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.

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Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15) is an annual celebration in the United States that recognizes and honors the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. As a school community, we acknowledge and celebrate the our community members with Hispanic and Latino heritage and those of our community who have moved here from Mexico, Central America, and South America! We appreciate you and plan to share history and culture with all of the students. If you'd like to get involved in your child's classroom activities, please reach out to the teacher.

Picture day at Horace Mann will be Wednesday, September 25. Families will order directly from Lifetouch. Photos will be delivered to the school.

Download the flyer below or look in your child's backpack between September 13-20. You will also be able to order directly by going to mylifetouch.com and using the Picture Day ID, EVTCKXVJ4, or your child's student ID number.

There are 10 spots still open for 2nd-5th graders to sign up for choir this fall if you'd like to give it a try. We'll meet at Horace Mann for an hour of singing after school on most Thursdays between October 10 and December 19, with a focus on in-tune singing, harmony, and musical expression. Most of all, it's a place where kids who like to sing can have fun making music together. Registration is through Community Ed, and here's a link to the choir info: Community Ed Choir.

Feel free to reach out with questions. Sincerely yours, Ms. Bowron (Horace Mann's music teacher)

Choir

Grades 2-5. Experience the joy of music by singing with a choir! We'll learn how to use and care for our voices as instruments, singing a wide range of songs with a focus on in-tune singing, harmony, and musical expression. Reading music is not required for this class. Sliding Fees:Our model for program pricing ensures that our high-quality enrichment classes are more accessible to our community members. We encourage participants to choose the price that they are able to pay. This structure helps our programs be financially sustainable and more equitable. Register at stpaul.ce.eleyo.com.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT7) is one measure used to identify students as advanced learners/gifted and talented in Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS).

The CogAT7 will be administered to all SPPS kindergarten and second grade students sometime between October 7, 2024 and November 7, 2024. The test is only available to take during this time frame. If you do not want your child to participate, please email Principal Jim Litwin.

Students in grades 1, 3, 4 and 5 may also take the CogAT7 test if requested by a staff member, parent or community member. Please email Principal Litwin by October 14, 2024 if you want to request that your student take the test.

For more information, visit the Talent Development & Acceleration Services (TDAS) website: spps.org/tdas or email us at tdas@spps.org.

We are seeking a volunteer who can help us coordinate the 2024-2025 Scripps Spelling Bee. You will help schedule each round of the spelling bee. You will coordinate with the teachers. You will recruit or lead the final round of the Spelling Bee in January. You will set up the next stage for our school winner. Questions, please email anne.commers@spps.org.

Horace Mann Cub Scout Pack 223 will be holding a fall information and sign-up meeting on Tuesday, September 24th in the school gym from 7-8pm. The Cub Scout Pack is open for all boys and girls, grades K-5. Some of the fun activities that scouts engage in include the fall/spring hiking, rocket building, camping and fire department tours. There are lots of opportunities for the kids and it is a great way to network with other Horace Mann parents. During the 9/24 information night there will be archery and games for the kids plus information for parents. Anyone interested in joining, volunteering, or would just like more information, can attend. Contact info: cubscoutpack223@gmail.com or 651-216-2959.

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.

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

Sunday, September 15-Tuesday, October 15

• Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

Wednesday, September 25

• Picture Day
• 6:00pm HMS PTA Meeting in the Library

Friday, September 27

• 6:00-7:30pm HMS PTA Sock Hop

Monday, September 30

• 6:00-7:15pm Sarah Johnson's Class Academic Parent Teacher Team (APTT)

Thursday, October 3

• No School for Teacher Professional Development

The Horace Mann PTA is preparing the 2024-2025 Horace Mann School Directory. Each year, the PTA publishes an online Student Directory as a resource for the Horace Mann School community of students, families, and staff. Please take a few minutes to complete the online form here. Information is only used for the directory and PTA communications.

The deadline to submit your information has been extended to September 27th.

If you have any questions, if filling out an online form is not accessible for you, or you know of a family that might need assistance with the form, please reach out to Samira Afzali (Student Directory Chair) at ariemas@gmail.com or 917-406-4795.

The Free Family Fun Night Committee is kicking off the year with a back to school dance. This year, music, contests + select prizes will be offered by Kidsdance Interactive DJs!

• When: Friday, September 27, from 6-7:30p *Note: this is a correction from last week’s Perspectives announcement

• Where: Horace Mann Gymnasium

This will not be a drop-off event, and all kids must be accompanied by an adult.

The Family Community Service Committee's purpose is to coordinate and facilitate community service opportunities for Horace Mann families to give back to the larger community. Please take this one-minute survey to share your interests and help guide our efforts.

In order to run our amazing events, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Please consider signing up for one event or committee this year, using this volunteer interest form. Only have an hour to spare? Great! Check “yes” to the last question on the interest form. Want to get a bit more involved in the decision making for events? Check “yes” on the first question to join our board! We have openings.

For questions contact Christine Holloway at VOLUNTEER.COORDINATOR@HMS-PTA.ORG

Help us kickoff another great school year by attending the PTA’s first meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 25th from 6-7pm in the HMS Library. Meet the PTA board, learn about the ‘24-25 PTA plans including budget information, ask questions, and connect with other families. We look forward to a great year, please join us!

School-age child care available for in-person meetings provided by 5Th Grade Ambassadors.

Check the HMS PTA website for the most up to date information about meetings, latest forms, announcements, contact information, volunteer opportunities and more.

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

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.

Perspectives Submission Deadline: Thursdays by 8:00am

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/