Horn Notes - a weekly bulletin Tuesday, March 9, 2010

This is a weekly notice sheet for Horn announcements, published by the Horn Academy PTO.  To include items in this bulletin, please contact hornnotes@hornpto.org by Thursday 5pm.
Horn Academy PTO website:  www.hornpto.org
To sign up to receive news from HISD via e-mail, visit www.houstonisd.org/subscribe

Good Citizens for February
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their teacher to receive the Horn Good Citizen Award for the month of February. The teachers choose a student with an E in conduct, who is helpful to others, is an example to others in attitude and work effort, and is respectful to their Horn Family.

Lost and Found
Please check the lost and found outside of the office. Items left there after Thursday, March 11, will be donated to a shelter.
Show Your Support Tonight!
Attend the Bellaire Planning and Zoning meeting tonight at 6:30 pm at Bellaire City Hall to show your support for the proposed plans for the new school. It is important to let the city know that the plans have the support of the community.

Attendance Incentive
A one percent increase in district-wide attendance generates approximately $13M in additional revenue.  Conversely, a one percent decrease in student attendance will result in the district losing $13M.  Student attendance (ADA), compared year-to-date, is running approximately .5 percent below last year. ADA is a major factor in budget allocations and we hope to increase spring attendance so that the overall effect on school budgets for next year can be minimized.

Therefore, Superintendent Grier announced a student attendance incentive program for the balance of this school year. Incentives will be paid as follows: 

Elementary Schools
For the elementary schools, the top ten schools with the most improved attendance and the top ten schools with the highest student attendance between March 1 and the end of this school year will have the choice of one of the items listed below: 

• A computer lab comprised of 30 laptop computers, or
• 6 white boards with accompanying teacher training, or
• 10, $2,500 classroom libraries, or
• $25,000 to support your music program

Parents, please help out Horn by making sure that you student is in attendance daily unless they are sick. Attendance is taken daily at 9:45.

February VIPS
Congratulations go out to our VIPS for the month of February.
They are Darlene Varga and Karin Davis for their fabulous work on Ocean Night, and Dian Noon and Yvette Clark for their awesome work on our 1st Horn Academy Cookbook!

Thank From the Hospitality Committee!
Horn's Hospitality Committee would like to thank the following volunteers for their help in making our March Teacher Appreciation Luncheon a big success! Barbara Bears-Gadbois, Felicia Lewin, Teya Miller, Christy Oelsen, Lori Turck and Ana Wakefield...thanks parents! We would also like to thank Van Smiros of City View Catering for the great discount on the delicious food that the teachers enjoyed. If you are interested in volunteering for a future teacher luncheon by either bringing desserts, drinks or food, please contact the hospitality committee at hospitality@hornpto.org. The teacher appreciation luncheons are held on the first Friday of every month.

Parties Still Available
There are still a few parties that have a handful of openings! If you would like your child to have some life long memories of Horn and friends, please review the following parties, contact us and purchase by Friday March 26, 2010. Thanks for all your support!!!

1) Who?: Ms. Phillips hosting for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders
What?: a kickball party with Ms. Phillips with music, water and popsicles after school!!!
When?: Friday, April 9th, 2010 3pm-4:30pm
Where?: at Horn Academy's black top and fields
Cost?: $15
Notes* spots are limited, so hurry for your spot on the kickball team!!!

2) Who?: Ms. Banks hosting for kinder, 1st and 2nd graders
What?: a PJ's and sleeping bag MOVIE party after school!! put on your PJ's, bring your sleeping bag and get ready to have FUN FUN FUN with friends as you kick back, watch a movie and munch on some snacks!!!
When?: Friday, March 26th, 2010 3pm-5pm
Where?: Banks activity filled and playful classroom at Horn Academy
Cost?: $20
Notes* spots are limited, so hurry for your spot!!!

3) Who?: Ms. Rath hosting for all grade levels 
What?: Kupcakes and Karaoke and get ready to have FUN FUN FUN with friends as you sing like the stars and munch on some snacks!!!
When?: Friday, May 7th, 2010 3pm-4:30pm
Where?: Rath's Rockin' classroom at Horn Academy
Cost?: $20
Notes* spots are limited, so hurry for your spot light spot!!!

4) Who?: Shelley Rice (parent) hosting for kinder and 1st graders
What?: Gymnastics Party!!!
When?: Saturday, March 27th, 2010 10am-11:30am
Where?: Houston Gymnastics Academy
Cost?: $20
Notes* spots are limited, so hurry for your spot on the trampoline!!!

