Horace Mann Middle School Parents/Guardians/Student/Staff,

We are now two weeks into the 2024-25 school year and it has been a great start. I was able to meet with all students at an all-school assembly and through grade level meetings where we shared goals for this year and celebrated some of the amazing things our students are involved with. One huge celebration was that 97.6% of our students (619 out of 634 students) came to school the first three days. Attendance matters and showing up gives us a chance to make significant strides this year with your children. Here are some highlights of the meetings:

Show Up - Students start traveling to their first classroom at 7:25am. We also have tardy policies including a meeting after five tardies in a week and consequences for continued tardiness. As a family, please know that students are allowed 10 partial or full day absences throughout the year. Please contact the Main Office (715-261-0735) with absences and bring in medical notes from appointments. Our school goal is to have 90% of our students attend school at least 90% of the school year. Here is a good handout about the importance of attendance.

Make Good Choices - All students should feel safe at school. Feeling safe starts with students making good choices and not harassing others. If students decide to bully or harass, there are consequences, including possible police referrals. Our students and families play a big role in decreasing bullying and harassment by reporting incidents to a trusted adult. Speak Up, Speak Out, or SUSO, is an online reporting system where students and family members can report incidents. The information goes to our police department and school, and reporters can remain anonymous. More information or to report an incident, go to speakup.widoj.gov.

Do Your Best - Students will be setting goals throughout the year, including personal goals, attendance goals, and academic goals. We will start tracking these goals later this month. We are also urging students to get involved-- after school activities, music, performances, in the classroom, and more. Being involved helps students feel a bigger part of this school and gives another way to create positive relationships with students and staff.

At Horace Mann, we strive to make connections with our students so that each student has a go-to adult in the building. We believe our strong connections lead to an increased sense of belonging, a high level of academic success, and a safer school. Next week, students will be taking a survey to identify adults in the building that they see as a go-to person or who they could see becoming that person.

Thank you for everything you do at home to support our school and your children. Please reach out to any staff member if anything is needed.

Thanks,

Dr. Rob Phelps
Principal
Horace Mann Middle School