Congratulations to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders for their recent concert, Music of the (Mostly) Middle East.  Many talents came together for this musical and informative multicultural performance--dancing, harmonizing, memorizing, and instrument playing....and singing!  Also thanks to the parents and K-3 students who were a great audience.  Shalom and salaam to all!

Young Inventors Fair Congratulations to a fourth grade boy in Mrs. Korteum's class. His invention, "Remote Controlled TV Turner" was selected as one of the 100 inventions to be displayed at the 27th Young Inventors Fair at Landmark Center. His entry was among hundreds of original inventions from all over the Twin Cities. He should be be very proud of the achievement. Come and join the fun and support J.B. on Saturday, April 14. You will be amazed at how 100 students in grades four through nine have created new solutions to everyday problems with an original invention. Landmark Center, Saturday, April 14  1:00-3:30 p.m. You can read more on the website.

Schools Receives the Superintendent's Award for Continuous School Improvement In February, Horace Mann School received the Superintendent's Award for Continuous School Improvement. Mr. Scott was presented this award by Superintendent Meria Carstarphen at a district-wide administrator's meeting. We have received this award 7 of the last 8 years based on our MCA and/or SAT10 test scores. Congratulations to students, staff, and families!

If music is an interest, then read on. Are you looking for a summer opportunity to keep your boy singing? Too young to try out for American Idol? Look no further. The Minnesota Boychoir is hosting a summer camp August 13-17, 2007. Pick up a brochure from the bookcase in the office.

April Site Council Changes Time/Location Our April 11, 2007 Site Council meeting will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at 360 Colborne. We apologize for any inconvience. The changes allow the Site Council to participate in the district's Site Council Process Workshop.

MCA Test Dates Announced Testing dates for the Reading, Math, and Writing tests have been determined. School staff are working on a schedule for the online Science and ELL tests.

• Gr. 3-6 MCA-II Reading Test  April 17 and 18
• Gr. 3-6 MCA-II Math Test  April 24 and 25
• Gr. 6 MCA-II Minnesota Writes  April 26

The Great Penny Challenge is coming Kris Knetsch is coordinating a challenge for all Horace Mann students. Each class will collect pennies during the week of March 26-30. Pennies in your jar count towards a class total. The twist is that silver coins count against the pennies, so students can donate silver coins to other class jars. Questions or willing to help count, call Kris at 699-4178.

Take Your Child to Work Day Because the last week of April is a critical time for both students and schools due to statewide testing, Saint Paul Public Schools is not participating this year in Take Your Daughters & Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 26. We would encourage you to send your child to school on April 26.  As an alternative, if you can arrange with your employer to have your child visit the workplaces on a non-school day or during the summer, that would be great! If you feel it is critical that your child participate in the Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 26, which is an early release day, please consider taking your child at 12:50 p.m. when school has dismissed for the day. For students who do not attend school all day because of the event, the absence will be considered excused provided students have a note from their parents indicating that they are participating in the event. Sixth grade students will not be excused for the day because it is the MCA Writing test date.

Mark these events...

• 3/19 Kindergarten, Grade 1, & Grade 3 to Ordway 11:45 a.m.-2:00 pm. 
• 3/20 Grades 5-6 to Walker Art Center 9:00-11:00 a.m.
• 3/22 Evening Conferences 3:30-7:30 p.m.
• 3/23 Conference Day 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. No School