Mrs. Lynch's Kindness Project

I'd like to pass along a wonderful story from Mrs. Lynch's 3rd grade class here at Horace Mann...and an invitation to do some good!

Our area has many organizations whose mission it is to help those in need, and Mrs. Lynch selected three to support.  The Hunger Network feeds homeless people at various locations and then provides items to people as they head out into the elements.  Malachi House opens their doors to homeless people each night and also shares bags of items when people leave in the morning to help sustain them through the day.  Providence House services families displaced by abuse.  Because the women and children arrive with little more than the clothes on their back, they are constantly in need of things.   

With the donations given by Mrs. Lynch's class, 62 bags were created and dropped off over the weekend. Students expressed generosity for others and also gratitude for their own warm coats, homes and full bellies.  The happy faces of our helpers speak for themselves :)





Mrs. Lynch makes regular visits to these organizations, and is happy to organize any donations.  If you would like to give items, please see the photo below. 

Mrs. Lynch also shared this note with the parents of her students about a special day last week,
 "Our day started with bags of donations making their way into our room.  Then we got a surprise gift from Alden - our very own classroom tree and colorful ornaments!  He asked Addie to help him put hooks on each ornament and then they passed them out.  In between assignments, the kids took turns trimming the tree.  I’m pretty sure I instilled some life skills in the process as I guided their eyes to find gaping holes in the tree or recommended they separate colors.  (Yes, I’m the mom that rearranges ornaments after the kids go to bed.)

At lunch, I opened the bags and was overwhelmed by all the donations.  I wasn’t sure what would come in so I was a bit unprepared.  When Mrs. Theirren stopped in with more bags, I held her hostage to help me.  Imagine 19 kids, on a Friday afternoon, 2 weeks before holiday break, with the first fluffy snowfall and a sick teacher then I’m sure you can sense my exasperation.  Again, the spirit of giving and joy in their eyes kept me going.  I overheard this little nugget when 2 kiddos were chatting, “This is the best day ever.”
Since it was free choice time this afternoon, I let kids choose if they wanted to make bags or enjoy their other privileges.  A small group decided to “give up free time to help.”  They were very serious about their job of helping the homeless.  While they packed up bags, I heard them saying things like, “Can you imagine having to sleep outside when it’s this cold?” and “I feel so bad for the kids.”  Statements like this were shared all week by the kids - this project is making an impact!  They are seeing how good it feels to be grateful for what they have and empathetic for those who have little.
I’m pretty sure we made nearly 50 bags today!  I know some kids and you were disappointed thinking they missed out.  Not at all!  I plan to keep this going through next week, so please take advantage of this opportunity if you want. I reached out to Lakewood Community Resource Center to try and keep your donations local.  I’ll let you know where all our donations end up going."

 

Enjoying the Beck Center - Arts for All

Walking up Webb to watch a sensory-friendly performance at The Beck Center has become a sweet annual tradition for our CHAMPS students and staff.  Everyone bundles up appropriately and gets in the spirit of the season for this outing!

Evey Lardi

This year, the show was "The Nutcracker Suite," a holiday favorite.  Horace Mann is proud to boast of three of our own involved in the show:  Evelyn Lardi (4th grade), Mackenna Muzychenko (3rd Grade) and Mrs. Jessica Farmer (Intervention Specialist).  Aren't these pictures of our dancers terrific?

Mackenna Muzychecnko

 You might be wondering, "What makes a show 'sensory-friendly'?"  Sensory-friendly performances are adapted to be more enjoyable for persons with autism and other neuro- and physical diversity.  I found a helpful list on The Kennedy Center's website:

• Lower sound level, especially for startling or loud sounds;
• Lights remain on at a low level in the theater during the performance;
• A reduction of strobe lighting or lighting focused on the audience;
• Patrons are free to talk and leave their seats during the performance;
• Designated quiet areas within the theater;
• Space throughout the theater for standing and movement;
• Limited crowds and visitors at the Kennedy Center during the day and timing of the performance; and
• Staff trained to be inviting and accommodating to audience members' needs

This is just one more reason why we are fortunate to have The Beck Center up the street!  Please visit their website for upcoming events and ways to support their work:  http://www.beckcenter.org/

CHAMPS Cafe Serving Acceptance, Dignity & Respect

Always looking for ways to help students build real-world skills, CHAMPS teachers Maureen Crane and Cristina Smith dreamed big.  They envisioned a coffee cart at Horace Mann where students with special needs work side-by-side with neuro-typical 5th graders to serve coffee and tea to staff and other invited adults.

This year, the Lakewood Ranger Education Foundation (http://www.lakewoodrangers.com/) helped bring this dream to life.  The LREF fully funded the teachers' grant request, enabling the purchase of a cart, Keurig machine, and other essentials.  The operation has been rounded out with donations,and spruced up by the handiwork of several CHAMPS staff members.  PTA has gotten into the act, too, providing help where needed.

Students practiced together, using the adapted materials developed by the teachers.  By the time the Grand Opening occurred on November 20th, the operation was a well-oiled machine!  Many thanks to the invited guests who visited for a hot beverage and a free cookie (courtesy of Blackbird Baking Co. (https://www.blackbirdbaking.com/).

