Howell Road School Events

The Great Greek Debates

Sixth-grade students enrolled in James A. Dever and Howell Road Schools’ Gifted and Talented Program recently took part in a very interesting and academically enriching activity that has become an annual tradition – The Greek Debates.
During the event, each student assumed a classic role of a Greek god or goddess in order to take over as ruler of Olympus because Zeus announced his retirement without naming a successor. As the debates unfolded, each character had the opportunity to present his or her case to the mortals of Greece (the class parents) who cast their vote for the most deserving candidate.
In preparation for the event, each deity prepared and memorized an original persuasive essay, defending his or her character, created a campaign poster, and submitted a resume highlighting lineage, skills, and achievements. This was the first year that the students from both James A. Dever and Howell Road participated in the debates simultaneously.
At the conclusion of the debates, Aphrodite (portrayed by Emily Parini) was declared the winner of the thunderbolt to rule for all eternity. While the Goddess of Love won the prize, all of the students walked away with a rewarding experience.

Music Notes

Whether it is during their school concerts or volunteering to perform for local organizations, District Thirteen’s talented student-musicians are always eager to share their talents with audiences. Recently the students showcased their talents during this year’s winter holiday concerts. Under the baton of their music instructors, the students in the schools’ bands, orchestras, and choral groups had their audiences tapping along to the catchy tunes and left them looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with their family and friends.
In addition to performing in their schools’ ensembles, 49 of the district’s student-musicians were recently selected to perform during the All-County Music Festivals in January. These students were chosen to be part of the Division I West (fifth grade) and Division II (sixth grade) Festivals at the Tilles Center, C.W. Post Campus.
Congratulations to the following students:

Howell Road School
Jessica Bonitto
Nia Brockington
Sahrina Bullock
Dylan Feliu
Gianna Filippi
Ryan Forbes
Tyesha Irving
Esther Nozea
Joshua Ochi
Andrew Ouro-Rodrigues
Anastacia Pereira
Teresa Peterson
Elizabeth Philips
Dorothy Pierre
Nia Shy
Jarred Times

James A. Dever
Alina Castelluzzo
Dominick DelCarpine
Kaitlyn Duncan
Kyra Forbes
Lauren Fornells
Morgan Foster
William Freeman
Jaclyn Hawkins
Riya Kaur
James Maloney
Amanda Madray
Erin Morrissey
Emily Parini

Wheeler Avenue School
Anaele Bloncourt
Jonathan Chen
Isabella Gandasegui
Nicholas Kerner
Maria Mayorga
Erin Milano
William O'Brien
Daniel Sanky
Hayley Sturek
Julian Tineo

Willow Road School
Julia Cincotta
Danielle Dercola
Rose Diolallevi
Jessica DiSibio
Thomas Elbert
Nicole Giannasco
Ginamarie Lopez
Gina Maniscalco
Tara Meehan
Nicholas Sossi Romano

Winter Concerts Spread Holiday Joy

The district’s talented student-musicians performed several holiday favorites during this year’s winter holiday concerts. Under the baton of their music instructors, the students in the schools’ bands, orchestras, and choral groups had the audience tapping along to the catchy tunes and left them looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with their family and friends.

Making Music Together

Ten student-musicians from Howell Road School showcased their talents recently during the Eighth Annual Parents, Educators, And Kids (PEAK) festival sponsored by the Nassau Music Educators Association.
Along with their music teacher, Michael Rodgers, and their parents, the third-grade students had the opportunity to partake in a collaborative musical experience. During the festival the students and their parents attended several different performance workshops, including ones focused on instrumentation, dance, voice, and theater. The outstanding day culminated with a choral performance by the student musicians and their parents.

Celebrations for American Education Week

American Education Week was held during the week of November 23, 2009. Parents were invited to visit the district’s schools during this week and observe their child in his/her classroom. Parents had the opportunity to enjoy many motivating and creative lessons throughout their visit.
The kindergarten and second-grade classes invited parents to their annual Thanksgiving Feast. The parents were asked to send in a Thanksgiving-style snack with their child on the feast day. Some suggestions were: a turkey sandwich, corn muffin, popcorn, apple, or raw veggies, all of which are in keeping with the holiday tradition. The students had a wonderful time sharing songs, poems, and reading aloud things that they are thankful for.
Of course, the most important part was the sharing of the meal as a community.

Working to Keep Students Staying Safe

Internet Safety Officer for the Town of Hempstead Peggy Mahoney has visited all four elementary schools in the Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen to make presentations on the topic of Internet safety.
With the building’s older students, Ms. Mahoney spoke about networking sites, how to protect one’s family safety by being very careful with personal information given out online, and the discretion to take when posting items such as photos, as they can be downloaded by anyone, anywhere, and be on the Internet forever. Additionally, with the younger students, she addressed how students can remain safe in larger and busy places and who or what to look for if lost.

