Horace Mann Laboratory School announces summer education programs

Horace Mann Laboratory School, which provides a clinical teaching environment for students in Northwest’s School of Professional Education, will provide an online summer school program, June 8 through July 2, for children who have completed grades kindergarten through sixth. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University’s Horace Mann Laboratory School will offer a series of learning opportunities for area children this summer, including virtual summer school and the availability of library books for checkout.

“We are trying to share what makes Horace Mann special and what defines our philosophy by providing hands-on learning for children,” Horace Mann Principal Laura King said. “We believe children learn more when they are engaged in meaningful experiences and personal connection. Our summer school design is geared to help children extend their learning and retain skills they gained in the regular school year.”

Horace Mann will host a virtual summer school, beginning Monday, June 8, and ending Thursday, July 2, for children who have completed grades kindergarten through sixth.

Students will participate in a video conference with teachers at 10 a.m. each Monday through Thursday, in addition to receiving weekly learning kits with books, games, science materials and digital lessons to complete at home. Lessons will focus on basic skills in math, reading and science with a hands-on learning design. Participants also will engage in a project-based learning unit to collaborate on solving a problem in the Maryville community.

Horace Mann students enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year may attend at no charge. Non-enrolled students may participate in the four-week session for $250 per child to cover the cost of materials. Materials are limited so families are encouraged to submit their enrollment to guarantee a spot. Enrollment forms are available online at www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/pdf/SummerEnrollment.pdf and may be submitted electronically.

Additionally, in an effort to get printed books in the hands of its students, Horace Mann staff launched a library checkout system in April and will continue the initiative through July to support families and children with reading at home. The library program is open to all families enrolled at Horace Mann for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Families may request up to five books per child by submitting a Google form by 9 p.m. each Tuesday. Families may pick up and return books between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. each Thursday at the Horace Mann circle drive. Families should stay in their vehicles as Horace Mann staff members, who are following CDC guidelines for COVID-19, collect and deliver the books.

For more information about the summer programs, contact Laura King at lmking@nwmissouri.edu.

About Horace Mann Laboratory School

Horace Mann places an emphasis on innovative and interactive teaching practices accompanied with individualized instruction by dedicated and caring faculty as well as staff and administrators.

As a laboratory school, Horace Mann is a clinical teaching environment for students in Northwest’s School of Professional Education. The relationship between master teachers, practicum teachers and graduate assistants allows Horace Mann students to reap the benefits of low student-to-teacher ratio in classrooms that implement innovative teaching practices and provide learning experiences designed to stimulate each child's creative learning abilities and problem-solving skills.

The school employs Project Lead the Way, a project and problem-based curriculum that includes science, technology, engineering and math in an engaging, rigorous and relevant format that is innovative and builds critical thinking skills.

For more information about Horace Mann, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann or contact the school at 660.562.1233.