Horace Mann & Leet Connect
September 12, 2021
Message from Principal/Director King
I need to report that I received notice of one of our Horace Mann children testing positive for COVID on Saturday. Praise and well wishes are offered to this parent who took the proactive measures to have their child tested at the first sign of illness and then contacted the school in a timely fashion. This prompted me to act in conducting the contact tracing and making notifications to the impacted families. Since I received the notice and began contact tracing after 6 PM last night, I notified families through individual messages on Seesaw. Normally, I call families but the contact tracing takes a long time and I don't like to call families after 8 PM. I did provide my cell phone number for these families to reach out to me if they had questions. If you did not receive an individual message, your child was not identified as a close contact.
In an effort to be transparent with our families, I always make contact with the entire school to make our families aware. This is done through this newsletter which is sent by email to our families, posted on Seesaw and Brightwheel, and posted on our Facebook page. School-wide contacts are typically made within 12-24 hours depending on the timing; if I have help to complete the evaluation of who is identified as a close contact, and time to make notification to individual families of close contacts. Weekends usually take a little longer. I appreciate your patience in allowing me the grace to complete this task and making the families impacted the first notification. I have written up the protocol I follow below Nurse Cara's mitigation message below with some responses to FAQs. I invite you to read them if you have questions and to join us for our next PAC meeting to personally ask any lingering questions.
We invite all families to join us on Thursday, September 16th for our Parent Advisory Council Meeting. We will meet at 6:30 pm on Zoom. Parent Advisory Council is a great way to stay informed about events and opportunities in our school. In addition, Parent Advisory Council allows our families to help influence the decision-making in our schools.
Agenda items for our meeting this month include:
- Covid updates and how we respond to positive cases
- Enrollment updates - We are growing!!
- Restructuring for Horace Mann and Leet Center
- Homecoming Parade and Spirit Days
- School Tshirts
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Popcorn Fridays
Our next opportunity to participate in stadium cleanup will be Saturday, September 25th following the 1:30 game against the University of Central Oklahoma. This opportunity is an easy fundraising event that simply requires about 20 minutes of work to help pay for extra activities for our school. When many families pitch in to help clear the bleachers, the work goes really fast and can actually be a lot of fun. Families are encouraged to meet up at the end of the fourth quarter to pick up gloves and trash bags at the Northside of the visitor's section. We look forward to seeing you there.
Upcoming Dates:
- Saturday, September 25th - Stadium Clean Up after 1:30 PM football game
- Tuesday, September 28th - Leet Center Picture Day
-
Wednesday, September 29th - Horace Mann Picture Day
Friday, October 22nd - No School, Teacher Development (No Bearcat Club offered)
October 25-28 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (more information coming soon)
Friday, October 29th - No School, Campus Closed (No Bearcat Club offered)
Thank You,
Mrs. King
Mitigation Measures and Information from Nurse Cara
- Horace Mann, LEET Center, and Infant/Toddler Center will follow all guidelines regarding Covid mitigation as required by the NWMSU leadership team. All faculty, staff, visitors, and children over 3 years old must wear a mask.
- Masks must be worn, correctly, for all persons of Preschool age to adults who enter Horace Mann, LEET Center, and the Infant/Toddler Center.
- Masks can be taken off outdoors and will not be required at recess.
- Social distancing will not be required when wearing a mask.
- Cohorting will be used during lunchtime when masks are not used while eating.
- Students and staff will not be required to quarantine from school if they are exposed to Covid while they are at school if masks are worn correctly by all and as long as they are not displaying any symptoms.
- If a student or staff is exposed outside of school, they would need to quarantine as directed by the Nodaway County Health Department. Currently, they are implementing a 10-day quarantine period.
- Horace Mann, LEET Center, and the Infant/Toddler Center will maintain the 72-hour sickness policy. For the health and safety of all, if a child is sent home with two or more symptoms, we ask that they stay home from school for 72 hours and be fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school. We ask that you keep your child home from school if they are ill.
- The Delta variant is known to be very contagious and spreads very quickly. Some of the signs and symptoms that the County Health Department is seeing are as follows: headache, sinus pressure, eye pressure or pain, sore throat, fatigue, not really fevers in kids but in adults, GI symptoms in adults, not really seeing a loss of taste or smell.
