March 6, 2009

From Joe’s Desk

Upcoming

Every Tuesday

Pretzel Sales $1.00

After school

Front/Back Lobbies

Ongoing

Monday, March 9

K Registration

Thursday, March 12

Early Release

12:30 Dismissal

Friday, March 20

Spring Auction

6:30 PM @ Post 440

Tuesday, March 31

Full Day of School

8:30 – 3:30

Wednesday, April 1

Early Release

12:30 Dismissal

Saturday, April 4

Talent Show

1:30 PM @ Day M.S.

Next Edition:

March 20, 2009

From Joe’s Desk

(continued)

Dear Families,

School Committee Meeting – Thanks to all the parents who attended the meeting with School Committee representatives, Susan Heyman, Kurt Kusiak, and Reenie Murphy. It was a spirited question and answer session with the main topics including class size at grade one at Horace Mann (26 and 23 respectively), Middle School overcrowding, progress reports, early release days and the teacher contract.

One area that seemed to be confusing to parents had to do with the mid-year progress report grades, specifically when students received a “2” – sometimes meets the standard. What seemed unclear to some parents is that the “standard” relates to the end of year benchmark. Given that we are only half way through the school year, it is not unusual for students to not have met the standard completely (3) or exceeded the standard (4), but rather to sometimes meet the end of year standard (2). Many parents seemed concerned that their child must be behind because they received “2’s” on their progress reports. This should not be a reason to be concerned. I accept responsibility for that confusion and will plan meetings with parents next year to ensure a better understanding of progress report grades. If you have concerns about the grading, I suggest you let your classroom teacher know so it can be discussed at the upcoming parent conferences.

MCAS – Please be reminded that there is a change in schedule on Tuesday, March 31^st and Wednesday, April 1^st due to the Long Composition MCAS test. Tuesday, March 31^st will be a full day of school and Wednesday, April 1^st will be a 12:30 release. Mark your calendars. The MCAS tests in March and April consist of Reading and Writing. The schedule is as follows:

Mon. Mar. 30	Tues., Mar. 31	Wed., Apr 1	Thurs., Apr 2	Fri., Apr 3
Grade 3 Reading	Grade 4 Written Composition 3:00 Dismissal	Grade 3 Reading (no music) 12:30 Dismissal	Grade 3 Reading	Grade 5 Reading
Mon., Apr 6	Tues., Apr. 7	Wed, Apr. 8	Thurs., Apr. 9	Fri., Apr. 10
Grade 4 Reading (9:00) Grade 5 Reading (11:00)	Grade 4 Reading	Grade 5 Reading To begin following Chorus	Grade 4 Reading	Good Friday No School

Please make sure your child is well rested and attends on MCAS testing days. Thank you.

Parent Conferences – This is a reminder that parent conferences will be held from March 23 through April 16. If you have not been in touch with your child’s teacher about this, you should try to schedule soon. Teachers do their best to meet with parents at various times, but within their personal schedule as well. I do ask that we respect teachers by arriving and ending on time, being prepared with questions and a second semester goal for your child, and providing feedback on what’s gone well along with concerns.

From the PTO

Spring Auction

&

Gala:

“A Night for the Stars”

March 20^th at the Post 440

We are getting closer to our Night for the Stars Event on March 20^th at the post 440.

Thank you to all of the parents that have contributed to the class baskets, purchased advertising, donated items, provided underwriting or have volunteered your time. We could not have a successful event without all of you. We have close to $20,000 in items and cash donated to date. It is not too late to donate if you wish to. There is a collection box and forms in the front lobby.

Some of the recent items received are Red Sox tickets with special seating! Attend the game and help keep score while sitting on the Green Monster! Also we received Celtics tickets and a Bose Wave Radio. A more comprehensive list of items is on the bulletin board in the lobby.

Going on right now is the sale of raffle tickets for a Sony 26” flat screen television with Apple TV to be drawn at the event. Participants need not be present to win. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. If you need additional tickets or did not receive your tickets please contact Jenn Conley at Jennifer@gooddeadsllc.com.

Tickets to the event are on sale now! Log on to Horace Mann PTO website to purchase tickets through paypal. For your convenience, tickets will be on sale in the lobby the week leading up to the event. The price is 2 for $25 or one for $15 each.

Don’t forget to reserve your babysitter as this is an adult only event! If you did not receive the evite and want more information, please contact Lisa DiFelice at ldifelice@rcn.com or call 617-630-9009.

See you all there!

Your PTO $$ at Work—March

Creative Arts and Sciences Presentations

Wondering what your PTO dollars are being used for this month?

Fifth graders saw live birds of prey and learned about their habits and habitats through a presentation by the Mass. Audubon Society.

Storyteller Valerie Tutson will regale the entire school with stories of African and African American traditions.

Ghanaian Native Vida Galeota and her husband Joe, a Berklee College professor who also lived in Ghana, will teach second graders about Ghanaian culture as they lead the children through a “Day in Ghana.”

Author and illustrator Miko Imai will read to kindergartners from her books and talk to them about writing, illustration and her life in her native Japan.

NPS Budget Information

Superintendent's FY10 Proposed Budget

Superintendent Jeffrey Young has released his proposed budget for the next school 
year.  To view it go to http://media.wickedlocal.com/pdf/FY10_SuptPropBdgt.pdf

Stand for Children Presents - Preserving Education in Tough Times

Tuesday March 10 7:30-9 p.m.

Newton Senior Center

A distinguished panel of budget and policy experts will discuss the implications of the current local and state budget negotiations for Newton’s schools and answer audience questions. This educational forum will also share with participants specific ways they can have an impact on the coming year’s school funding.

