Construction Volunteers Needed for the Playground Our updated and new playground equipment has been ordered. We would like to shoot for a installation date of Saturday, June 16. We will need about 40 volunteers to make our new playground a reality. If you are good with tools, if you enjoying putting things together, if you don't mind a little hard work, if you like to make some treats or prepare some beverages, we need your help! All you parents or family members who haven't been able to volunteer, here's your chance. Please email Jim Litwin at jim.litwin@spps.org or call 293-8965, ext. 305.

Creative Kindergarten Writer is Finalist Kindergarten writer T.L. is a merit finalist in the 2007 Once Upon a Story Contest sponsored by the Minnesota Children's Museum. T.L.'s story was published in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press on April 15 or you can find it at www.twincities.com. There were 939 stories submitted and only one winner and one merit finalist were chosen for each grade. Way to go, T.L.!

Thank You Library Social Volunteers! Chris Aerts, Kari Chase, Lou Glad, Lauri Jones, Dondi Kazukewicz, Tracy Lane, Angela Lindsay-Johnson, Eileen Moening, Sue Mundahl, Kristi Pohl, Tracy Taubert and Tom Youness. Their help Tuesday evening in the library on de-preocessing books and shelf re-labeling was greatly appreciated. Thanks!

PTA Meeting and Elections The PTA meeting is next week Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the library. Elections will be held for some of the officer positions.

Playground Fundraiser Update A point of clarification from last week's article on the Great Penny Challenge. The families, community, and students have raised over $30,000 for our new playground.

Raising Responsible Children Raising a child means more than helping him or her grow up healthy and happy. It’s important that, by the time they’re ready to leave home, children have learned to be self-sufficient and responsible. Those kinds of lessons take an entire childhood to learn, but they’re among the most important legacies you can pass on to your children.

No matter what your child’s situation in life, there always are others in greater need. Get your child involved in helping those less fortunate by working through community, school, or religious groups that focus on community service. Show that you believe in what you’re teaching by volunteering yourself as well.

Girl Scout Troop 1793, many of whom are Horace Mann students volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. The girls packaged 3,240 meals, enough to feed 9 children for a year. What a great lesson in responsibility and example of citizenship and service!

Spring Carnival and Silent Auction Are Almost Here Don't forgot to pencil in Friday, May 4 for the PTA Spring Carnival. I hear it's a big event and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Important Testing Reminders Please make sure your child is well-rested  and has a solid breakfast before the Gr 3-6 math, Gr. 6 writing, and Gr 5 science tests the next week. Even though Thursday, April 26 is an early release day, 6th grade students will be taking the writing assessment that day. Encourage them to plan their testing time wisely. No students will be excused for absences on state testing days.

Horace Mann Band Spring Concert Dates Set It's Springtime again and that means it is time for the Horace Mann Band Spring Concert. Once again this year the band will be performing 2 concerts. The performance for the school will be held on Monday, May 21st at 1:30 pm. The evening performance will be on Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm. Both performances will be held in the school Gymnasium and we look forward to seeing you all at the show.

Great Resource for Parents Looking for information to help support or challenge your child? Want to learn more about what gifted and talented is all about? Try this online resource: National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. 

Mark these events...

• 4/24 Tues  Grade 3-6 MCA Math in the morning   
• 4/25 Wed  Grade 3-6 MCA Math in the morning
• 4/26 Thu  Gr 6 Minnesota Writes in the morning
• 4/26 Thu  Early Release Day  12:50 p.m. 
• 4/26 Thu PTA Meeting in Library 7:00 p.m.