• Listen. Any time you hear your child talking about something he or she is doing really well in or is having trouble with—either with schoolwork or with classmates—make a note of it. When it’s time for the conference with the teacher, you’ll have a ready-made list of things to discuss.
• Ask. When it’s time to schedule the conference with the teacher, sit down with your child and ask him or her what you should discuss with the teacher. Encourage your children to open up and tell you what it’s like for them in the classroom. Do they feel like they’re falling behind academically? Or are they bored because they understand the material that the rest of the class is struggling with? Are there any troubling issues with any of their classmates? One thing that’s guaranteed to get your children to open up is asking them what they think their teacher is going to tell you about them.
• Bring notes and papers. Write down questions you want to address with the teacher. Bring copies of any assignments you have questions about. Think ahead of time how to be tactful and kind in wording concerns you have about the teacher or the class.

Next week I’ll offer some tips to help during the conference.

Silent Auction is a Roaring Success Congratulations and thank you to these winners and all who purchased tickets! More information will be announced as the final totals are tallied. I think it is safe to say that the night was a huge success, raising much more than past years. It was a great event for the school community as well. Thanks to Tom Youness and Stephanie Hawkinson, the committee co-chairs. This was Tom’s last year and he is going out with a bang! Thanks also to the committee members and all who worked so hard including: Elizabeth Patty, Jules Smith, Amy Stolpestad, Anne Pavlis, Barb Dolven, Danica Linssen, Michael and Tracy Lane, Karin and Richard Roof, Sarah Johnson, Andrea McGee, Amy Korteum, Eileen O'Connell-Conzet, Dave Coscio, Tina and Dave DeCoster, Jenny and Jimmy Logan, Laura Fervoy, Nancy Hall, Judy Browne, Tiffany Mattick, Martha Faust, Elizabeth Adam, Melissa Kestner, and Karl Smelker.

Thanks to your generosity the Wall of Wine Raffle was a huge success raising nearly $7,000 for Horace Mann!  We are pleased to announce the winners:

• 1st place winner of 50 bottles of wine: Joe Bagnoli
• 2nd place winner of 40 bottles of wine: Meridith O'Toole
• 3rd place winner of 30 bottles of wine: Kenton Johnson
• 4th place winner of 20 bottles of wine: Amy Johnson
• 5th place winner of 10 bottles of wine: Laura Fervoy

Intent to Return At conference time, all families will be asked to complete a form indicating your plans for school enrollment next year. We have used this form in the past, but it is even more important this year. If there is even a small possibility that your child will not return here next year, please indicate that you are unsure on the form. If you know your child will not return, please indicate so. These forms will be kept confidential. Thank you for your help.

Do you need some POSITIVE ENERGY in your life? Do you want to think about SPRING? Please come to the Family Service Committee planning meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 6:30-8:00 in the library. The Horace Mann community demonstrated its interest in developing well-rounded students with the attendance at Family Service Night on January 25. The overwhelmingly positive reviews and evaluations of the evening let us know to continue. Now is the time to put that positive force to work planning more good for the sake of our children and our community. Please RSVP to Sarah Johnson at smillerjohnson@hotmail.com or Chris Aerts at chrisbillaerts@comcast.net. Refreshments will be served!

Lost and Found is getting full and overflowing once again. We will set out the stuff right before conferences on tables in the hall. We will donate anything that is left after conference time. Please feel free to check out the “lost and found” before conferences. It is located in the southeast entry on Kenneth outside Mrs. Long’s room.

Upcoming Events- click here for details.