Speakers include Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Executive Director Noah Berger, Newton parent and Citizens Advisory Group member Laura Thompson; and Stand for Children State Policy Director Deborah Brown. RSVP to Allison Balter at abalter@stand.org or 617-803-1559. Space is limited, so reserve now! Babysitting is available with advance notice.

Sponsored by Stand for Children.

Critical Choices for Newton:

2009 and Beyond

The League of Women Voters is organizing five panel discussions about Newton's choices as it copes with limited revenues and skyrocketing expenses. The discussions will be based on the reports and research of the Citizen Advisory Group, 14 distinguished residents and volunteers, who were charged with defining the choices facing the City and identifying innovative ways to increase efficiency or develop new or enhanced sources of revenue. Next scheduled meeting:

School Cost Structure Report Tuesday, March 24 at the Longyear Museum

Newton Chapter of the League of Women Voters http://www.lwvnewton.org/

Log onto the League of Women Voters website for a complete listing of the upcoming scheduled meetings.

From The Community

How to Find and Afford Summer Day Camp

March 19th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) initiative is offering a FREE workshop for parents of children ages 4-13, to talk about day camp options in the Newton area. The program will be held in room 210 at the Education Center, 100 Walnut St., Newtonville.  Discussed will be: What is available?  How do I choose?  When do I start looking?  Which camps provide transportation?  What does camp cost and do any have scholarships?  What resources are available to help me as I plan for my child’s summer?  The workshop will be presented by Jenny Gamson, MS, the Out-of-School-Time Specialist for SS/HS.  Please pre-register for this workshop by emailing jenny_gamson@newton.k12.ma.us or calling 617.559.9064

Chinese Culture Night

Saturday, March 14, 7:00-9:00PM at Brown Middle School

Newton Chinese Language School will celebrate its 50th Anniversary showcasing a variety of traditional Chinese cultural programs including Lion Dance, Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Peking Opera, and Folk Dance. Adults: $5, Child/Senior $3 Contact: tickets@newtonchineseschool.org or 781 861-3529. First 50 callers to mention The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs will receive 2 complimentary tickets.

UNPLUG and reconnect with your kids

The 6th annual 'Unplugged and Connected' is being celebrated city-wide in Newton this March...a reminder that there is more to life than what is on the screen. In today’s technological world, life can become too easily overwhelmed by information overload, constant email and cell phone usage and crazy-busy schedules. You are invited to take a look at a well thought out calendar filled with ideas submitted by Newton families for at home activities, as well as events hosted by city and private organizations.  Go to:www.ncscweb.org, or www.newton.k12.ma.us/. 

Bingo

Ward School PTO

Sunday March 15th from 4-6pm at the Bigelow Middle School Cafeteria.  Prizes for bingo winners and a goody bag for all children participating! Pizza & baked goods will be sold.  $5 per bingo card. A silent auction featuring some local summer camp activities for kids will be held.  For more information call 617-417-6886 or email news@wardpto.org.

Middle School After School Program - Open House

Highlands Afterschool Program, just for Middle School age students, is hosting two Open Houses for interested families: Wednesday, March 11, from 7:00-8:30 pm, and Saturday, March 28, from 4:00-5:30 pm, at the Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street in Newton Highlands. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program and plan for the next school year. The deadline for 2009-10 enrollment applications is April 1st. Applications will continue to be accepted after April 1--- but space is limited! For more information please contact: Rochelle Acker, Director, at 617-999-4617/ 617-527-3308, or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com. More info: www.highlandsafterschool.org.

CHILD CARE

SCHOLARSHIP

APPLICATIONS

AVAILABLE

The Newton Child Care Commission and Fund will once again be awarding scholar-ships in the amount of $1,000 per family to help pay for the cost of quality care for their children. Scholarships must be used between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. To be eligible, families must live in Newton, work and/or attend school full time and meet low to moderate-income guidelines. Interested families call the NCCC&F website, www.newtonchildcare.org. Application deadline is April 30, 2009. A lottery drawing will take place in May, 2009 to determine scholarship winners.

Strengthening students' executive functioning skills to help with reading & writing

Reading, Writing, and the Influence of Executive Function:  Strengthening a student's executive functioning skills to help with reading and writing will be the focus of a talk March 9th 7:30-9:30 pm.  Bonnie Singer, PhD, President/CEO of Architects for Learning in Wellesley will be the featured speaker.  She specializes in helping struggling students.  This event, co-sponsored by the Newton, Needham and Wellesley special education parent advisory councils, takes place at the Pollard Middle School , 200 Harris Avenue in Needham.  For more info:  info@newtonpac.org.  www.newtonpac.org.

Classifieds

Office Space: Shared, furnished office space in Newtonville with up to 5 custom designed cubicles and one office, in beautiful Newtonville building.  5 minutes from  Mass Pike. Public Transportation. Rent negotiable based on space occupied. Please contact Robin at 617-678-0611.

PIANO INSTRUCTION Berklee & New England Conservatory graduate with 25+ 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: Michelle Curran, Kathy Baron, Lauren Paton, Gina Mulvaney, Susanti Sugianto, Millicent Lawton, Barbara Huggins

Newsnotes are the main vehicle of communication at Horace Mann School. Newsnotes are 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.

Horace Mann School 687 Watertown Street, Newton, MA 02460 www.newton.k12.ma.us/horacemann/
Main Office (617) 559-9510 Call-Back Line (617) 559-9530	Joe’s Email Joseph_russo@newton.k12.ma.us Newsnotes Submission Email hmnewsnotes@lists.neighborhood.net Announcement List hm-parents-announce@lists.neighborhood.net Discussion List hm-parents@lists.neighborhood.net	We’re on the Web! www.horacemannpto.com www.horacemannpto.org