NewsNotes 3/28/2022

 

NewsNotes Issue #13 March 25, 2022 From the Principal Essential Info 1) Weekly COVID Case Number Report - Week of March 21st Horace Mann school recorded two (2) positive COVID cases (students and staff) at our school.   2) MCAS - Below are the MCAS dates…we are starting next week!   Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 ELA               April 4th and 8th     April 7th and 12th          April 5th and 14th Math May 5th and 13th          May 2nd and 10th    May 3rd and 9th   Science N/A N/A May 16th and 17th 3) Adult "BRINGING IT BACK" Party and Fundraiser  FRIDAY, APRIL 8th at 7:00 pm at the Newton Post 440 4) Talent Show Registration - Register here:   2022 Virtual Horace Mann Talent Show Registration Detailed Updates MCAS Information Session Materials -  On Friday, March 25th, I held an info session on the basics of MCAS.  I've included a link to the slide deck that I shared for anyone who missed the presentation.  Feel free to reach out with any questions. MCAS PARENT GUIDE SLIDE DECK Ramadan - This year Ramadan runs from Friday, April 1st - Sunday, May 1st.  We have some materials that are available for viewing if you are interested in talking to your child about Ramadan and this important holiday period.   We will also be discussing the holiday in classrooms. Ramadan Slide Deck #1 Ramadan Slide Deck #2 Thanks to Ms. Thorne and to Amira Elamri's daughter Tia for sharing these resources. Fitness for Life Update -  This year’s event is planned for FRIDAY, JUNE 17th.  A few added points from my last communication: We’ve created a revised plan to address some concerns about busing fees and the warm June temps. As such, we are going to end the events of the day a little earlier than in the past. K classrooms will eat at 11:30 and head back to HM around noon.   1st and 2nd grade classes will eat at 12:00 and head back to HM around 12:30.   3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes will eat lunch at 12:30 and head back to HM around 1:00pm.   There will be no stations or activities after lunch.  For students who stay all day, we will have activities for the children back at school until the 2:50 dismissal time. 5th Grade Graduation - Each class will have a unique and individualized 30 minute ceremony outside on the basketball court.   Below are some of the details: Graduation will take place on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd 8:30 - Akdag/Salvatore 9:15 - Moore 10:00 - Oldmixon Family members will be welcome and encouraged to attend this event. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks. All School Assembly - On Friday, March 25th, we held our first all school assembly in over two years. It was awesome to get everyone back together! During these monthly gatherings, we call attention to our collective similarities and embrace our diversity, we talk about our collective values, and we celebrate being together. At this first session, we taught the students the Hawk Wings signal for quiet, ran through our Horace Mann “WHO ARE WE” chant, and spent a ton of time dancing. Our next assembly will be on Friday, April 8th. SEPAC & Understanding Our Differences Event: Our students in grades 3,4, and 5 participate in a series of modules to help students better understand those who are differently abled. Many parents have never had the opportunity to participate in these sessions. The SEPAC and Understanding Our Differences are hosting a fun evening (IN PERSON!) to allow us to experience some of the things our kids are learning on March 31st.  See the flyer below: From the PTO Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! The PTO is on Facebook and Instagram! Follow us: @hmannpto (Instagram) and Horace Mann Parents Group (Facebook). You can also email us at hmannpto@gmail.com. Don't Miss the "Bringing it Back" Party 4/8 Do you have your tickets yet for THE party of the season?? Join us at Post 440 on Friday, April 8 from 7-11pm for an adults-only "Back to High School" party. We can't wait to be back together in person! Dress code: Your best re-creation of your high school wardrobe. Tickets are $35 and include dinner from Fiorella's Express and 80s, 90s, 00s themed desserts. Cash bar will be available. There will be "lawn" games, DJ, dancing and other fun surprises. At-home COVID testing encouraged. The Bringing it Back Party will also include a Silent Auction.  