• September 26h (Tuesday): Staff Meeting (3:00 p.m.)
• September 28th (Thursday): Last Day for Geckler Fundraiser; 5th & 6th Grades to State Capitol Rally; 5th & 6th Grade Halloween Planning Meeting (7:00p.m.)
• September 29th (Friday): Fall Picture Day; Horace Mann School Reading Celebration (1:30 p.m.); Horace Mann School Award Drawing (2:15 p.m.); Family Fun Night Movie Night (See information!)

OCTOBER PTA MEETING - YOUR ATTENDANCE A MUST!

On Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., Lois Rockney, Executive Director of Business and Financial Affairs for St. Paul Public Schools, will be the "guest speaker" for the October meeting of the Horace Mann School PTA.

This meeting is open to the public.

Please join us for this informative presentation by Ms. Rockney as she discusses detailed information about the upcoming "Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools."

AFTER SCHOOL SPANISH START DELAYED The after-school Spanish program has been delayed due to difficulties finding qualified instructors. Dan Berchum coordinator for Saint Paul Schools Community Education program reported that it has been difficult finding Spanish teachers due to Horace Mann's dismissal time (2:50 p.m.) and choice of meeting days (Tuesdays & Thursdays). This has made hiring difficult this year. "Our plan is to continue our search and have two teachers (one primary and one intermediate) hired by next week."

Registration materials will be sent home next week with your child. Once the registrations are returned (deadline will be noted on the form), we will start after school Spanish classes. Please watch for updates via the Horace Mann Perspectives and our web site at www.mann.spps.org.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT!

Please join us for the first family fun night of the 2006-2007 school year on September 29th. We will be showing a FREE outdoor movie, Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas". The movie will start at 7:30pm. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets. Snacks will be available for purchase. All students must be accompanied by an adult. In case of rain, the movie will be shown in the gym. This event is sponsored by the Horace Mann PTA. See you there!

THE REFERENDUM AT A GLANCE?.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006, Saint Paul voters will go to the polls to vote on the Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools. The Saint Paul PublicSchool Board approved this levy for the general election on Tuesday, August1st. The following statements summarize details of recent school funding history in Saint Paul, the needs and pressures surrounding the levy, and other pertinent information about the Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools.

Recent referendum history

The 2006 Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools:

Targeted at: Ensuring students are prepared to enter school. It addresses areas such as the achievement gap, preparation for post-secondary options (college, vocational training, the military, or blue/white collar work).

The manner in which referendum dollars could be used include:

-Preparing children for first grade

-Focusing nearly childhood family education -Continuing funding for four-year old kindergarten programs -Providing all-day kindergarten at schools with low poverty levels -Preparing students for post-secondary education -Developing new math and science programs and curriculum to help meet new state mandates, as well as restoring electives cut in recent years, -Updating Technology -Establishing stable funding for schools and programs to maintain their success with students at all ability levels Time period: Six year levy, fiscal years 2008-2013, expires in July 2013.

Amount of aid for Saint Paul Public Schools: An increase of approximately

$13.5 million per year over the existing levy, dependent on the number of students enrolled in the district

Impact: The average Saint Paul homeowner will see an $87 per year increase on his/her property tax bill.

MUSEUM ADVENTURE PASS

PRESENTED BY MACY'S Macy's has donated "Adventure Passes" to several public libraries.

Presently, families may check out these passes from the public library (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Minneapolis, Ramsey, Scott, St. Paul, and

Washington) and use them for up to four free admissions to the locations listed below.

American Swedish Institute, The Bakken Museum, Bell Museum of Natural History, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Gibbs Museum Historic Murphy's Landing, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minnesota History Center, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minnesota Zoo, The Museum of Russian Art, Science Museum of Minnesota, Twin Cities Historic Sites, Alexander Ramsey House, Historic Fort Snelling,  James J. Hill House, Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Sibley House, Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum

Thank you Macy's for your generosity!

SCHOOLS TO CELEBRATE 150TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A PARADE

10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006

The Horace Mann School community (students, families and staff) will be participating in the 150th Anniversary Parade to be held on Saturday, October 7th, at 10 a.m.