- The County Health Department is seeing more Covid cases in kids with this variant than they did with the past Covid cases.
Horace Mann and Leet Center Procedures in Response to a Positive Covid Case at School
- Notification of a positive case at school is received and prompts the Covid Response Team to begin interviews to determine potential close contacts. Notification may be received from parents, college students, teachers, or the Nodaway County Health Department. The Covid Response Team is made up of Laura King, Principal; Cara Shell, School Nurse; and LaTessa Rhueter, Office Manager. (If notification occurs on the weekend, the Principal works alone to begin the process.)
- The Covid Response Team identifies the classrooms impacted and begins interviews with teachers and college students with knowledge of the classroom. Teachers review their seating charts, small group documentation, and schedules to determine the students most likely to be within 6 feet of the positive case for 15 minutes or more. Probing questions are used about each child to determine if the identified children can be eliminated from the list of close contacts. If there is doubt, we act on the side of caution and report a child we are unsure of as a close contact.
- A spreadsheet of identified close contacts is shared with the Nodaway County Health Department to make the official notifications. The Covid response team is not mandated to inform families but as a courtesy, individual contacts are made with each family with a child identified as a close contact. This takes additional time and families are encouraged to ask questions when they are contacted.
- After individual contacts have been made, contact school-wide is prepared to be shared on Seesaw for Horace Mann and Brightwheel for the Leet Center. If notification occurs when a newsletter is being prepared, it is included in the newsletter. The newsletter is shared to the emails shared with us by families, on Seesaw and Brightwheel, and the Horace Mann Facebook page.
- The Covid Response Team regularly meets to review students on quarantine from outside contacts, mitigation in the classrooms, identify mitigation supplies needed, and to review protocols as new communications are reviewed from Nodaway County Health Department, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the CDC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I am frustrated that I found out about a positive case from another parent before receiving a communication from the school. Why am I not being told sooner?
A. Covid case identification is done as a courtesy and is completed on top of all the regular job responsibilities our team has. Our first communication priority is always to the families who are most closely impacted. It is common that families talk with one another and share the news before we can get the school-wide notification out. Notification is usually completed within 12-24 hours. Weekends take longer as our team is juggling family responsibilities on top of the extra workload.
Q. How can you be sure who is a close contact and who is not?
A. Contact tracing is not an exact science. We do the best we can with the resources we have. We have assigned seating for lunchtime and we have records of what children work together in small groups. For the rest we have to rely on a review of the schedule and memory of encounters on a particular day of contact. This takes time and probing questions to get a list we are confident is as accurate as we can be.
Q. Isn't it hard to identify close contacts if the school is no longer cohorting and have more freedom to move around the room?
A. Yes but based on the data we collected last year when we were very strict in our protocols we only incurred one case that we could not trace back to a contact outside of school. Due to our success with the mitigation measures we employ, new information we now know about spreading Covid, and the need to balance the social-emotional wellness of our students and teachers, we are no longer cohorting and allowing more movement in the classroom. We do however still employ distancing as much as possible with marked seating on the floor and tables distanced as much as possible.
Q. What does it mean if my child is identified as a close contact? Can they come to school?
A. This is a two-part answer:
- If identified as a close contact outside of school, then your child must adhere to all quarantine measures and may not return to school until their quarantine period is complete. Currently, quarantine is required for 10 days.
- If your child is identified as a close contact to someone at school and both parties were masked, then your child may return to school as long as they are masked and not showing symptoms due to a mandate by Governor Parsons. This mandate does not extend to other locations. We do recommend that families take extra precautions to monitor their child's temperature and assess them for symptoms before school and before bedtime to remain vigilant in helping us prevent the spread of illness.
Q. I am worried about my child getting ill with Covid or bringing it home to family members. Is the school doing enough to prevent this?
A. I understand this worry and this is why our school is taking proactive measures to mask and implement mitigation measures. Nodaway County Health Department has communicated that we are taking all the recommended measures and have confirmed a low rate of children and adults from our school on quarantine. Unfortunately, we can't promise a positive case won't occur. As the community has opened up and mask mandates were lifted in our area, we are taking more precautions than are mandated for our area.
