Art Adventure During the month of March, Horace Mann School has been on an Art Adventure. We explored the theme of clothing and art in a unit from the Art Adventure program through the Minneapolis Institute of Art called, “Dressed for the Occasion”. We looked at head-pieces and masks, skirts and beaded capes, and portraits and frescos of people from different places and different times.Now you can join in on the adventure! The MIA will host a special family night related to the Art Adventure program. It will be held on Thursday, May 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Activities for the whole family include Art Adventure guided tours, scavenger hunts, sketching in the galleries, hands-on Art Cart experiences, and a door-prize drawing. Admission is free and no regis­tration is required. We hope you can make it! If you have questions about the evening, call Karen Lewis at 651/690-9805.

MARCH BOXTOPS TABULATED! Ms Dahl's second graders took first place with their collection of $10.90 worth of Box Tops this month. Second were the fourth graders in Mrs Spann's classrom with $9.80 and while Mrs Schwartz' first graders were third with $7.70. Thank you for all you clipping and saving.

Calling All Scrapbookers We need your help in arranging some beautiful displays of historical pictures and records for the 75th Anniversary celebration. Please contact Eileen O'Connell Conzet (651-698-4620 or beconzet@msn.com) for more details!

School Comprehensive Improvement Plan (SCIP) Parent / guardian input is vitally important in the annual revision and updating process of the Horace Mann School "School Comprehensive Improvement Plan (SCIP)." The SCIP helps guide decisions on budget, staffing, and ideas regarding school growth and improvement. Please take a moment to complete the "on-line" form on our website, mann.spps.org. The feedback/comments you provide, by completing the form, will be forwarded to the Horace Mann School SCIP Committee. Thank you.

• Encourage regular attendance: Successful students are always in school.
• Study regularly: Taking good notes and studying every day helps students succeed.
• Inquire about the student's day:
• Turn off distracting electronic devices: Good studying cannot be accomplished with the television, radio, computer or other audio or video devices on.
• Promote consistent reading: Students are encouraged to read a minimum of 20 minutes each night.
• Ensure students eat: Breakfast is perhaps the most important meal of the day.  On the day of their MCA-II testing, students who eat a protein-based breakfast will have increased attention spans.
• Ensure students are hydrated: Research tells us that the brain requires hydration to function well.  A general rule of thumb is students should drink one cup of water per hour.
• Ensure students get a good night's sleep: Adolescents need a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night...nine hours of sleep is even better.
• Help reduce student's stress: Tips include positive self-talk (“I know I can do this”), avoid being rushed and taking deep breaths (the brain needs oxygen to think clearly).
• Ensure students exercise: Encourage students to spend a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes a day in active physical exercise of some sort.
• Believing in your student's success: Parents can best support their student by talking and listening about the student's school day actively, and always providing encouragement and support.

School Quality Review The School Quality Review, conducted in January 2006 has been published. To see the results, click here.

Mark these events...

• 3/31-4/8  Spring Break
• 4/10 Tues  5th/ 6th Field Trip to Walker Art Center  9:00-11:00 a.m.
• 4/11 Wed  Site Council Workshop 4:00-5:30 p.m. at 360 Colborne
• 4/11 Wed  Site Council Meeting 5:30-7:00 p.m. at 360 Colborne
• 4/12 Thu  SCIP Committee Meeting 8:00-11:30 a.m.
• 4/13 Fri  Meuwissen Field Trip to Emmet D Williams School in Shoreview
• 4/13 Fri  Nelson/Ronnei Field Trip to Exchange City 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.