Howe Elementary School

Dear Parents and Families,

We are off to a fantastic start to the school year! Your children have been doing a wonderful job learning and practicing our daily classroom routines, as well as expectations for lunchtime and recess. It is great to see them settling in, building friendships, and adjusting so well.

To help us meet each student’s individual needs, teachers are beginning early-year assessments to gather baseline data. You may have already heard your child mention that we started NWEA testing this week.

Some of you might recall that our school used NWEA in the past before we transitioned to i-Ready. We have officially returned to NWEA MAP Growth testing because its instructional insights align seamlessly with our HMH curriculum. This data allows teachers to pinpoint exactly where students are academically and tailor instruction to support and challenge every child. These assessments are simply a snapshot of where your child is starting the year—not something they need to stress about!

Additionally, we are excited to share that students will soon participate in our very first PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) school assembly of the year! During this assembly, students who consistently demonstrate safe, respectful, and responsible behavior will be recognized and receive a special certificate. We look forward to celebrating their hard work and positive choices together.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we kick off a wonderful year of learning!

⏰ Daily School Hours (Kindergarten – 5th Grade)

• School Day: 9:05 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Please ensure your student arrives on time each morning so they are in their classroom and ready to learn when the 9:05 a.m. bell rings!

• Late Arrivals (After 9:05 a.m.)

All students must be signed in by a parent/guardian in the front office.

🌙 Daily Routines: Setting Up for Success

As we head back to school, please help your child become familiar with their daily schedule and routines. Consistent sleep, morning, and after-school habits make a big difference in helping students transition smoothly and feel confident in their school environment.

🔔 Attendance & Timeliness

Regular attendance is a vital aspect of student success and relies on a strong partnership between home and school.

• Reporting Absences: A parent or guardian must authorize all absences by notifying the school prior to or at the time of the student’s absence. Please call (847) 599-5362 or (847) 599-5351 by 9:30 a.m.

• Tardies & Sign-Ins: Students are expected to be in their classrooms ready to begin instruction when the bell rings at 9:05 a.m. If a student arrives late, they are marked absent until a parent/guardian signs them in at the front office. Parents will be notified if a student accumulates excessive tardies or absences.

• Early Pick-Up's: If you need to pick up your child before the end of the school day, please notify the main office by 3:00 p.m.

📋 Medical Forms & Immunization Requirements

All kindergarten students and students new to Howe Elementary School are required to submit physical and immunization records.

• Deadline: Please submit these forms prior to October 15th. To ensure uninterrupted attendance, completed forms must be received by this date to avoid school exclusion.

Thank you for your cooperation! If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Stephene Ramirez at (847) 599-5351.

💬 6. Parent Communication

We value open communication and encourage you to stay in touch throughout the year! We will share regular updates through:

• School Newsletters (posted on our website and DoJo)

• Social Media (Facebook & Twitter)

• Messaging Platforms (SchoolMessenger, ClassDojo, and Email)

Please feel free to reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns—we are here to help and look forward to a fantastic school year!

We strongly encourage students to take the bus to help reduce traffic around the school and ensure everyone arrives on time! However, if you choose to drop your child off by car, please follow these instructions:

• Drop-Off Location: Parents or authorized designees should drive to the back of the building (refer to the yellow arrows on the map). Students will exit your vehicle at the gold star. A staff member will safely escort your child into the building through the cafeteria doors.

• Drop-Off Times: Doors open at 8:55 a.m. and close promptly at 9:05 a.m.

• Late Arrivals: If you arrive after 9:05 a.m., the cafeteria doors will be locked. Please accompany your child to the front office to sign them in (refer to the red arrows on the map).

Help us be good neighbors by keeping the nearby church parking lot clear. Because it is private property, unauthorized vehicles are not allowed.

Katherine Rose Aviles Garcia

Matteo Andrez Alcala

Dennis Aquirre

Matias Dela Sancha

Maya Nunez

Nevaeh Jokinen

Jerald Garcia Fuentes

Bentley Malo

Felix Onan

Annalisse Lasiowski

Christian Campos

Lexy Hernandez

Santos Renteria

Yaretzi Guerrero

Dayana Fernandez

Amelia Ibarra

Miracle Baartz

Leo Sanchez

Santiago Fernandez

Marjorie Olivas

Julian Zamora

List of students here.

Support Howe Elementary during Culver's Night on September 14th from 4:00–9:00 PM! Culver's will donate a portion of dine-in and drive-thru proceeds. Simply mention Howe Elementary when you order.

Visiting the library is a fantastic way to spark curiosity, support learning, and enjoy family fun! Libraries offer far more than just books—they host hands-on workshops, storytimes, and community events that make every visit an exciting adventure. Check out the resources below to discover upcoming events and activities in our area:

Warren Township Library

Zion Benton Public Library

Waukegan Public Library

• September 1st - SIP Day - Early Release for students at 1:45.

• September 3rd - First Fire Drill with students at 9:30 a.m.

• September 7th - No School - Labor Day

• September 14th - Culver's Night from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• September 17th - PTO Meeting at Howe from 5:30 - 6:30.

• September 21st - School Board meeting @BPMS from 6:30 - 8:30.

• September 25th - Parents can view Progress Reports in PowerSchool.

• September 25th - No School - Teacher Institute Day