• December 8th (Friday): "Make It Take It" Is Tonight! (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
• December 12th (Tuesday): Staff Meeting (3:00 p.m.)
• December 13th (Wednesday): Site Council Meeting (5:00 p.m.)
• December 20th (Wednesday): Holiday Instrumental & Vocal Music Performance (1:30 p.m.)
• December 22nd (Friday): Last Day Before Winter Break December 25th-January 5th: Winter Break
• January 8th (Monday): School Resumes

CONGRATULATIONS LEGO LEAGUE! On December 3rd, 2006, Horace Mann School sent 3 teams of 5th grade students to the Lego League Regional Competition in Fridley. The teams and their members were as follows:

Team Nano Nerds, Team Nano Blobs from Horace Mann School and others not from our school (it was said that this team showed great promise for a 1st year team), and the Space Sparks.

Each team performed with precision. The Nano Nerds and the Space Sparks scored as one of the top three teams out of 16 teams competing. As a result, these two teams will be attending the state competition on January 20th.

Both teams also won special categorical awards. The Space Sparks won the Judges Award as a result of the unique solutions they presented. The Nano Nerds received the Teamwork Award due to their diligence in being the best team exemplifying the meaning of teamwork, and also the Research Project Award for their presentation of research and conclusions best reflecting their in-depth understanding of a research project. This team's performance was so extraordinary that they performed for the December 3rd audience. Congratulations to all three Lego League Teams, and thank you for representing our school!

CONGRATULATIONS LEGO LEAGUE COACHES We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fantastic coaches who volunteered and contributed several hours to produce 3 fantastic Logo League teams. Our thanks to Mr. Gerdes, Mr. Stein, Mr. Watson, Mr. Smelker and to our team coordinator Mr. Sogin. Now it is on to the state competition on January 20th. Best of Luck

THANK YOU FROM THE PTA The 2006 scholastic book fair was bigger and better. Under the guidance of Chris Aerts, the book fair exceeded its goals and added to our library's collection. Chris has set an example for school volunteering, and helped us to get one step closer to our 2006-7 budget goals. Parents like Chris help make Horace Mann a strong school.

HELP KOWALSKI's HELP HORACE MANN Horace Mann School will be a recipient of the Receipts for Charity Program at Kowalski's Market. How can you help? Shop at Kowalski's Market (Grand Ave, 1 block east of Hamline) between January 1-March 31, 2007. Place your receipt in the clear Lucite box labeled Horace Mann School. The boxes are located near the exit. The donation from Kowalski's will be based upon the number of receipts (not dollar total). Shop at Kowalski's and we will all benefit!

CD/DVD DISCS NEEDED In preparation for our Reading Rocks Readathon we are collecting CD and DVD discs. If you have discs at home or work that are no longer needed, please send them to school. As long as one side of the disc is without writing or logo it may be used. Please call Maya Hanna if you have questions at 695-1877.

PIZZA PARTY AT TONIGHT'S MAKE IT & TAKE IT!!! Please join us for a pizza party at Tonight's Make It & Take It! Pizza, chips and sodas will be available for purchase this evening. Last year the demand for pizza was so great that we ran out of pizza. This year we are doubling our order of pizza. Please join us tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Horace Mann School gym.

DON'T FORGET! FINAL DAY BEFORE LOST & FOUND PICK UP! Are you aware that the lost and found has moved and is now housed by the Kenneth Street door? Just follow the signs and you can't miss it. Please be sure and check the lost and found on a regular basis. It is full! Our first donation to Goodwill Industries will be made on Monday.

REVIEW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S NEW DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN AT UPCOMING MEETINGS For the past few months, Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and school district staff have been developing and revising a new strategic plan, which outlines how efforts and resources will be prioritized to accelerate student achievement in the Saint Paul Public Schools through 2009. Your feedback on the draft plan is important. Please plan to attend one of the five meetings, which will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on the dates listed below, to find out more about the draft plan, ask questions and offer feedback:

Wednesday, January 10, 2007, Thursday, January 18, 2007, Monday, January 22, 2007, Tuesday, January 30, 2007, Thursday, February 1, 2007

The locations for these meetings is still being confirmed, but each one will take place in a different region of the city?the West Side, the East Side, Highland Park, North End/Como area, and the Summit/Dale area. Staff and families can attend whichever meeting is most convenient for them. Watch for more information about the draft strategic plan coming soon from Saint Paul Public Schools and on the district website, www.spps.org.

IS HOLIDAY SHOPPING IN THE CARDS FOR YOU? Is gift shopping weighing down your November to-do list? Box Tops for Education can help. You can find the latest in toys, electronics and newest fashions easily without waiting in line at the local mall. You can earn cash for your school while getting a head start on your holiday shopping, all from the comfort of your home! Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? It is really just a friendly reminder of how easy using the Box Tops for Education Marketplace can be! Simply visit the Box Tops for Education Marketplace, where you will find links to sixty popular online stores (J.C. Penney, Best Buy, Gap, Lands End, Kohl's, Boden, etc.). Use the links provided to visit these stores, shop and earn cash for your school on qualifying purchases. A gift from the Marketplace gives you the gift of ease and convenience! Visit boxtops4education.com.

OLD TENNIS BALLS NEEDED FOR GYM CLASS Do you happen to have old tennis balls at home? If you are looking for a way to rid yourself of this item, please send them to school with your child. Our gym teacher Mr. Gorman is looking for old tennis balls for his physical education program. Thanks for your help!