October Calendar of Events

• October 3rd (Tuesday): Public Relations Committee Meeting (6:30 p.m.)
• October 4th (Wednesday): Mandatory School Bus Safety Training (Bused Students Only -a.m.) School Patrol Training with Officer Ly (9:00 a.m.) 4th Grade Field Trip to Common Harvest Farm, Osceola Wisconsin
• October 5th (Thursday): Teacher Specialist Orientation for Parents (6:00 p.m.), See Information! Special PTA Meeting on Referendum with Lois Rockney, Executive Director of Business & Financial Affairs. See newsletter information! (7:00 p.m.)
• October 7th (Saturday): Saint Paul Public Schools 150th Anniversary Parade (See Details!)
• October 9th (Monday): ALC After School Program Begins
• October 10th (Tuesday): Wonder Weavers Assembly, "Books Alive", Grades K-2 (9:30 a.m.) Staff Meeting (3:00 p.m.)
• October 11th (Wednesday): 4th Grade Field Trip to the Minnesota Orchestra Site Council Meeting (5:00 p.m.)
• October 17th (Tuesday): Lock-Down Drill (9:30 a.m.)
• October 18th (Wednesday): Early Release Day (Students Dismissed at 12:50 p.m.)
• October 19th & 20th: State Teacher Meetings (No School)
• October 23rd (Monday): Professional Day (No School for Students)
• October 24th (Tuesday): Staff Meeting (3:00 p.m.)
• October 27th (Friday): Horace Mann School Reading Celebration (1:30 p.m.) Horace Mann School Award Drawing (2:15 p.m.) Horace Mann School Halloween Party (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
• October 31st (Tuesday): Halloween Day!

OCTOBER 5th PTA MEETING - YOUR ATTENDANCE A MUST!

On Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., Lois Rockney, Executive Director of Business and Financial Affairs for St. Paul Public Schools, will be the "guest speaker" for the October meeting of the Horace Mann School PTA.

This meeting is open to the public.

Please join us for this informative presentation by Ms. Rockney as she discusses detailed information about the upcoming "Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools." Our 6th grade students will provide childcare for your elementary aged student. See you there!

AFTER SCHOOL SPANISH, PIANO AND VIOLIN LESSONS Registration materials for Spanish, piano and violin lessons will be attached to the next Horace Mann Perspectives. Please watch for registration materials next week.

HERE'S A WAY TO HELP YOUR SCHOOL AND SAVE MONEY!

Creative Kidstuff is having a fundraising event for schools. They will donate 10% of customer purchases on Sunday, October 8th, 2006, to the school of choice.

Also, Barnes & Noble is giving educators 25% off on purchases made during September 30th through October 8th, 2006.

What a great way to help your school and save money!

THE REFERENDUM AT A GLANCE?.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006, Saint Paul voters will go to the polls to vote on the Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools. The Saint Paul Public School Board approved this levy for the general election on Tuesday, August1st. The following statements summarize details of recent school funding history in Saint Paul, the needs and pressures surrounding the levy, and other pertinent information about the Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools.

Recent referendum history

The 2006 Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools:

Targeted at: Ensuring students are prepared to enter school. It addresses areas such as the achievement gap, preparation for post-secondary options (college, vocational training, the military, or blue/white collar work).

The manner in which referendum dollars could be used include:

-Preparing children for first grade

-Focusing nearly childhood family education -Continuing funding for four-year old kindergarten programs -Providing all-day kindergarten at schools with low poverty levels -Preparing students for post-secondary education -Developing new math and science programs and curriculum to help meet new state mandates, as well as restoring electives cut in recent years, -Updating Technology -Establishing stable funding for schools and programs to maintain their success with students at all ability levels Time period: Six year levy, fiscal years 2008-2013, expires in July 2013.

Amount of aid for Saint Paul Public Schools: An increase of approximately

$13.5 million per year over the existing levy, dependent on the number of students enrolled in the district

Impact: The average Saint Paul homeowner will see an $87 per year increase on his/her property tax bill.

NEED INFORMATION REGARDING THE NOVEMBER 7TH REFERENDUM?

If you would like the latest and most up to date information on the November 7th referendum, let your fingers do the walking and go to www.mann.spps.org/referendum. Our Web Master Jim Johnson has made it easy to obtain facts regarding the referendum and has provided the community with a shortcut for obtaining such information. Referendum information via the district web site may be obtained at www.spps.org. Principal Lewis Scott is also available to answer questions. You may reach Mr. Scott at 651-293-8965.

ORIENTATION BY TEACHING SPECIALISTS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 5TH Horace Mann Teacher Specialists will have an orientation for parents in the areas of literacy, physical education, English language learners, science, computer laboratory and gifted and talented education on October 5th, 2006, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. If you have questions regarding your child's education in these areas, the curriculum or just need clarification on scope and sequence of instruction, this is a meeting to attend. Please place this important date on your calendar!

REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL, AND CELEBRATE SAINT PAUL SCHOOLS 150TH ANNIVERSARY

10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7th, 2006

The Horace Mann School community (students, families and staff) will be participating in the 150th Anniversary Parade to be held on Saturday, October 7th, at 10 a.m.

Horace Mann School will provide school bus transportation to the start of the parade route (Horace Mann School to Maxfield Elementary) and return (Central HS to Horace Mann School). We will begin loading the bus at 9:00 a.m. with departure at 9:10 a.m. sharp. If you are interested in our bus transportation option, please register with Judy Browne in the school office, 651.293.8965 by Wednesday, October 4, 2006.

Detailed information about the day:

All students, staff, families, volunteers, alumni and community members are invited to a citywide birthday celebration for the Saint Paul Public Schools. Current and former students and staff are invited to march with their school in the parade. Participants not marching can view the parade along the parade route or Griffin Stadium at Central High School. The parade will feature floats from each of the district's current and former high schools, music by the nine high school and junior high bands, five ROTC units, and marching units representing all current Saint Paul public schools.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Maxfield Elementary School (located on the northeast corner of I-94 and Victoria). It will then travel south on Victoria Avenue and west on Marshall Avenue to Griffin Stadium at Central High School (located on the northwest corner of Lexington and Marshall).

Upon arrival at the Stadium (approximately 11:45 p.m.), Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will provide the audience with brief remarks, and the combined bands will lead everyone in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Happy Birthday." Student entertainment will continue from noon to 2 p.m.

Don't miss this event! This will be a historical and once in a lifetime experience. Please place this important event on your calendar. See you there!