Perspectives - January 25, 2008
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Dear Families,
I am very excited to announce that we are beginning our 4th Annual Readathon. Reading is a passion of mine. I read every chance I get and I pass on my love of reading every chance I get. You will each receive a packet with detailed information next week. I can give you a few highlights.
We are trying to reach a goal of 400,000 minutes of reading. That comes to 1,198 minutes per student or 41 minutes a day. It’s a lofty goal, but a worthwhile one.
We have a number of fun incentives to generate a buzz. We will have celebrity guest readers. Our theme is “Reading Makes Us Wild” and our wonderful partners, the Minnesota Wild, will be helping out. If the students reach the goal, Wild PR Representative Brad Bombardir and possibly a player will be principal for a day. I will have to be a Wild employee for the day. I have heard rumors that Mr. Bombardir is already planning the day…no homework, extra recess, and maybe a few other goodies. Since this is our playoffs, I will also follow good hockey tradition and will not shave until we meet our goal=). Classrooms will have a chance to win the “Mann-ley Cup” in the weekly school competition. The students will have the opportunity earn prizes like assistant principal with Mr. Bombardir, books, secret awards, and treats.
In celebration of our read-a-thon next month, all students will be given a book of their choice next week on Thursday, January 31st. This book give-away is made possible by RIF, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. RIF supports literacy development by providing free books for children to choose and keep. Students who are absent on Thursday will still receive their RIF books. If you have any questions regarding the program or would like to find out how you can help with our next distribution, contact, Mariana Tennyson, at 293-8965.
It should be a fun month. I am looking forward to promoting reading and I hope you will join me!
Sincerely,
Jim Litwin, Principal
All Current Students Keep their Spot for Next Year! Students who are currently attending Horace Mann School are not affected by the changes to our attendance area (south of Montreal and west of Davern) for next year. Once a student begins school here, they may remain until they go to 7th grade or until a family chooses to leave. The changes to the attendance area may impact our ability to accept new students who are not in the attendance area. It will all depend on the number of students who enroll. I am hopeful that we can accommodate everyone who wants to enter our school. I want to have everyone here who wants to be here. It just makes for a better school. The priority for enrollment is and will be:
- Attendance area students,
- Reassignment area siblings,
- New reassignment area students,
- Daycare transfer siblings,
- New daycare transfers,
- Elementary transfer siblings, and
- New elementary transfers.
Student Directory for Family Use Our directory is a publication provided as a service to our students  |
and families by the Horace Mann School PTA and PR Committees. This directory is not to be used for outside interests such as political mailings, business solicitations, or any other purposes which are not approved by the PTA, PR Committee, or the Horace Mann School Administration. Thank you.
Fun Spring Break Event That Also Helps Horace Mann Raise Funds! We have been given the opportunity to participate in a special fundraising opportunity with East Bay Suites in Grand Marais, MN over Spring Break. The new all-suite hotel is situated right on Lake Superior in the heart of Grand Marais. Check out their website at: www.eastbaysuites.com. Click here to see Horace Mann students in a short video about what they love to do in Grand Marais. The hotel is donating 15% of bookings to Horace Mann during the week of March 28th – April 6th. A fabulous itinerary of family-friendly activities is included in the price. Pricing for the weekend of April 4-6 includes two nights stay, two meals, and all activities. If you want to come up earlier in the week, the give-back will be honored for those nights as well. If you haven’t firmed up your spring break plans, consider joining other Horace Mann families for this great community-building event! Flyers are in the office or you can contact Katie Sterns directly with questions at 651-295-1730.
Protecting Children from the Effects of Electronic Media Here is some more important information about the effects of electronic media on children and what can be done to lessen any negative impacts.
- Turn it off. Limit the amount of time your children spend in front of the TV, and turn off any shows that you believe are promoting violence, sexuality, disrespect for the law, and alcohol or drug use.
- Listen in. When your children talk to each other or to friends, occasionally listen in. Be aware if they seem to be identifying with characters in games or shows who are not good role models. If so, limit their viewing or participating in those programs/games, and talk to them about the types of behavior that are good to follow, and those that aren’t.
- Don’t give in. If your children beg for video games, music, or DVDs that you feel are inappropriate, ignore their pleas, and don’t buy them. Alert relatives and others who might buy your children gifts that you want to make sure the games and shows are appropriate. Be strong if your child gets an inappropriate game or DVD as a gift—thank the giver, but then exchange it for something else.
Finally, take the word of the experts in child health—the American Academy of Pediatrics. It has warned parents that children who watch a lot of television can end up doing poorly in school, may be more likely to have attention problems, and may have problems with self-control and moral judgment.
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