Repairing Bricks and Growing Our Learners

Recently, there has been much ado about the new school buildings all around Lakewood, including the newly dedicated high school.  We are so fortunate to have a community and district that appreciates the importance of solid, attractive schools.

Our beloved Horace Mann school building is 95 years old (originally constructed in 1921).  While it is in beautiful shape after the full interior restoration about 10 years ago, it is only natural for there to be periodic blemishes to repair.  We noticed a shifting in some bricks on the front steps and eventually a few bricks came loose (Photo #1).  

When the contractors came to repair the problem, they needed to carve away quite a bit of deteriorated material (Photo #2).  While I didn't snap a picture of the completed project, I invite you to stroll by the lovely West Clifton entrance to see how they quickly completed the work with skilled craftsmanship. 

This repair to our building seems an apt analogy to our August/September Habit for Happy Kids,  Be Proactive:  You're in Charge.  By taking initiative and using the right talents and materials, something that needed attention was made better than new.  We see this principle in action at school every day--teachers notice what needs to be done with students when they have a "gap" in their learning; students respond with applying themselves to goals and challenges.  At the end of the day, we hope there is real growth in what kids know and can do, not just on the facade, but at the structural level, just like our building.

Off to a Shining Beginning!

Thanks to teamwork, the 2017-18 school year is off to a "shining" start (please pardon the eclipse pun) at Horace Mann!

While we may have a few organizational tweaks for next year, the New Family Orientation and Supply Drop Off Night was a big success.  PTA volunteers were on hand to help families get supplies in the right place.  It was nice to a chance to get them to the classrooms before the first day of school.


We started the first day of school with music and a little looser atmosphere outside, getting rid of first-day jitters and having a little fun.  Thanks, Mr. Waryk, for providing the tunes!

Special guest Joe Morris (retired NASA scientist) and our very own Library Assistant Peggy Morris provided fun, informative lessons for our students about eclipse safety, science and lore.  Students enjoyed demonstrating what happens in an eclipse and "watching" the eclipse live on the special reflective setup.  Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Morris!

Our kindergarten students completed screening and proudly entered the halls of Horace Mann on Thursday for a short, two-day week.  They are catching on fast to the "Horace Mann Way," making friends and getting right to work!

Mrs. Sloan reads to her class 

Lastly, I was fortunate to visit the K-5 classrooms on Friday, reading a story and having a discussion with each group about kindness.  Kindness is prized at Horace Mann, and we hope this experience with the principal will help each child remember to Be Kind each and every day!

Closing 2016-17 and Looking Ahead

I hope you've enjoyed reading the blog this year, perhaps on Twitter or Facebook.  Writing it is a fulfilling experience,  as it provides the perfect opportunity to showcase celebrations and many of the neat things at happen at Horace Mann.

One last thing to share for the 2016-17 school year is the photo below of Mrs. Cramer's 1st graders hosting Mrs. Sloan's kindergarteners for a Q & A about what to expect in 1st grade.  I was impressed by the questions and the answers, too, covering topics such as reading, math, and classroom routines. Of course, the rising 1st graders wanted to know about lunch & recess--but who doesn't want to know when they'll have time for a break with friends?!

Thank you for a wonderful school year, across the board.  I wish each member of the Horace Mann family a safe, fun summer break.  Take advantage of all Lakewood has to offer and tell me all about it in August!

Talent Show and Field Day - So Much Fun!

As we zoom ever-closer to the end of the 2016-17 school year, each day boasts something special.  I know parents are enjoying the posts some of the teachers are making to their social media apps--such as Seesaw--with lots of great pictures.  Watch for more teachers at Horace Mann to start using Seesaw next year...

