NewsNotes 5/12/2019

NEWSNOTES May 12, 2019 SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY RESPECT ACCEPTANCE AND OPEN MINDEDNESS LIFELONG LEARNING In this issue: From Principal Nardelli Survey from the PTO Save the date: End of year picnic! School Kits-order now! Volunteer next year!

From Principal Nardelli

Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank you to our wonderful PTO for your efforts to provide teachers with several special days last week.  The salads, treats, and snacks, were welcome and much needed throughout the week; the love and appreciation came through loud and clear.  The superhero theme was fun and inspiring and helped to promote a positive atmosphere.  Thank you from all of the staff at HM! Ruby Bridges Visit: The following message is from the PTO: "This past Friday, we were very fortunate to have a remarkable historical figure visit Horace Mann and speak for two hours with the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Ruby Bridges, the first African American student to integrate an elementary school in the South, led a memorable two-hour Q&A with the students about her experience.  A condition of her visit was that it not be publicized in advance. We were also asked to not record the event. In addition to Creative Arts & Sciences funding through your PTO donation, parents applied for and were awarded a grant through the Harmony Foundation in Newton in order to help bring Ms. Bridges to the school. Be sure to ask your child to share the message of Ruby Bridges' presentation!" One added note from me...classrooms in grade 3, 4, and 5 all did a fair amount of preparation leading up to Ms. Bridges' visit. Classrooms had some hard conversations about segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and about how we treat one another.  Because of this preparation, the students did an amazing job engaging with Ms. Bridges and thinking through the tremendous efforts that people engaged in to racially integrate the nation’s schools. I want to thank all of our teachers for taking the time to preview and prepare our students to talk about these important historical events.       Nevada St. Update -  Since I last wrote, we have made several changes to our crossing guard and busing plan.  Below is a very brief update.  I am working on a much more detailed update that I will send to all families prior to our meeting on May 30th.  I encourage as many of you to attend as possible. Updated Crossing Guard Locations (please disregard any previous postings): Crossing Guard Location 1: Nevada St./Linwood Ave Crossing Guard Location 2: Nevada St./California St. Crossing Guard Location 3: Watertown St./Walnut St. Crossing Guard Location 4: Walnut St./Linwood Ave Crossing Guard Location 5: Albemarle Rd./North St. This plan will allow those people closes to Nevada St. to walk along a safe route. It will also provide busing for students in two areas that we feel are either the furthert away or the most at risk with regard to safety. Please look for a more comprehensive explanation by next week.  You can review these materials in preparation for the meeting on May 30th.

Calendar

Fitness for Life Auburndale Cove Friday, May 24 MCAS Schedule 3rd Grade Math - May 13th 5th Grade Science/Tech - May 15th and May 16th Transportation Update Meeting May 30, 6:30 p.m. 5th Grade Graduation Tuesday, June 11, 1 p.m. End of Year Picnic Horace Mann Playground and fields Monday, June 17 5:30-7:30 p.m. Last Day of School Tuesday, June 18 NOON dismissal Visit the entire Horace Mann Calendar at www.horacemannpto.com

From the PTO

SAVE THE DATE! The End of Year Picnic will be on Monday, June 17. (Weather Permitting) 5:30-7:30 p.m. Enjoy games and music with DJ Mike Pride Dessert from Cabot's Ice Cream Bring your dinner and enjoy one last night with friends before school ends.   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. Please note that teachers often choose to pool school supplies and your kit will be left in the classroom for distribution throughout the year as needed.  If you choose not to use this great service, (why wouldn't you?)  remember to print out the list of required school supplies (click below) School Supplies List 2019-2020 The list can also be found on the Horace Mann Website. Please bring your supplies to school on the first day. They will also be used by the class throughout the year. DEADLINE: JUNE 7, 2019 The PTO is looking for some help next year! There are several committees that need people to shadow the committee chairs and take over the role the following year. Please let us know if you can help! *Understanding Our Differences Both 4thand 5thgrade need someone to help run this awesome program about physical and intellectual disabilities. Training is included so you are totally prepared. You would help gather volunteers and book the guest speakers as well as facilitate the program which runs twice a year for two hours each time. This is a really valuable part of our curriculum and a great way to spend a few hours in the classroom. *Fitness for Life One of the best days of the year! This chair helps coordinate the parent volunteers, is in charge of ordering the food for the PTO BBQ and helps Mr. Tynes set up the Fitness Trail. Help be a part of this special day!      We want to know how we are doing! Let us know what you think. https://forms.gle/Qjnait3QnFvtzZ3K7 Please fill out this brief survey.   PTO BOARD ELECTIONS The seven-member Executive Board of the PTO will be holding elections this June. (Board members will then elect officer positions in the fall.)  The board strives to promote the core values of Horace Mann, support the teachers and staff and encourage parent involvement in the Horace Mann Community. The board oversees the PTO budget, fundraising and educational events. We meet twice a month. If you are interested in bringing your energy, ideas and enthusiasm to this hard-working group, please submit your name for nomination to hmannpto@gmail.com by Friday, May 17. If elections are needed we will post a list of candidates by May 20 and run elections the week of June 3, 2019. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our co-presidents, Adam Brown, adambrown717@gmail.com or Jacqueline Freeman, freeman.jac@gmail.com. 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! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScO9ATbIqARgbv_TTM3BFw6eF vHYvCmXZURLq-nNejSpnnEig/viewform?c=0&w=1

Quick Links

Don't forget to use our rewards programs when you shop! Money raised goes towards the PTO. Thanks! You can also pay your dues online if you haven't already.  [Store_Button]