The Gang's All Here!

After enrollments, orientations, tours, screenings, and meeting the teacher (whew!), all of our students in grades Preschool - 5 are attending daily here at Horace Mann.  The halls are alive with the sound of children!

Teachers and support staff have been working diligently to get to know their new students.  For their part, students have been doing their very best to learn the expectations in their new grade.  Even after just a week or so, it is plain to see that most are getting the hang of how things work around here pretty quickly.

That said, sometimes it takes children a little more time and/or a little more guidance to learn routines and procedures.  In those situations, please partner patiently with your child's teacher.  If you have any questions or would like additional assistance, please contact me or our Family Resource Coordinator, Mrs. Chris Bringman, at 216-529-4257.

Growing the Garden at Horace Mann

Dear Horace Mann Community,

     It has been simply wonderful welcoming staff, students, and families back to Horace Mann for the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.  Although our summer break was short according to the calendar, I've been happy to hear about all the fun so many of us were able to squeeze into those weeks.
     This year, I've been thinking about how our school is like a healthy garden.  We have many well-established healthy "anchor plants," such as the majority of our teaching staff, our well-maintained building, and strong parent support.  There are also some "perennials" that are putting down roots, including building leadership (can you believe it is my 3rd year?), Writer's Workshop (also in year 3), returning students, and our Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS or Star program) in year 2.
    We are also happy about our "seedlings" that will come into their own this year, including our new students, family and staff members, Eureka Math  and Reading Workshop.  For certain, there will be lots more information to come about all of our new "planting" as we get into the growth cycle of the year.
     In this gardening metaphor, I also want to emphasize the elements of effort and results.  We--staff, students, and families--will all do the best we know how how to do.  Sometimes, the fruits of our labor will come readily, while in other areas we may need to learn from what did not turn out as we hoped and try again.  Through it all, we will work together, valuing each and every person.
     I look forward to collaborating with you this year, and I welcome you to contact me anytime with suggestions, comments or questions at (216) 529-4257 or merritt.waters@lakewoodcityschools.org. I hope you will follow this blog for weekly updates on what has been happening at our school! 

     Below, check out some of the early harvest in our Horace Mann "garden."  As you can see, the early focus is on acceptance and understanding the expectations at our school. 

We may all be different, but in this class we all swim together!