I'd like to celebrate the students who performed in the talent show.  Big thanks to Mr. Waryk, Mrs. McCafferty, and Mrs. Morris (as well as several parent volunteers) for organizing the whole show! A huge highlight was the emcee services provided by 5th grader Jalen Brown (pictured)--he has a future in show business if he wants it :)  Here is the "playbill:"

Leom Gabriel:  Karate
Alden Therrien, Olivia Baker:  Dance
Eve Lewis:  Guitar
Helen Alcantar, Annabelle McBride, Ellie Onyak, Owen Daggs, David Baker:  Magic
Piper Crislip:  Piano
Yanna Bonner:  Dance
Evelyn Lardi:  Singing
Lily Tabor:  Gymnastics
Ayla French, Alaina Parker, Milena Osborn, Baylee Deetz:  Dance
Jeremy Frolo:  Piano
Joanna Wright:  Irish Reel Dance
Carys Crone:  Tap

We also had an amazing blue-sky day for Field Day 2017.  Thank you to Mr. Karabaic and Mr. Hyclak, as well as all Horace Mann staff who participated and the MANY parents who volunteered to help!  The day was made "ful-filling" by the generous picnic lunch donated by PTA and other parents to culminate students' safe, respectful, responsible behavior during the 4th quarter.

There are sure to be great snapshots of Field Day on the Horace Mann PTA Facebook page--be sure to check it out!

So Many Kinds of Fun at Horace Mann!

The special events at Horace Mann came in all shapes and sizes this week!  We had an opportunity to learn about keeping our eyes safe with Realeyes classroom presentations provided by the Ohio Optometric Society (this explains why your child may have come home with a new pair of sunglasses).  We thank Ms. Wise (pictured below) for coming to our school for the lessons.

Next up were fun activities for The Lemonade War.  Thanks to our PTA, we had a lemonade stand for Horace Mann students on Thursday at recess.  It was a perfect - HOT - day and the kids drank it up :-)  There was also a Drop Everything and Read as well as daily prize drawings...

The K-Kids had their final meeting for the 2017-18 school year and showed their community spirit with a neighborhood cleanup.  Parent volunteers made this possible, and the ice pops to cool down afterwards were appreciated by all.

Last but not least was our Spring Concert.  It was another amazing show, thanks to the students' talent and energy, the instruction and coaching of Mr. Waryk (K-5 Music Teacher) and Ms. Mallchok (Orchestra and Adapted Music Teacher), and the support and enthusiasm of kids' families.  Thank yous all around for a wonderful performance and community-building event!

Finally, good luck to our Girls on the Run as they participate in the 5K in Akron with over 1,000 girls from northeast Ohio on Saturday, May 20th. 

Bagels and Reading Go Great Together!

At Horace Mann, we know that family involvement in our school brings big benefits for everyone.  So, we are always looking for new reasons to invite adults to visit!  The latest event was the Family Reading Breakfast, held on May 11th before school.

Our art room was full to capacity with students, parents, siblings and even a neighbor or two who came to play reading games and find some resources to support reading at home.  The atmosphere was lively, yet definitely on task with reading activities and conversations.

Big thanks to our Horace Mann reading specialists Heather Phillips and Katie Testen, as well as our Family Resource Coordinator, Therese Schwind, for hosting the event.  Also, we appreciate the generosity of Einstein Bros Bagels (14615 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood) for their donation of bagels. Delish!

Here are a few pictures from the event:

Congratulations to Jalen and Jason!

     Each year, the Cuyahoga County Educational Service Center invites nominations for Excellence in Education.  Last Friday, two students from Horace Mann were honored at the Annual Excellence in Education Awards Recognizing Students with Disabilities, and Educators.  

     We are very proud of Jalen Brown and Jason Lowe who were honored at the breakfast, along with the staff members who referred them (Ellen McCafferty and Cristina Smith).  Lakewood City Schools were well-represented at the event with students, family, and staff members from many of our school buildings.

     Great work, Jalen and Jason, and kudos to the adults who took the time to nominate them!

Jalen Brown - 5th Grade

Jason Lowe - 2nd Grade