Lemonade Stand at Horace Mann

We might think of lemonade as a summer beverage, but it's not just for warm months here at Horace Mann!  Thanks to our Kiwanis K-Kids, students had the opportunity to enjoy a cup of the delicious drink during lunch on Thursday, February 21st.

"Why" you ask?  As you may know, our K-Kids group meets monthly, and each time, they designate a service project.  The kids (about 30 of them) work with their advisors to select a group or cause to devote their efforts to.  They learn about our world and access their altruistic spirit (which I believe runs strong in every child) to practice doing good.

This month, the K-Kids helped our whole school put our efforts towards research for childhood cancer.  They partnered with Alex's Lemonade Stand, a foundation that started with the idea of one young child, to do a little fundraiser.  If you'd like to learn more, check out their website:  https://www.alexslemonade.org/

K-Kids Leadership team hosted a table during all lunch periods, offering cups of lemonade for donations.  We haven't managed to count the proceeds yet, but we feel proud that we'll be able to send a healthy amount based on small, but mighty, student body of 300 students 😊  It is a cheerful reminder to have the donations posted in the gym hall (see picture).

Many thanks to Mrs. Schwind (HMann Family Resource Coordinator), Mrs. Diemert (Parent Volunteer) and Mrs. Bacho (Kiwanis Volunteer) for facilitating K-Kids every month.  Our students, our school and our community benefit from this socially-conscious group.  I see a future in volunteerism and service work for these boys and girls, and it warms my heart!

Mrs. Bacho and some lemonade-loving 2nd graders

Welcome Rangers

When you were a student, did you ever transfer to a new school?  Or maybe you remember a new student arriving at your school?  Even if our memories aren't vivid from our school days, we all know the feeling of uncertainty that comes with a new experience (like the last time you started a new job).  When new students and their families join the Horace Mann Community, we have a routine designed to help everyone feel comfortable, right from the start.

After families enroll at central office, we set up a tourl with me for the student and family members.  This allows us time for questions so we can get to know each other a little bit, and lets me show off our beautiful building (the murals PTA painted in the library are always a big hit)!

During this visit, I share that the student will have one or more "Welcome Rangers" assigned.  Welcome Rangers are kids in the same class who were recommended to be ambassadors based on their good communication skills and citizenship at Horace Mann.  The Welcome Rangers wear buttons designed by our own Mrs. Manthey and have a checklist to guide them through helping the new student learn about the "wheres and hows" of our school.  This process also helps the students get to know each other to break the ice.

Lastly, parents receive our Family Handbook, an explanation about our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and various flyers about how to get involved or what is going on at school.  If needed, they meet with our health aide to explain medical needs.  The opportunity to do so always makes everyone feel more secure.

On the first day, the teacher meets the student and family in the office about 15 minutes before other children come in.  They go to the classroom and find the child's locker and desk.  New parents and kids like this process, as they have time to check out the space before meeting new friends.

Many thanks to Mrs. Frank, intervention specialist, for facilitating the annual training for our Welcome Rangers and to our whole office team (Mrs. Rochford, secretary; Mrs. Egut, health aide, and Mrs. Schwind, family resource coordinator) for collaborating in this process.  We are proud Rangers and always love to bring new members into the Horace Mann family 💛💜💛💜

Carnival Time at Horace Mann

It has become a wintertime tradition for the PTA to stage a carnival for our Horace Mann students.  Leading up to it, we emphasize that it this fun event is a reward for kids' efforts to follow our school expectations:  Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Kind.

This is one of those times when kids 💟 the simplest things!  In the gymnasium, PTA sets up tables for bead art, face painting, tattoos, sack races, ping pong ball and ring tosses, snack and, of course, balloon art (swords are the big favorite).

While the carnival has been in place for years, we added a twist this year that was very successful.  Building on the wonderful success of 5th grade/Kindergarten Book Buddies, we grouped Grades 5, 3 and K together on one session, and Grades 4, 2, 1, and PK in the other.  It was terrific to see our older students rise to the challenge of being good role models and watching out for our younger students even as they let loose a little...

We couldn't do any of this without the PTA volunteers who run the whole show.  There are too many to name, but we did get them to pose for a "before" picture this year (see below).  We were glad to see other family members drop in to enjoy the party with their kids, too!

Playing together is a very important part of a healthy school culture.  This carnival was proof positive that we are in good shape as a community, ready for adventures and learning ahead.

Horace Mann Heroes at PTA Reflections

Anyone who reads this blog knows that Horace Mann a school with a strong PTA partnership.  We appreciate the generous volunteer work they do not only on the fundraising level, but also on a direct level, giving students direct access to plenty of fun, and all kinds of enriching, worthwhile experiences.

Local Winners with Work Going to Ohio PTA Level

This week, we're celebrating the PTA Reflections Program, a local-state-national partnership where K-12 students submit creative work in a wide variety of areas (check out the website to learn more at https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections).  All students who enter are recognized in their school district, and the best pieces are submitted to the next level.

Horace Mann has a long tradition of participating in PTA Reflections and this year's theme (Heroes Around Me) prompted 5 students to submit visual arts pieces.  A big "thank you" to Beth Kiraly-Bratko for organizing a session with our art teacher, Diane Westerburg, supporting our kids' projects!

Last week, all 5 Horace Mann student artists (in addition to artists from the other schools in Lakewood) were recognized at a ceremony at Garfield Middle School.  There were quite a number of dignitaries there, including City Council members, Board of Education members, and our own Superintendent, Dr. Michael Barnes.  The kids got some practice with shaking hands :)  Please join me in recognizing:

Amos D'Agostino (KG) - Advancing to Ohio PTA competition
Evelyn D'Agostino (2nd Grade)
Hesi Gjuzi (3rd Grade)
Addie McCarter (3rd Grade)
Fiona Radke (5th Grade)

Submissions were due to the Ohio PTA at the end of January, and the National PTA will select winners on May 1, 2019.