Friday, October 21, 2022

NewsNotes #3 10/21/22

A blue hawk in the middle of a blue circle that says
NewsNotes Issue #3 October 21, 2022
From the Principal
Essential Info


Monday, October 24th


   Diwali Holiday



Thursday, October 27th


  • IN-PERSON MATH WORKSHOP - 8:20-9:20 AM



  • HM Cafeteria



Late October/November


  • PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES - please see your child’s teacher for sign up opportunities



Detailed Updates

Updated School-wide Values

 

This month, we’ve been discussing our school-wide values as a way of recommitting to the things we feel are most important about being a member of the Horace Mann community.  Students and staff both participated in brainstorming sessions and on Friday at our All School Assembly, we unveiled our new values.  I am sharing them with you here.

Next steps will involve focusing on one of the values as a school-wide initiative to helps students understand and practice the values, both in school and at home.  Our first value will be to focus on WHO YOU ARE MATTERS; YOU ARE ALL WELCOME HERE.

Facilities Update

 

Please see the update below regarding the Horace Mann School project. You can follow along with our efforts to secure project funding for the Horace Mann School by visiting newtonma.gov/override

 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

 

Regards, 


Josh Morse

Public Buildings Commissioner

Public Buildings Department

City of Newton



The Horace Mann School project began when the parents rallied together to say that we could do better, and be better, for the staff and students with regards to the limitations of the current facility. 

After a commitment of design funds from Mayor Fuller, Newton Public Schools, and with the support of the City Council, we rolled up our sleeves and worked together with Raymond Design Associates to breathe life into this critical project. We listened carefully to the staff and parent community to understand the challenges and opportunities. We secured the services of NV5, our Owner’s Project Manager. We evaluated the current conditions and space limitations, and used the Massachusetts School Building Authority, MSBA, space guidelines as a template to help guide what our project goals and objectives would be. We worked together with the Horace Mann School Building Committee, Community, and Staff to push, pull, tease and test, several options, and approaches to addressing the space challenges both within the existing building, and for the building addition. 

Through this collaborative process, we have confirmed a preferred option for the playgrounds, green space, recreational elements, building addition, and interior space modifications. We are well on our way to making the Horace Mann facility an incredible asset that will promote and complement the great work of the staff, while enriching the lives and educational experience of generations of students to come. 

The Horace Mann project is now before the residents of Newton, whose vote next spring will determine whether this project can move forward. The Horace Mann School project schedule is not impacted by this process, as we assumed when the schedule was created that a period of time would be needed to obtain project funding.  Should the voters of Newton choose to support this project, we will be ready to hit the ground running on moving forward with the design. In the meantime, although the formal design process will pause briefly, we will continue to work with Newton Public Schools to advance our thinking and planning with respect to the latest interior and exterior designs and the project construction phasing plan.

Title 1 Information


As is true every year, teachers are adept at working with students and meeting their needs. Aligned with best teaching practices and as a part of our Multi-Tiered System of Support, students are grouped flexibly in all subject areas and receive both whole-group and targeted small-group instruction. These groups are fluid and may be facilitated by a classroom teacher, teaching assistant, Title 1 educator, curriculum coach, or specialist. This collaborative approach to student learning and growth is one of the many things that makes Horace-Mann such a special community. 


Our students participate in both small group and whole group instruction, and family outreach initiatives made possible by a Title 1 federal grant. The Horace-Mann staff is excited to receive this funding and to be a Title 1 school. This allows us to provide additional support this year in mathematics. 

There are several ways in which Title 1 supports children. Educators from the Title 1 program may be assigned to your child’s class to help the teacher implement the curriculum, or work with small groups of students during regularly scheduled class time. Additionally, Title 1 promotes and supports a meaningful connection between home and school.  


This grant funding comes with many regulations that the school/district needs to follow. The distribution of the attached parent/caregiver forms is one of them. These forms indicate acknowledgement that NPS has informed you that Horace-Mann is a Title 1 school and acknowledgement of the partnership between home and school to support student learning, including student attendance. 


Please share any questions or feedback related to these forms with Jennifer Shore, Director of Special Initiatives and Programs; shorej@newton.k12.ma.us.




Horace-Mann Title 1 

School-Family Compact

2022-2023


This compact reminds us that we all have a role in helping our students succeed.  

At Horace-Mann Elementary School, Title 1 supplementary services in mathematics are offered to students during the school day. 


MISSION STATEMENT   

Our school is a learning community that supports open and positive communication, trust and respect among students, parents and staff.

It is a place where:

 *Teachers and students are challenged to set high expectations.  

 *Innovative educational practices are encouraged.

 *Diversity is celebrated.

 *Professional judgment is respected.

 *People feel connected to and care for one another and their school.


CORE VALUES

Each child is encouraged by staff to do his or her best academically and to develop self-esteem and independence. Both at home and at school, students are asked to follow the four core values. 

Help one another be Safe and Respectful

Aspire to Learn and Achieve Your Goals

Who you are Matters; You are Welcome here

Kindness is free, sprinkle it everywhere

Show Sportspersonship, Effort, and Teamwork


TEACHERS


Staff will do their best to:

*Create a welcoming and safe environment for students and families.

*Have high expectations for students and themselves.

*Provide high quality curriculum and instruction.

*Engage and communicate with families to support student learning.

      

FAMILY AND STUDENT 

Families will do their best to support their child’s learning by:

*Ensuring that their child is well rested, attends school daily and arrives on time.

