Gift Ideas, Mr. Tynes Annual Play, and More!

Non-technology gift alternatives for the holiday season - Check out this list of recommendations from SCREENAGERS:

https://www.screenagersmovie.com/tech-talk-tuesdays/12-screen-less-gift-ideas-that-kids-will-love?utm_source=Streak+Inquiries&utm_campaign=66d54f564e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_12_04_03_44_COPY_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6df95fe5f7-66d54f564e-160167517&mc_cid=66d54f564e&mc_eid=011ee86679




From Mr. Tynes -

PRESS RELEASE

The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs proudly presents:

Be Thankful for What You Got

An original play by David A. Tynes

Special Military Preview Saturday, December 8,  2018 at

 1:00pm

This is a free show for all military veterans, active duty and their families.

All military, law enforcement and first responders are welcome.

Show Dates

Saturday, December 15^th at 7:30pm

Sunday, December 16^th at 4:30 pm

Admission: $10.00 at the door for both shows

Location: 680 Huron Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

Play Synopsis

Come and see these incredible actors perform in this four-act play.  Be Thankful for What You Got is designed to teach us all about life’s ups and downs and how love, duty, honor, perseverance, kindness and compassion can help us to understand that there is always a reason to be thankful.  The play is set to sounds of soul, country, rhythm and blues and folk music.

Join us as a young man struggles with addiction and watch, as a community that he sets out to hurt, comes together to rally and lift him up.

Journey with us back to the 60’s, as two young men travel two different paths. One risks his life and enlists in the Marines, heading off to Vietnam while the other uses his wealth and privilege to defer the draft; in the end becoming the most powerful man in the world.

Sit with us as we take you into the life of a young immigrant mother struggling to make ends meet, while others around her turn their biases and ridicule into empathy and understanding.

Finally, celebrate with us as we ring in the holiday season with a proud dad who was laid off after 20 years because the candy factory he worked at closed. Watch how he and his family celebrate the true meaning of the holidays.

Please click the link below to find out more about The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YjXIgJ_0pav722P0yY0ErhUd6SdMep_j/view?usp=drivesdk



The Cambridge Program is proud to be under the umbrella of The Department of Human Services.

Pre-School Opportunities

12/15/18    FREE     9:30 am

Storytime – Colonial Winter

Durant-Kenrick House

286 Waverley Ave, Newton

preschoolers and an adult

Story – The Mitten

Create cotton ball mittens

12/26/18   FREE      10:00 am

Storytime – Winter Hibernation

Jackson Homestead

527 Washington Street, Newton

617-796-1450

preschoolers and adult

story – Over and Under the Snow

make wintry paperbag trees

Thursdays    FREE     11:00-11:45

Drop in Music Class - rhythm, songs, stories

preschoolers and adult

Register: allnewtonmusicschool.com/mornings

All Newton Music School

321 Chestnut St, West Newton

Music Program

children 0-3 and their caretakers

Wednesday Dec 12, Jan 9, 16, 23, 30

9:30am to 10:45am, at CPCF
Playspace, 150 Jackson Rd, Newton

Kids in the Know Playgroup

children ages 3-5 and their Adult, 

Tuesdays, Dec 11 & 18

3:00-4:30pm at CPCF Playspace,

150 Jackson Rd, Newton

From the Health Office - 

Warning Signs of Diabetes

A Collaboration between the Jordan Bennett Weiss Fund and the City of Newton Health Department

JBW Fund – PO Box 590223 Newton Centre MA 02459  – JBWfund@aol.com

Familiarize yourself with the warning signs / symptoms of diabetes. Sometimes the symptoms are very obvious, and other times they are not.  Early detection and knowledge of the warning signs is your greatest weapon against the disease and its complications!*

TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS: These symptoms often occur suddenly and must receive immediate medical attention.

٭ Excessive thirst

٭ Frequent urination, sometimes exhibited by bedwetting

      (in large quantities)

٭ Sudden vision changes

٭ High amounts of sugar in the blood and/or urine   (A sweet, fruity odor may be   

      present in urine, on one’s breath/body.)

