Happy 2017 from the Nardelli family!
Welcome Back - 2017 has officially arrived...I hope the end of 2016 was happy and restful for each of you...
The Nardelli kept busy over the break...we spent time with family and friends, took the girls to the Urban Nutcracker (while I rode the subway with Vincent), went ice skating, roller skating, mall walking, beach walking and anything else we could do to keep the kids busy. Much of our daily entertainment came from watching Vincent as he explores his environment: at 14 months, he is saying words like banana or "nana", and his favorite activity is to walk around the house with the Dustbuster cleaning the floor while dancing to a Japanese band call BabyMetal. Eliana continues with gymnastics and is also painting sets for the school play. Julia is keeping busy with indoor soccer and guitar, and Alora will be trying basketball for the first time.
Returning from a school break is always accompanied by a series of challenges that we need to be mindful about, both as teachers and as parents. The challenges include disruptions to our daily schedules, less structure, later bedtimes, holiday stress, travel, etc. As such, teachers spent much of last week setting aside time to re-teach expectations (such as how to calmly line up for lunch, or how to use/put away materials/equipment in classrooms). Also, teachers built in time to reconnect as a classroom community through morning meeting activities, setting goals for the new year, team building activities, etc. Students are far more willing and able to learn when they feel safe and connected. At home there are also things we can do to be mindful of the transition back to school. I’ve included some resources here...`
K Registration: We are beginning to prepare for the incoming kindergarten students for September 2017. If your child will turn five years old on or before August 31, 2017, please contact Mrs. Mariano in the school office at 617-559-9510.
Drumlin Farm CAS Program: 4th graders had a chance to take part in a series of activities this week that were presented by the staff at Drumlin Farm. Students were able to learn about the living and non-living components of soil by observing a myriad of tiny creatures who help to recycle nutrients in the soil. In addition, students also were able to observe live animals and talk about their winter survival habits. Thanks again to our PTO for providing these opportunities
Illness Update: We are writing to inform you that several students in our school have been sick with a vomiting/gastrointestinal illness. In order to reduce the spread of this type of illness, please take the following precautions:
1. Wash hands carefully with soap and water
3. Watch your child and members of your family to see if they develop nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
4. Do not send your child to school if they develop any of these symptoms.
5. Keep your child home until 24 hours have passed without symptoms.
The environment, clothing or sheets should be thoroughly washed after becoming contaminated with vomit or diarrhea.
The custodian at the Horace Mann School has been cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in classrooms where students have been ill.
Sincerely,
Elissa Matloff
School Nurse
Welcome Back - 2017 has officially arrived...I hope the end of 2016 was happy and restful for each of you...
The Nardelli kept busy over the break...we spent time with family and friends, took the girls to the Urban Nutcracker (while I rode the subway with Vincent), went ice skating, roller skating, mall walking, beach walking and anything else we could do to keep the kids busy. Much of our daily entertainment came from watching Vincent as he explores his environment: at 14 months, he is saying words like banana or "nana", and his favorite activity is to walk around the house with the Dustbuster cleaning the floor while dancing to a Japanese band call BabyMetal. Eliana continues with gymnastics and is also painting sets for the school play. Julia is keeping busy with indoor soccer and guitar, and Alora will be trying basketball for the first time.
Returning from a school break is always accompanied by a series of challenges that we need to be mindful about, both as teachers and as parents. The challenges include disruptions to our daily schedules, less structure, later bedtimes, holiday stress, travel, etc. As such, teachers spent much of last week setting aside time to re-teach expectations (such as how to calmly line up for lunch, or how to use/put away materials/equipment in classrooms). Also, teachers built in time to reconnect as a classroom community through morning meeting activities, setting goals for the new year, team building activities, etc. Students are far more willing and able to learn when they feel safe and connected. At home there are also things we can do to be mindful of the transition back to school. I’ve included some resources here...`
- Common Sense Media: If you haven’t had a chance to check out this site, there are a wealth of resources for parents around media and technology. You can get movie and book reviews, tips about using social media, screen time advice, and more. I’ve included a link here to some helpful articles for parents with children of all ages... ages. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns
- Healthy Holiday Habits: The following link provides some reminders about ways we can reduce stress at home around the holidays and the long winter months. https://www.unitypoint.org/blankchildrens/article.aspx?id=899c0e33-0fa5-4754-9e95-18a049e9d2fd
- Tips for using Family Meetings to organize life at home: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-fitness/201209/10-tips-holding-family-meeting
K Registration: We are beginning to prepare for the incoming kindergarten students for September 2017. If your child will turn five years old on or before August 31, 2017, please contact Mrs. Mariano in the school office at 617-559-9510.
