September 25, 2009		From Greg’s Desk
Upcoming
Every Tuesday Pretzel Sales $1.00 After school Front/Back Lobbies Ongoing Monday, September 28 Yom Kippur – no school Wednesday, September 30 Back to School BBQ Sunday, October 25 HM Road Race & Fall Fair Next Edition: October 9 From Greg’s Desk (Continued)		Dear Families, First of all, thank you for a wonderful Curriculum Night Wednesday evening. It was great to see so many of you turn out to meet teachers, learn about the curriculum and hear about upcoming programs! Newton’s Strategic Plan and What It Means for Horace Mann As you may know, the Strategic Planning Team, comprising teachers, parents, administrators and school committee members, has published its report, Vision 2020: A Strategic Plan for the Newton Public Schools. In this document the Planning Team presents a very clear vision of what learning in the “global age” should look like. This document – and several related articles - can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/strategic_planning/index.html. This is an important document for a number of reasons. It puts forth Newton’s mission statement (… to educate, prepare, and inspire all students to achieve their full potential as life-long learners, thinkers, and productive contributors to our global society), values (excellence, innovation, respect, responsibility), vision for the future, and strategic goals and objectives. It lays out a road map for implementing 21^st Century goals and skills (creative and critical thinking, inquiry, innovation, collaborative problem-solving, global understanding, empathy, information and media literacy, interdisciplinary learning) while reinforcing the importance of a core curriculum and high standards. It also reminds us of the values that bind us as a community and as a nation: respect for human differences, the uniqueness and dignity of different races and ethnicities, individual sexual preferences, and a range of learning styles; responsibility – collective and individual – for collaboration and honest communication, compassion, and concern for others; innovation as we strive to tackle a range of political, social, environmental, and technological challenges; and excellence in all of our academic, athletic, artistic and personal pursuits. In my opinion, this is a very thoughtfully prepared document that strives to describe the type of students we seek to produce and strategies for bringing about educational reforms over the next decade. I have asked teachers to familiarize themselves with this report because our school improvement plan and professional development goals must reflect the content and spirit of this new strategic plan. In our most recent faculty meeting, we began to look at the ‘goals for students’ section. These goals are captured in the strategic plan pyramid (above) and in the report itself as follows: Students will experience schools as an intellectual adventure, coming to understand core knowledge and skills as they develop 21^st century habits of mind, e.g.: · Critical and creative thinking · Collaborative problem-solving · Powerful means of communication · Empathy, cultural awareness, and global understanding Objective 1: To learn the power of inquiry, critical and creative thinking, collaborative problem solving, and connections across disciplines. Objective 2: To use these 21^st century intellectual strategies to acquire the core knowledge and skills defined by clear and strong curriculum standards. Objective 3: To benefit from best educational practices including differentiated instruction, authentic assessments, and technological innovations. Objective 4: To experience and appreciate their own and other cultures while developing a strong sense of social responsibility for both local and global communities. Objective 5: To discover and pursue interests, passions, and avenues of self-expression through a variety of program offerings. Over the coming months, I will be exploring these powerful ideas and learning objectives with the faculty as we begin to examine our instructional program through the lens of 21^st century skills and thinking. It is an exciting time to be an educator, and we invite you, as 21^st century parents, to join with us as full partners in this exploration! Neighborhood and Community News It is with great sorrow and profound respect that we mourn the passing of Bill McCarthy, father of second grader Tommy, fourth grader Liam, and preschooler Caitlyn, and wife of PTO co-president Heather McCarthy. As many of you know, Bill was a pillar of the Horace Mann community – a wonderful dad, a full participant in PTO and school events, a renowned hockey coach, and a beloved friend to many Horace Mann students and families. The unprecedented outpouring of affection for Bill and for the McCarthy family that we have witnessed over the past few days speaks to the tremendous influence that Bill had in this community, and to the unbelievable strength, dignity, and courage that Heather has displayed in the face of daunting circumstances. Some of you may have known longtime Horace Mann friend and neighbor Bill Hannon, who also passed away this week. Mr. Hannon was a familiar sight walking his dog, Cocoa, up and down Albemarle. A World War II veteran, Mr. Hannon visited Horace Mann classrooms on a number of occasions and shared his historical perspective and firsthand knowledge with students. He was always a hit, and he will be sorely missed. Final Thoughts Thanks to everyone for a very smooth opening of school. Teachers and staff were most appreciative of the luncheon sponsored by the PTO. It was a great way to kick off the year and a wonderful reminder of the uniquely thoughtful and supportive community in which we work! Sincerely, Greg

