Perspectives

This newsletter provides updates, information and event details for Horace Mann School, the Horace Mann School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and Saint Paul Public Schools. It is published weekly and distributed through email. Past issues can be found at mann.spps.org.

Looking for part-time work? Know someone who needs a part-time job? Just want to help out?

We are seeking a Lunchroom Assistant. You will work from 10:15a.m.-12:45 p.m. daily when there is school. Pay starts at $16 an hour.

The job entails helping students:

• Through the lunch line (swiping a badge, carrying trays, getting condiments)

• Make positive behavior choices and redirect/reteach when needed

• Recycle food, clean and stack dishes, and toss garbage

• Clean tables, clean up, and assist at dismissal

Please contact Principal Jim Litwin if you are interested or want more information. Email at jim.litwin@spps.org or call 651.293.8965.

The Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education recently approved calendars for each of the next three school years - 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28. The calendars can be found under "Future Calendars" at spps.org/about/calendar.

To learn more about the decisions and survey results that led to the decision, click here.

The FLL Regional Tournament is an exciting event, click HERE to learn more! SPPS students in grades 4-8 who participate in the FLL program at their daytime school will meet on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

This school year SPPS has 54 teams who will participate at the Regional Tournament. Two of the teams are Horace Mann's. SPPS needs help to make this a successful event for our students. Teams will present their Robot Design and Innovation Projects to judges and compete at the Robot Game while practicing their Core Values. Volunteers are what make it all happen.

To volunteer, Sign-Up HERE!

• What: SPPS FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional Tournament
• When: Saturday, January 18, 2025. 8:00AM - 4:00PM
• Where: Capitol Hill Magnet School, 560 Rondo Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103

Know a friend, relative, or neighbor seeking a school for next year? Encourage them to visit Horace Mann School and see the students in action on Thursday, January 30.

Open House is 8:00am to 1:00pm. 5th Grade Ambassadors will guide visitors through the building. Kindergarten teachers will be available to chat in their rooms 9:40-10:20am.

Questions? Call the school office at 651-293-8965.

The Student Placement Center will host an information session for families. Both sessions will be held at District Office at 360 Colborne St, 55102. The session is Thursday, January 23rd from 5-7pm.

Those attending will:

1. Learn more about the Early Admission to Kindergarten process.
2. Get questions answered about our schools, programs and services and our application process.

The sessions will be conducted in English as well as Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Karen, if those attending prefer a bilingual presentation. Dinner will be provided. Transportation and childcare is available upon request.

RSVP at apply.spps.org. Please contact jayne.williams@spps.org with any questions.

Bookmark our school calendar. It can be found at the top of our website. Here are some highlights for the next two weeks.

Monday, January 13

• Math Growth Measure and FAST Reading assessments continue
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)
• 5:30-8:00pm (virtual) Karen Parent Advisory
• 6:00-8:00pm (virtual) Special Education Advisory Council
• 6:30-8:00pm American Indian Education Parent Advisory Council at 360 Colborne

Tuesday, January 14

• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish

Wednesday, January 15

• 8:15am Tour for Prospective Families
• 9:00-10:30 The Works Museum Visits Ms. Jacobsen's Class
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)
• 12:00-1:30 The Works Museum Visits Ms. Kacky's and Ms. Kortuem's Class
  
• 5:00-8:00pm Somali Parent Advisory Council at 360 Colborne
• 5:30-8:00pm (virtual) Hmong Parent Advisory Council

Thursday, January 16

• 9:00am Horace Mann School Spelling Bee in Library
• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish

Friday, January 17

• 1:00pm All School Assembly on Respect in the Gym

Monday, January 20

• No School - Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday

Tuesday, January 21

• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish

Wednesday, January 22

• 8:15am Tour for Prospective Families
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)

Thursday, January 23

• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish
• 2:15-3:30pm Leadership Team in Room 2104

Friday, January 24

• End of 2nd Quarter

Perspectives Submission Deadline: Thursdays by 8:00am

Email: jim.litwin@spps.org
Website: https://mann.spps.org/
Location: 2001 Eleanor Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116

Phone: 651-293-8965
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPPSHoraceMannSchool/

Introducing GNOME KNOWS - your weekly auction guide

The auction countdown is on! Our cherished annual tradition is back this March, and we’re aiming to make it our PTA’s biggest fundraiser yet! Last year we raised over $74,000 to fund amazing programs like field trips, Art Adventure, free yearbooks for every child, roller skating, the spring carnival, artist residencies, and more. Let’s do it again!

To help you navigate all things auction-related, we’re enlisting our friendly gnome mascot. Each week, our trusty gnome will pop in with insider tips, FAQs, important updates, and even a few surprises. You’ll be an auction insider in GNOME-time!

This week’s tip: check out the auction website!
From buying tickets to attend the live auction event, to bidding online during the silent auction, to browsing Great Gatherings, the website is your all-in-one auction headquarters! Ticket sales go live in February, so make sure to bookmark the website and check back soon.

Save the Date: Friday, March 21, 6:30pm @St Kate’s (adults only)

Stay tuned for next week’s topic: most common FAQs. In the meantime, contact us at auction@hms-pta.org with any questions.

Auction Committee Co-Chairs: Allison Deep, Sarah Haley, Virginia Ryan

Please save the date for a Horace Mann community family service night. Volunteer with other HMS families to help pack items for local nonprofits.

When: Feb 20th 6-7:30pm in Holleran Hall.

Questions? Contact Chandra Kilgriff at chandra.kilgriff@gmail.com or Abigail Mosher at abigailemosher@gmail.com.

The Yearbook needs your photos! The yearbook wants to see all those smiling faces and include them in the yearbook for all to enjoy. Don't wait until the spring to send in photos of your kids and their Horace Mann friends, send them as you take them! Email all photos to yearbook@hms-pta.org. Please include your child's grade and teacher in the subject line.

President: Grace Hanson, president@hms-pta.org

Vice-President: Gina Corradi, president@hms.-pta.org

Treasurer: Alex Stuart & Sam Smith, treasurer@hms-pta.org

Teacher Reps: Amy Kortuem & Mark Lindskoog, teacher-rep@hms-pta.org

Communications: Lisa Ortmann, communications@hms-pta.org

Volunteer Coordinator: Christine Holloway, volunteer.coordinator@hms-pta.org

Recorders: Andrea Gleckner & Sarah Liuzzi, recorder@hms-pta.org

Check the HMS PTA website for the most up to date information about meetings, latest forms, announcements, contact information, volunteer opportunities and more. Click on the “Treasurer’s report and Budget” to see this year’s budget. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please email web-admin@hms-pta.org.

Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is not sponsoring, endorsing, or recommending the activities/events announced in the PTA Section and no SPPS student will be turned away due to inability to pay.