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From Joe’s Desk |
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Upcoming
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Every Tuesday
After school Front/Back Lobbies
Ongoing
March 30 – April 9 MCAS
Testing Saturday, April 4 HM Talent
Show Friday, April 10 Good
Friday - No School Sunday, April 26 School
Appreciation Day Monday, May 4 International
Night Next Edition: From Joe’s Desk (Continued) |
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Dear
Families, Congratulations
to our 3rd and 4th graders for their persistence during Reading Comprehension MCAS this week. Next week, 4th and 5th
graders complete the three sessions expected at each grade level. While two
weeks of MCAS reading testing may not be our favorite thing to do, it does
give us the opportunity to evaluate how our students respond when asked to
show some of what they know about comprehending a piece of writing, authoring
a piece of their own, and language usage in general. I want you all to know
that our children in Grades 3, 4, and 5 have put in a 110% effort, and have
each done the MCAS dance (ask them to show you!) as they began this
adventure. Every
teacher has remarked about the serious attention and wonderful work ethic
displayed. A positive attitude and the
ability to persevere are essential lifelong skills that they will gain from
this type of assessment battery at this age, as well as gaining in their
ability to analyze text and write about their thinking. You would be quite
proud of your children if you could see them! As
a faculty and a district, we also learn more each time we analyze the results
of these standardized assessments. We learn whether what we are teaching is
being heard and absorbed into the child’s mental construct of the world, and
if they can independently express their new knowledge in words and
ideas. We think about whether our
benchmarks for success align with what children should be able to know and do
in each grade, when compared to their peers here or in comparative studies
with other children across the state. Later, we can adjust the focus of our
instruction based on these results, helping us understand whether our
students are learning what we teach, and what is important for them to know
to move forward academically. MCAS results give us this overview. But
MCAS assessments are only one way we
look at student progress. To know what we must do to help a child achieve
every day, we do real-time assessments in class, some formal and some
informal. Here’s an example. You may have heard of Leveled Books, the book
that’s “just right” for your child to read during classroom reading
instruction or when trying a new skill on for size (like finding the main
idea, inferring about the motivation of a character, etc.). To find out which
books fit these criteria for your child, a teacher may follow along as your
child reads, carefully taking notes on the reading and using a well-researched
template called a running record or ask them to retell the story in careful
detail. Using this type of real-time,
classroom-based assessment enables the teacher to pinpoint the level of book
your child should be reading (the DRA level), so he or she is not frustrated
when trying to decode, while learning a reading strategy, or thinking
critically about some aspect of the text at hand. This type of assessment
allows the teacher to select a challenging text, one he or she will introduce
to extend a skill or build fluency in a structured, supported next step.
Teachers do a number of such assessments across the curriculum, embedded in
the daily routine of teaching and looking at student work. These types of
formative and more frequent assessments of progress are significant and
certainly reflected upon as teachers plan daily instruction. They are not as newsworthy or as
noticeable, but certainly as important, if not more so, as MCAS. |
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From the Health Office |
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Strep Throat Outbreak and When a Bump on the Head May Be a
Concussion |
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Maureen
Rowley, Horace Mann school nurse, notes that there are a number of cases of strep throat infection at the school. If your child shows signs of a sore throat,
swollen and /or painful lymph glands and /or fever, please seek medical
attention for your child. Mrs.
Rowley also supplied the following information for families about concussions. A concussion is a brain
injury. It can result from any force to the head that causes injury to brain
cells, such as a contact sport injury, a fall, or whiplash from a car
accident. The injured person does not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion.
Symptoms can show up right away or days or weeks afterward. They include the
following: nausea, dizziness or balance problems, double or fuzzy vision,
headache, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling sluggish or tired,
confusion, and trouble concentrating or remembering. If
you think your child has a concussion, seek medical attention right away.
