Horace Mann Elementary School
Principal Update - May 8th, 2023
Spring Welcome
Vincent is playing soccer and trying lacrosse for the first time. Alora has been competing as a gymnast in the Excel program at the Platinum Level. Last weekend in Worcester she qualified as a representative of the Massachusetts State Team and will be competing in regionals next weekend. Julia is a graduating senior, participating in all of the traditional spring events: senior prom, final exams, and her upcoming graduation, all while preparing for her to transition to Northeastern University in the fall. Eliana has been working at Brother's Market and at the Thomas Upham House running activities for seniors. We are contemplating a return to the Threshold Program at Lesley for the fall.
At Horace Mann, we are busy as well. Here's a summary of all that is happening over the next several weeks:
- Assessments - We will be taking time to measure student academic progress and reporting this as part of the June Progress Report. You should expect to receive these reports close to the end of the school year.
- Teaching Assignments - Classroom teaching assignments for next year are in flux due to a variety of factors and individual circumstances. We are several weeks away from deciding who will be teaching at a given grade level, including what our co-taught classrooms will look like.
- Placement - As we plan for teaching assignments, we are also about to begin our process of placing students into classrooms for next year. The bulk of the process will be completed before school gets out, but revisions will take place throughout the summer, right up until the start of school.
- Graduation - Our 5th grade team is meeting this week to finalize graduation plans. Over the past few years we have celebrated each 5th grade classroom individually. I will post our plans to 5th grade families by the end of this week.
- Spring Performances and Fitness for Life - We will take time to celebrate and showcase student accomplishments in music and fitness with concerts and our traditional community event at the Cove.
Important Dates
- Wednesday Normal Early Release at 12:20 PM
- Thursday Early Release at 12:10 PM
Incoming K Playdate
- Friday, May 12th 1:30-2:30 PM
3rd Grade Recorder Concert
- Tuesday, May 16th at 8:45 AM
HM Talent Show
- Friday, May 19th at 7:00 PM
5th Grade Concert
- Wednesday, May 24th at 7:00 PM
4th Grade Concert
- Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00 PM
SEPAC Award Nominations
As you may know, each year, parents, guardians, and students are able to nominate NPS and Out of District teachers and staff for a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Award.
A SEPAC Award recognizes exceptional NPS and Out of District teachers, aides, behavior therapists, psychologists, bus drivers, crossing guards, administrators, and other staff for the role they played in a student’s special education journey this past academic year. Interested in nominating an exceptional NPS or Out of District teacher and/or staff member? The deadline for nominations is Monday, May 22nd. Here’s how the process works:
Submit a nomination through the nomination form
All celebratory nominations will be recognized
In early June, your nominee will receive:
A printed SEPAC Award delivered to their home school
A note with the kind words you wrote about your nominee
A short slideshow of anonymized nominations lifting up the good work taking place across the district
Each principal will receive a list of nominees from their school
Do you need to nominate everyone from your student’s team? Please only nominate the teachers and staff members who you feel have been exceptional!
Questions? Reach out to: newtonspecialeducationawards@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your participation recognizing the exceptional NPS and Out of District teachers and staff who work so hard to support special education students. Please help us share this message as widely as possible so the SEPAC Awards can reach all corners of our community!
Warmly,
2022-2023 SEPAC Board
Staffing Update
A few updates regarding staffing for the remainder of the school year
- Melissa Lewis - Melissa is returning to HM this Monday, May 8th after a long recovery from knee surgery. We are excited to have Melissa back in the classroom for the last weeks of the school year. A big thank you to Alex Bruno for filling in during Melissa's absence.
Congratulations to Daniela Gentile - Daniela, our SEL Coach and Interventionist, welcomed her second child this past week. Roman Amedeo Gentile-Schaar arrived May, 4, 2023 at 12:23pm weighing in at 8 lbs. 1oz - 21 inches long. All are doing well. Daniela will be on maternity leave through the end of the year. Alex Bruno will be staying on at HM to take over Daniela's responsibilities, which include running social groups, supporting classrooms, and delivering some special ed services.
Mary Gartland and Jason Harris will NOT be returning to HM for the remainder of the school year. Thank you to Annie Nguyen, who has been filling in for Mary, and to Katie Williams, who has been running the 4th grade classroom in Mr. Harris's absence.
Community Forum
The Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office of Student Services would like to invite you to our upcoming NPS community forum:
Culturally Responsive Community
This virtual event is open to all NPS students, parents, staff and administrators to hear from Lorena Germán, educator and author of Textured Teaching: A Framework for Culturally Sustaining Practices. Her presentation will be followed by a panel of NPS students and educators, who will speak about their identities and experiences with culturally-responsive instruction and practices in our school community.
For the last several years, NPS leaders have been engaged in professional development and training to enhance culturally responsive instruction (CRI) in the classroom and beyond. This conversation is intended to help broaden the community's understanding of the values, components and impact of a culturally responsive school community which acknowledges and embraces ALL identities and learning needs represented within NPS.
*To register, please RSVP in advance in order to receive a zoom link prior to the event.