		From the PTO

PTO Dues is Under Way Newsnotes is “Going Green”		Dear Horace Mann Families, It is such an honor to be members of such a wonderful school community. Horace Mann is full of caring teachers and parents who unite together in times of need. It's incredible to witness what this community is capable of when we band together. It was great to see so many new and familiar faces at Curriculum Night. Our PTO dues campaign is now under way. Thank you to all families who have already sent in their checks to the PTO Dues box in the front lobby. We are hoping for 100% participation from Horace Mann families. Our dues help sponsor Creative Arts and Science programs, Back to School BBQ, Talent Show, Newsnotes and School Directory, Discretionary Funds for teachers/staff and Fitness for Life. We hope many of you had the opportunity to sign up for one of Horace Mann events or committees. We feel fortunate that many people have offered to lead these committees. And, the best way to show our appreciation is by giving them a hand. Hopefully you have received the information about Newsnotes "Going Green". Each Horace Mann family will now have the opportunity to receive Newsnotes online. We have received many positive comments and looked forward to hearing more feedback. Please remember that hard copies of Newsnotes will be available in the school lobby for those who aren't able to receive online.

		Also From the PTO

Back to School BBQ September 30th 5:30 p.m. to dusk		Join the Horace Mann Community in the field behind the school as we celebrate the new school year! The PTO will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers, chips and dessert, as well as music and good cheer. Please bring a blanket and drinks for your family. If you can help set up, grill, assemble hot dogs and burgers or clean up please contact: Noreen Grady: gradys3@verizon.net or Lauren Paton: laurenpaton@verizon.net

6^th Annual HM Family Fun Run and Walk October 25^th, 2009 We have events for the whole family! Pumpkin Dash Miler HM 5k Raffle		Start your training now! This day is about spending time with family and friends while being physically fit. The proceeds benefit Fitness For Life and the PTO general fund. For ages 6 and under, the Pumpkin Dash is an under.3 mile sprint down Albemarle Rd. All runners get a prize! If you’re looking for more of a challenge, try the Miler. This one mile run takes you in a loop around Cheesecake Brook along Albemarle Rd. It will be timed and it’s for all ages. Ribbons to all who run. Everyone is welcome to take on the HM 5k. Run or walk along our certified 5k course through the neighborhood surrounding Horace Mann and through Fessenden School. This race will be professionally timed with mile splits, a water station, and awards to the top finishers. NEW THIS YEAR! Spend some time together as a family and you could win a prize! Runners that train together as a team gain confidence and have more motivation. Who is more of a team than your family? This year families can sign up to run the HM 5k as a family team and be entered into a raffle drawing where you could win fabulous family fun prizes. Family teams must consist of 3 or more individuals from one or two families. At least one participant must be an adult and at least one a child 14 or under. Participants may run or walk – just get moving! Pick up a registration form in the lobby or sign up online at www.horacemannroadrace.com Questions? Contact us at hmroadrace@yahoo.com or call Katie Slocum 617-527-2653

Social Action Committee 4^th and 5^th Graders		Come to our first meeting on Tuesday, September 29 from 12:30-1:45pm in Mr. Feldstein’s room. Please bring a lunch and a drink. We will be meeting on the last Tuesday of the month each month until June. We organize the UNICEF drive, the light bulb sale and other projects that help people globally, locally and here at Horace Mann. Our group was responsible for getting the field out by the playground fixed up! So come join us to help do some good for others! Contact Mary Beth DeNucci or Stephanie Rogers with any questions denuccifam@rcn.com or Stephanie_Rogers@comcast.net

Congratulation Miss Hart		Miss Hart would like to extend an invitation to all students (past, present, and future!) to her wedding ceremony. It will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 2:00 p.m., Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church on Trapelo Road in Waltham. Miss Hart respectfully requests that all students attending the ceremony sit with an adult during the ceremony. Miss Hart looks forward to celebrating with the Horace Mann community!