Expanding Classroom Lessons

Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen fourth-grade students in the Gifted and Talented Program integrated their study of archaeology and the Iroquois Native Americans with a trip to Garvies Point Museum and Preserve. Accompanied by the district’s Gifted and Talented teachers, Karen Skolnick and Richard Rosenfeld, and many parents, the students enjoyed an enriching educational experience.
This museum is a center for research on Long Island geology and a valued resource in the study of the Island’s Native American archaeology. Students participated in a hands-on workshop to develop an understanding of the relationship between tool technology and basic human life activities. They were able to handle many authentic Native American artifacts. In addition, students took part in an exciting scavenger hunt as they toured the museum’s very impressive collection of exhibits and artifacts.

Fire Safety At Howell Road

The first graders at Howell Road School learned the basic concepts of fire safety and emergency procedures. They enjoyed listening to Hot Dog, the fire safety puppet, as they learned 16 important safety lessons. Together the students read the book Stop, Drop, And Roll by Margery Cuyler and added fire safety songs to their poetry binders. Each first grader received a certificate, granting them the title of Junior Firefighter! They ended the unit of study by creating fire hats and reciting the rules of fire safety.

Day at the Opera

The sixth grade from Howell Road School attended a performance of "The Barber of Seville" at the Metropolitan Opera House as part of their music education program. The students prepared in music class by role-playing the story line, learning opera terminology and the history of opera for several weeks before the trip. Each year the sixth grade from Howell Road, with tremendous support of our PTA, attends an opera through the Metropolitan Opera Guild. This year's classic production of "The Barber of Seville" was filled with comedy and humor, coupled with outstanding voices. Steven Stern, a current sixth grader, summarized his experience with one word - "Wow!"

Pajama Night at Howell Road

On Oct. 22nd Howell Road School celebrated their fifth Annual Pajama Night. The evening event was well attended by more than 150 children and their parents in kindergarten through second grade. The students were not only excited to be at school at night in their pajamas, but each class was able to listen to several stories read by the school librarian, Mrs. Tannen, and a reading teacher, Mrs. Hopkins, as well as participate in an arts and crafts activity on the gym floor. The evening concluded with all in attendance enjoying milk and cookies. It was a great night to celebrate literacy!

Mystery Teacher Day

Each year in May, students in District Thirteen celebrate Democracy in Action Day held on the same day as our budget vote. Using actual voting machines, the students are invited to cast their ballot on an issue of importance to them. Last year District Thirteen students voted on a theme day for the fall of 2009. The choices were:
1. Mystery Teacher
2. Fun and Fitness
3. Family Jamboree
The winner was Mystery Teacher, and all four schools in District 13 celebrated this day on Friday, October 23, 2009. †It entailed having each teacher in the four schools exchange places with one another for 100 minutes (2 blocks of 50 minutes).
The students enjoyed seeing the building’s teachers and administrators working in a variety of new roles.

Remembering & Working to Serve

The students, staff, and parents at Howell Road Elementary School participated in a buildingwide, multiweek book drive to collect new and slightly used books for underprivileged students around the country. This project was part of the school’s commitment to and observance of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. In just the first week of the drive, the school’s students and staff donated more than 150 books. This project is the first of many service projects the students will participate in throughout the school year, many of which will be selected by their peers on the student council.
Additionally, on September 11, lessons and grade-appropriate conversations were held in every classroom in order to respectfully remember the events that took place in 2001.

Parents Go Back to School

Parents throughout District Thirteen went back to school during the first several weeks of September to sit in their children’s classrooms and meet their teachers. The schools, which hosted their annual Open House programs not long after the start of school, welcomed new and returning parents to the buildings.

During the evenings, parents met with special area teachers, visited their own child’s classroom, and learned about the co-curricular opportunities for students, including music, community service projects, and the schools’ club offerings. Additionally, members of each school’s PTA organization were on hand to speak with parents about the group and sign up new members.

School Days Begin Again

The first day of school in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen was a huge success. Whether arriving by bus, unpacking their school bags, or having lunch in the cafeteria for the first time, all of the students had smiles on their faces and were eager to begin the 2009-2010 school year together.
Students arrived at their respective schools by bus, car, and on foot full of smiles and good cheer. The students and teachers alike are looking forward to the year ahead.

New Faces Around District Thirteen

The first full week of September this year not only marked the first day of school for the district’s students, but for eight new teachers it was the start of their professional career in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen. Before the doors of the district’s three schools opened for the first time on September 9, the newest members of the faculty attended a summer orientation program geared towards informing them of services offered in the district, along with established policies.

Throughout the daylong program, the teachers met with the district administrators and leadership team. During the event, the new employees were provided with an overview of the technological offerings in the district, the schools’ special education services, as well as the district’s educational philosophy.

Welcome to the following new District Thirteen teachers: