful teachers and staff. First, we will be celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Week next week, May 6th-May 10th.
Please join the HM PTO by making this a remarkable week for our great teachers and staff.
Everyday, the teachers and staff will be treated to a delicious surprise.
Any small, thoughtful gesture from your child, whether a homemade card or their teacher's favorite treat, would be a pleasant surprise.
We are also planning an end of the year staff lunch for the last day of school. We will send more information out about helping with this event in June.
We are happy to accept donations for these events. Just click this link.
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Missing something?
Items from the Lost and Found are on display in the hallway all week. Please stroll by and grab your lost items by Friday! Unclaimed items will be donated next week.
Horace Mann is moving to the Carr Building
Horace Mann is scheduled to move to the Carr Building in September 2019.
We know there are many questions about what to expect with regards to the move, facility enhancement, technology and many other areas. In order to help us communicate accurate information, Mark Nardelli will answer your questions through regular updates via email and news notes. Please list any questions you have about the move below. Thank you!
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Monday, April 29, 2019
NewsNotes 4/29/2019
Monday, April 1, 2019
Meeting Reminder
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC MEETING for 225 NEVADA ST.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4th
6:30 pm
Horace Mann School (DAD Space)
This Thursday, April 4th at 6:30 pm, we will host a meeting to talk about the proposed traffic and transportation options for families getting to the Nevada St. location next year. We will have maps of the area, placement of crossing guards, bus routes and bus stops, information about the Boys and Girls Club, etc. Regina Moody, transportation director for the schools, will be in attendance, as will Dawn Fleming, Newton police officer and member of the traffic division.
We will have a brief presentation and time for questions....
Hope to see you there.
Mark Nardelli
Reflections on New Zealand
Dear HM Families,
I wanted to reach out briefly in a somewhat belated response to the events that transpired on March 15th in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the days and weeks since we learned more about the motivations of the perpetrator in the attack, I've had a number of families and staff reach out to me to express their sorrow for the loss of life in New Zealand, their concern about the experience of Muslims both locally and abroad, and their hopes for a more accepting society. My goal in writing this message is to convey and renew a vision of a school community that values acceptance, kindness and grace.
Over the past few years, whenever I hear accounts of discrimination or mistreatment in the news, in our community, or in our school, I am reminded of the responsibility I have as a leader to be clear about our values and priorities as we look to educate this group of children as future citizens and leaders in the world. The work we are trying to do at Horace Mann has, first and foremost, always been an effort to create an inclusive environment where all students are welcome, regardless of some perceived difference. I look at every child who walks through our doors and desire for them to be embraced by the world for who they are, regardless of appearance, ability, religious belief, political affiliation, immigration status, family makeup, or other identity. Each day, we talk to our students about the importance of stepping into someone else's shoes, about listening to more than one perspective before making a judgment, about solving problems in a constructive way, and most importantly about being kind. This isn't easy work, but it is the right work, and our hope is that over time, the students will internalize these ideas and espouse and practice them in their adult lives.
Given events like the ones that have transpired in recent times: the mosques in New Zealand, the synagogue in Pittsburgh last year, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in 2015, or the acts of hate and intolerance that flood the news on a daily basis, the only hope we have of building a better future is to teach each other that underneath all of the divisions, we really aren't that different. To me, this isn't about politics...it is about human decency. Right now, fear and ignorance propel the hate that we experience in the world, and our collective obligation as educators at Horace Mann must be to dispel this fear and counteract ignorance. To that end, we will continue to share and listen to our personal stories, to voice our hopes and struggles, and hopefully learn from one another. Perhaps the fear and ignorance we hold will be replaced with mutual understanding, respect and love for one another.
Attached is an article I recently shared with our staff on this topic:
http://www.startribune.com/your-little-muslim-neighbor-needs-love-after-christchurch/507377722/
I look forward to your continued support in this work.
Mark Nardelli
Principal
I wanted to reach out briefly in a somewhat belated response to the events that transpired on March 15th in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the days and weeks since we learned more about the motivations of the perpetrator in the attack, I've had a number of families and staff reach out to me to express their sorrow for the loss of life in New Zealand, their concern about the experience of Muslims both locally and abroad, and their hopes for a more accepting society. My goal in writing this message is to convey and renew a vision of a school community that values acceptance, kindness and grace.
Over the past few years, whenever I hear accounts of discrimination or mistreatment in the news, in our community, or in our school, I am reminded of the responsibility I have as a leader to be clear about our values and priorities as we look to educate this group of children as future citizens and leaders in the world. The work we are trying to do at Horace Mann has, first and foremost, always been an effort to create an inclusive environment where all students are welcome, regardless of some perceived difference. I look at every child who walks through our doors and desire for them to be embraced by the world for who they are, regardless of appearance, ability, religious belief, political affiliation, immigration status, family makeup, or other identity. Each day, we talk to our students about the importance of stepping into someone else's shoes, about listening to more than one perspective before making a judgment, about solving problems in a constructive way, and most importantly about being kind. This isn't easy work, but it is the right work, and our hope is that over time, the students will internalize these ideas and espouse and practice them in their adult lives.
Given events like the ones that have transpired in recent times: the mosques in New Zealand, the synagogue in Pittsburgh last year, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in 2015, or the acts of hate and intolerance that flood the news on a daily basis, the only hope we have of building a better future is to teach each other that underneath all of the divisions, we really aren't that different. To me, this isn't about politics...it is about human decency. Right now, fear and ignorance propel the hate that we experience in the world, and our collective obligation as educators at Horace Mann must be to dispel this fear and counteract ignorance. To that end, we will continue to share and listen to our personal stories, to voice our hopes and struggles, and hopefully learn from one another. Perhaps the fear and ignorance we hold will be replaced with mutual understanding, respect and love for one another.
Attached is an article I recently shared with our staff on this topic:
http://www.startribune.com/your-little-muslim-neighbor-needs-love-after-christchurch/507377722/
I look forward to your continued support in this work.
Mark Nardelli
Principal
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