٭ Extreme hunger (increased appetite)

٭ Rapid or unexplained weight loss

٭ Fatigue (weak and tired)

٭ Irritability and mood changes

٭ Drowsiness, lethargy

٭ Nausea and/or vomiting

٭ Abdominal pain

٭ Rapid, hard breathing (heavy, labored)

٭ Confusion, Stupor, Unconsciousness

TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: These symptoms occur gradually, however, they must receive immediate medical attention.

٭ Blurred vision

٭ Tingling or numbness in the legs, feet or fingers

٭ Frequent infections of the skin

٭ Recurring skin, gum or urinary tract infections

٭ Darker patches of skin usually in neck folds

٭ Itching of skin and/or genitals

٭ Drowsiness

٭ Slow healing of cuts and bruises

*Please note:  Many of these symptoms can be related to illnesses that are not associated with diabetes, including the flu. Only a healthcare professional can provide appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments.

For more information, log onto www.diabetes.org , www.jdrf.org , www.joslin.org or www.JBWfund.org

EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5th

Please note that this Wednesday, December 5th, we will have an Early Release  at 12:30 for ALL STUDENTS.

This is in addition to the normal Tuesday dismissal at 12:30

NewsNotes 12/3/2018

NEWSNOTES December 3, 2018 In this issue: From Principal Nardelli Calendar From the PTO

From Principal Nardelli

I Am From: On display in our long first floor hallway are the I Am From Leaves that our students created last month.  Below are some images of our display.          Early Release Day Reminder:  There is an early release scheduled for this Wednesday, December 5th.  Students will be released at 12:30.   During this time, staff will be engaged in a few important initiatives: For the first part of the day we will continue our work on the importance of understanding culture in creating a welcoming and engaging school environment. The second part of the afternoon will include small group work.  Some examples include: Our grade 2 team will be looking at math assessment data and upcoming units in the new Investigations math program.   3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teams will be getting together as one large group to look at how we teach students to write in response to text they are reading.     School Connectedness Survey: Recently, a letter was sent to all families from the Superintendent’s office describing our annual School Connectedness Survey.  These surveys are administered to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students each November/December.  While we do not see individual student responses, the results give us a sense of how students feel about their experiences at our school.  If you have questions, we have copies of the survey available in the main office. Carr School Update:  On November 28th, the School Committee voted to keep the Horace Mann name as we move to the building on 225 Nevada St.  Here is the official announcement: Also, below is a brief update on some of the questions that have been coming in about our move: Questions about crossing guards/intersections - This is an important item on our to do list for late winter/early spring.  We have requested a traffic study to determine potentially dangerous intersections as well as where new crossing guards will need to be allocated.  At this point, no decisions have been made.  Questions about bussing - The city anticipates that a bus route may be created to address longer travel distances from those families residing closer to West Newton.  Again, no decisions have been made yet, but will be addressed this spring. Winter Weather: Now that the cold weather has arrived in earnest, please remember to dress your children appropriately for the weather.  We go outside for recess every day, except when the most bitterly cold air arrives. Children are expected to wear coats and long pants when we go outside in cold temperatures.  Children should also bring hats, gloves/mittens, boots and snow pants as we will be outside when the snow arrives. We recommend labeling all items with your child’s name so that we can limit items in  the Lost and Found barrel. Holiday Celebrations: We've been drawing attention this fall to the various practices and traditions celebrated in the lives of our families here at HM.  In thinking about the normal exposure of the more prominent holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas), we've asked teachers to be purposeful in class about discussing other celebrations that come up during the school year that are important to people from other cultures.  For example, a fair number of students have shared the fact that they do not dress up or trick-or-treat during Halloween.  We also learned that not everyone has turkey on Thanksgiving.  On Friday, some 5th graders shared games, writing, and food traditions that their families take part in during Hanukah. While the items I shared may not be new information for many of us, we do feel that giving students a chance to share their traditions is an important part of establishing a welcoming environment.  The goal is not to censor or squash the celebrations of the majority, but to acknowledge and celebrate cultural traditions that reflect the reality of our community. School Committee Gift Policy: On a related note, I realize that many families wish to express their gratitude to staff members.  I want to remind you of the Massachusetts Ethics Reform laws regarding gifts.  The law states that “municipal employees may not accept gifts and gratuities valued at $50 or more” (per year). “A group gift for a teacher/classroom where individuals contribute smaller amounts cannot exceed $150.” Classroom supplies/contributions do not fall under this policy. I ask for your cooperation in adhering to this policy. If you wish to express your gratitude to a staff member, cards or notes are greatly appreciated.  Other alternatives include purchasing a book for the library or making a donation to the Newton Schools Foundation. Each of these can be dedicated to honor a special staff member.  Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness.

