Horace Mann & Leet Center Connect
March 19, 2021
Hello Families,
Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we have implemented the new arrival and dismissal plan. We are becoming more efficient with our new procedures with practice. Thank you for your patience as our very young children often require a little more time to be latched into car seats.
YEARBOOKS ARE HERE - If you would like a copy of the yearbook, please send cash or check made out to Horace Mann Laboratory School. The cost is $16.50 and please make sure payment is in an envelope clearly marked with your child's name.
Horace Mann has begun the open enrollment process to invite members of the community to consider joining our school family. Thank you for supporting our efforts by encouraging families you know to consider Horace Mann. Please be sure to get your own child's enrollment forms returned as soon as possible so we can be sure your child has a secured spot for next year. We have already had some new families call about enrolling their children and it is important for us to have accurate projections to ensure our class sizes remain to be optimal for student learning. If you have misplaced your paperwork or have a Leet Center child entering Kindergarten, I have linked copies below.
- Don't forget! - Summer school is offered free of charge for children who enroll and attend for the upcoming school year.
Mitigation Updates - The Horace Mann/Leet Center Covid Team has reviewed protocols and has a few items approved for revision. These items are listed below.
- Horace Mann practicum students and Leet Center observation students are returning to our classrooms on a limited basis with mitigation and safety measures discussed with HM/Leet Center Faculty and Parent Advisory Council. Access to the Covid vaccine has been approved for these college students and information has been shared to make them aware of how to sign-up.
- We will discontinue temperature checks unless children show signs of illness.
- The Horace Mann snow fence is coming down and K-6 cohorts may integrate at recess. Teachers will continue to remind children requiring a mask break MUST move to a safe 6-foot social distance to do so, just as they have all year. At this time, mingling cohorts will only occur on the playground and teachers may adjust recess schedules as they feel are appropriate to meet the movement needs of their children.
- The chains are coming off the gates of the Horace Mann playground and will be open to the community. The reason for keeping the chains was to protect our snow fencing in the evening.
- We are reviewing the Leet Center playground protocols but at this time snow fencing and cohort provisions will remain in place. Please be patient as we are taking baby steps and we know it is still hard for our smallest smalls to comply with the masking protocols.
- Stay tuned...Our next area of review is figuring out a safe measure for setting up parent visits to the building. Thank you for your patience and grace to allow us to do so in a safe manner for all. We miss you too!!
New 2021-2022 School Year Calendar
Also, don't forget that we offer summer school for free in June to all our current families who re-enroll for next year. I will have more information about this next week to allow families to begin signing up. I can tell you that we are planning a STEM-based theme with math, reading, and science intertwined with coding, legos, and more. We hope you will consider signing your child up to attend.
Horace Mann Enrollment for 2021-2022 School Year
Horace Mann families and any new families with a child entering kindergarten are highly encouraged to sign their child up for summer school. We have a great face-to-face summer program planned with our Horace Mann teachers that will be both academic and fun. See the summer school graphic below for more details.
Horace Mann enrollment forms are already online for families wanting to get a jump on submitting their enrollments.
- 2021-2022 Enrollment - https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/admissions/index.htm
- Summer School Enrollment - https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/admissions/summer.htm
Please share your experience with other families in our community to help us continue to grow our enrollment and opportunities at Horace Mann and the Leet Center.
Leet Center families should watch for more communication from Mrs. Rouner for the upcoming school year. Also, our new Infant & Toddler Center is expected to begin July 1st. Any families wishing to enroll in this program or families new to preschool should be encouraged to add their names to our waiting list.
Reminders
- April 1 - Parent Advisory Council (PAC) 6:30 PM Zoom link will be shared on Seesaw & Brightwheel
- April 2 & 5 - No School
- Lost & Found - Please email LaTessa (latessa@nwmissouri.edu) if you are looking for lost jackets or lunch bags.
Current 2020-2021 Calendar & Lunch Menus
A Note from Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
Hello Parents,
Every family enrolled at Horace Mann and the Leet Center are members of our Parent Advisory Council. We encourage every family to attend our meetings to help in making decisions for our schools.
Our next parent advisory council meeting will be on Thursday, April 1st at 6:30 PM.
President: Sarah Winters
Communications: Chris Kuhlemeyer
Treasurer: Brad Cline
Ways and Means: Jessie Nuffer
Wellness Committee: Jackie Cochenour
New Families Coordinator: Elizabeth Dimmitt
Secretary: Michelle Vaught
Please contact Sarah Winters if you have any questions about PAC participation.
909-519-6036
New Arrival & Dismissal Plan
Hello Families,
We have received word that it is time to begin transitioning to alternative plans to accommodate the closing of the circle drive. Once the circle drive closure is complete, all drop-off and pick-up for Horace Mann and Leet Center will take place at Lot 57 at the Horace Mann drop-off/pick-up location.
The new plans outlined below will go into effect March 15th for all AM & PM HM/LEET Bearcat Club, Leet Center Preschool, Kindergarten, and America Reads Tutoring program.
