Science Fair Volunteers needed

Kids are getting pretty excited about the Science Fair and we need your help to make it happen! We are looking for parent volunteers to help out during the Science Fair on March 5th. Please visit the SignUpGenius link to sign up for anywhere from a hour slot to the entire time! Help is needed for set up, manning the registration, clean up and help in the various rooms. If you have any questions about what this would entail, please contact Alicia Moreno-Gonzalez at aliciamg@outlook.com.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C054CA5AA2EA3F58-2015/13804910 

Remember, the Science Fair Registration is open

Are you still thinking on an experiment your kid(s) can do for the science fair? Well, don't delay the registration for that reason. Kids can define the actual experiment and even change the topic after they register. The Science Fair registration is still open and you can provide a topic of interest. 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. 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).

Global Reading Challenge

Last month, 30 fourth and fifth graders participated in a school-wide Global Reading Challenge.  Participants did a wonderful job answering questions posed on books they read as part of the challenge.  We would like to congratulate all participants who took part in the challenge.  The Purple Floating Gummybears from Space will be moving on to the district challenge.  Join us in supporting them at the Redmond Public Library at 4:30 p.m. on February 24th. 

Author Visit: Patrick Jennings

Horace Mann welcomes local author Patrick Jennings on Friday, February 27th, 2015.  Patrick Jennings is the acclaimed author of the Guinea Dog series! Patrick will share his love of reading and writing with students along with some of his favorite books.  Order forms to purchase books were sent home Wednesday, February 18th.  If you would like to purchase an autographed book(s), please fill in the order form and return it to your child's classroom teacher by Monday, February 23rd.  Please make checks payable to Parkplace Books.  For more information on Patrick and his books, please visit his website at http://www.patrickjennings.com

A special thanks to our PTSA for funding and making this visit possible for students!

Reach for the Stars 

This week is the last week for the "Reach for the Stars".  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 by 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

Author Visit: Trudy Ludwig 

Award-winning author Trudy Ludwig will be visiting Horace Mann on Thursday, March 5th.  Her assembly presentations help students learn about preventing bullying behaviors.  Trudy is the author of the DVD stories contained in our current bullying prevention curriculum taught by our school counselor.  Her books will be available for purchase through University Bookstore using the advance book order flyer.  Students will be able to bring home their pre-ordered book the day after the assemblies and books will be signed by the author.

Click Here for more information. 

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.

Winners for Math Challenge #8 

Grade 5: Maya A. Christopher T. Richard J. Rimjhim S. Beliz O. Hannah C. Lucy Z. Kaxuma I. Camille B. Kevin J. 

Grade 4: Danika T. Kailani Y. Alice M.

Grade 3: Hatai: Krithi I. Dhruv D. John R. Aniela A. Tamir M. Ayush S. Peter X. Kotaro O. Stefanie-Mila P. Kyra B.

Grade 2: Jeremiah R. Annabel W. Neev S. Alex F. Celeste M. Robert K.

Grade 1: Amylu L. Iliano P. Emma S. Tusker H. Amadeo A. Vedant M. Bella S. Sophie Z. Thomas S. Sandansivan N. Adam Y. Ella X.

Grade K: Sydney L. Suhani J. Nidhir N. Sarah R.

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.

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).

 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!