Principal’s Message

HORACE MANN EDUCATOR

Welcome to the 2013-14 school year at Horace Mann! We’re happy to have about 380 stu-dents in Preschool through Grade 5 this year. We believe that every child is someone special, and, like a box of Cracker Jack, each one has a surprise to be discovered inside. We look forward to the journey of helping your child learn about his or her own special gifts throughout this school year.

As the end of August arrived, there was so much activity at our school. First, we welcomed in the new school year with Meet the Teacher Nights for Grades 1-5 as well as orientation for our preschoolers and their families. Then we met with kindergarten students and their parents for screening and orientation. Teachers were delighted to meet their new students and parents as they shared plans for the upcoming school year. A big thank you to families who attended these events, and a warm welcome to families new to our school.

We love it when families are present at school, and there are several upcoming opportuni-ties. Please try to join us for one or more of the events listed in the next section of this newsletter.

Finally, I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped me feel right at home in my

first days and weeks as the new principal of Horace Mann. I am grateful each day for this oppor-

tunity, and I am looking forward to all of the learning ahead of us this year for adults and students

alike. If I may be of assistance in any way, please contact me anytime.

Merritt F. Waters

SEPTEMBER 2013

Horace Mann Elementary School 1215 West Clifton Boulevard

Lakewood, Ohio 44107 (216) 529-4257

Attendance line (216) 529-4307 Merritt F. Waters, MEd., Principal

http://lakewoodcityschools.org/

2 Labor Day Holiday — NO SCHOOL

5 Early Release Day, 2:15 DISMISSAL

6 Instruments on Parade, Fifth Grade to LHS

10 PTA Meeting, 7 pm, Library

11 All Pro Dad’s Breakfast, 7:30a, Cafetorium

12 PTA Ice Cream Social, 6:30-7:30 pm, Front Lawn (Children must

be accompanied by an adult)

19 Early Release Day, 2:15 DISMISSAL

25 Market Day Pick-Up, 5-6 pm, Gym

26 School pictures

26 Muffins with Mom (Last Names A-L), Cafetorium, 8:15 am

27 Muffins with Mom (Last Names M-Z), Cafetorium, 8:15 am

3 Early Release Day, 2:15 DISMISSAL

4 Book Fair & Family Dance, 7:00 pm

7 3rd Grade Fall OAA

8 PTA Meeting, 7 pm, Library

9 All Pro Dad’s Breakfast, 7:30 am, Cafetorium

“Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power.” Horace Mann

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE: Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! I am proud to serve as Superintendent to the Lakewood City Schools and its students. We are committed to providing the best education for every student that comes through our doors and each year our students continue to make our district and community proud.

As many of you know, our district has undergone an unusual number of personnel changes since last school year. The district is fortunate to be bringing on board top-notch administrators who will be stepping into a number of principal positions.

Our new principals are: Sandy Kozelka at Lincoln Elementary, Sandra Powers at Hayes, Sabrina Crawford at Harrison, Merritt Waters at Horace Mann and Joe Niemantsverdriet at Harding Middle School. Long-time Harrison Principal Philis Muth has moved to Grant. Former Harding Principal Keith Ahearn will be leading Lakewood High as Bill Wagner has moved into the position of Human Resources Director. Please welcome them and show them that great Lakewood spirit of collaboration that makes us great.

As we move into the 2013-2014 school year, the focus will be on five goals as adopted by our Board of Education:

To improve student achievement Plan for our next phase of school construction To build upon the confidence of the staff and community in the Lakewood City Schools To provide for the fiscal stability of the Lakewood City Schools To have a collective bargaining outcome that is fair to our taxpayers, fair to our employees, and enables

our district to compete in the market to attract quality candidates to fill positions

Goal #2 is a big one for us and one that has been many years in the making. We have finally received ap-proval from the State of Ohio to move forward with our final phase of our Master Facilities Plan. This will include the rebuilding of Grant, Lincoln and Roosevelt elementary schools as well as the east end of Lake-wood High. Before construction begins, we are asking Lakewood voters in November to approve a 3.25 mill bond issue and .5 mill permanent improvement levy for the project. This will provide half of the $100 million needed for the project while the state will be providing the other $50 million.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and very exciting for our com-munity. When construction is finished, our community will have state-of-the-art facilities for all our students that will provide the best learn-ing environment possible for everyone.

