Have you asked you kid(s) about what he/she saw at the science assembly? Did he/she liked how the liquid nitrogen send the corks flying? He/she must be ready to explore and discover science! The Science Fair registration is now open. All students (K-5th) are encouraged to participate by working on a science project at home, and displaying it at the Science Fair on March 5th. Registration ends on February 27th but early registration is encouraged. Visit the Horace Mann PTSA website for more information and to register. Students may optionally work with a partner who is also a Horace Mann Elementary student (must be noted when they register).

http://horacemannptsa.org/Page/Enrichment/ScienceFair

SBA Testing Dates

3rd-5th grade parents,

Please mark the following dates on your calendar. It is essential all 3rd-5th grade students attend these days of school for the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA). Please make doctor appointments on other days or before or after school. The SBA has an interesting component to it. One of the testing days involves a whole class performance task, which will usually mean a class discussion. If students miss these sessions, it will be extremely difficult to re-create these discussions in a make-up session. Your help in making sure your child is attending school well-rested, healthy and fed on these days is much appreciated.

	ELA day 1	ELA day 2	ELA day 3	Math day 1	Math day 2	Math day 3	Science
3rd	4/16	4/20	4/21	6/4	6/8	6/9	xxx
4th	4/15	4/22	4/23	6/2	6/3	6/4	xxx
5th	4/22	4/28	4/29	5/14	5/20	5/21	5/28

Reach for the Stars

The "Reach for the Stars" reading challenge is officially underway. Horace Mann Elementary is partnering with Usborne Books to complete a 2-week, pledge-based reading challenge. Students are asked to read or be read to for 30 minutes a day. You can support your child's efforts with reading by sponsoring them for this event. Each day your child will log their reading time by filling in the squares using the Reach for the Stars Reading Journal. Reading Journals along with money collected will be due on Wednesday, February 25th. The best part...100% of student pledges are used to reward students and the Horace Mann staff and library. Students earn 50% of their pledges in Usborne books, and the remaining 50% of the pledges will go back to the school. You can view the amazing books available at: http://www.Usborne-KaneMiller.com
Additional prizes will be offered including:

A private ice cream social for the top reader and the top pledge earner in each grade (K-5).
Students in grades 1-5 who participate by reading and/or collecting pledges will be entered in a drawing to eat lunch with local author Patrick Jennings on February 27th.

Additional information describing the "Reach for the Stars" reading challenge was sent home along with the reading journal on Wednesday, February 11th. Thank you for your support and for taking the reading challenge.

Shannon Leonard, M.i.T., NBCT

Library Media Specialist

LWSD Parent Event

You are invited to a special evening presentation with children's advocate and bestselling author Trudy Ludwig.

Understanding Our Kids' Online & Offline Social World: Friendships, Cliques & Power Plays.

Click Here for more information.

Knights of the Multiplication Table

Hear ye! Hear ye! Announcing Round 2 of the Knights of the Multiplication Table! This exciting program involves 3rd and 4th grade students at Horace Mann. Upon completing their multiplication facts, our students have the opportunity to kneel before our royal Mrs. Spaulding to be knighted and honored with their classmates.

Work Hard! Succeed! Celebrate!

Congratulations to our 49 newest knights:

Aaron K, Aarushi V, Adria L, Adwita G, Albert L, Alice M, Aniela A, Aryan K, Audrey B, Ayush S, Bianca L, Cameron B, Claire K, Danika T, Dhruv D, Nico S, Eleanor B, Ellie F, Emily S, Emily W, Erika B, Grant G, Henry K, Ian S, Ido H, Ishani K, Katie R, Kenzie S, Kotaro O, Jason C, Jina K, Jiwon K, Jordyn W, Krithi I, Lasya A, Lauren D, Mathias G, Natalie E, Peter S, Peter X, Phil K, Rakesh V, Ray B, Rikki K, Shahar D, Sreya S, Tamir M, Tobin S, William P.

Website Admin & Newsletter Editor Volunteer needed for 2015-2016

We are looking for parent volunteer(s) to serve as the PTSA Website Administrator and Newsletter editor for the 2015-2016 school year. As website administrator, you will work closely with our PTSA board and committee members to maintain our website. As newsletter editor you will assemble articles using Constant Contact.

If you have any questions about either or both of these roles, or if you would like to help with this, please contact Tamara Trepte at website@HoraceMannPTSA.org.

Math Challenge is Out!

All students invited to participate

Pick up in the office or go online.

http://www.mathinaction.org/Pages/MannMC.aspx

See the full year schedule:

http://www.mathinaction.org/Pages/MathChallenge.aspx

Due Thursday 2/19 by 3pm in the Math Challenge Box in the school office.

Winners will be chosen each week and get a prize.

Awards will be given out at the end of year for completing all 15!

Service Day at Meadow Park

Join us in volunteering and give back to our neighborhood! We will be digging up invasive blackberry bushes that prevent trees from growing at Meadow Park. Tools, gloves, and light snacks will be provided. Students will learn about forest ecology and have a chance to dig in the mud. All Horace Mann students,staff, siblings and community members are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

WHERE: Meadow Park, 10710 160th Avenue Northeast, 98052

WHEN: 10 am - 1 pm, Saturday, February 28th

WHO: This event is sponsored by the Green Redmond Partnership and organized by Kirk McGettigan.

RSVP: by Saturday, February 21st to kirk.mcgettigan@gmail.com. Please include the names and ages (of minors) of all attendees in your email.

Volunteers should bring their own cups or mugs for drinks (we'll have coffee, water, and hot water to make tea/cocoa).

Kids FREE Dental Day

Lake Washington Dental Hygienists' Society is offering FREE dental sealants, doctor exams, x-rays, and fluoride varnish to children who would not otherwise be able to receive this cavity-prevention treatment. Children who have cavities will be scheduled at no cost to have their teeth filled at a later date.

The cost of this program is FREE and includes all of the services mentioned above, for a total value of over $300 per child.

Click Here (http://horacemannptsa.org/Doc/Flyers/KidsFreeDentalday.pdf) for more information.

Shopping with Amazon? Don't Forget About Your School!

Don't forget that the Horace Mann PTSA earns money on nearly every Amazon purchase you make when you start at our unique Amazon URL. Just click the logo each time you shop, or better yet, bookmark the link (http://www.amazon.com/?tag=homaellw-20). Thanks!

Love using Google Chrome? You can download this fantastic toolbar so that you always have the PTSA loaded to help fund our school!)
Thank you!

To add content to the Horace Mann E-Newsletter, e-mail your entry to horacemannager@horacemannptsa.org. Make your submissions by 5:00 pm on Thursday. Mid-week blasts are subject to approval. The Horace Mannager welcomes article submissions from students, parents, staff & the community. The PTSA reserves the right to be selective regarding materials published.

Other organizations (e.g. the YMCA, Girl or Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, etc.) can post announcements on the Community Bulletin Board. Instructions on how to submit for approval can be found here.

~Horace Mann PTSA