One Friday a month · after drop-off
Parent Coffee
What it is. Coffee and a quick hello for HM grown-ups right after morning drop-off.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. It's the easiest way to meet other parents, ask the questions you've been wondering about, and hear what's coming up. Stay five minutes or thirty.
Pitch in: just show up! No sign-up needed. Bring a friend who's new to HM.
Oct 22–24 · HM Gym
Scholastic Book Fair
What it is. A pop-up bookstore in the gym. Every class visits during the school day, and families shop before school, at pickup, and during Trunk or Treat.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. Kids pick out their own books, try the pencil pull and bookmark station, and enter to win a free book. Teachers fill wishlist baskets, so you can give a book to your child's classroom.
Pitch in: set-up, checkout shifts, or Monday pack-up.
Sat, Oct 24 · 3–5 p.m. · HM parking lot
Trunk or Treat
What it is. Families decorate their car trunks and hand out candy while kids trick-or-treat around the lot in costume. Led by 3rd grade families.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. A cozy, close-to-home Halloween with classmates, plus a photo booth, temporary tattoos, games, and scavenger hunts. The Book Fair is open too.
Pitch in: host one of 30 trunks, donate candy, or run a station.
Book Fair, Bingo, Science Night & spring
5th Grade Bake Sales
What it is. Our 5th graders bake, price and sell treats themselves, $1 or $2 each. Cash only, so bring your dollar bills!
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. Every cookie helps pay for their yearbooks, t-shirts and graduation party, and the kids practice counting change, customer service and marketing along the way.
Pitch in: 5th grade families can bake or staff a shift. Sign up for the Book Fair bake sale.
A few times a year · local restaurants
Dining for Dollars
What it is. A local restaurant gives part of the day's sales to the PTO. Last year Chipotle gave 25% and raised more than $450, and Yogurt Beach gave 30%. Just mention Horace Mann when you order.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. Dinner or a frozen treat you'd buy anyway, and you'll usually run into other HM families (and teachers).
Pitch in: coordinate one night from home: pick a restaurant, set the date, and share the flyer. About 2–3 hours.
Dec 14 · Feb 8 · May 3–7
Staff Appreciation
What it is. A breakfast in December, treats in February, and a full week of thank-yous in May for every HM teacher and staff member.
Why families love it & how to help
Why it matters. It's how HM families say thank you together, and the staff notice.
Pitch in: donate food or join the Staff Appreciation Committee.
Sun, Jan 10 · Warrior Ice Arena
Ice Skating
What it is. An HM family public skate at the Bruins' practice rink in Brighton that doubles as a PTO fundraiser. Last year it was $18 a person with skate rentals included, and no sign-up: just mention the HM PTO at the door.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. A whole-family outing in the middle of winter, on the ice with your kids' classmates. Bring an "HM Hawks" sign for the photo.
Pitch in: help coordinate with the rink.
Fri, Jan 29 · HM Gym
Bingo Night
What it is. Family bingo in the gym, led by 1st grade families, with a 5th Grade Bake Sale on the side.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. Winners pick from a table of prizes, and everyone goes home a winner. Simple enough for kindergartners, fun for grown-ups. Bring $1 bills for the bake sale.
Pitch in: set-up, calling numbers, or clean-up.
Fri, Feb 26
Black History Celebration
What it is. HM's community celebration of Black history.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. Each class researches a Black leader and shares a trifold poster, like last year's boards on aviator Bessie Coleman and Wally Amos of Famous Amos cookies (with a basket of cookies to take). It's a chance to learn and celebrate together as a school community.
Pitch in: email hmann.pto@gmail.com to help plan.
Sat, Mar 6
Auction and Party
What it is. Parents' Night Out: no kids, just bids. A grown-ups' party with a DJ, appetizers and a cash bar, lawn games, and silent and live auctions. Last year it was at The Post 440, $35 in advance.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. A real night out with other HM parents, and the money raised pays for Creative Arts & Sciences for every grade.
Pitch in: collect donations or help plan the party.
Fri, Mar 19 · HM Gym
Food & Culture Night
What it is. HM families host tables in the gym with home-cooked food, posters and traditions from their cultures. Kids get a passport and "travel the world" table to table, and some families read a book, perform a dance, or run an activity.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. It's one of HM's most beloved traditions: a chance to taste dishes from around the world and see how many places our families call home.
Pitch in: host a table, or help coordinate tables and set-up.
Fri, Apr 2
Trivia Night
What it is. Family teams of up to 8 (or sign up solo and we'll place you) compete in the cafeteria with a professional trivia host. Prizes, a 5th Grade Bake Sale, and team names like Quizzard of Oz and Fire Hawks. Led by 4th grade families.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. Kids and grown-ups on the same team, and the kids often know the answers. Space is limited, so register early.
Pitch in: sign up a team, keep score, or help with prizes.
Fri, Apr 30 · HM Gym
Science Night
What it is. A non-competitive science fair where students show off projects at their own tables. Led by 2nd grade families, with a 5th Grade Bake Sale.
Why families love it & how to help
Why come. No judging and no ribbons. Projects just need to fit on half a tabletop with a short explanation of the science, so any curious kid can join. Or come to explore the tables.
Pitch in: coordinate sign-ups and tables, or help set up.
Early May
Food & Diaper Drive
What it is. A short collection drive with a local food pantry and Newton Neighbors.
Why families love it & how to help
Why it matters. Students see their donations add up class by class, and the goods go to Newton families.
Pitch in: coordinate the drive or help deliver donations.
Fri, May 21
Fitness for Life
What it is. A field day for K–4 students: rotating stations on the big field with mats, cones, and relay games. Families pay through the PTO.
Why families love it & how to help
Why it matters. A whole morning of running, tumbling and cheering with classmates outdoors.
Pitch in: room parents help on the day.
All year · during the school day
Creative Arts & Sciences
What it is. Visiting authors, artists, scientists and performers who come to HM during the school day. Every grade gets three curriculum-based programs a year, plus one all-school concert.
Why families love it & how to help
Why it matters. It's the PTO's biggest expense, and it reaches every student. Your dues and the Auction pay for it.
Pitch in: be the 1st grade CAS rep (we need one more!), or pay your dues.
Before winter break · end of year
Lost & Found
What it is. The rack of jackets, sweatshirts and water bottles in the lobby. We post a last call before winter break and at the end of the year, and anything left after that is donated.
Why families love it & how to help
Why it matters. It fills up fast. Check it when you're at school, and label your kids' things so they find their way home.
Pitch in: help sort and donate what's left.