To donate an item, tickets or some other experience, please contact erica.remi@aane.org. All proceeds of the evening will benefit the HM Creative Arts and Science programs. Purchase tickets here If you need confidential financial assistance, please email hmann.pto@gmail.com and we are happy to help. Meals and Support for an HM Family The Citrin family appreciates our help as they work through this rough time. If you can bring a meal, drop off some groceries, give a lift to the Brigham, or give advice on supporting older parents, please see below. Email Maria if you can talk to her about supporting parents with assistive technology: mariacitrin@gmail.com Meal Train -- bring a meal or drop off some groceries. Right around the corner from HM! Maria is also looking for occasional rides to help getting her dad to/from the Brigham to see her mom. If you can help, sign up on the Meal Train or email Maria.  GoFundMe to help with her mom's medical bills and expenses Last Call to Register for the Talent Show! Register and help get our stars on stage! Register here:  2022 Virtual Horace Mann Talent Show Registration  Showcase any talent your child would like to perform! Submit all recordings by April 15th. The show will air on Friday, April 29th at 7 PM. Please email Adam (Adambrown717@gmail.com) with questions. This event also needs a behind-the-scenes organizer! No tech experience necessary-- the only requirement is a few hours of free time and a willingness to help with logistics. Email hmann.pto@gmail.com if you can help! Register here:  2022 Virtual Horace Mann Talent Show Registration  Showcase any talent your child would like to perform! Submit all recordings by April 15th. The show will air on Friday, April 29th at 7 PM. Please email Adam (Adambrown717@gmail.com) with questions. This event also needs a behind-the-scenes organizer! No tech experience necessary-- the only requirement is a few hours of free time and a willingness to help with logistics. Email hmann.pto@gmail.com if you can help! Thank you, HM Staff! We Love HM Staff! The teacher treat of the month was a little container of spring flowers for the HM staff. The card read, "Thank you for brightening our days and helping our students grow." We appreciate all the hard work of the teachers and staff. They have created an amazing and caring environment for our students. Thank you to Kim Bourdeau for coordinating! Volunteer for the PTO! Got a few minutes or hours to help? Please email us at hmannpto@gmail.com if you can help with any of these volunteer jobs. Thank you! The Food & Culture Committee is looking for individuals who would like to join the committee and help plan this year's event. No prior experience required! Requires a few hours from now until May. Email shanumehta@gmail.com if you can help. Help chair the Talent Show! Get our HM stars on stage. Requires a couple hours per week in March and April. Are you comfortable using WordPress (or willing to learn)? Help update the PTO website! Requires a few hours per month. Represent HM in the Newton Safe Routes to School organization. Attend monthly meetings, organize participation in walk-to-school events, help all our students get to school safely! More info: Safe Routes to School  AuthorFest 4/11 & 4/12 Meet authors! Buy books for your bookshelf or the HM library! Creative Arts & Sciences' AuthorFest is coming! Author Nathan Hale will visit with students in grades 3-5 on April 11. Many authors will be at Cabot School on April 12 for a book sale and signing. For a complete list of authors, click here. To purchase books from Newtonville Books, click here (they will be delivered to school before April 12). Purchase a book for the library from Ms. Guzzi's wish list here. Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars Lost & Found Cleanout: Wed. 4/6 Virtual Talent Show: Fri. 4/29 Bringing it Back Party: Fri. 4/8 (grown-ups only) Author Visit: Grades 3-5 at HM, Mon. 4/11 AuthorFest at Cabot School, Tues. 4/12 3:15-4:45pm Food and Culture Night: Thurs. 5/12 (in person!) Mystery Gather & Chill: Early June Fitness for Life: Fri., June 17 5th Grade Graduation: Wed., June 22 Support HM When You Shop 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. Scan your grocery receipts using the Box Tops for Education app and earn money for HM from products you already buy. Even 10 cents adds up! 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 Monday, April 4 Grade 3 MCAS - ELA Tuesday, April 5 Grade 5 MCAS - ELA Thursday, April 7 Grade 4 MCAS ELA 9:00a CAS - Gd K - Miko Imai Friday, April 8 Grade 3 MCAS - ELA Monday, April 11 11:15a CAS authorfest - Nathan Hale Tuesday, April 12 Grade 4 MCAS - ELA Thursday, April 14 Grade 5 MCAS - ELA 8:30a HM Gd 3 - Plimoth Plantation Friday, April 15 No School - Good Friday Quick Links

Horace Mann PTO 225 Nevada Street Newton, MA 02460 hmannpto@gmail.com