I welcome families to share more questions that I can respond to in this list. Please feel free to email me lmking@nwmissouri.edu or reach out to me on Seesaw and Brightwheel to share your questions. I also invite you to attend our monthly PAC meetings on Zoom to get an opportunity to ask your questions directly and hear the experiences our other parents have had. I am also available by setting up a time to meet with me at school or calling me at school 660-562-1234.
Supply Lists, Calendar, & Lunch Menus
School Supply Lists
- Leet Center Preschool - https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/leet/pdf/SupplyList.pdf
- Horace Mann K-6 - https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/pdf/SupplyList.pdf
2021-2022 School Calendar
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
Dear Horace Mann and Leet Center families,
Welcome to PAC and the 2021-2022 school year! We are very excited to start the year with parents in the building and back to some normal school activities.
For those families new to Horace Mann and the Leet Center, we want to say hello! We are glad you have joined our school family. Here is a little bit about PAC and some of the events we sponsor.
Every parent of a Horace Mann/Leet Center child is an automatic member of PAC. PAC stands for the Parent Advisory Committee. PAC serves as an extra bridge between parents and Horace Mann/Leet Center teachers and staff. PAC plans fun activities and events for our students, but also, we are here to support our teachers and staff. Horace Mann/Leet Center parents and staff work closely together to provide the very best support and education for our children. PAC meetings will be hosted monthly through Zoom with some opportunities to meet face-to-face to be announced later.
Topic: Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
Time: Sep 2, 2021 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Sep 16, 2021 06:30 PM
Oct 14, 2021 06:30 PM
Nov 11, 2021 06:30 PM
Dec 2, 2021 06:30 PM
Jan 13, 2022 06:30 PM
Feb 10, 2022 06:30 PM
Mar 3, 2022 06:30 PM
Apr 14, 2022 06:30 PM
May 5, 2022 06:30 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Some activities PAC plans to continue and help coordinate this year are Popcorn Fridays, Bearcatstadium cleanup, teacher appreciation luncheons, and STEMathon. There are many more! We are always looking for parents who want to volunteer and help. Be on the lookout for emails and messages through Seesaw and Brightwheel for events and volunteer opportunities. And of course, we encourage everyone to attend PAC meetings. Mrs. King attends these meetings and it’s a great opportunity to talk about any concerns or thoughts you have. Our first meeting will be held on Thursday, September 2nd. Save the date!
Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have at any point in the year. Again, thanks for being a part of PAC. Here’s to a great year!
Sincerely The PAC Board,
Sarah Winters, Co-President-swinters@nwmissouri.edu, 909-519-6036
Chris Kuhlemeyer, Co-President-christinek427@gmail.com, 618-694-5868
Brad Kline, Treasurer
Michelle Vaught, Secretary
Jessie Nuffer, Ways and Means
Elizabeth Dimmitt, New Families Coordinator
Wellness Committee Coordinator, OPEN Position…let us know if you are interested!
PAC
Horace Mann Arrival and Dismissal Plans (including Transitional Kindergarten)
- The Horace Mann school day is 7:50 am-3:15 pm. Children may arrive as early as 7:30 am to enter the classroom.
- In the morning, a faculty member or parent volunteer will be posted at the drop-off point until 8:00 am to greet the children and another faculty member will be posted at the front entrance to welcome the children as they enter the building until 8:00 am. After 8:00 am, parents are responsible for monitoring their child's entrance into the building.
- Horace Mann's arrival drop-offs (including Transitional Kindergarten) will take place at the starred location on the map in Lot 57.
- Horace Mann's dismissal pick-ups (including Transitional Kindergarten) will take place at the starred location on the map in Lot 57. Dismissal begins at 3:15 pm. Classroom teachers will escort the children to the pick-up location and faculty members will be responsible for monitoring the pick-up line and placing children in their cars. Parents are asked to remain in their vehicle and be patient for the line to move forward and to load children safely. Rolling down the passenger side window so faculty can see inside the vehicle helps to speed the process up. It is not safe for parents to exit their vehicle and motion for children to come to them. We also discourage families from trying to pass other vehicles in the pick-up line. To keep the line moving and prevent delays, a faculty member may ask you to circle around and come back through the line if your child's class has not made it outside yet.