Jeffrey W. Patterson Superintendent

COMMUNITY MEETING SET FOR SEPT.11

Superintendent Jeff Patterson will be holding a Community Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep. 11,

in the Lakewood High School East Cafeteria. The Superintendent will address several important issues in-

cluding the district’s bond issue and construction project, current finances and changes in the state Report

Card system. Following his presentation, Superintendent Patterson will field questions from the audience.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL Please join members of the Board of Education and the Lakewood Council of PTAs for their annual Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 6:15-7 p.m. at Grant Elementary Gym. Board members will be scooping out the free ice cream. See you there!

September 2013, Page 2

Lakewood Board of Education Edward Favre, President

Linda Beebe, Vice President Tom Einhouse

Emma Petrie Barcelona Betsy Bergen Shaughnessy

September 2013, Page 3

I am excited to begin my third year teaching at Horace Mann. During a typical day in PE we begin with a brief 8-9 minute warm up of various loco-motor activities. After this, we will begin skill development and/or game play. Students in grades K-2 focus most of their time involved in skill work while stu-dents in grades 3-5 work on incorporating those skills into game strategies/play. This quarter we will learn and practice the various aspects involved with the sport of soc-cer. Skills required include; dribbling, trapping, passing, and the instep kick. At times we will learn how many of those skills transfer to other sports/games such as kicking a foot-ball off of a tee. My goals are to keep students moving, keep the learning environment simple, and allow students have success at learning the fundamentals. I want students to find that practicing and playing is fun so they will want to participate more and more which, in return, leads to an active and healthy lifestyle! Please feel free to access my website from the Horace Mann home page for more detailed information.

Brad Karabaic Lakewood City Schools Physical Education Adapted Physical Education brad.karabaic@lakewood.k12.oh.us

Welcome Back to School! I hope everyone got off to a great start. I am looking forward to a fantastic 2013/2014 school year. Please keep your

eye out for the Membership letter and PTA Welcome Packet to come home in your student's back pack soon. I hope you will all consider joining the Horace Mann PTA. Our first PTA meeting is on September 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. Children are welcome as always!

We were happy to see so many of you at Meet the Teacher Night for freeze pops and the Wel-come Coffee on the first day of school. I hope you and your family will enjoy all of the fun activities we have planned. Please watch for more information about our New All Pro Dad's group starting up this year. The first All Pro Dad's Breakfast will be on September 11th at 7:30 a.m. in the Cafetorium. Join us on September 12th for our popular Ice Cream Social at 6:30 p.m. on the front lawn. Our annual Catalog Sale will also kick off on September 12th. Check out some of the catalog items on display at the Ice Cream Social. Muffins with Mom will be held on September 26th & 27th at 8:15 a.m. in the Cafetorium. Watch for more details to follow!

Please call or email me with anything that I can help you with!

Heather Facaros - Horace Mann PTA President 216-221-8195/facaros@att.net

September 2013, Page 4

FORMS TO TURN IN Please be sure to complete and return the yellow PARENT NOTIFICATION CARD and the EMERGENCY MEDICAL FORM. Make sure information is complete and accurate. If any information (phone number, etc.) changes during the school year, please let the school office know right away. If you believe your family might qualify, please complete and return the FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION.

ASSIGNMENT BOOKS/FOLDERS Boys and girls in fourth and fifth grade use an assignment book especially designed for Horace Mann students. It records daily/weekly assignments, and provides a convenient way for parents and teachers to communicate. The inside covers contain information about day to day procedures at Horace Mann. Students in kindergarten, first, second and third grade use a fold-er with information on the back cover.

VISITORS TO SCHOOLS Parents and guests are welcome at Horace Mann. According to school district policy, all visitors must report first to the Office. Upon signing in, visitors receive a Visitor (or Volunteer) badge. Our students expect that all adults wear a badge of some type. Classroom visits are scheduled in advance with the teacher or Mrs. Waters. Thank you for observing this policy for the safety and comfort of all Horace Mann students.

MUFFINS WITH MOM has been so popular we’re bursting at the seams! So, we’re having it twice! If your child’s last name begins with A-L, please join us Thursday, Sep 19, 8:15-8:45 am in the Cafetorium for muffins, coffee and juice with your child and their classmates. If your child’s last name begins with M-Z, join us on Friday, Sep 20, at 8:15am. You will receive a reminder! (We are holding this on two dates to accommodate more people comfortably. Please feel free to join us on the date that works for your sched-ule.)