Children who return to sports and activities too soon risk a greater chance
of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can cause permanent
brain damage. To prevent a concussion, make sure children wear the right
protective equipment for an activity, such as helmet, padding, and eye and
mouth guards. Parents shouldn’t hesitate to keep their child out of a sports
game or activity afterward. Remind children that it’s better to miss a game
or two than the whole season. (Sources: www.cdc.gov/injury
and www.biama.org.) |
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From the PTO |
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The Auction Raised More Than $18,000 for Horace Mann!!! |
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The spring auction was a huge success. Because of
the generosity of Horace Mann families and local businesses, we were able to
raise over $18,000 for the children of Horace Mann. We couldn't have done it
without all your help—it truly was a team effort. Thank you to all of you who donated auction items
or your time, to the room parents who helped compile the class baskets/gifts,
and to all those who attended the event. -– From the Auction Leadership Team of Lisa DiFelice,
Jenn Conley, Nancy Landry, Patty McCabe, and Craig and Linda Ross. Important
Reminder: The Horace Mann PTO is a 501 3C organization,
which qualifies us to receive corporate matching donations. Please contact
your Human Resource department for more information. If you have any
questions, contact Lisa DiFelice, ldifelice@rcn.com |
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Help Wanted: PTO Officers For 2009-2010 New PTO Officers Wanted for Next Year (Cont’d) |
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Are you looking to get more involved in your
child’s school? Well, now’s your chance. The current PTO officers’ terms
expire at the end of the school year, and we need a new group of parents to
ensure the continuation of the PTO’s mission: to support the school community
and enhance our children’s educational experience through fundraising,
programming and community activities. Here are brief descriptions of each of the
officer positions: Co-Presidents: Preside at PTO meetings, appoint
committee chairs, oversee budget planning, fundraising and community
activities, and serve as liaison to the principal, School Council, PTO
Council and the community. Vice President: Assist in preparation of the
budget, planning of meetings, fundraising and community events; act as
liaison to committee chairs. Treasurer: Receive and disburse PTO funds; keep
accounts of funds and present a statement of account upon request of the
co-presidents; prepare the financial annual report and file tax forms as
necessary. Secretary: Take minutes and maintain records of
PTO meetings; handle correspondence; and assist other officers with
communications. Co-presidents serve a two-year term; other
positions commit to one year. Bring your energy and enthusiasm to help make
our kids’ time at Horace Mann the best that it can be! If you have questions or would like to run for an
officer position, please contact us: Marcia Tabenken, Co-President, mtabenken@rcn.com Brian Zabin, Co-President, bzabin@agmednet.com Lisa DiFelice, Vice President, ldifelice@rcn.com Jeff Kolodney, Treasurer, jkolodney@rcn.com |
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Horace Mann Talent
Show is TOMORROW! Sat., April 4 |
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The Horace Mann Talent Show is TOMORROW, Saturday,
April 4, at |
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School Appreciation
Day April 26 |
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On Sunday, April 26, the PTO holds School
Appreciation Day. This year, we are coordinating with NewtonSERVES Day of Community Service to
maximize the number of volunteers. Please keep this date open to help out
with school-improvement projects inside and out at Horace Mann. Room parents
will be contacting you next week with details and how to sign up. |
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International Night Is May 4 |
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Come and celebrate the diverse community in our
school at an international festival, Mon., May 4, Do you have any artifacts, maps, songs, dances or
a unique recipe from a country you would like to present at International Night?
Please contact Nava at nava_almog@msn.com
or Nani at powderlybauza@mac.com. |
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The 3rd Grade Has Completed ‘Understanding
Our Differences’ on Blindness And Low Vision |
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The Blindness/Low Vision
unit of the Understanding Our Differences program has come to a successful
conclusion at Horace Mann for this year. The 3rd grade
students learned that blindness or low vision is only one of the many traits
that contribute to making a person an individual; people with blindness and
low vision make individual choices
regarding mobility (sighted guide, cane, dog guide); and technology is playing an increasingly
important role in allowing people with blindness and low vision to function more
independently. Students were able to
meet and question a visitor who is completely blind. They also gained
hands-on experience with a Braille writing machine, being a sighted guide for
a person, and with some of the
challenges faced by people with blindness or low vision. Thank you to the
volunteer team of Betty Knight, Janet Porter, and Karen Solari. Many thanks also to the 3rd grade teachers, Barbara
Coffey, Patti Karam, Jordan Lund, & David Tynes, as well as
our principal, Joe Russo, for their support. Understanding Our Differences will present the
Deafness/Hard of Hearing unit to the 3rd graders on May 21, and we
need volunteers. Please contact Mari Young, 617-965-2226, or mariyoung@juno.com, if you are
interested. |
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From The Newton Public Schools |
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Become a Newton Schools Math Tutor |
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Would you like to help a |
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Do You Have A Child with ADHD in Grades 1 or 3? |
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The |
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From
The Community |
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Raffle Drawing April 6 |
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Raffle prizes
include weekend use of a vacation home at |
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Forum on Newton’s
Municipal Costs April 6 |
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On Monday, April 6, from |
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Spring 2009
Kindergarten Soccer: Space May Still Be Available |
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Registrations after March 31 are accepted on a
space-available basis, with a late fee of $10. Boys and girls now in kindergarten
or entering in the fall are welcome. Teams are usually organized by
elementary school. K’s play at |
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Rabies Clinics for Cats and Dogs |
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The Newton Health and Human Services Department
will be sponsoring rabies clinics on the following dates: Sat., April 4, |
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Tanglewood Marionettes Presents ‘Sleeping
Beauty’ |
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This classic tale begins in King Felix's great
hall for the christening of Princess Aurora. The party goes awry when the
wicked witch arrives and curses the little princess. Will the curse come true? Will someone with a “true heart” appear?
