Dear Mann Parents,

Welcome to another great school year!  Our school team is committed to providing the best quality education for your child and all of our students.  Our successful efforts as a school have been recognized with several prestigious awards.  We are proud to announce that we have received the California Gold Ribbon Award, the Excellence in Urban Education Gold Award from the National Center for Urban School Transformation, the CA Title I Academic Achievement Award, and the California Business for Education Excellence Star School Award since 2013.  These are all wonderful honors that recognize the commitment and hard work of our staff, students, and parents. Our students’ success is our number one goal and these awards applaud our efforts.

Our school will continue our work in implementing  Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to create and maintain a safe and effective learning environment and ensuring that all students have the social skills needed to ensure their success at school and beyond. Under "Special Programs" in our school website, you will see the matrix that students are expected to follow throughout the school and how we will recognize students that follow these expectations. The purpose of PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm. We will continue to teach positive behavior just like academics and acknowledge students that show the “Bulldog Way!”

We believe in continuous learning for our staff and students and work hard to further strengthen our excellent teaching of the State of California standards in both Language Arts and Math. Please continue to reinforce the importance of reading every day. Students are expected to read multiple sources to analyze, synthesize and critically write about what they read.  Reading every day at home is not an option, but a must so that your child can exceed academically and in their career. Our staff is ready to work together to see that our students are college and career ready so that they will have choices in their future. However, we know that it takes a team working together to accomplish the level of achievement we want to see in our students.  We are expecting our parents to be involved in our school and to make sure that students come prepared every day with completed homework and needed supplies to support the effort of our teachers to provide high quality learning experiences for your child.  Parents are highly encouraged to actively join our team by participating in our monthly “Coffee with the Principal,” joining our School Site Council, attending parent conferences, and by talking to the teacher about your child's progress and how you can help your child at home. The level of parent involvement is directly correlated to our high level of student success.  Make it your goal this year to be actively involved in your child’s school and making sure your child reads every day.

This parent handbook/calendar is a useful guide to the many activities and programs offered at our school, as well as information about school and administrative policies. The calendar may be used to help plan your family’s busy school schedule. Please note that we will also send home monthly calendars with additional information and additions. Notifications of additions and changes will be distributed through our weekly “Thursday Folders.”

The Horace Mann Family is committed to the success of all students. Learning and teaching is our business and we are determined to be the best that we can be. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this year a more successful and memorable school year for your child.

Again, I am looking forward to working with you and your child. Make sure that your child reads 45-60 minutes daily, including Saturday and Sunday.  Thank you for your support.  Together, we will help your child, and all of our students, develop a love for learning and good life-long habits!

Sincerely,

Rosa Alonso