Here are a few pictures of the students learning their trade.  For plenty of Grand Opening pictures, please check out The December/January edition of the Horace Mann Educator:  Link to Newsletter

We look forward to partnering with other local bakeries to offer treats at our bi-monthly cafe.  We hope to invite others to visit in 2019 - watch for announcements and drop by for a feel good way to start your day :)

Benefits of Kindness

While we have 3 "hard and fast" rules at Horace Mann (Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible), we have a 4th principle that crosses over everything we do:  Be Kind.






Our focus on mindfulness over the past couple of school years has helped us experience the benefits of being kind, for both givers and receivers!


This 2 minute video explains the benefits of kindness - watch it and pass it on!   We have a wonderfully kind community here in Lakewood, and I think it explains why we love it here so much 💜💛💜💛!

Kindness Video

Horace Mann's "Longest Serving" Veteran

We here at Horace Mann Elementary School believe it is important to teach our students about service to others and to the common good.  We do this in many ways, both formal and informal.  For many years, dating back to the days at McKinley Elementary, this school community has held a program to honor the men and women who served in our country's armed forces.

Our Veterans Day Assembly is a simple one, but it has plenty of heart.  Using patriotic music as a backdrop (thanks to our music teacher, Mr. Waryk), our 4th graders lead a program to recognize our students and their family members who have been in the military.

This year, our 4th grade leaders included Riley Robertson, Declan Ziegler and Colin Moss as readers and Grace Dawson, Nick Detmar, Riley Robertson, Lilly Nazario, Elijah Sok-Sepulveda and Annabelle McBride representing the Boy and Girl Scouts as our color guard.  They did a terrific job and seemed so comfortable in front of the 300 person audience :)

A sweet story shared by Mrs. Clare Rosser (mom of 5th grader Greydon Rosser) illustrated why this year was particularly special,

Ronald Rosser, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam years, has been honored at every Veterans Day program at Horace Mann Elementary School since the building converted from a middle school in 2008. He is the grandfather of Willow Rosser, a Horace Mann graduate and member of the first class to attend from kindergarten to fifth grade in the renovated Horace Mann building, and who is now a sophomore at Lakewood High. He is also the grandfather of Greydon Rosser, a current fifth grader at Horace Mann. Mr. Rosser has attended the program with a grandchild consecutively for 11 years.

                        Lakewood Schools has always done an excellent salute to Veterans, 

                        which I feel honored to have attended with my grandchildren. I thank 

                        the schools for hosting a terrific Veterans program,” says the proud 

                        grandfather and Navy Veteran.

As a new principal at Horace Mann, Mr. Rosser was instrumental in helping me understand how this assembly should go.  We are grateful he has driven almost 2 hours each way to be here with us for the program every November for so many years.  His smiling face and enthusiasm for our country will be missed!

Photo credit: Jenna Tabor

Cats vs. Dogs

As parents visited Horace Mann for parent-teacher conferences last week, I was full of gratitude.  I felt grateful for the children whose work adorns the hallways and classrooms.  I felt it for the families who are raising their "little Rangers" with all the love in the world and found time in busy schedules to come and meet.  I felt it for the teachers who pour their hearts and souls into guiding the development of our students in every way imaginable. 

Of course, the setting of our school creates a well-cared for backdrop for the work we do and the fun we have.  This week, I want to spotlight our library media assistant, Mrs. Peggy Morris, for the efforts she puts into piquing kids' interest in books through regularly-refreshed bulletin boards and display cases.  She updated the case display near the office last week, and the kids will see it on Monday.  It is called Cats vs. Dogs, and while the foundation of the design is in place, an important feature is yet to come.  Soon, kids will be invited to bring pictures of themselves with their pet cat or dog to personalize the showcase to our own school.

Thank you, Mrs. Morris, for giving all of us one more reason to pay attention to books📖😊🐈🐶

What a "Spirited" Week!

I don't think we could have packed more into last week if we tried!  We had spirit week with daily themes (crazy hair day is always a favorite) and our October Star Students were announced.  Congratulations to Masimo Mellaraj, Noah Oster, Henry Whiting, Abby Dubecky, Izzy Johnson, Fischer Lueck, Peyton Diemert, Jaylen McCrae, Layla Pierce, Leonard Bonner, Noah Gibbons, Rian Fetting, Jack Milanich, and Charlotte Reed.

We also had some seasonal celebrating to do, and PTA did things right!  Kids enjoyed doing the Zombie Walk and/or coloring Halloween pictures during recess.  The week closed out with the Monster Mash Dance Friday night.  It was great to see so many people in costumes, having a good time in our spooky gym.  Thank you to all parents who volunteered for an attended the dance - we couldn't do any of this without YOU.

On a special note, Friday's fun wasn't limited to the dance.  As you may know, we celebrate our safe, respectful, responsible behavior each quarter with a special event.  To mark the end of the 1st grading period, PTA arranged for grade level yoga classes for our students.  Kids of all ages enjoyed the 30 minute yoga class taught by Horace Mann parent Jen McCarter.  I've taken many yoga classes over the years, but this was the first time the teacher narrated a story to connect the poses-really neat experience!  Thank you, Jen--and PTA--for this experience to reinforce our mindfulness practices.

PTA Programs Chair Kristy Gibbons and Yoga Teacher Jen McCarter