So much is happening in March for Reading Month. Here is a short preview to keep you in the know…
March Reading Month
Get Involved – Teacher Appreciation Week is here!
Teacher appreciation week is next week and here is what you need to know!
Tuesday – Chalk the Walk is happening Tuesday after dismissal (weather permitting). See flyer below for more information. Some chalk will be provided, all are welcome to participate!
Thursday – Sign up to help with Recess Duty Thursday. There are two shifts available to help cover duty for lower and upper classes. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084DABA92DA0FE3-49193351-teacher#/
Friday – Help your child handmake a gift to show their love and appreciation for their teacher. (Cards, gifts, flower, notes… big or small, let their love GrOw wild!)
Meet the Howe Team – Todd Zamora
Each month we are spotlighting different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. This month join us in welcoming Todd Zamora! One of our newest members of the Howe Team! We are so grateful to have him.
Todd Zamora
My name is Todd Zamora and I’m a 5th grade teacher here at Howe Elementary. My goal here is to give a quality education to the students, build positive relationships, and help make this educational journey a fun and memorable experience for all.
I’ve been in elementary education for over 13 wonderful years. I received my teaching certification at Wayne State University. Although I’ve taught for over 13 years, I’ve only recently begun teaching here at Howe since October of this school year. I previously worked at Cesar Chavez Academy in Southwest, Detroit. Through those experiences at CCA, I learned so much about how to build meaningful relationships in the classroom along with a deep understanding of how to teach to a diverse group of learners. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to teach here at Howe and hopefully have a positive impact on the students and community.
There were many reasons why I wanted to work at Howe. After meeting most of the staff, I believe they share the same vision that I have when it comes to education. I could tell they care about giving the students the best experience possible during their time here at school. I made an immediate connection to their ideas and philosophies on how education should be for elementary students, and it mostly starts with having a huge heart for teaching. In addition, after meeting some of the students and their families, it didn’t take me long to make the decision for Howe to be my new home.
A little bit about me…I moved to Dearborn over 20 years ago and started a family here. I have a wife, 3 children, and a very animated and fearless Yorkie puppy. We love to have family gatherings together with each other along with my extended family. We especially enjoy having outside barbecues in the spring or summer together. Furthermore, we do our best to go on as many adventures or vacations as we can as a family. Our favorite place to visit is Traverse City, MI.
Some of my personal interests include supporting all of our local professional sports teams, especially the Detroit Lions! I really enjoy, like I mentioned previously, spending time with my family. We do many things together such as traveling, snowboarding, skiing, hiking and exploring our great state. All of my interests will somehow include spending time with my family.
I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to be a 5th grade teacher here at Howe elementary. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me here.
Join us for Chalk the Walk
Howe Happenings – May 2024
May Events:
Popcorn Friday – May 3rd
Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6th – 10th
Spring Concert May 14th, 6PM
Howe PTA meeting – May 16th, 6PM on Zoom
K-2 – Field Trip Real Life Farms – May 23rd
No School – May 27th
Donuts for Dad – May 31st 3PM
Volunteer Opportunities
Color Run is happening May 8th – We need parent volunteers – Sign up Here
Teacher Appreciation Week – Recess Duty Thursday the 9th – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084DABA92DA0FE3-49193351-teacher#/
Field Day helpers needed! Keep an eye out for SignupGenius.
BoxTops Mailbox – we are looking for a mildly handy individual to help repurpose the BoxTop Mailbox into a school-wide mailbox for all the students. Can you (or someone you know) lend us a hand? Email the PTA at howe.schoolpta@yahoo.com
Character Trait of the Month
Friendship
noun
The emotional relationship between friends. The state of being friends.
Montessori Moment
Term to Ponder: Learning throught nature
In Maria Montessori’s education there is an interconnectedness between child and nature. Cosmic education is the belief that children should understand that they are a part of a greater universe. They can begin to understand this concept by exploring nature and learning about it and how we can learn from it and care for it.
Join the movement to track 1000 hours of outside play – https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/trackers
Read more about the amazing benefits of outside play for children! Balanced and Barefoot
In The Absorbent Mind, Maria Montessori says “Only through freedom and environmental experience is it practically possible for human development to occur.”
Meet the Team – Lisa Llanos
Each month, we are highlighting different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. This month join us in thanking Lisa Llanos! If you meet her in the hallway, greet her and say thank you for all she does for Howe.
Lisa Llanos
Job Title: SPED paraprofessional
Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
I work with SXI kids. We try to teach them independence. Some are very severe so they depend on us to feed and take care of them.
What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State)
School Three. Ecorse, MI.
How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?
7 years at Howe and 11 years with professional work experience.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Marine Biologist.
Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe?
