Board Trustee Gorham Visits With First Graders
During Valley Stream Union Free School District #13’s Board of Education appreciation ceremony last fall, each grade at Howell Road Elementary School ‘adopted’ a Board member and invited them to visit their classrooms periodically throughout the year. Recently, Board Trustee Bonnie Gorham visited with her adopted first grade students. During her visit, Mrs. Gorham read the book “Is There Really a Human Race?” by Jamie Lee Curtis, and donated a copy of the book to each of her adopted classrooms.
Water, Raindrops, & More
Water and how it is formed have been the topic of recent science lessons taking place in the third-grade classes at Howell Road Elementary School in the Valley Stream UFSD #13 as the grade level has been learning about the water cycle. Through their studies, students have been learning about each phase of the cycle and conducting a variety of experiments, including closely observing the precipitation stage by utilizing magnifying glasses outdoors to examine the snowflakes falling. Pictured here, students are creating the Science 21 "water cycle model". They were amazed to find out that blue-dyed water evaporated, condensed, and fell back down CLEAR! This lesson helped the students better understand how even though most of the earth's water is salty, the water that evaporates, condenses, and turns into rain, is not.
 
Howell Road Carnival 2008
It was an exhilarating time for hundreds of Howell Road Elementary School students who recently attended the school’s Carnival on March 8, 2008.
The event, which was run by more than 40 parent and student volunteers, included numerous games, lots of prizes, and plenty to eat. Students had a wild and wacky time on the Swamper Stomper, bounced around in the Disney Bouncer, and played more than 20 fun games. Attendees tested their strength on the Test-O-Strength and learned how to milk a cow in the cow milking contest. After all the fun times, the students headed to the cafeteria to enjoy some yummy snacks, including pizza, popcorn, hot dogs, fruits and much more, to satisfy their hunger after all the activities.
  
Rolling Into The New Year
With the start of the New Year, the Physical Education classes at Howell Road Elementary School began a new and exciting unit.
With their muscles warmed up and stretched, students worked on their tumbling and gymnastics skills. Throughout the program students were taught the safe way to perform tumbling stunts, including forward and backward rolls, balance activities, headstands, handstands, cartwheels, and pyramids, as well has had a chance to test their strength by climbing the ropes and playing on the cargo net.
All of the students did a great job of following the safety rules set up in class and had fun trying some new ways to move their bodies.
  
  
Howell Road Goes Greek
Sixth-Grade Students Perform Greek Plays
Dressed in full costume, talented sixth-grade students at Howell Road Elementary School recently showcased their outstanding acting abilities when they performed Greek plays. The result was a product that not only tied into the grade’s social studies curriculum, but also one that left all in attendance highly impressed.
  
  
Beyond The Books
Students in Mrs. Chappell’s sixth-grade class at Howell Road Elementary School have been working cooperatively in “Traveling Centers” and guided reading groups during their class’s literacy block.
After reading articles from “Time for Kids,” students worked to complete flow maps and, working in the writing center, draft responses to the novel “Number the Stars.” Additionally, during the literacy block students are able to complete projects in a number of other ‘centers’ within the room, including science and computers.
All of the students enjoy working together during reading every day.
 
Working Together to Create Meaningful Community and School Partnerships
Valley Stream School District Thirteen’s commitment to building strong partnerships with families and community was evident as the district hosted its first Saturday Educational Excursion to the New York Hall of Science. Teachers Janet Gonzalez and Veronica Oquendo joined Howell Road School Principal Frank Huplosky and 75 children and family members for an enriching field experience, which included a guided tour of the museum, as well as a hands-on workshop, which included making favorite flavored ice creams.
This trip was an extension of school-based language development programs for kindergarten through third-grade students. The science museum personnel collaborated with district staff in planning experiences that integrated with the children’s studies in school. Bilingual museum guides, as well as bilingual district staff members, supported parents of diverse cultural backgrounds whose native language was one other than English. Families left with additional materials for supporting their children’s learning at home—including videos and follow-up activity packets.
Over thirty years of educational research has clearly confirmed the importance of family involvement in their children’s education. This weekend excursion program provides a wonderful opportunity for bridging the efforts of home and school to continually improve and enhance student learning.
  
  
A Day with Mr. DiSibio
During Board Appreciation Month this past November, each grade at the Howell Road School “adopted” one of the members of the Valley Stream 13 Board of Education for the year, with the hope of giving each board member an opportunity to correspond with and visit with their “adopted” grade’s students.
The fifth grade at the Howell Road School warmly welcomed their “adopted” board member, Joseph DiSibio, on January 8, 2008. The students began their visit getting to know Mr. DiSibio through a question and answer session. Students were very interested in learning about Mr. DiSibio’s career, as well as his Board responsibilities. One student actually stated that she had a list of careers she was aspiring towards and, after speaking with Mr. DiSibio, she is adding accountant to her list.
After visiting with the full grade, Mr. DiSibio visited each fifth grade classroom individually. In Mrs. Wilcha’s class, he learned how to play a fractions game called “Wipe Out.” In Mr. Pitt’s and Ms. Chiesa’s classes, he participated in a science lab with the children. Finally, in Mrs. Gonzalez’s class, Mr. DiSibio polished up on his math problem-solving skills through context-based learning.
The students were so impressed with Mr. DiSibio that they asked if they could each send him a personal thank-you letter, and were anxiously looking forward to possible future visits.
  
 
You Can’t Catch Me…I’m the Gingerbread Man
Second-grade students at Howell Road School in the Valley Stream UFSD #13 participated in a nonfood-based holiday activity to construct. All of the students had an enjoyable experience and were able to take their gingerbread men home to share with their families.
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