		From The Community

Newton Community Education Classes at Horace Mann		Open for fall registration! There are openings in the following classes at Horace Mann: Girls Science Club on Mondays, Chess on Tuesdays, Woodcrafts on Wednesdays, Manga (Japanese Cartooning) on Thursdays, and Mad Science on Fridays. Check the website at www.newtoncommunityed.org for more information on family programs this fall. Call 617-559-6999 to register.

Sheryl Franks Creative Skating Academy		The Sheryl Franks Creative Skating Academy 2009-2010 season is starting. The fun filled school offers a curriculum designed to keep skaters enthusiastic about learning from the time they begin their lessons until they reach their goals. Three sessions are offered for the season. Each session offers lessons & practice time, USFSA badge testing, as well as a session end ice show where the skaters will showcase their skills learned during the session, complete with guest skaters. For every Horace Mann student that enrolls, 5% of the tuition will be donated to the Horace Mann PTO at the end of the year. Lessons and practice times are held at The Fessenden School/Coffin Sports Center, 250 Waltham Street, W. Newton on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. Brochures can be found in the front lobby of the school or at the Coffin Sports Center. For more information call 617-699-4736 or visit on the web at www.CreativeSkatingAcademy.com.

Newton Girl Scouts		Newton Girl Scouts is now open for registration of new members. All girls in grades K-12 and adult volunteers are welcome. For more information, contact Newton Girl Scouts at newtongs@gmail.com or leave message at 617-671-1223.

Boys & Girls Club of Newton Open House www.newtonbgc.com		On Sunday, September 27^th, all program areas of the Club will be open to the Public from noon to 3:00 PM. Receive a $25 discount on a Full Year Membership when you register that day. Games, Activities, Prizes, Contests, fun for the whole family. Come see what the Club is all about! You could win a free Bicycle! For more information Contact Program Director Jen McAuliffe, jmcauliffe@newtonbgc.com, phone: 617-630-2066.

Special Needs Drama Troupe All Newton Music School		All Newton Music School is offering a theater class for kids with special needs ages 10-13 yrs old, Mondays from 4:00 – 4:45pm. Drama David, a teacher for the past 16 years, offers a class where students of varying needs can feel successful and confident on stage. The class will focus on movement, projection, reactions and stage cues. Call 617-527-4553 or go to www.allnewtonmusic.com for more info. If you have any questions, email David Gaita at david_gaita@newton.k12.ma.us.

Annual Pumpkin Patch Oct. 4^th – 31^st		The United Parish of Auburndale is hosting its third annual Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins large and small, gourds and baked goods will be for sale. The proceeds help the UPA support a number of programs in the New England area. Don’t miss this fun family outing! Pumpkin Patch hours are: M-F, 10am-6pm; Sat, 9am-5pm; and Sun, 11am-6pm. For more information, please contact the UPA at 617-964-8516.

Newton Girls Basketball Association (NGBA) Registration is Underway		A recreational league for Newton girls with fun for beginners and experienced players alike! Games are played on Saturdays for all grades, starting December 5th and continuing into mid-March; for Grades 3-8 practices are for 1-hour on one evening during the week (Mon-Thurs). There are no weekday practices for Grade 2 and High School. Registrations are due by Tuesday, October 20th, for Grades 2-8, and Monday, November 30th, for High School. A late fee applies for registrations received after those dates. Scholarships are available based on need; please see the website for details. Pre-season clinics for players and coaches for grades 3-6 will take place on Sunday, October 25th, and Sunday, November 22nd. To register, obtain additional details and to find out more about the league, please visit our website at www.ngba.net.