- Parents wishing to escort their children for arrivals and dismissals must park their vehicle according to Northwest parking protocols. Unattended vehicles not parked in accordance with Northwest parking protocols are subject to a ticket. All vehicles must have a parking tag. If you did not get your parking tag at Back to School Night, please come to the school office with your vehicle information, including your license plate number, to pick one up. Families may have up to 2 permits.
- Children needing care before 7:30 am or after 3:15 pm will go to our Horace Mann Bearcat Club Program.
- Families needing to pick their child up before 3:15 must enter the building and sign in before going to their child's classroom to pick them up.
Leet Center Preschool Arrival & Dismissal Plans
- The Leet Center school day is 7:30 am - 3:00 pm. A faculty member or parent volunteer will be posted at the Circle Drive to accept children from their car until 8:15 am. After 8:15 am, parents are responsible for parking and escorting their preschool child into the building.
- Leet Center Arrivals - Parents should stay on the right side of the Circle Drive, pulling forward to make room for more vehicles to drop off behind them. Passing the cars on the left side of the Circle Drive is discouraged. Parents may exit their vehicle to help a child out of a car seat and hand the child off to a faculty member or parent volunteer to escort inside.
- Leet Center Dismissals - Classroom teachers will escort their children to the circle drive for pick up. Parents should stay on the right side of the Circle Drive, pulling forward to make room for more vehicles to pick up behind them. Parents may exit their vehicle to help a child into their vehicle and buckle car seats. Passing the cars on the left side of the Circle Drive is discouraged.
- Parents wishing to enter the building to drop off or pick up their child must park their cars in the designated parking lots. Parking and leaving your car in the Circle Drive is strictly prohibited and may result in a parking ticket.
- Children needing care before 7:30 am or after 3:15 pm will go to our Leet Center Bearcat Club Program.
- Families needing to pick their child up before 3:15 must enter the building and sign in before going to their child's classroom to pick them up.
Leet Center Infant and Toddler Arrivals & Dismissals
Leet Center Infant & Toddler Team
Michelle Vaught
Racheal Wood
Leet Center Preschool Multiage Team
Erica Buck
Sarah Winters
Erika Yocom
Julie Michaelsen
Horace Mann Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten Multiage Team
Jennifer Downing
Wren Mandrick
Alexis Williams
Whitney Hansen
Kristi Kirkpatrick
Alex Gallagher
Horace Mann 1st/2nd Grade Multiage Team
Brandy Haughey
Heather Montenguise
Melanie Buford
Danielle Smith
Horace Mann 3rd/4th Grade Multiage Team
Becky Ferris
Cathi Schwienebart
Horace Mann 5th/6th Grade Multiage Team
Heidi Komorech
Cecilia Reinhardt
Horace Mann Special Classes
Gina McNeese
Lori Atkins
Jill Horton
Horace Mann Student Intervention Team
Resource Teacher
K-6 Reading Intervention and Curriculum
Bearcat Club After School Team
Abby Buhman
Jennifer Nolan
Leet Center and Horace Mann Office Team
Laura King
LaTessa Rhueter
Cara Shell
Horace Mann and Leet Center Custodial and Sanitation Team
Thank You to Wells Bank
International Recognition as an Outstanding Laboratory School
A Message from Cindy Rouner
Leet Center and Horace Mann Families,
This school year is winding up to be one of the best. The new infant toddler spaces and the new faculty we have added will make for a wonderful environment of discovery and wonder.
I too am winding up for an exciting new beginning with Northwest Missouri State University’s RPDC. In this new position, I will be able to share with Teachers the wealth of knowledge I have gained from the Leet Center and the School of Education. I am looking forward to utilizing my strengths in coaching and mentoring others through supporting regional educators.
These last eleven years with your children have been my greatest JOY! I thank you from the bottom of my soul for entrusting me with the care and education of all of your children. I will treasure every memory!
Sincerely,
Cindy Rouner
Horace Mann Laboratory School * Phyllis & Richard Leet Center
Horace Mann Laboratory School is located on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University serving children in grades K-6. 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.
The Leet Center serves children 6 weeks to 6 years old. 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, please contact Laura King
Email: lmking@nwmissouri.edu
Website: nwmissouri.edu/horacemann
Location: 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO, USA
Phone: 660-562-1233
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoraceMannLaboratorySchool
Twitter: @HMlab123