We appreciate your patience with the transition and any inconvenience you may feel in the process. Please reach out to Mrs. King lmking@nwmissouir.edu or Mrs. Rouner cindysc@nwmissouri.edu if you have any questions or are unclear on how you need to drop off or pick up your child.
Arrivals & Dismissals
Arrival Procedure Changes
School officially begins at 7:50 AM. Staff members for Horace Mann and the Leet Center will be posted outside at the Horace Mann drop-off in lot 57 to receive children from 7:30 AM-8:00 AM. Families are welcome to drop off or park and walk their children to the center set of school doors located on the east side of the building. Leet Center children will be escorted to their classroom by a staff member.
Early Arrivals: All families arriving prior to 7:30 AM should follow the Bearcat Club procedures outlined below.
Late Arrivals: All families arriving after 8:00 AM should park and walk their child to the center set of school doors located on the east side of the building. A staff member will escort children to their classroom.
Dismissal Procedures
Families – Please communicate clearly with your classroom teacher on how your child plans to go home. Consistency would be very appreciated as we work to be efficient and have your child ready to go when you arrive to pick them up.
All dismissals will be from Lot 57 at the Horace Mann drop-off/pick-up location. Families may line up in their cars and a staff member will deliver children to your vehicle. Please do not leave your car unattended in the pick-up line. Please do not pass other vehicles in line to prevent injury to children or staff.
Your patience is appreciated and we will work to be as efficient as possible.
- Part-Time Leet Center: These children will dismiss at 11:00 AM.
- Full-Time Leet Center: These children will begin dismissing at 2:50 PM.
- Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade & Older Siblings: These children will dismiss at 3:15 PM.
- 3rd-6th Grade: These children will dismiss at 3:30 PM. Please do not enter the dismissal line until 1st & 2nd Grade has cleared.
- Walkers: Families who walk to pick up their children may wait for them at the paved area outside the Student Union. The children will be released to you as the classes move toward Lot 57.
- America Reads Dismissals: America Reads tutors will walk children out to the Horace Mann drop-off/pick-up location.
Early Pick-Up: All early pick-ups should occur before 2:00 pm to avoid disrupting the dismissal procedures. Advance notice is appreciated. Families needing to pick up their child early should call 660-562-1267 or 660-562-1233 to let us know of your arrival and to ensure your child is ready to go. Families may park and walk to the center doors on the east side of the building facing the student union. If parking is not available in Lot 57, please communicate this when you call and we will arrange to have a staff member walk your child out to Lot 57 at the Horace Mann pick-up/drop-off spot. Please be patient as it may take additional time to free up a staff member to walk your child out.
Re-Entry Policy: Families choosing to pick up their child for anything other than a prescheduled medical appointment should plan to keep their child for the remainder of the day. Children needing to leave for a medical appointment, such as a well-child check-up, immunizations, orthodontist, dentist, chiropractor, etc. may return with a note from the medical professional. Children will not be readmitted without a note from the medical professional.
All Horace Mann & Leet Center Bearcat Club - Before and After School Care
- Please Note: Horace Mann and Leet Center WILL NOT be able to maintain classroom cohorts during Bearcat Club. Parents are encouraged to find alternate care if this is a concern for their family.
The designated Bearcat Club phone number is (660-562-1267).
- Morning Care: 6:15-7:30 AM
- Afternoon Care: 3:15-5:30PM
Morning Bearcat Club Drop off: Parents/Caregivers should park and walk their child to the center doors on the east side of the school facing the student union. A staff member will be at the front desk to receive your child and escort them to the gym. Calling the Bearcat Club phone number 660-562-1267 prior to leaving your vehicle will ensure families do not have to wait for someone to receive your child if the staff member is in the process of escorting another child to the gym.
Afternoon Bearcat Club Pick up: Parents/Caregivers should call the Bearcat Club phone number 660-562-1267. A staff member will escort your child to the Northeast door facing the student union and walk them to Lot 57 at the Horace Mann drop-off/pick-up location. Families may wait in their cars or park and meet their child at the door.
No Change in Face Mask Protocols
On November 12, 2020, the Nodaway County Health Department updated us on information regarding how contact tracing will be conducted in schools based on guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Under the updated guidance, proper mask-wearing may now prevent individuals from being identified as close contacts in K-12 schools. This means that if both individuals at school – the person diagnosed with COVID-19 and the person in close proximity to the positive case – have masks on and are wearing them correctly, the individual in close proximity does not need to quarantine.
https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/wear-a-mask_stay-in-school.pdf
Since Horace Mann mitigation measures are already in compliance with the recommended guidelines, there will be no need to change our protocols. We will, however, continue to encourage our students to wear their face masks and to wear them correctly. We appreciate our families continued support to help our children in wearing masks covering the mouth and nose. Please ensure that your child's mask fits well and send extra masks in case the one they come to school in becomes soiled.
