Perspectives

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The safety and well-being of students and staff are top priorities. We also know that exercise and play are essential for students to concentrate and learn. So we take students out for recess during winter and we go outside for field trips, but we also pay attention to the weather.

When the wind chill chart indicates that students could get frostbite in less than 30 minutes, we will do indoor recess. If a teacher determines that the weather does not allow the students to play safely and comfortably, they will do indoor recess. The one reason we don't want to limit recess is because of clothing needs.

Please dress your child for outdoor activities/recess by:

1. Giving your child layers to wear. A shirt and sweater/sweatshirt are a good start. Long pants and long underwear/PJ bottoms/leggings help. Warm socks are a must.
2. Ensuring your child has a good winter coat, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
3. Providing warm boots.

Help us keep your child clothed by labeling their winter gear with your child's last name. If you need help with clothing or boots, please email mann.sst@spps.org or call the office.

Our District has a weather plan. Scroll down the page for winter guidelines. If there are changes to the school day due to weather, you will be notified through phone, email, text, and district websites. Notification will be sent to media outlets (TV, newspaper, radio.) Saint Paul Public Schools will not delay start times, but may close early.

Our students are checking out books at a record pace! Ms. Lynda, the TAs, and others are doing everything they can to check in and reshelve books. They could use a hand.

We also have a stack of books that need repair before they can return to circulation. If you like to work with your hands and are willing to learn how to repair books, we need you.

If you are looking for a regular volunteer opportunity and enjoy the library, this job can be yours! Contact Ms. Lynda at lynda.imholte@spps.org for details and next steps.

The Horace Mann GOTR teams had so much fun at the State Fairgrounds this weekend for their 5K run! The weather was fantastic and the vibes were immaculate. Thank you to those that came to spectate and CONGRATULATIONS runners!

While we had our last practice on Monday, we are already looking forward to Spring!

Mark your calendars for early February when the Spring Season lottery opens up. And as always- reach out to Coach Jasmine with any questions or to express your interest in being a coach! (jasmineanderson417@gmail.com)

Bookmark our school calendar. It can be found at the top of our website. Here are some highlights for the next two weeks.

Monday, November 16

• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL) for Grades 4-5

Tuesday, November 17

• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprout Spanish
• 2:00-310pm Community Education Classes

Wednesday, November 18

• 8:15am Tour for Prospective Families
• 1:00pm Marvella Book Buddies visit Johnson's class
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL) for Grades 4-5

Thursday, November 19

• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprout Spanish
• 2:15-3:45pm Leadership Team in Room 2206

Monday, November 23

• 7:45-9:00am 1st Grade Starbooks Cafe in Holleran Hall
• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL) for Grades 4-5

Tuesday, November 24

• 2:00-3:00pm Language Sprout Spanish
• 2:00-310pm Community Education Classes

Wednesday, November 25

• 2:00-3:45pm Extended Day for Learning (EDL) for Grades 4-5

Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27

• No School- Thanksgiving Break

November 19th is Give to the Max Day, our statewide giving event held every November. Although donations are accepted throughout the month, the spotlight is on Give to the Max Day, which falls on Thursday, November 19. This year, the Horace Mann PTA has two active matching campaigns generously sponsored by Horace Mann families.

Horace Mann PTA Matching Campaigns:

• Participation Challenge - 25 Donors Unlocks $250!
• Participation Challenge - 50 Total Donors Unlocks $500!

Please note, any donations made on Give to the Max Day will count toward the Read-A-Thon. So if you’re planning to donate to the Read-A-Thon, please consider giving on 11/19 to take advantage of one of the matching campaigns. Give to the max for Horace Mann School PTA at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Horace-Mann-Pta.

The Horace Mann PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so your donation is tax-exempt and many employers will match your gift, doubling the impact of your support on Give to the Max Day.

Please contact Molly Mons at mollymons@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Students will be reading to unlock clues all month long! Keep tracking your minutes!

Donations can be made throughout the month by mailing a check to the school or online via GiveButter.
Did you misplace your minute tracker or Read-A-Thon introduction letter? They are linked here:

• Minute tracker
• Introduction letter

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT: CHECK FOR AN EMPLOYER MATCH
Did you know your gift to the Horace Mann PTA could go twice as far? The PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donation is tax-exempt, and many employers will match what you give, dollar for dollar, which means a $50 gift can become $100 for our students at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the easiest ways to stretch your generosity!

Before Give to the Max Day, take a few minutes to check with your HR department or benefits portal to understand if an employer match is available and how to do so. Don’t forget that your spouse or partner’s employer may offer a match too. Many companies also have a short online form to submit after you donate, so it’s worth looking into before the day arrives. A quick check could double the difference you make for our classrooms, field trips, and events like the end of year carnival. (HMS PTA Tax Identification Number: 41-6040313)

You can give directly to Read-a-thon at https://givebutter.com/hms-readathon2026.

RSVP to save your spot!

Bring the entire family to this FREE night of crafting for kids, sponsored by the Horace Mann School PTA, on Thursday, December 3rd from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Stop by Holleran Hall (cafeteria) and visit each of the 5 craft stations to decorate your own school spirit trucker hat (with sticker patches), mold a clay trinket dish, make a "just my height" snowman keepsake, color your own slap bracelet, and get creative at our gift tag creation station! No drop-offs please. Siblings welcome. Please RSVP so we can plan for supplies.

Volunteers & donations needed! Scroll down on the RSVP form to sign up.

Questions? Contact Sarah Haley at girard312@gmail.com or Allison Deep at alli.deep@gmail.com

Thank you to friends, families and staff who came to support our garden and grounds clean up on Saturday! Leaf trash was collected, 40+ yard bags were filled, garden beds cleaned and ready for their quiet winter.

President: Katie Bliss, president@hms-pta.org

Vice-President: Molly Mons president@hms.-pta.org

Treasurer: Sam Smith, treasurer@hms-pta.org

Teacher Reps: Amy Kortuem & Mark Lindskoog, teacher-rep@hms-pta.org

Communications: Amanda Prutzman, communications@hms-pta.org

Volunteer Coordinator: Emily Phelps and Annie Mach, volunteer.coordinator@hms-pta.org

Recorders: Sarah Liuzzi and Bethany Hyde, recorder@hms-pta.org

Email: jim.litwin@spps.org
Website: https://mann.spps.org/
Location: Horace Mann School, 2001 Eleanor Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116
Phone: 651-293-8965
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPPSHoraceMannSchool/