Readathon Seeks Connection to Promotional Materials Our Readathon Committee is looking for a vendor to work with for promotional materials—pencils, water bottles, seat cushions. We would like to develop a local resource rather than ordering from a catalog. Please let me know.

Thank You to Gardeners A big thank you to the team of parent volunteers who came in last weekend and cleaned up the Peace Garden. A special thank you to Tracy Taubert’s family who hauled 10 bags to the compost. It looks absolutely lovely and ready for winter. Thank you, thank you!

Thanksgiving Meal Donations Registration for families that need assistance with a Thanksgiving Meal will be at Union Gospel Mission, 435 E. University Avenue. You can register on November 6, 7, & 8 from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm. You will need a Photo ID and current piece of mail to register. There is one basket allowed per address. Registration must be done in person. They regret that they are unable to accommodate phone registrations or registration for another person.

RIF Extravaganza-- Fall into a Great Book! We all enjoy snuggling up with a good book as the weather begins to get colder.  Every student at Horace Mann will be able to choose and take home a new book on Thursday morning, November 8^th.  This book give-away is made possible from RIF, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. RIF is the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit children’s literacy organization. Its purpose is to help young people discover the joy and acquire the habit of reading. RIF supports literacy development by providing free books for children to choose and keep. Students who are absent on Thursday morning will be able to choose their free book when they return to school. If you have any questions regarding the program contact Mariana Tennyson at 293-8965.

Horace Mann Haunted House and School Party Was Big Success  Thank you to all of the parents, students, and staff members who made it possible. There are too many to thank everyone, but coordinators Lynn Lindholm and Sarah Goulet do deserve special mention.

Halloween Candy Collection Parent Rose Sherman is coordinating a donation of extra Halloween candy. Drop boxes are located in the office. It will be there until Tuesday, November 6. Hard candy will be donated to the troops overseas and other candy to a local foodshelf.

Just a REMINDER - join the Community Service committee for FREE  coffee and cookies at White Rock Cafe this Wednesday, 11/7, at 7:30. Plan to start something good in our community!  Call Sarah Johnson with any questions at 695-8075.

Be Careful with Your Candy  Recently I heard a disturbing report on the radio and another via email. The radio reported that local police recovered candy made with the active ingredient in marijuana. The email story was about a type of crystal meth going around that looks/tastes like strawberry pop rocks and other flavors. The stories are good reminders to check your children’s candy after Halloween, and also to remind children not to eat what is offered by friends or strangers if they do not know what it is.

Geckler Pick up and Ice Cream Social The Geckler products will be available for pick up on Friday, November 2 from 4:30-7:30 in the gym. The PTA will also be hosting an Ice Cream Social. Please come to pick up your products and join us for a treat! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Lost and found items can be found in the alcove by the kindergarten classrooms. Many beautiful jackets, sweatshirts and hats are waiting to be claimed by their owners. Take a minute to stop by the Lost and Found and see if any of the clothing looks familiar!  If you find yourself with a few minutes someday while you are at school, feel free to walk back there and help keep it tidy.  If items are hung on hangers and put in the labeled bins, they are more likely to be seen by students and actually brought home again. You will be astonished at the large quantity of clothing items just waiting to be picked up and brought home again. All items left in Lost and Found will be donated to Goodwill after conferences in November, so be sure to check for your child's belongings!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a very important opportunity for two-way communication with your children’s teachers. Here are some ways to prepare that can help you get the most out of your conference:

• Ask your children what concerns they have that they’d like you to bring up. Ask what they expect you are going to hear – both the good news and any problems.
• Observe your children in terms of how much time they spend on homework, how much the homework challenges and engages them, and what interests they pursue on their own that might be used to reinforce learning.
• Make note of how much time your children spend watching TV, playing video games, or talking on the phone. Parents often have a general idea, but are surprised when they actually keep track of the amount of time their kids spend in these ways.
• Listen to your children talk about friends or other aspects of their life, which may be having an impact on their school success.
• Prepare questions you want to be sure to have answered during the conference. Write them down. Try to limit yourself to the 3-5 most important questions to be sure that you have time for those to be addressed.
• Consider what you want to share with teachers about your children, or current conditions at home. This can help the teachers understand your children and better meet their needs.
• Be on time, as conferences are usually scheduled very closely together, and you will want the full amount of time the teachers have set aside for you.
• If you can’t make it for your scheduled time, call to re-schedule. Teachers understand that sometimes emergencies come up, and will appreciate if you take the initiative to re-schedule.
• Walk into each conference with confidence that you and the teacher share a common goal … the best for your child. Conferences are a chance to increase communication and build partnership.
• Find out how to continue communications with teachers between conferences. Conferences are an important chance to share key information, but on-going communication between you and your children’s teachers is the way to build the partnership that your children need and deserve.

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