Friday, November 12, 2021

HM NewsNotes 11-12-21

HM NewsNotes 11-12-21

NewsNotes Issue #6 November 14, 2021
From the Principal
Essential Info


Thanksgiving Break


  • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24th - 12:10 PM


  • THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (11/25 & 11/26) - NO SCHOOL



Covid Testing Update - Over the past two weeks, Horace Mann school has recorded zero (0) COVID cases through out pooled testing program. Information on districtwide COVID cases and vaccination rates can be found on the Newton Health and Human Services website here: NPS COVID Case Count and Vaccination Rates.



Virtual Parent Coffee


I will host a virtual coffee from 8:45-9:15 AM on Friday, November 19th


Join Zoom Meeting

https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/2454370913?pwd=NVhVUzR6WVNCVkw3MVovTTNKSm1idz09

Meeting ID: 245 437 0913
Passcode: Hawks


This first coffee will be a Q and A session on a wide range of topics. Future coffees will focus on a particular topic in more depth.  Please complete the following survey to indicate the topics you are interested in hearing more about.



Nov. 13 and 14 - Vaccine Clinics - More Appts. Added!


More appointment slots have been opened for the vaccine clinics this weekend (Nov. 13th and 14th.)


Details are as follows:


When: Saturday, Nov. 13th and Sunday, Nov. 14th (2nd dose - Dec. 4th and 5th)

Where: Newton North High School (457 Walnut St. Newton, MA 02460)

Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm


When: Saturday, Nov. 13th and Sunday, Nov. 14th (2nd dose - Dec. 4th and 5th)

Oak Hill Middle School (130 Wheeler Rd. Newton, MA 02459)

Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm


Follow this link to register for an appointment.


https://www.holtzmanmedical.org/school


Clinics are organized and staffed by the Holtzman Medical Group. More information can be found on the Newton HHS website. The website also includes a list of pharmacies in the Newton area that are offering the pediatric vaccine.


After School Vaccine Clinics - Nov. 17th and 18th

After school vaccine clinics for ages 5-11 will be offered next week. Please see information below:


When: Wednesday, Nov. 17th (2nd dose on Wed. Dec. 8th)

Where: Cabot Elementary School (229 Cabot St, Newton, MA 02460)

Time: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.


When: Thursday, Nov. 18th (2nd does on Wed. Dec. 9th)

Where: Bigelow Middle School (42 Vernon St, Newton, MA 02458)

Time: 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.


Register here: https://www.holtzmanmedical.org/school

Detailed Updates

Celebrations


  • Diwali - Happy Diwali to all those who celebrated the Festival of Lights last week! 


  • Veterans Day - I hope people enjoyed the day off today for Veterans Day.  Thank you to all Veterans who have served, along with their family members...their commitment and service is no small sacrifice, and I feel lucky that I got to use the time on Thursday to take Vincent and Alora to a parade in Natick and then to the Bruins practice at Warrior Arena. 



School Connectedness Survey - 


An important component of students’ success is their sense of belonging in their school.  In the Newton Public Schools, we are working to be sure that each school in our district is welcoming, supportive and safe for all students. We do this work in many ways and with many different constituencies, recognizing that creating and maintaining the school climate we want involves working with all members of the school community.  


To be sure we are well-informed about students’ experience, we conduct a survey each year of all students in grades 3-8 and 10. The purpose of the survey is to gauge students’ feelings about:

 

  • Relationships with adults in school
  • Relationships with peers in school
  • Engagement with academic learning
  • Sense of belonging at school 
  • Sense of being able to support peers 
  • Sense of empathy with others
  • Access to and usefulness of academic support
  • Access to and usefulness of emotional and behavioral support
  • Participation and sense of belonging in sports, clubs and other school activities (middle school and high school only)  


The survey is confidential, but will include student identification numbers to allow us to analyze results by subgroups of students. The management and analysis of the data we collect will be done by the Newton Public Schools data office. Each school will receive a report summarizing the results of the survey in their school and comparing results to previous years.  The survey data will not be disclosed outside of NPS, with the exception of Newton city officials focused on youth and education, who may receive district-wide summarized results.   


The survey will be administered between November 15th and November 24th.  It takes about 15 minutes to complete.  You may opt your child out of participating in this survey by submitting this Opt Out form -- Opt-Out Form -- to the main office of your child’s home school by November 12th. Copies of the opt-out form can also be found in the main office of your child’s school.  


If you have not turned in the form by November 12th, we will assume consent for your child to participate.  In addition, your child may voluntarily opt out or may choose to skip any questions they feel uncomfortable answering.  If you wish to see the survey itself, copies to review will be available in each home school’s main office. 