Please contact: gala@hornpto.org for your spots!!!

Horn’s Week of Acceptance!
The week of March 8-12 Horn Helping Hands is sponsoring a Dress Week. This is to help students learn about accepting differences and diversity. We all look different and we are all different and that is GOOD! So let’s have fun dressing and enjoy our differences and diversity.
Monday: Sock It to Stereotyping (Wear your Crazy Socks!)
Tuesday: Hats Off to Equality (Wear your favorite hat!)
Wednesday: Block Out Prejudice (Wear your sunglasses!)
Thursday: Devoted to Diversity (Don’t match your shoes!)
Friday: Turn Yourself Inside-out for Tolerance (Wear your clothes inside-out!)
Really!!! This is the week to dress and have FUN while learning about accepting differences and diversity!

Kindergarten Roundup
Registration for ZONED 2010 Kindergarten students will be taking place this week. Please let you neighbors know about the registration dates. Prospective students will need a birth certificate, social security number, immunization record, and proof of residency. Parents, please bring in your driver license when you come.

Golf Tournament - Correction
It’s that time again! Golfers and Non-Golfers! The Horn Golf Tournament will be held Friday, April 16th,2010 at 8;00am at Southwyck Golf Club. Great prizes, give-aways, and dinner afterward are just part of the fun of playing in the Tournament. We play a scramble format so duffers and scratch golfers alike can compete. Come join us that day for some fun and camaraderie. Look for the upcoming Registration sheets in Tuesday's Red Folders or pick one up in front of the office. If you have any other questions, you can email Kent Cantrell at kentoncan@sbcglobal.net or Keith Harrison at keith.Harrison@swbell.net.
Remember, "It's for the Kids."

Spring Break at Kids J.A.M.
Kids J.A.M. has a variety of fun themes and it’s $150.00 for half a day from (9:00-1:00) and $250.00 for full day (8:30 - 5:30) for the week. Kids J.A.M will donate $30.00 to the Sounds of Success in your name. You can email them at info@kidsjamhouston.com or call 713 664-5526 for more information. Hurry, spots will fill quickly! Don't forget to mention you're with Horn Elementary when registering.

SOS and Kids J.A.M. Partner Up
Stressing over planning a birthday party for your child. Or shopping around for the best birthday party in the neighborhood? Look no more...Kids J.A.M. offers the ultimate birthday bash!

Kids J.A.M. offers only private parties. Your child and his/her friends have the run of the place. Our fun and experienced J.A.M. Staff will make sure kids are having a blast!!!

For every party or dance class you schedule with Kids J.A.M $25.00 will be donated to Sounds of Success in your name. Take the hassle of party planning and giving to your child's school in one easy call or email.  
For more information or to book your party, please contact them at: 7130664-5526 or email info@kidsjamhouston.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Don't forget to mention you're with Horn Elementary when scheduling your party or dance class.

Doodle 4 Google
Have you heard about the cool contest Google does every year called Doodle 4 Google?  You know that the Google.com homepage logo changes for special holidays and events.  Google calls these special logos “doodles.” The Doodle 4 Google competition gives kids (grades K-12) the chance to “redesign” the Google logo according to a theme.  This year’s theme is, “If I Could Do Anything, I Would…”. The winning student’s school gets $25,000 for a new computer lab, and he or she will win a $15,000 college scholarship and the chance to have his or her design on the Google.com homepage for a day for millions of people to see.  Entries are due by March 31, 2010.  Last year, over 21,000 schools nationwide participated in Doodle 4 Google.  Google allows each school to submit up to 6 doodle entries.

Ms. Howell, our Art Teacher, has signed Horn up to participate in this year’s contest.  If you’re interested in having your child participate, please let her know.
Check out www.google.com/doodle4google for official rules and details.  Watch Horn Notes for more information on this contest.

Back by Popular Demand!
Are you tired of deciding “What’s for Dinner”? Could you use some variety in your dinner rotation? Are you eating out too much? Horn Happenings is happy to bring back Menu Planning with Horn Mom Tassy Beasley to help you alleviate some of these frustrations and successfully deliver a stress free family dinner every night of the week. You will receive eight weeks worth of pre-planned menus, easy weeknight recipes, and tips for cooking for multiple meals at once. New recipes and ideas added for Menu Planning alumni! Join us Friday April 9th at 8:00 in the Library. A light breakfast will be served by the Sounds of Success Committee.

