State of Hockeysaurus Comes to Horace Mann The Minnesota Wild have donated their State of Hockeysaurus dinosaur to Horace Mann School. You can see him or her in its new home outside the library. Thanks to Berger Transportation for bringing it here. Grade 2-6 students are invited to participate in a creative writing contest. The winner’s essay will tell the dinosaur’s story—where it comes from, if it’s a boy or girl, its name, what kind of dinosaur it is, and so on. The winning essay will be published in the Perspectives, posted on the web, and read for announcements.

Steps in the Process

1. Students complete their piece by Tuesday, October 23.
2. They turn it in to their teachers.
3. Three finalists will be chosen from each classroom.
4. Their work will be judged by the Public Relations Committee.
5. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 5.

Horace Mann Student Wins SPPL Award The Saint Paul Public Library will be honoring one of our students with the 2007 Saint Paul Public Library Youth Service Award. Arianna M. has been a part of the Library’s Youth Volunteer Corps. SPPL staff and special guests from the Vikings, Twins, and Wild, along with KDWB 101.3 will salute Arianna and other youth volunteers at an appreciation celebration on Tuesday, October 23. Because of volunteer participation, the library is able to provide enhanced programs and services for the community. Congratulations, Arianna!

Horace Mann Halloween Party will be held on Friday, October 26, 2007 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Horace Mann Gymnasium. There will be a Haunted House, games, a Monster Walk and food. The money raised supports the 6^th grade week-long trip to Eagle Bluff Environmental Center in the spring. The trip is the culmination of a student’s 6^th grade year and career at Horace Mann.

Parents of 5^th and 6^th grade students are asked to volunteer for this event. Any questions, contact Sarah Goulet (651-690-0516 or goule009@umn.edu) or Lynne Lindholm (698-4945 or lsl@communicationmailing.com).

Attention all parents! Game prizes needed. Ideas: Small trinkets, pencils, small notebooks, individually pre-packaged snacks, candy, Little Debbie, or other snack cakes for the Monster Walk and games. Please drop off donated items in the office by Monday, October 22, 2007.

Welcome to New Staff Member Judy Connell joined the Horace Mann staff this week. Judy will be the Library Assistant and provide classroom support to Kindergarten. Judy has many years of experience as a teacher and media specialist overseas in DOD schools. We are very lucky to have her. Please give her a big Horace Mann welcome.

Public Relations Committee Everyone who is interested in spreading the good news about Horace Mann, believes passionately in the school, or has ideas about generating positive press about the school is invited to this year’s first Public Relations Committee meeting. The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 1^st at 5:30 p.m. in the office. Any questions, please contact Eileen Conzet O’Connell at beconzet@msn.com or 698-4620.

It’s Easy Being Green Come join the newly forming Environmental Committee. Discussion may include school energy usage, recycling opportunities, solar power and anything else green that could help make Horace Mann a more environmentally proactive school. Parents, students and staff are welcome. First meeting tentatively scheduled for Monday, October 15 at 3 pm. Contact Kate Kysar at darklake@mac.com or Kelly Trewartha at trewartha@visi.com

Minnesota Hosts Conference for Gifted and Talented The Minnesota Department of Education is pleased to work along with the Minnesota Educators for the Gifted and Talented and Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented to bring the national convention for the National Association for Gifted Children. For 54 consecutive years “the world of gifted” has convened in November to share the latest research and practice – this year in our backyard November 7-11. The theme is Igniting Ideas and Innovation —- with the goal of reaching as many ideas to match our 10,000 lakes. Parents and educators are invited to participate. You will emerge armed with 10,000 new ideas and ignited with innovative energy to positively affect your students. Check out the details on our News/Calendar page or by clicking on http://mann.spps.org/Gifted_and_Talented_Conference.html.

The Art of Giving Schools across the country are getting children as young as kindergartners and preschoolers involved in service learning— a blend between community service and expanded instruction. Many service learning advocates feel that by helping others, children can learn responsibility, build character and citizenship, and discover the special joys of giving. Clearly, with benefits like these, it’s no wonder that more and more schools are making service learning part of the curriculum. That’s why our PTA has chosen “The Art of Giving” for our theme in this year’s family events and activities. But for it to really have an impact on children, it must be equally encouraged at home.

Cast-offs can be a first step. As your children outgrow toys, games, and clothes, make a big deal of how you’re going to pass them on to others who need them—either younger relatives or charities, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Encourage them to come with you when you drop the boxes off so they can hear the “thank you’s” too.

Trade off. Invite your friends’, relatives’, or neighbors’ children to join you when you’re working on a project for others, and encourage them to ask your children along when they do service learning.

Service learning is not about accumulating hours that can be put on an application for college or a job. It’s a commitment to helping your children learn how to make the world a better place.

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