Your child’s participation in this survey will help inform our decisions about the effectiveness of our current programs, and to improve our programming and support as needed.  Our goal is to provide each student in the Newton Public Schools with a safe and supportive learning and social environment.  


Sincerely,

David Fleishman





Arrival Procedures - We are making a slight shift to our arrival plans. Children should continue to line up in their designated location each morning before 8:10 am.  However, instead of having classroom teachers wait outside for all of the students, other adults will open the doors at 8:10.  Our hope is that this will allow the children to get started on the day earlier with morning work, and for the younger ones, time to play and connect socially.



Understanding our Differences -  Understanding Our Differences is a non-profit organization founded in Newton in 1978 that works in partnership with the Newton Public Schools to teach elementary school students about disabilities. The curriculum fosters inclusion of people with disabilities in our schools and in our community.  Students in 3rd grade will learn about: Blindness/Low Vision and Deafness/Hard of Hearing.  Students in 4th grade will learn about Physical Disabilities and Chronic Medical Conditions (or Learning Disabilities).  Students in 5th grade will learn about Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.  To learn more about UOD CLICK HERE.




SEPAC NEWS


Newton SEPAC Open Board Meeting


Tuesday, Nov. 16, 7-9pm

Virtual Only:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86332072544


Agenda will be posted at www.newtonpac.org/meetings 


Newton SEPAC Family Survey - Click the link to let us know your thoughts!




Presentation: Coordinating Your Special Needs Financial & Estate Planning


Thursday, Nov. 18, 1-2pm


Click HERE for more info, and to register.




Presentation Series: IEP for the Home (4-Parts, daytime and evening sessions available)


Click HERE for more info, and to register.


  • Module 1 (Building Positive Relationships): Nov. 17, 7-8:30pm & Dec. 2, 9-10:30am


  • Module 2 (Sleep): Dec. 15, 7-8:30pm & Jan. 6, 9-10:30am


  • Module 3 (Eating): TBD


  • Module 4 (Schedule of Privileges and Routines): TBD



Facilities Update

Facilities Committee - We will soon be looking for parents interested in participating on a committee to help design the new addition to our school.  I don't have details yet, but will be sharing more soon.  Feel free to email me if you are interested.



FACILITIES MEETING SESSION RECORDING


If you missed the meeting about our upcoming school building project, please see below:



  • Access Passcode: u7bU!3#F


You can also see the PROJECT WEBSITE by clicking on this link:


From the PTO

We are grateful that vaccines are rolling in for our Horace Mann students! We wish everyone a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. Read on for info on donating to the read-a-thon, signing up for the Teacher Holiday Breakfast and an update on spirit wear. 

Read-a-thon donations due December 1

Click here to donate

Save the Date for Teacher Breakfast!

We will sponsor a Teacher and Staff Holiday Breakfast on Thursday, December 9 and will be looking for donations. Please read our next issue for more information. 

(Some) Spiritwear is Coming!

Thanks to everyone who ordered spiritwear! We, like everyone it seems, have been hit with supply chain issues. If you ordered a tote bag, you will be receiving a refund-they are no longer available. If you ordered sweatpants, flannel pants and/or a pom pom hat, -don't give up hope! The items are coming, but are delayed. Everything else will be sorted and delivered to students next week. Thanks for your patience and please reach out with questions or concerns.

Shop to Raise

Remember Horace Mann when you are shopping at Amazon or scanning your supermarket receipts. Donate to Horace Mann with purchases you already make!

You shop. Amazon gives.



Start at http://smile.amazon.com and set "Horace Mann Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization" as your charity. Amazon will donate to HM with every purchase.

Use the new Box Tops App to scan your receipt. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to your organization's earnings online.

Get 20% off at minted.com when you use the code FUNDRAISEHORACE. You save money and Minted donates 15% of your order to HM. Shop for holiday cards, invitations, or other personalized products.

If you need labels for clothing, water bottles, or anything else, check out Stuck On You. Start here and 20% of your purchase benefits the PTO. They also offer stationery, bags, and many other gifts.

Thanks for paying your PTO dues

The PTO has a suggested donation of $50 per student or $150 per family for our annual dues. You can pay on-line through Membership toolkit. All dues goes to the operating budget of the PTO.

Looking Ahead
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 24
Early dismissal at 12:10
Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving recess
Friday, November 26
Thanksgiving recess
Thursday, December 9
Early dismissal at 12:10
Staff Breakfast
Friday, December 24
December recess
Saturday, December 25
December recess
Sunday, December 26
December recess
Monday, December 27
December recess
Tuesday, December 28
December recess
Quick Links