Horace Mann School will provide school bus transportation to the beginning of the parade route (Horace Mann School to Maxfield Elementary) and home (Central HS to Horace Mann School). If you are interested in our bus transportation option, please register with Judy Browne in the school office, 651.293.8965 by Wednesday, October 4, 2006.

Detailed information about the day:

All students, staff, families, volunteers, alumni and community members are invited to a citywide birthday celebration for the Saint Paul Public Schools. Current and former students and staff are invited to march with their school in the parade. Those not marching can view the parade anywhere along the route or in Griffin Stadium at Central High School. The parade will feature floats for each of the district's current and former high schools, music by nine high school and junior high bands, five ROTC units, and marching units representing all current Saint Paul public schools.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Maxfield Elementary School (located on the northeast corner of I-94 and Victoria). It will then travel south on Victoria Avenue and west on Marshall Avenue to Griffin Stadium at Central High School (located on the northwest corner of Lexington and Marshall).

After the parade arrives at the Stadium (approximately 11:45 p.m.), Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will make brief remarks, and the combined bands will lead everyone in singing

"The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Happy Birthday." Student entertainment will continue from noon to 2 p.m.

This is a historical and once in a lifetime event. Please place this important event on your calendar. See you there!

CLARIFICATION ON BREAKFAST AND CHESS CLUB STARTING TIMES

The morning start time for both breakfast and chess club is 8:00 a.m. This will ensure that the appropriate supervision is in place for our students.

This start time will take affect immediately.

QUADRUPLE YOUR BOX TOPS CONTRIBUTION AT RAINBOW FOODS!

If you participate in the Champions for Education Program by shopping now through Saturday, September 23rd at any Rainbow Foods store Horace Mann School will benefit. By purchasing designated General Mills products (Saran Wrap, Ziploc products, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Viva, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, Cheerios cereal, Pillsbury waffles, etc.) you will be awarded at least quadruple box tops. If you purchase 10 participating products, you will earn 70 box tops, 15 items and you will receive 120 box tops and 20 items for 170 box tops! What a great way to help support your school!

BRAVO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are in need of Bravo volunteers for the following classes:

· Ms. Schwartz's 1st grade class

· Mrs. Ames's 4th grade class

· Mrs. Kortuem's 4th grade class

Bravo is a music appreciation class consisting of six 20-minute lessons.

Training and supplies are provided, and no music background is necessary.

The lessons are fun, and the total time commitment is about 12 hours for the entire year.

To learn more, call Kris Ohnsorg at 651-699-2934 or email her at Kirstenohnsorg@yahoo.com.

CALLING ALL PARENTS OF 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS!HALLOWEEN PARTY PLANNING MEETING

The annual Horace Mann Halloween party sponsored by 5th and 6th grade students and their parents is a fundraiser for the 6th grade trip to Eagle Bluff. The party will take place on Friday, October 27th from 5:30 - 7:30pm . Our 5th graders and their parents run the games while the 6th graders and their parents run the haunted house. Parents of both grades are needed for set up, food sales, ticket sales and clean up.

We will have a PARENT planning meeting on Thursday, September 28th at 7:00pm in the Mann library. We need you to help with this endeavor, so please come and sign up for an activity. If you have not had an opportunity to sign up, PLEASE RSVP regarding your attendance to one of the co-chairs below. We look forward to seeing you on the 28th and to planning a terrific event!

Thank you!

5th grade Deborah Jopp dkjopp@msn.com 699-9773

6th grade Rosalyn Segal rsegal@umn.edu 698-3035

NEED INFORMATION REGARDING THE NOVEMBER 7TH REFERENDUM?

If you would like the latest and most up to date information on the November 7th referendum, let your fingers do the walking and go to www.mann.spps.org/referendum. Our Web Master Jim Johnson has made it easy to obtain facts regarding the referendum and has provided the community with a shortcut for obtaining such information. Referendum information via the district web site may be obtained at www.spps.org. Principal Lewis Scott is also available to answer questions. You may reach Mr. Scott at 651-293-8965.