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.

Each spring, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are administered to students. Students take them in mathematics (grades 3-8 and 11), reading (grades 3-8 and 10), and science (grades 5, 8 and in high school upon completing biology). All students are expected to participate.

Most students take the MCAs. These tests provide a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. The tests are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. Saint Paul Public Schools uses the results to compare student groups, examine school progress, and to evaluate equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Assessments are designed to provide information about student learning. There is no single assessment that can provide the full perspective of what a student has learned. These assessments provide one data point that is considered in the comparison to District and classroom assessments.

Students will take the MCAs April 15-May 9, 2025:

• Gr 3-5 Reading will be April 15-16 with make ups following.
• Gr 3-5 Math will be April 22-23 with make ups following.
• Gr 5 Science will be April 29-30 with make ups following.

If you have questions about your student’s participation in statewide assessments, reach out to your school’s principal.

For more information on the MCA and MTAS please go to:

• SPPS MCA & MTAS/Alt MCA Family Testing Information website:https://www.spps.org/about/departments/research-evaluation-assessment/test-coordination/mca-family-information

• MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/

SPPS’s K-8 Summer Learning Programs (SLP) offer program choices for students to strengthen academic and social emotional skills, discover talents and interests, and make new friends. See Summer 2025 Programs Calendar or visit spps.org/summer for more information.

You can enroll online in the Parent Portal for Summer Learning Programs. Paper forms, with translation are posted at spps.org/summer.

Students registered by April 10 receive a confirmation email by the end of April. After April 14, families will receive a confirmation email as enrollments are processed. Bus information and program details will be emailed to students enrolled. Summer Learning Programs begin June 24.

Dr. Artika Tyner visited Horace Mann School on March 6, 2025. Dr. Tyner is both a lawyer and an author. She has written over 35 books!

Dr. Tyner taught the students about African American history and read us some books. Dr. Artika taught us how small people can make a big difference. She taught us that you can be a leader and a reader. She read us a book she wrote herself, Justice Makes a Difference. The book Justice Makes a Difference is about a girl named Justice who makes a difference in her community.

Dr. Artika Tyner is many amazing things and we are glad she came to visit us. Here is a list of some of her books:

• Akua is Great
• Akua Loves Math
• Kojo Loves Science
• Kofi Loves Music and
• Justice Makes a Difference

The author visit was made possible by the Lilian Wright "Authors in the Schools" grant. Dr. Tyner was chosen to present as part of Women's History Month.

by Ms. Kortuem's 4th Grade Class

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

Monday, March 17

• 10:45, 11:25, 12:10 Lunch Concerts by the Blue Band
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)

Tuesday, March 18

• 7:15-7:35am School Store
• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish

Wednesday, March 19

• 9:30-11:30am Kacky Field Trip to MIA
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)
• 5:00-8:00pm Somali Parent Advisory Council at 360 Colborne
• 5:30-8:00pm Hmong Parent Advisory Council at 360 Colborne

Thursday, March 20

• 9:30-11:30am Kortuem & Jacobsen Field Trip to MIA
• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprouts Spanish
• 2:00-3:15pm Winter Community Education Classes

Friday, March 21

• 9:30-11:30am Pickart & Reckard Field Trip to MIA
• 6:30-10:00pm Horace Mann School PTA Auction at St. Catherine's University

Monday, March 24

• 10:45, 11:25, 12:10 Lunch Concerts by Green Band
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)
• 5:30-8:00pm Karen Parent Advisory Council at Washington Technology Magnet School
• 6:30-8:00pm American Indian Parent Advisory Council at 360 Colborne St
  

Tuesday, March 25

• 7:15-7:35am School Store
• No Language Sprouts Spanish
• 3:00-7:00pm Spring Conferences

Wednesday, March 26

• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL)

Thursday, March 27

• No Language Sprouts Spanish or Winter Community Education Classes
• 3:00-7:00pm Spring Conferences
  

Friday, March 28

• No School- Spring Conferences 8:00am-12:00pm

Monday, March 31-Friday, April 4

• No School - Spring Break

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/

Online bidding begins Sunday @6pm! Make sure you download the mobile app so you can bid on-the-go, set a max bid, get notifications if you’ve been outbid, and more! Curious what you can win? Preview the 150+ items (including the ever-popular Class Gifts) during the 48hr sneak peek starting Friday evening.

Last minute reminders:

• The live auction is next Friday at St Kate’s. Get your tickets now! Raise your paddle to bid on exclusive items like tickets to see Nate Bargatze, a scenic family getaway to Cuyuna, and more!

• Your last chance to buy raffle tickets is next week, check out the prizes and dates!

• The coloring contest begins now (check Friday folders) – 6 students will win a prize from Bricks & Minifigs!

• *NEW!* The MN Wild have some exclusive packages in the works! Check the website for exciting updates...

• Grab yourself a collectible Horace Mann mug (made by our friends at Deneen Pottery) available for purchase in the online silent auction!

• Great Gathering event sign ups start on Sunday! From “adults only” gatherings to grade-level last day of school parties — don’t miss out on these fun events!

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

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

Select beautifully arranged pots, hanging baskets, annual and perennial flowers for beds, vegetables and more for your garden. A portion of the sales benefits our school!

Orders are accepted NOW through March 21st!

Plants will be ready for pick up Saturday, May 10th between 12pm-4pm on the front lawn of Horace Mann.

Plants are all pre-sale, no day of buying. Help us spread the word to neighbors, family members by sending along our website.

Order here: https://hmplantsale.squarespace.com

Special this year, buy a gift card or a few extra plants for our Gardening & Landscaping Committee to enhance our school grounds/outdoor learning spaces. We are working to replant and expand our border gardens with beautiful perennials.

On the HMS wishlist: Blazing Star, Butterfly Weed, Karl Foerester-Grass, Allium, Mondara-Bee Balm

Questions? Please email hmplantsale@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.