Labels for Education
You can help Horn Academy earn free merchandise such as computers, audio/visual equipment, physical education equipment, reference books, musical instruments or even a mini-van, simply by collecting Campbell UPCs and sending them to Horn Academy.  We're asking for your help with the Horn Academy's Labels for Education program. If we work together, we can build a better school for our children.
It's easy to pitch in. Simply save product UPCs from any of the following eligible Campbell products, attach them to collection sheets and put them in the collection box by the front office at the school.

• Campbell's® Select Harvest® soups
• Campbell's Supper Bakes® meal kits
• SpaghettiOs® Pasta (Original and Meatball)
• Campbell's® beans, gravies, and canned pasta
• Prego® Italian sauces
• Swanson® stocks, broths and canned poultry
• V8® vegetable juices and V8® soups
• V8 Splash® juice drinks and V8 Fusion® juice drinks
• Campbell's® tomato juice
• Pepperidge Farm® breads, cookies, and frozen products

• Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® crackers
  
  Visit www.labelsfordeucation.com  for a complete list of eligible products. Collection sheets came home in the red folder a few weeks ago.  Additional collection sheets can be found at http://www.labelsforeducation.com/pdf/upccollectionsheet_5pt.pdf and http://www.labelsforeducation.com/pdf/upccollectionsheet_1pt.pdf.
  For more information on how to be a part of Horn Academy's Labels for Education collection drive, contact the school coordinator, Elise Newman, at 713-432-9203.
  

Get Your Horn Cookbook!
The Horn Cookbooks are in and ready for sale! If you would like to see a copy of the cookbook, go by the Horn front office and peruse the recipes. You can purchase them online at www.hornpto.org or fill out an order form. They will also be for sale at various events in the next few months.

If you have any questions, please send an email to recipebook@hornpto.org . Thanks!

On The Menu: All You Can Read at the Book Fair Diner!
The Horn Spring Book Fair is here March 8 - 11! We will have a latte of books at egg-cellent prices and hope to see you there. You can order from a great menu of titles, and can ketchup on some great reading! Plan to bring a special friend or relative to lunch and then cruise on in to the Book Fair Diner, where you will be able to feast on books and donate your loose coins to the Scholastic "One For Books" Program, which will match our donations and is dedicated to helping families in need.
The Book Fair Diner will be OPEN:
Wednesday, March 10: 7:30 - 7:50 a.m., 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 11: 7:30 - 7:50 a.m., 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer and serve up some great books to some great kids, please email Pam Moritz at bookfair@hornpto.org.

See you at the Book Fair Diner!

Matching Contribution Employers (SOS)
If your Employer offers "Matching Contribution" program, your generosity will be matched by an additional corporate gift. All you need is a Matching Gift Form from your company’s Public Affairs Department.
 
Please mail completed form to:
 
Horn Elementary
Attn: PTO Treasurer
4535 Pine St
Bellaire, TX 77401-5503
 
Thank you in advance for your continuous support!
SOS Committee

Pizza Party for 100% Participation Classes from SOS
The first 5 classes to reach 100% participation in 2009-2010 SOS Fundraising will receive a pizza party to be held in May. This means every student in the class donating at least $ 5.00 to the SOS. Remember, money raised goes towards upgrades for our new school... the more you give... the more we can do.  

The contributing is easy! Just log onto www.hornpto.org  and select on Purchasing on the top of the page (top menu bar). A drop down menu will appear. Select Donations and then select Sounds of Success. Then add your donation amount, check out and you are done!    

Thank you in advance for your continuous support!
SOS Committee

Thank You from Sounds of Success (SOS)
Many Thanks to following $50+ donors for their generous contribution to the Sounds of Success fundraising campaign! You have our deepest gratitude for your generosity and support.