Drumlin Farm CAS Program: 4th graders had a chance to take part in a series of activities this week that were presented by the staff at Drumlin Farm. Students were able to learn about the living and non-living components of soil by observing a myriad of tiny creatures who help to recycle nutrients in the soil. In addition, students also were able to observe live animals and talk about their winter survival habits. Thanks again to our PTO for providing these opportunities
Illness Update: We are writing to inform you that several students in our school have been sick with a vomiting/gastrointestinal illness. In order to reduce the spread of this type of illness, please take the following precautions:
1. Wash hands carefully with soap and water
- After using the toilet or changing diapers
- Before eating or preparing food
- After sneezing or coughing into hands or a tissue
3. Watch your child and members of your family to see if they develop nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
4. Do not send your child to school if they develop any of these symptoms.
5. Keep your child home until 24 hours have passed without symptoms.
The environment, clothing or sheets should be thoroughly washed after becoming contaminated with vomit or diarrhea.
The custodian at the Horace Mann School has been cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in classrooms where students have been ill.
Sincerely,
Elissa Matloff
School Nurse
Finally, as we enter a new calendar year, I want to stress the thought that at Horace Mann we will continue our commitment to fostering a school environment that is welcoming and caring, sets high expectations, and provides opportunities for students to showcase their strengths and talents while overcoming challenges. I want to thank families for partnering with us in this work.
Best Wishes,
Mark Nardelli
Principal
Best Wishes,
Mark Nardelli
Principal
From the PTO
Registration for The 9th Annual Horace Mann Science and Engineering Night is now OPEN!!
Join us for a night of science fun in the gym on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 6 PM to 8 PM.
Join us for a night of science fun in the gym on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 6 PM to 8 PM.
This year we will have an exciting Magic Show provided by the MIT Chemistry Club!
To register and place a pizza order, go to http://goo.gl/dmwiPO
For those new to Science and Engineering Night, here's what it's all about:
Science and Engineering Night is an interactive, kid-propelled, noncompetitive evening of science fun, driven by the notion that every child who has ever asked "why?" is an innate scientist.
Kids (working alone or with siblings or friends - just have at least one adult) can do an experiment (e.g. how does temperature affect how well popcorn pops?) or build a gadget (e.g. a periscope or balloon rocket). The only requirement is that it fit on half a tabletop, and that there be some kind of written explanation of the science behind it - a poster, a drawing, etc. Do not get hung up on complexity or sophistication! We want kid-quality work!On the evening of January 27, participants will set up at tables in the gym. Mr. Nardelli and several teachers will emcee. In past years there has been a wonderful 'buzz' as people milled around each table, asking questions and trying out the hands-on demonstrations.
Kids (working alone or with siblings or friends - just have at least one adult) can do an experiment (e.g. how does temperature affect how well popcorn pops?) or build a gadget (e.g. a periscope or balloon rocket). The only requirement is that it fit on half a tabletop, and that there be some kind of written explanation of the science behind it - a poster, a drawing, etc. Do not get hung up on complexity or sophistication! We want kid-quality work!On the evening of January 27, participants will set up at tables in the gym. Mr. Nardelli and several teachers will emcee. In past years there has been a wonderful 'buzz' as people milled around each table, asking questions and trying out the hands-on demonstrations.
This is also EASY ON PARENTS! You can design your own project, or choose from our “cookbook” of pre-selected projects, each with step-by-step instructions and an explanation of the science involved.
QUESTIONS / REGISTRATION: Registration deadline is Friday, January 20, 2017. To register, fill out the GoogleDocs registration form: http://goo.gl/dmwiPO
NEED IDEAS FOR A PROJECT? Look for project ideas on these websites:
Check out our "Cookbook of Experiments" http://goo.gl/c7lHrV
http://www.teacherstryscience.org/kids
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/quick/earlyelem.html
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtmlANY QUESTIONS? Contact Kari Jensen at kari.myriah@gmail.com
We hope you and your child will join in doing a project! See you there!
http://www.teacherstryscience.org/kids
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/quick/earlyelem.html
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtmlANY QUESTIONS? Contact Kari Jensen at kari.myriah@gmail.com
We hope you and your child will join in doing a project! See you there!