*Attending parent conferences.

*Communicating with their child’s teacher to monitor academic and social progress.


Students agree to:

*Attend school and be on time.

*Follow the Horace-Mann Core Values.

*Try to do their best.

Opportunity for 5th Grade Families - Sponsored By Day Middle School

 

First Phone: A Guide to Child's Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety and Etiquette

Join Dr. Catherine Pearlman, licensed social worker and parenting and family coach, as she discusses her book, First Phone, a practical guide for children and parents on how to navigate the challenges of owning their first phone. Dr. Pearlman will take on issues from setting boundaries and expectations to privacy and kindness as children navigate a virtual world.

 

Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Time: 7:00 p.m.

 

Location: This is a virtual event. Join the presentation by using the links below:

https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/81588919557

 

You can request translation services by submitting the RSVP form below by Thursday, October 20, 2022:

https://forms.gle/JGhVwKe2qBVsZgu8A



From the PTO

October is a busy month at HM! Here's a look at some of the exciting things going on. Ideas or questions? Find us on Facebook (Horace Mann Parents Group--Newton, MA) or Instagram (@hmannpto), or email us at hmannpto@gmail.com.. Wishing a bright and happy Diwali to those who celebrate!

Please update your directory info!

Please check to make sure you updated your information in Membership Toolkit. This will ensure that you continue getting information from Mr. Nardelli, the PTO, and room parents. You don't want to miss upcoming events!

Thanks for a Fabulous Book Fair!

Thank you to everyone who shopped at the book fair last weekend. We sold over $10,000 worth of books-- and a large percentage of that will come back to HM. The book fair funded Scholastic News for every classroom this year and books for classrooms and students. Huge thanks to our Book Fair Committee: Megan Anapolle, Ellen Farwell, and Caroline Polgar Perriello. All their hard work made this event a success!

Submit Read-a-Thon Minutes: Mon 10/25

Can we beat Mr. Nardelli's challenge of 100,000 minutes as a school?? Any reading minutes count: Reading in school, reading with a friend, reading with a grown-up, listening to a book, reading a magazine... you spend time reading it, it counts! 


Help your students report their minutes on the paper log that came home with the read-a-thon information, or fill out the Google form on the HM Library website. Last year this was our biggest fundraiser! This year's ambitious goal: $20,000. Every little bit counts!

Drive for Five for the Freedge

Help our neighbors! We're supporting Newton Neighbors' Drive for Five for the Newton Community Freedge at 420 Watertown Street. The Freedge is a community refrigerator and pantry that is open 24/7. It provides free food and personal care products to anyone who needs them. The Freedge is organized by Newton Food Pantry in collaboration with many local organizations. Learn more by joining their Facebook group.

Need food? The Freedge is a resource for you! It's open 24/7. This multilingual flyer has more information.

Want to support the drive? Bring any of the five nonperishable donations to HM through 10/31. 

* Individually wrapped snacks

* Pasta/ sauce

* Dried beans

* Toothpaste

* Soap (hand soap, body wash, shampoo, etc.)


There is a table in the lobby for donations. Families can shop for items together and to use this opportunity to talk about food insecurity in our community. Kids can help choose items to donate! It is a powerful way to show how we can come together to support our neighbors.

Creative Arts & Sciences Presentations

Our Creative Arts & Sciences (CAS) program is in full swing! Thanks to the volunteers at each grade level who coordinate these opportunites to bring in professional artists and scientists. Ask your students about these events:

Ball in the House rocked the cafeteria with an amazing a cappella program for all HM students.

Len Cabral, a highly acclaimed storyteller, visited Grade 2 on October 18. (Photo at left)

* The Discovery Museum in Acton brought their traveling science workshop on States of Matter to Grade 3 on October 14. They will bring their Earth Science workshop to Grade 4 on November 2.

* On October 31, Ralph Masiello is coming to speak to Grade 1 students about drawing.

Origamido will amaze Grade 5 students on November 9.

Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
A clip art calendar says in colorful letters,

Drive for Five for Newton Community Freedge 10/14-10/31

Read-a-Thon 10/17-11/7

School Photo Retakes Tues. 11/8

Early Release Tues 11/8 12:10 pm

Food and Culture Night: Thurs. 11/17

Public Meeting to Discuss HM Renovation Tues.11/29 6:30pm (tour) 7pm (meeting)

Support HM through Dues and Shopping
Thanks for paying your PTO dues

The PTO suggests a donation of $50 per student or $150 per family for our annual dues-- but any donation is welcome! You can change the dollar amount in your cart when you pay online through Membership Toolkit. The Horace Mann PTO is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Does your employer have a matching gifts program? Contact your human resources department to learn more about increasing your impact.

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.

Thinking about holiday cards? Order through minted.com and use code FUNDRAISEHORACE. You'll save 20% and the PTO earns 15%!

Looking Ahead
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 24
Diwali (recognized observance)
Monday, October 31
8:45a CAS - Gd 1 - Ralph Masiello
Wednesday, November 2
8:30a CAS - Gd 4 - Discovery Museum: Earth Sciences
Tuesday, November 8
School Picture Retakes
Early Release at 12:10
Wednesday, November 9
8:30a CAS - Gd 5 - Origamido
Friday, November 11
No School - Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 23
12:10p Thanksgiving early dismissal
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving Recess
Friday, November 25
Thanksgiving Recess
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