Currently, Horace Mann and Leet Center have had a total of seven positive cases since the beginning of the school year resulting in the need to assist Nodaway County Health Department with contact tracing. We will continue to keep families updated and to follow the guidance of the Nodaway County Health Department.
Mitigation Measures
We are continuing to implement a multilayer approach to mitigation.
- Masks are our first line of defense with all ages wearing their masks. Children are reminded respectfully to keep their masks on whenever they are within 6 feet of others. Children are encouraged to distance themselves on the playground if they need to take a moment away to take their mask off. We are very pleased with how well the children are doing with this and the need for reminders has decreased. This is a good thing with flu season coming up.
- Distancing is used as much as possible through the placement of furniture and designated spots marked on the floor.
- Vinyl barriers are used at the children's tables as another layer of protection. However, these barriers are not intended to replace the use of wearing a mask.
- Frequent hand washing is used in all classrooms with soap and water. We wash our hands A LOT!! Hand sanitizer is also readily available.
- Faculty and staff are taking extra measures to sanitize materials and surfaces. Children in grades K-6 have individual learning kits to decrease the number of shared materials. Toys are sanitized after each use in both the Leet Center and Horace Mann. NW provides additional cleaning in the evening and the Maryville City Council has provided cleaning supplies through Cares Act funds.
- Hallway traffic is limited by having the Art and Music teacher go to each classroom for instruction. In addition, lunch is provided in the classroom.
- The library cart travels to classrooms to allow children to check out books. Returned books are kept in isolation for 72 hours before returning them back to the library checkout rotation.
- Nurse Cara actively walks the building to keep an eye on children watching for signs of illness and conducts temperature checks at 11:00 am. We have also increased Nurse Cara's hours to have her at school when children arrive and to conduct temperature checks. An isolation room has been set up with provisions to care for sick children.
- Families are complying with all protocols and following our wellness policies. We appreciate how well everyone is cooperating and for the advice our Parent Advisory Council provides.
- Even with all these measures, nothing is 100% effective in preventing illness but it can significantly reduce the chances of spreading illness.
Winter Weather Policy
The Leet Center and Horace Mann do not participate in late starts or early dismissals for weather conditions. However, we do encourage our families to use their best judgment and there will be no penalty for children if they arrive late or leave early when weather conditions exist. Safety is the top priority.
The Leet Center and Horace Mann Laboratory School will be closed due to inclement weather IF the Maryville Public Schools cancel school. Decisions made in the early morning hours or late evening hours will be given to KNIM and KXCV radio stations.
Notifications are pushed out through Textcaster, Brightwheel, and Seesaw. We encourage parents to sign up for the Leet Center and Horace Mann Text Caster; you will receive texts regarding HMLS. Sign up at http://my.textcaster.com/ServePopup.aspx?id=1003. Also, be sure to sign up with Brightwheel (Leet) or Seesaw (Horace Mann) through your child's teacher or contact Mrs. King or Cindy Rouner for assistance.
Extended care (K-6) and Snow Daycare (preschool) are available for children that are enrolled in after-school childcare BEARCAT CLUB on days Leet and Horace Mann are closed for inclement weather and NWMSU is open. Students attending Bearcat Club on snow days will need to bring a cold lunch.
If NWMSU is closed due to inclement weather, school and snow daycare are also closed.
Horace Mann Laboratory School * Phyllis & Richard Leet Center
Horace Mann Laboratory School is located on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University. Horace Mann is one of only a small number of laboratory schools in the United States. Horace Mann provides a hands-on, project-based learning, individualized approach that is only possible with small class sizes and multiple teachers. Students of all ages make Horace Mann home, from our youngest kindergarten students to University practicum students. Master teachers provide a unique learning environment for all students that include technology, innovative best practices, and exemplary educational experiences. From measuring temperatures and creating data tables at our University Pond, learning about recycling at the on-campus recycling center, roller skating and swimming lessons in Physical Education class, and multicultural education from student organizations on campus, Horace Mann provides the best educational experience for your child.
At the Leet Center, family relationships and children are our passion! At the heart of our learning together, you will find educators who see children as capable learners. Children learn through investigation, exploration, and communication. Our pre-school environment is a natural home-like atmosphere that is filled with inquiry and joy each day.
The Leet Center is also home to our developing outdoor classroom and we believe that all the learning that happens indoors can also be present in the outdoor spaces. Open-ended materials and carefully cultivated spaces provide a place for collaboration, thinking, and representation of ideas. Our learning community includes educators and university students who are working together to listen and learn with children. Children, educators, and families each play an important role in honoring the intellectual and emotional integrity of children.
If you have any questions related to preschool, please contact Cindy Rouner.
If you have any questions related to grades K-6, please contact Laura King
Email: lmking@nwmissouri.edu
Website: nwmissouri.edu/horacemann
Location: 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO, USA
Phone: 660-562-1234
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoraceMannLaboratorySchool
Twitter: @ourschool