Green Decade Coalition		Yard Sale of the Decade! Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, from 9 am to 4 pm. Rain or Shine. 16 Linder Terrace, Newton Corner (off Hunnewell Avenue). Toys, clothes, cookware, sports equipment and more. Proceeds to benefit Green Decade/Newton, an environmental education and advocacy non-profit. For more information go to www.greendecade.org/events.

New Art Center Registration is Ongoing		Many classes still have openings for the Early Fall Term (late September through end of October), and for the Late Fall Term (first week of November through mid-December). Classes for children include Ceramics, Draw Fantasy & Manga, Artistic Architects, Play-n-Clay Clay Creatures, Adventures in Art, and Young Artists. New Art Center also offer a Saturday Drop-In Art Class for grades K-5 from 10:00-11:00 with a different project each week. Check the New Art Center's many classes for Teens and Adults. For more information or to register, visit the website www.NewArtCenter.org, or call 617-964-3424.

Child Assault Prevention Program Volunteers Needed		Newton’s Child Assault Prevention Program (CAP) is seeking volunteers. CAP offers a flexible schedule to volunteers who enjoy teamwork and can make a commitment of six hours per month for one school year. Training begins October 23. All volunteers who work with children has to participate in a personal interview and successfully pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) screening. For more information, contact Gail Sommer, Director, 617 969 5906, x 143 or gsommer@ncscweb.org

Classifieds
CELLO LESSONS: For all ages, all levels, Suzuki, Traditional Classical, and Contemporary Folk Styles. Seven years of private teaching experience. Ariel Friedman is a graduate from Northwestern University in 2008 in cello performance and a winner of ASTA's 2009 Alternative Styles Award. For more information or to set up a trial lesson, please call 617-835-9151 or email ari.afriedman@gmail.com KIDS' KARATE: Free uniform for those who enroll. For grade 1 - 5. Cost per 7-Week Session: $79 for once-a-week or $99 for twice-a-week. Located at Trinity High School, Newton. Please contact (617) 527-8052 or go to kids-karate.org for more information. ACTIVEMINDS TUTORING, LLC: Your source for in-home tutoring. Effective, Personalized and Convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation (MCAS, SAT, SSAT...). Sign your child up for academic success and receive a free lesson! Call: (617) 663-5700 during business hours, or (617) 227-2225 Eve/Wknds. Please visit our web site at www.activemindstutoring.com. TUTORING: Newton Public School teacher with Masters in Elementary Education and 9 years teaching experience. Available this year to tutor students in grades K-6 in all subject areas (reading, writing, math, etc.). Call 617-875-6870 or email aliciakeat@aol.com for more information. DROP-IN PLAYGROUP: For children from ages 12 months, with an adult. Located at Burr Park in Newton Corner. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00am-12:00pm. $10 per visit for a family. Visit www.exploreandmorelearning.com or contact Mary Beth at 1-800-360-1821 for more information. Y3K TUTOR IN YOUR HOME: Tutor for special ed. such as ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, and gifted. Also tutor for regular ed. and test preparation. All subjects and ages. Parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson. Call 781-492-8700 or log on to Y3KTutorInYourHome.com. PIANO INSTRUCTION: Berklee & New England Conservatory graduate with 30 years teaching experience has several openings in studio. Beginners Welcome. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading from a patient, caring teacher. Gloria Jasinski, phone: 617.566.9704, email: piano566@comcast.net
	Newsnotes Information
	Editors: Melissa Dilworth, Gina Mulvaney, Maura Harrington, Adriana Powderly Bauza, Susanti Sugianto, Deb Randall. Newsnotes is the main vehicle of communication at Horace Mann School. Newsnotes is published by the PTO bi-weekly. Please email items of interest to hmnewsnotes@lists.neighborhood.net. Deadline for submissions is 11:00am on Tuesday the week you want the items to appear. Classifieds from the Horace Mann community are free. Classifieds from non-community members may be charged a nominal fee.