I love to see our kids excited to be in school and make their day special.
What was your first job?
Taco Bell
Share with us a few of your favorite things…
Time with my family, working out, great food and chocolate.
What is your favorite genre of books to read?
Realism/Thriller
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
Roller skate, dancing, and cooking.
How would your co-workers describe you?
Helpful and fun to work with.
What is your greatest achievement?
My children
What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?
Everyone treated with respect and equality.
How would you describe our school culture?
Multi culture.
What is your classroom like?
Functional life skills
Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share?
We celebrate students when they learn new words or learn any more independent behavior.
PTA Meeting will be in Person on April 18th
Save the Date!
Meet the Howe Team – Mrs. Filas
Each month we are highlighting different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. This month take a moment to say hello to Mrs. Filas! A cheerful greeting or smile can help create a school full of warmth. Her work is so appreciate in the lives of those she impacts. Thanks for all you do!
Nicole Ashley Filas
Job Title: High School Severe and Multiply Impaired Teacher
Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
Making a difference, one life at a time.
What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State)
St. Joseph Catholic School. Howell, MI
How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?
9 years at Howe School.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor
Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe?
The excitement and happiness on my students’ faces.
What was your first job?
Pool concession stand.
Share with us a few of your favorite things…
shopping, basketball, swimming, and my children.
What is your favorite genre of books to read?
True Crime
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
Ability to play basketball in a wheelchair.
How would your co-workers describe you?
Caring
What is your greatest achievement?
Getting out of a wheelchair and relearning how to walk again.
What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?
Promoting independence with Functional life skills.
How would you describe our school culture?
Inclusive and welcoming
What is your classroom like?
A loving family community
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
Every day is a different experience!
Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share?
When my class was out on community based instruction, one of my students got a person to put a turkey on the back of his wheelchair without our knowledge. He almost stole a turkey and a 6 pack of orange pop!
Popcorn Friday is Here!
Don’t forget to bring in $1 dollar for popcorn.
Howe Happenings
April Events:
Popcorn Friday – April 5th
No School – April 9th – 10th
Howe PTA meeting – April 18th 4PM in school cafeteria
Hat Day – April 24th – Bring $1 to support the 5th grade class
Volunteer Opportunities
Color Run is happening May 8th – We need parent volunteers – Sign up Here
BoxTops Mailbox – we are looking for a mildly handy individual to help repurpose the BoxTop Mailbox into a school-wide mailbox for all the students. Can you (or someone you know) lend us a hand? Email the PTA at howe.schoolpta@yahoo.com
Character Trait of the Month
Perseverance
noun
persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Montessori Moment
Montessori term to ponder – Plans of Development
Maria Montessori’s theories of developmental psychology includes her observation of the Planes of Development. These stages offer insight into the developmental milestones of any child. The holistic framework of development includes:
- The First Plane: Birth to Age 6 (Early Childhood/Infancy) “The Absorbent Mind”
- The Second Plane: Ages 6–12 (Childhood) “Conscious Imagination”
- The Third Plane: Ages 12–18 (Adolescence) “New Identity”
- The Fourth Plane: Ages 18–24 (Maturity) “Maturity”
Learn more from this link published by another Michigan public Montessori school:
https://www.leelanaumontessori.org/child-development-planes.html#:~:text=%E2%80%8BMontessori%20asserted%20that%20each,as%20triangles%20along%20a%20continuum.
Graphic source and further exploration: https://www.montessoriofyorbalinda.com/the-planes-of-development
Meet the Howe Team – Nehme Jaafer
Each month we are spotlighting different staff members around the building to help build a sense of community at Howe. This month we highlight paraprofessional Nehme Jaafer! His work makes incremental change for students in room 113 and can be an inspiration for us all to take one step towards a brighter future.
Nehme Samer Jaafer
Job Title: Special Education Paraprofessional (room 113)
Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
I work endlessly daily to assist my students in striving to be as independent as possible through motivation, support, and education.
What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State)
Kinloch Elementary School. Dearborn Heights, MI
How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?
Second year with the district, and 1 year long-term sub.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Lawyer
Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe?
Putting a positive impact on all students.
What was your first job?
Car Wash
Share with us a few of your favorite things…
Family, travel, food, and friends.
What is your favorite genre of books to read?
Non-Fiction
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
Speaking 3 languages, responding to high stress situations.
How would your co-workers describe you?
Supportive and a blessing
What is your greatest achievement?
Graduating college
What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?
No student left behind
How would you describe our school culture?
Awesome and supportive
What is your classroom like?
Life skills lessons, constant education
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
Feeding students, preparing them for life
Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share?
I was part of preventing a high school student from failing at Edsel Ford High School, now on track to graduate.
Howe PTA Blog 