Find out at the |
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Free Workshop April 13: Stress and Its Impact on Children |
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Stress and
its impact emotionally and physically on elementary school-aged children will
be the focus of a free parenting workshop sponsored by Safe
Schools/Healthy Students on Mon., April 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at |
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U.S. Rep. Barney Frank in April 14 |
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Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the House
Financial Services Committee, is making a speaking appearance on April 14 at |
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Transitional Kindergarten at |
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Bike |
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Bike |
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Book and Author Luncheon |
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The Friends of the Newton Free Library present Elinor Lipman, author of
the soon-to-be-published The Family Man,
and Tony Horwitz, author of A Voyage
Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World, at the 25th Book and
Author Luncheon, on Mon., April 27, 2009, at 12 noon, Newton Marriott, 2345
Commonwealth Ave at Route 128. For tickets, go to: www.newtonfreelibrary.net/?sec=friends&doc=luncheon
or email bookandauthor@gmail.com. |
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Food Pantry Needs
Donations |
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The food pantry is having difficulty meeting the growing needs of hungry
families in |
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Boot Camp Exercise Benefits You -- and the PTO |
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Change Your Body Boot Camps: Guaranteed results for busy people. Fun,
results-oriented fitness classes, May 4 - May 29 (4 weeks). $20/class; $180
for new participants (includes free week). For every person who signs up
because of PTO and writes under "How did you hear about CYBBC?" box
what school or PTO referred them, a $5 donation will be made. Donations will
be paid out at the completion of the boot camp. Each class is currently
limited to 20 people. Visit mikealves.com/change.html to learn more or e-mail
mike@mikealves.com. |
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Spelling Bee Second Date Added: May 14 |
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Due to an overwhelming response to the call for students in grades K-9 to
sign up for the annual spelling bee, the Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs and
Newton Pride Committee, with Score! Educational Centers, have added a second Spelling Bee, on Thurs. May
14, 6-8PM at the |
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Sunday School for Jewish Studies Now Accepting Students |
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Grades K-7 are invited for the 2009-2010 school year. The Sunday School for
Jewish Studies provides a liberal, egalitarian approach to Jewish education
in classes held Sunday mornings. The curriculum includes Hebrew, Jewish
holidays, traditions, ethics, Bible stories, contemporary history and music.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is available but not required, and students may
enter in any grade. Interfaith and nontraditional families are welcome. Please
call 617-264-8855 or visit www.sundayschoolforjewishstudies.org |
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Classifieds
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MUSIC
INSTRUCTION: Elementary school student instrumentalists with
at least one year experience who would like to learn to play in a group, get
familiar with different styles, and improvise/compose are welcome at the
pre-ensemble program. Classes held in 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 RHYTHMIC
GYMNASTICS: Rhythmic QUILTERS
SOUGHT: Whether you’re a beginner or an
expert, please consider joining the Newton Patchworks Quilting Guild. This is
an informal group that meets to share ideas, help one another, socialize and
do some community service (i.e., making quilts as a group for those less
fortunate). If you’re interested &
would like more information, please contact Fran Newton at cipsnewt@rcn.com. |
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Newsnotes
Information
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Editors:
Michelle Curran, Kathy Baron, Lauren Paton, Gina Mulvaney, Susanti Sugianto, Millicent
Newsnotes are the main vehicle of communication at Deadline for submissions is |
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Horace Mann School |
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Main Office
(617) 559-9510 Call-Back Line
(617)
559-9530
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Joe’s Email
Joseph_russo@newton.k12.ma.us Newsnotes Submission Email
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We’re
on the Web! www.horacemannpto.com www.horacemannpto.org |
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