FAMILY RESOURCE COORDINATOR Mrs. Chris Bringman is the Family Resource Co-ordinator at Horace Mann. Her role is to help support families and provide information on family/community resources in our area. Her phone number is 529-4716.

Arrival and Dismissal

For the SAFETY of ALL our students: Use a green card for your dashboard listing student name and grade. Drop off and pick up students ONLY in the parking lot line on Webb Road.

Stay in the line of cars which moves along the curb. Do not park in the curb lane to walk your child into the building, as this stops the line of cars.

When you pull up, your child(ren) will get in or out of your car. Please time arrival for 8:45 or later, since there is no supervision before school. The West Clifton driveway is reserved for childcare and CHAMPS vans and CHAMPS

parents. At dismissal, preschool cars are at the front of the line. The K-5 car line begins at

the orange cone.

Don’t fly by these important announcements!

LUNCH Since it is so difficult for children to manage loose lunch money: PLEASE send lunch money in an envelope marked with your child's name! Consider the con-venience of prepaying for lunches. Send in cash or check for several days and our cashier will keep track of lunches purchased. (Checks are payable to Lakewood Schools.)

Breakfast and Lunch Prices: Breakfast: $1.50 *** Elementary lunch: $2.25 *** Milk: $ .50 *** Pizza slice $2.50

Students who qualify will still receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. The reduced price breakfast will be $ .30 and the reduced price lunch will be $ .40. Applications for these federal pro-grams are sent home with students or may be picked up in the school office.

LUNCH / RECESS SCHEDULE

Kindergarten 11:45-12:30

First 11:15-12:00

Second & Third 12:30-1:15

Fourth 11:30-12:15

Fifth 12:00-12:45

BREAKFAST is served at Horace Mann from 8:30-8:55 each morning

in the Cafetorium. The cost is $1.50 (30¢ Reduced price).

DISCIPLINE AND SAFETY

PEACEBUILDERS is a positive school-wide approach that teaches students to build peace across the school community. The proactive program encourages alternatives to violence. Simple tools and a common language recognize and reward students for peaceful, cooperative behavior. The PeaceBuilders principles are:

Praise people

Notice Hurts and Right Wrongs

Give Up Put-Downs

Seek Wise People

HORACE MANN SCHOOL RULES: Horace Mann students follow these rules school wide: Treat others the way you want them to treat you Come to school prepared to learn Keep hands and feet to yourself Move quietly and safely throughout the building Use school property appropriately

September 2013, Page 5

We’ve gone green! Go to lakewoodcityschools.org

and click on Schools, then Horace Mann, to find the monthly Lunch Menu and Newsletter, available the

first of each month, as well as Teacher Websites and

other information. Families without computer access may request paper copies.

SCHOOL IN THE CINEMA: Presented by the Lakewood Council of PTAs

The Friends of Lakewood Public Library and the Lakewood Council of PTAs are pleased to present School in the Cinema, a film series about edu-cation in the United States and around the world. These documentary films examine education from several points of view. We hope the series is thought-provoking and generates conversations about education in Lake-wood and the world beyond. Come share your thoughts. Visit www.lakewoodpubliclibrary.org/film for more films. American Promise (2013) Directed by Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson American Promise spans 13 years as Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, middle-class African-American parents in Brooklyn, N.Y., turn their cameras on their son, Idris, and his best friend, Seun, who make their way through one of the most prestigious private schools in the country. Chronicling the boys' divergent paths from kindergarten through high school graduation at Manhattan's Dalton School, this provocative, in-timate documentary presents complicated truths about America's struggle to come of age on issues of race, class and opportunity. Thursday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go (2007) Directed by Kim Longinotto Variety describes it as a film "mixing ferocity with tenderness, delicacy with tenacity" — exactly like the unusual school it explores. In Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go, one of Britain's leading documentary filmmakers takes a vérité look at Oxford's Mulberry Bush School for emotionally disturbed children. Mulberry's heroi-cally forbearing staff greets extreme, sometimes violent behavior with only consolation and gentle restraint. Kim Longinotto's unblinking camera captures an arduous process and a nearly unhinged environment, but it also records the daily dramas of troubled kids trying to survive and the moments of hope they achieve with Mulberry's clear-eyed staff. Thursday, November 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium

September 2013, Page 6

5th Grade Beginning Instrumental Music Family Night / Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

Please join the music staff for an informational meeting regarding all aspects of the

5th Grade Beginning Music Program

8 music vendors will be present for you to rent an instrument at that time.

Ice Cream generously provided by Lakewood Music Boosters