Horace Mann - Winter 2012 - (Page 5)

Director of Development letter from the director of development ho was your favorite teacher?” “Did you have a uniform?” “Did you ever skip class? “Did you get in trouble?” “What classes did you have?” “What are the biggest changes at Horace Mann since you were a student?” “What is your favorite memory?” These were just some of the questions sixth graders from Horace Mann School’s Middle Division asked members of the Horace Mann Class of 1946, when these alumni came to the HM campus during Homecoming Weekend 2011 to celebrate their 65th reunion. The alumni answered the students thoughtfully, with consideration for how carefully their young fellow Horace Manners had composed their questions, and with humor that drew laughter shared across the generations. The visit brought Horace Mann School’s history to life for these students. It also gave them a chance to personally thank a group of Horace Mann School alumni who had contributed to their learning. The students were members of the Middle Division’s sixth grade and, like the rest of HM’s sixth graders, their school year began with an assignment to answer the question: “Would Horace Mann, the man, approve of Horace Mann, the school?” The assignment required the students to research the topic using primary and secondary sources, and to reference materials originating from the mid-1800s, when the American reformer was articulating ideas that would transform education in this country. A special bonus was the chance the assignment gave the students to examine letters penned by Horace Mann himself, a century and a half earlier. They were able to see those letters because of the generosity of the Class of ’46: The letters are housed in an archive in HM’s Katz Library. The archive was endowed by the Class. Students in Horace Mann School’s Lower Division also had a chance to connect with alumni from an earlier era, when Prof. David Schaefer ’43 and Mary Dick Schaefer ’43 shared their love of Lewis Carroll—and their love for Horace Mann School—during a visit with the entire fourth grade. The Schaefers came to Horace Mann in November 2011 to participate in a series of readings by alumni, organized by the Lower Division’s librarians and the Alumni House and Development Office. In another opportunity for alumni to interact with current HMers, hundreds have linked to the school’s website to hear webcast lectures by their former teachers, in a new HM initiative. And, the list goes on. Horace Mann School is currently commemorating its 125th anniversary. Throughout the 20112012 school year the entire HM community is coming together to celebrate our school, and what HM has meant to us throughout the generations. Whether we are HMers from the Class of 1946 sharing memories with members of the Class of 2018, or alumni from 1943 interacting with children who will graduate HM in 2020, this facet of our 125th anniversary observance speaks to our powerful bond, by demonstrating that we can learn from one another. It’s no wonder, for all of us at Horace Mann today, and all who have lived and learned throughout our individual eras at the school, learned also to share an ongoing love for the education that shaped us. We invite you to take part in celebrating our mutual legacy throughout this, our 125th year, by coming to alumni events, keeping abreast of school and alumni news through www.horacemann.org , tuning in to our faculty webcast series, or to videos of student performances or activities on the site’s media gallery or on HMTube. Our next big event is the annual Alumni Council Winter Gathering on February 23, 2012, followed by the Buzzell Games on February 25. On March 15 alumni will enjoy a concert together at the NY Philharmonic, featuring violin virtuoso Gil Shaham ’89. Finally, please plan to be a part of Horace Mann School’s gala 125th Anniversary celebration on May 19, 2012 on the HM campus. We look forward to seeing everyone there. Sincerely, “W Melissa Murphy Parento ’90 Director of Development Horace mann magazine Winter 2012 5 http://www.horacemann.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Horace Mann - Winter 2012

Horace Mann - Winter 2012
Contents
Letters
Greetings from Dr. Tom Kelly
Greetings from Melissa Parento ’90
Horace Mann School’s 125th Anniversary Observances Begin
Strategic Thinking
New Initiatives in Institutional Research and Admissions
HM's New Director of College Counseling
Timothy HO and Monica Merlo are 2011 Tina and Dave Bellet Teaching Excellence Award Winners
Langfan Oratorical Contest, 2011
Horace Mann School Graduates 178 in June, 2011
Alumni Council Corner
Bookshelf
Class Notes
Memorials
Philanthropy and You

Horace Mann - Winter 2012