Perspectives
January 7, 2022
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No School on Monday, January 17-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
School Bus Struggles Continue
This week a few of our bus routes were canceled. On Wednesday, nearly 80 SPPS bus routes were canceled. Bus drivers are experiencing illnesses, going into quarantines, and we are still short many bus drivers. Cancellations will likely continue.
Our Transportation Department is coordinating amongst multiple companies and its own team to cover as many routes as possible. The bus companies are doing similar work. Because of their efforts, we may not be able to notify you until 30-60 minutes before a route will run.
We encourage families to prepare a plan to bring or pick up your child. You may want to coordinate with other families to make a car pool. If you would like to volunteer or would like our assistance in coordinating a car pool, please call our school office.
It's also very important to communicate your plans with your child. Make sure they understand what to do if their bus doesn't arrive in the morning. In the event that a morning route is canceled, we will excuse your child's absence.
- Car pool with another family
- Wait at school until you can arrive
- Work with Transportation to arrange a later bus
- As a last result, provide a cab ride for your child.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by staffing shortages at the bus companies. We know this has an impact on your family and your child. We work every day to ensure safe, reliable transportation for all our students.
If you have any questions about this situation, please feel free to contact Principal Litwin at 651-293-8965 or jim.litwin@spps.org.
Thank you for your understanding and your support of Horace Mann School.
Horace Mann School Partners with Every Meal
Healthy eating is so important for children. At Horace Mann School, we work hard to ensure students receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day to support developing brains and bodies. Research shows that children who eat regular, nutritious meals are more likely to attend school and be engaged in learning.
We are excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend food program to all our students.
Every Meal is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children's lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can't receive food in school.
Did you know that Horace Mann has a mental health partnership?
Their partnership also provides other periodic resources. This month they've provided a newsletter on Self -Care. Just click below to access.
Important Dates
Tuesday, January 11
- 6:30pm PTA Meeting Online
Thursday, January 13
- 2:00-3:10pm Winter Community Education Classes begin
Monday, January 17
- No School - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
Thursday, January 20
- 2:00-3:10pm Winter Community Education Classes
HMS PTA News and Announcements
PTA Meeting Online--Tuesday, January 11
Please join us online for our first PTA Meeting of 2022 on Tuesday, January 11th from 6:30-7:30pm. The link for the meeting, held on Google Meet, is here: meet.google.com/ipx-jamo-fps.
Agenda Items include:
- Updates regarding Read-a-thon results, Give to the Max, Music Program, 4th Grade Service and Leadership Council and Yearbooks.
- Volunteer Opportunities.
- Treasurer's Report
- Upcoming Events including the Live and Silent Auction!
- Principal's Report- School Choice activities, Fundraising, and Field Trips
Everyone, including students, is welcome to attend and participate. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
If you have questions please email Karla Lauerman Cummins or Jen Williams at the shared President email: president@hms-pta.org.
Readathon Wrap Up 2021
Horace Mann families, give yourself a round of applause! You read over 550.000 minutes in the month of November. The exact number of minutes is 562,096! We also exceeded the goal of $20,000 with a total of over $27,000 in donations. We did not quite make the Principal Challenge. Mr. Litwin was kind enough to take two pies to the face instead. Watch the video below for the excitement!
A big thank you to everyone who contributed and to the matching donations made on Give to the Max Day!
Ms. Traxler’s class read the most minutes and won a classroom pizza party. Nice job!
The PTA and the Readathon Committee thank everyone for reading and helping to fund various budget items that benefit the Horace Mann community. Keep on reading!
Silent Auction
The Horace Mann School PTA's annual silent and live auction is ROARING BACK in 2022! This year, we are excited for the return of an in-person, adults-only night out AND the ability to continue to offer an online-only silent auction bidding option.
Mark your calendars! The silent auction will open for bidding March 14 and run through March 18. The in-person event will be Friday, March 18, 2022 at the Woulfe Alumni Hall on the University of St. Thomas's St. Paul campus.
More details to come in the new year - until then, please check out the auction website at http://bidpal.net/horacemannauction2022 to learn more about this fabulous annual event and the impact of your support.
Have questions, an item to donate or interested in sponsorship? Contact Allison Broughton at auction@hms-pta.org or call/text 651-328-9062.
PTA Board and Contact Info
Karla Lauerman Cummins & Jen Williams, shared president@hms-pta.org
Dan Dressler & Mike Axtell, shared treasurer@hms-pta.org
Amy Kortuem, teacher-rep@hms-pta.org
Melanie McMahon & Karen Vander Sanden, shared communications@hms-pta.org
Jill Mack & Joy Collman shared, volunteer.coordinator@hms-pta.org
Catherine Guglielmo & Allison Broughton shared recorder@hms-pta.org
Horace Mann School Contacts and Social Media
Email: jim.litwin@spps.org
Website: https://www.spps.org/mann
Location: Horace Mann School, Eleanor Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-293-8965
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPPSHoraceMannSchool/
Twitter: @SPPS_PrinLitwin