Adel M. Williams and Family
Bailey Family
Bob and Antonetta Russo
Boyd Family
Cannon
Cesar & Adriana Rodriguez
Cook
Corder
Dave Clark, Realtor (Jared and Justin's Dad)
Dawn Shelton
Eddie & Dixie Sikes
Elizabeth Cothran Family
Girl Scout Troop 21107
Herbst Family
Iliev Family
Jason and Lee Anne Dixon
Jason Yao family
Jim and Julie Barker and Alex Gross
Jin Family
Kaiti Kling & Carl Classen
Kevin and Tarita Campbell
Lovonne and Joseph D'orlaque, Sr.  Parents of Joseph D'orlaque II
Luan & Maria Pham
M. Bendiksen
Mamdooh Abdalla & Nancy Esper. Parents of Andrew Abdalla.
Marci & Mike Baker
Mark & Elise Newman
Mark and Ana Dunkel
McLauchlin
Melissa & Derek Newton
Michael and Catherine Hall parents
Mills Family
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Meyer
Nates
Pingjun Guo
Randy and Sandra Stavinoha
Reichert Family
Ross Altman and Shelby Altman
Sandy and Will Parsons
Sarah and Eric Bittner
Schock Family
Sharon & Robert Cummings
Steve & Gemma Asteriou
Steve and Minsook Kim
Teya and Martin Miller
The Campbell Johnsons
The Clarke Family
The Costello Family
The Draper Family
The family of Mary Margaret Cooney
The Goza Family
The Jessett Family
The Lesslie Family
The Metzger family
The Newland Family
The Owens Family
The Saether Family
The Schmalz Family
The Swanston Family
The Taper Family
The Valenti Family
Trina & Dan Feig
Whitehead
Will Johnson Family
Wing & Sophia Wong
Zaman

Through your generosity, we have raised $19,229.90. A big THANK YOU to all these generous Horn Families! Please keep these donations coming! The more you give, the more Horn PTO can do!

Remember the End of Year Party for families that contribute $500+ will be held in May. If you would like to attend please contribute to SOS before April 30.

The contributing is easy! Just log onto www.hornpto.org  and select on Purchasing on the top of the page (top menu bar).  A drop down menu will appear.  Select Donations and then select Sounds of Success. Then add your donation amount, check out and you are done!

Houston Eye Associates Foundation Presents - 25th ANNUAL LOOKIN’ GOOD! SHAMROCK STRUT
The Houston Eye Associates Foundation, a non-profit organization helping the indigent population of Houston with critical surgical eye care, is having its 25th Annual “Lookin’ Good” Shamrock Strut on Saturday, March 20, 2010. The Kids K begins at 7:45am, Wheelchair is at 7:55am, then finally the 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk is at 8:00am. Registration brochures are available at the front office of Horn. You may also register on-line at signmeupsports.com. Any questions, please call Janet Jong #281-772-8117.

EasyTech
Some people have been asking about EasyTech. The website is www.learning.com and the district is “Houston ISD”. Students are allowed to go to it at home. They can login as hornk, horn1, horn2, etc. The password is “horn”. Parents can login as horn.

Note from the School Nurse
Dear Families,
We have had a couple of cases of head lice. It is difficult for me to pick up all the cases when I do classroom checks. If it’s early, I may not find anything on my quick check. I need the help of all parents. Please check your child regularly for any sign of lice or nits.
How do you get lice?
Lice can’t jump or fly; they are usually transmitted by contact with infested persons, their clothing (hats, coats, etc.), their combs, or brushes. It is not true that lice come from unclean people or homes. Daily baths and shampoos won’t prevent transmission from one infested hat!
What to look for
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually light brown, but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from light, making them difficult to see, especially in people with dark hair.
Diagnosis is more often made on the basis of finding nits or eggs, which can be seen most easily in natural light. Nits are tiny, whitish-gray oval eggs attached to the hair shaft. The female louse cements her eggs to the hairs with a waterproof, cement-like substance. Thus, nits can’t be washed or brushed off like dandruff. Nits are found throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and at the crown.
Symptoms of infestation
The itching that occurs when lice bite and suck blood from the scalp is often the primary symptom of infestation, although not everyone will experience the itching. Children seen scratching their heads should be examined at once. Often bite or scratch marks can be seen on the scalp.
Treatment of Individuals and household cleaning
There are many lice shampoos on the market. Some are over the counter; some are prescription. You might want to consult with your doctor on which brand to use. After treatment, you need to manually remove all lice and nits. This requires a good light and time. There are special lice combs available to help remove lice and nits (eggs).
Bedding and recently worn clothing should be washed in hot water and placed in a hot dryer. Carpeting, car seats, and upholstery should be vacuumed to pick up hair that may have nits attached. Use common sense. Lice only live for a day off of a human head. Pets do not harbor head lice. The most important part of treatment is to comb or manually pull out every louse and nit.
Prevention
You can’t really prevent head lice. You can check your child frequently to catch a problem early on. Lice don’t jump or fly. They need close contact to spread. Consider pulling long hair back into ponytails or braids. Teach your child not to share combs, brushes, hats or scarves.
If your child has head lice, please inform the school nurse and the parents of your child’s playmates.
Make checks for head lice a routine at home, especially after play dates and sleep-overs.
Your Nurse,
M. Bendiksen, RN