Calendar

Staff Appreciation Breakfast Wednesday, December 5 Early Release Wednesday, December 5 12:30 p.m. FORJ Meeting Tuesday, December 11 No School, December Recess Monday, December 24-Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Visit the entire Horace Mann Calendar at www.horacemannpto.com

From the PTO

[Store_Button] LAST CHANCE to order delicious coffee cakes from My Grandma's of New England Coffee Cake company. These decadent cakes (you may have nibbled some at the Book Fair breakfast) make a great gift and a perfect brunch item for a holiday morning. They stay fresh for two weeks and freeze for up to a year. And, the best part is, more than 30% of the profits go right back to the Horace Mann PTO. Click on the link below to order. (Paper forms are available in the Office if you want to sell at work or in your neighborhood. ) Details: Cakes are $12 each. Sale runs through Tuesday, December 4. Cakes will be available for pick up in the front of school on Tuesday, December 18 from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, December 19 from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. and Wednesday evening (time and place TBD.) We also deliver to D. A. D. cubbies! The Fourth and Fifth Grade Social Action Committee is running a coat drive in connection with the Food Drive this week.  Coats will be donated to Cradles to Crayons They are accepting winter coats in good, clean condition  Sizes Infant to Adult Small Drop in front/back lobbies of school  DECEMBER  3rd-7th You can also click on the link below to donate directly to Cradles to Crayons Amazon Wish List   https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/TJMR8JUUS0US/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_mt__wl Don't forget the Horace Mann Food Drive to benefit the  Centre Street Food Pantry December  3rd-7th Upcoming SOCIAL EVENTS Time to register for a night at  The Paint Bar! Friday, January 11 at 6:30 p.m. Register here: https://www.thepaintbar.com/newton/jan-2019/advreg-01-11-19-nv-630 SAVE THE DATE Mystery Dinner—Saturday, February 2, 2019—Calling all dinner hosts! We are also looking for an Appetizer Host, please contact Liz Kleinerman or Tracy Kane for details.  Contact information listed below. Our 2019 Mystery Dinner is Saturday, February 2nd and we need dinner hosts!!  Those of you who have been a part of the Mystery Dinner in previous years know how much fun it is.  It's a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances, meet new friends, and connect with other HM parents; all while enjoying delicious food and supporting the school. Please consider opening your home for a dinner.  Dinner host deadline is Friday, December 14th. For those who need more information, a quick snapshot of the night: At 7pm on the evening of the event, you and the other attendees will gather at one large appetizer party,  where you will receive your mystery envelope revealing your dinner destination, host, and theme. At 8pm, everyone will proceed to their dinners,  we will all enjoy delicious food and get to know each other better. After dinner around 10pm, everyone will reconvene for dessert and coffee at a new (surprise) location. Being a host entails opening up your home to anywhere from 4-10 people (or more if your house can accommodate) for dinner.  You decide the theme and the menu for your party to enjoy.  Past dinners have ranged from home-cooked Italian dinners to surf & turf to Indian cuisine.  It can be as creative and involved as you wish.  It does not need to be extravagant--the point is to enjoy a good meal and to have fun!  If you are interested or have questions, please email Liz Kleinerman (ejkleinerman@gmail.com) or Tracy Kane (tracy.kane7@gmail.com) with any questions. Save the date, get your childcare lined up, and get ready for some fun! Box Tops Thanks to everyone who submitted Box Tops this fall. Those little scraps of paper raised $200 for the PTO! Please keep clipping them and sending them in to your child's teacher. The next deadline is in March. Don't forget to start your holiday Amazon orders at smile.amazon.com! Choose Horace Mann PTO as your charity and a percentage of your purchase comes back to HM. 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]