Here's How the School Counseling Program Works
CLASSROOMS: In September, school counselors Marissa McClure (Gr2&3) and Kristina Rogers (Gr K,1,4,&5) have kicked off weekly classroom lessons in all classrooms focused on building community and developing positive learning strategies.
GROUPS: Students new to the school in 1st through 4th grade were invited to a series of special lunches with the counselors with other new students in their grade level to help them feel welcome and connected as they adjust to Horace Mann. More groups focused on friendship and school success skills will be launching in October.
INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS: In September, Mrs. McClure met with all 2nd and 3rd graders for a quick “one minute meeting” to connect and check in on students’ outlook on the year.
All 5th grade students met one on one with Ms. Rogers to talk about their interests and create an action plan for a personal goal they have for the year. They added their goals to their profile in Xello, an online tool that they will continue to use for academic and career planning in middle school and high school. Families can check out these goals and other aspects of their student’s profile through Xello Family. Invitations to Xello Family will be emailed out to 5th grade families later this week.
Boo Bash Donations AND Volunteers
Boo Bash Fall Festival is less than two weeks away (Thursday, October 24)! We are looking forward to celebrating... but need the school community's help to make the magic happen!
Thank you to those who have signed up to donate supplies! We are grateful. We are also still looking for LOTS of items. Please take a look at the signup pages here (link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4BA5A92EA46-52020805-boobash ), and consider contributing. Donations may be delivered to the school office next week, before MEA break.
We are also ready for volunteers for the event - scroll through all the fun options here(link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4BA5A92EA46-52249316-boobash ). Note: 5th graders will sign up separately to act in the Haunted House.
Thank you! We couldn't do this without you!
- The Boo Bash Planning Crew
Horace Mann is hosting a Ridwell plastic film drive!
Horace Mann is keeping plastic film out of landfills with Ridwell this fall! You’re invited to bring plastic film (ziptop bags, grocery bags, bubble wrap, and lots more) to school on November 1st and Ridwell will make sure it stays out of landfills. Start collecting plastic film now so you have a bunch to bring on 11/1!
This info sheet explains what plastic film is and why it’s hard to recycle, and this video shows a ton of examples. All the plastic film we collect during the drive will be turned into Trex decking!
Curious about Ridwell at-home recycling pickup? They collect hundreds of common household items you can’t recycle curbside, like plastic food packaging, lightbulbs, clothes, Styrofoam, and more. You can help the school earn rewards if you sign up for a household membership by December 15. We’ll earn pickup of the school’s plastic film all spring when 10 new members sign up!
Find out more at https://get.ridwell.com/hms —it’s a unique link just for our school, so when you sign up there, your membership counts toward our totals. You can share it with friends and family, too, and their membership will also count! (Just make sure they live in a Ridwell service area.) Questions? Email stuart.tasia@gmail.com.
Notes from the Music Program
Kindergartners have been finding their lovely singing voices, showing steady beats, and exploring different ways to move their bodies to music. You may have heard them singing the songs we are learning for the April 15 concert that they share with 1st graders. Please save the date: we're throwing a music party and you won't want to miss it!
First graders are developing good singing habits as they learn their concert songs. We refreshed some of our Spanish-language songs from last year, and dusted off our salsa dancing as well. The feet always remember what to do once they have learned the step! First grade families, please save that April 15 K/1 concert date as well.
Second graders have learned how to safely transport and handle their ukuleles, and can pick and sing the silly tuning melody ("my dog has fleas"). Now we are learning how to move back and forth between chords and strum smoothly. By the end of October, we'll be playing along with songs they like. We'll be eager to show you all at their concert on February 4!
Third graders have strengthened their note-reading skills in preparation for starting recorders after MEA break. They've also gotten to enjoy the hard work they put into learning ukulele basics last year, and they are quickly learning songs for the February 4 concert. Your third grader might even find the 'son clave' rhythm pattern in your family's favorite music at home.
Fourth and fifth graders are the hardworking music leaders at Horace Mann School: they share a vocal music concert on December 10 and a musical production on May 6. That's a lot of music to learn quickly, and they rise to the occasion every single classtime. They'll be accompanying some of their own music with ukuleles, xylophones, and percussion. Most of their songs are already in the polishing stages, so they will be voting on their 'student choice' song after MEA and adding that one next.
It is a great pleasure and privilege to make music with your children. Always feel free to reach out with questions or ideas.
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Bowron
Important Dates
Sunday, September 15-Tuesday, October 15
- Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month
- National Bullying Prevention Month
Monday, October 14
- Indigenous People's Day
- 7:55am Unity Day Assembly- wear your orange!
- 9:30-11:15am Tulip Planting by 3rd Grade
Tuesday, October 15
- 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish
Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17
- No School - State Teachers Convention
Tuesday, October 22
- 9:30am-1:30pm Witt Class Field Trip to Belwin
- 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish
Thursday, October 24
- 9:30am-1:30pm Commers/Vincent Class Field Trip to Belwin
- 2:00-3:10pm Community Education Classes
- 5:00-8:00pm Boo Bash - Haunted House and Carnival
Friday, October 25
- No School- Conference Prep Day
Horace Mann School Contacts and Social Media
Email: jim.litwin@spps.org
Website: https://mann.spps.org/
Location: Horace Mann School, 2001 Eleanor Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116
Phone: 651-293-8965
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPPSHoraceMannSchool/