NewsNotes 4/9/2022

NewsNotes Issue #14 April 9, 2022 From the Principal Essential Info 1) COVID Case Number Report Week of March 28th - Horace Mann school recorded two (2) positive COVID cases (students and staff) at our school.  Week of April 4th - Horace Mann school recorded four (4) positive COVID cases (students and staff) at our school.   2)NO SCHOOL - FRIDAY, APRIL 15th through SUNDAY, APRIL 24th 3) MCAS - Below are the MCAS dates 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 4)AUTHOR FEST at CABOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 3:30-5:00 PM 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 Placement Info Session Materials -  PLACEMENT INFO SESSION SLIDE DECK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AWvDIWj02Z3Z9ZSpNDoepGapP__s47ho/view?usp=sharing   A reminder that the Optional Parent Placement Form is due next Thursday, April 14th.  Here's the link:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYfHzDRUsIA9OIENywFmRZAVeQVwA8g9JBzJ59DNPLkdnhDg/viewform Supporting a Healthy Relationship with Technology - Attached please find a flier for an upcoming virtual program titled “Supporting a Healthy Relationship with Technology,” presented by Katie LeClerc Greer, a nationally recognized digital safety expert, on Thursday, April 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom webinar.     The webinar will update parents, caregivers, and supportive adults on the latest tech trends, safety issues, social media concerns and tips on how to help our kids have productive, healthy relationships with technology.   Learn what’s new, what’s now and what’s next when it comes to our kids and technology.   To register please click here: REGISTRATION LINK Earth Day - Celebrate Earth Day with a festival on Sunday, April 24 from 1-4pm outside of City Hall!    With electric vehicles and entertaining performances, bike rides and bees, ice cream and info on home energy improvements, we’ll have something for everyone to mark the day.   See a full list of activities at GreenNewton.org/EarthDay.    Event will take place rain or shine. Newton’s Earth Day Festival is hosted by Green Newton, the City’s Climate Team, and Newton’s EV Task Force.  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. 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. Purchase a book for the library from Ms. Guzzi's wish list here, or you can buy books at the event. Happy reading! Send in Your Talent Show Videos! Record any talent your child would like to perform! Submit all recordings by April 15th (time limit of 3 minutes, please. We have 52 acts signed up!).  The show will air on YouTube on Friday, April 29th at 7 PM. Please email Adam (Adambrown717@gmail.com) with questions. 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! 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  Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars AuthorFest at Cabot School, Tues. 4/12 3:15-4:45pm Virtual Talent Show: Fri. 4/29 Lost & Found Cleanout: Wed. 5/4 Food and Culture Night: Thurs. 5/12 (in person!) FORJ Book Club: Thurs. 5/19 Food Trucks at HM: Fri. 5/20 Mystery Gather & Chill: Early June Fitness for Life: Fri., June 17 5th Grade Graduation: Wed., June 22 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 or drop off some groceries, 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!  GoFundMe to help with her mom's medical bills and expenses 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 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 Monday, April 18 Spring recess Tuesday, April 19 Spring recess Wednesday, April 20 Spring recess Thursday, April 21 Spring recess Friday, April 22 Spring recess Quick Links

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