World of Fun Carnival Wristbands and Tickets are Available for Purchase NOW!

Are you getting excited for the World of Fun International Carnival?   So are we!  You can purchase your tickets and wristbands for all the fun activities, games, and food now.  Wristbands are available for pre-sale for $20, but will be $25 at the carnival - so use this form (http://horacemannptsa.org/Doc/Flyers/2015CarnivalPresaleFlyer.pdf) and save!
 
We still need A LOT of help to make sure the carnival is a success.  Do your kids love the cake walk every year?  We still need volunteers to bring or bake cupcakes for our cupcake walk!  Do you enjoy helping people and making new friends?  We still need volunteers to sell concessions, grill, and fill other spots.  More volunteers mean there's less waiting in line, too!  Please take a moment to see where you can help on the sign up genius! 

(http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0a4daeae28a02-world)

Proposed PTSA Budget for 2015-16

A proposed budget for the 2015-16 Horace Mann PTSA has been posted to the Treasurers page on the Mann PTSA website. The proposed budget will be discussed and voted on at the June 4th PTSA General membership meeting at 7pm in the Mann Library. All PTSA members are invited to attend.

More Staff Changes For Next Year...

Once again we have a few more staff changes to announce. Mrs. Gallagher has also decided to retire (along with Mr. Wobker and Mrs. Koll) and Jen Miller will be taking a part time position in Bellevue School District. Please take a minute to read their notes to the Mann Community.

Last summer my husband I and decided to make a life-changing decision and move our family across the country from North Carolina to Washington. If it weren't for Mrs. Spaulding and Horace Mann Elementary we wouldn't be here enjoying this beautiful state today! After much debate, I have decided to accept a job with Bellevue School District. For the first time in 17 years, I will leave the regular classroom to be a reading intervention teacher. Teaching reading has long been my passion in teaching and I am excited for this new opportunity. I will now work in the same district where my husband works and my children attend school. I will be working part time which will allow me to spend more time with my children and get my master's degree.
Thank you to the families I served this year for opening your hearts and entrusting your little ones with me. They have brought daily joy to my life and I will miss them greatly! Even though I will no longer be at Mann, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and will treasure the memories I made in my short time here.
- Jen Miller
 
 
I came here eleven years ago. Ann and Sue greeted with smiles and hugs as I came in the door and I felt like I had found a new home. I knew right away that this was the place for me. Over my years here I have made so many friends, met so many wonderful families, and have had the joy of working with many students over the years. They all hold a special place in my heart.
It is time for me to retire so I can spend time with my family and enjoy my many hobbies. I will never forget Horace Mann and I will reflect upon my time here with great peace and happiness.
- Paula Gallagher
 

Field Day Volunteers Needed!

Kids love field day!  Can you come and help out on this fun outdoor event? We need volunteers to help chaperone the kids who will be moving through various outdoor activities and also to hand out popsicles.  Monday, June 15, 2015 from 1:30-2:45 PM.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4AAEAF2AA13-field

School Supply Kits Now Available!!

Ordering your back-to-school supplies has never been easier thanks to Horace Mann PTSA and schoolKids! You can complete your order within minutes and the school supplies will be delivered to your child's classroom before the school year starts! 

Simply click this link www.shopttkits.com and enter our school account number:  42513. 

Please remember to order the correct grade for your child as custom kits cannot be returned. Horace Mann teachers have tailored each kit to accomodate the needs of their classrooms.  Not only will ordering these school kits save you time, with each kit ordered, schoolKids will donate a portion of their proceeds right back to Horace Mann PTSA!  Your child will have all of their school supplies in time for the first day and you will be supporting your PTSA.  Happy Ordering!

What do you think of our school? The school district?

Every year, Lake Washington School District surveys parents and community members for their opinions and feedback on how our schools and the district are doing. Your feedback helps us understand what things are going well and where we could make improvements. Your chance to weigh in is happening now. In order to participate, you may either:

Please feel free to forward the link to friends and neighbors. We would also like to hear from community members who do not have students in our schools.

The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes. We appreciate your time. District-wide results from the survey will be shared on the "Your Voice" page of the district website. School-wide results for selected questions will be published as part of each school's annual report, which will be distributed to all parents next fall. 

Winners for Math Challenge #14

1st Grade:   Amy L, Amadeo A, Sophia Z, Tusker H, Emma S.

2nd Grade:  Celeste M, Alex F.

3rd Grade:   Kyra B, Kotaro O.

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

5th Grade:   Maya A, Christophe T, Camille B. 

PTSA Nominating Committee Report

The Horace Mann PTSA Nominating Committee respectfully submits its report and recommends the following slate of officers for 2015-2016:

Co-Presidents: Lia White & Rachel Roland

Co-VPs Fundraising: Desiree Michael & Kat Spottswood

Co-VPs Volunteers/School Services: Ana Saramiento & Liz Finocchio

Co-VPs of Enrichment Programs*: Vivien Koo & Jenn Sutton

Co-VPs of Art Programs*: Laura Drover & Liz Holmquist

Co-Treasurers: Susan Stenner & Peggy Barcalow

Secretary: Michelle Obenaus

*The Nominating Committee has recommended separating the previous position Co-VPs of Enrichment into two positions: Co-VPs of Enrichment Programs and Co-VPs of Art Programs.

SchoolPool Week 4 Update

Bike month is almost over! Be sure to log your trips before the 31st!

We hope you and your student have had a good time walking, biking, carpooling and taking the bus to school this month!

Hopefully you've found a good reason to keep it up - more time & flexibility by sharing driving duties with a neighbor or keeping your students active throughout the day by walking and biking. Together we're getting the benefits of reduced local air pollution and less neighborhood traffic congestion.

With your participation: 

•        Our PTA earned $400 from the Redmond SchoolPool
•        Students took 185 number of trips
•        Reduced 202 pounds of CO2 from the air

Thank you for participating this May!  SchoolPool is still active throughout the year and hosts fundraising events each October and May.  

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.

 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!