Volume 9 | Issue 7 | March 2024 | |
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March is the perfect time to immerse ourselves in the wonderful world of books and storytelling. Whether it’s diving into a thrilling mystery, exploring far-off lands in a fantasy novel, or learning something new from a non-fiction book, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Schools within The Leona Group utilize this month as an opportunity to cultivate students' passion for reading. Many schools collaborate with community organizations, inviting them to visit classrooms and read to students. They organize literacy events and engaging activities for students and their families, aiming to promote literacy in enjoyable and exciting ways. As part of Reading Month, students often receive books to expand their home libraries and participate in activities designed to foster a lifelong love of reading.
See below for the many ways they celebrated!
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Francis Reh Academy hosted reading parties throughout the school. | | |
Hope of Detroit Academy Elementary kicked off reading month by celebrating Dr. Suess' birthday. | | |
Pontiac Academy for Excellence had a special visitor all the way from the island of Motunui! Moana (Mrs. Carabello) came to read to the students and even brought her friend Hei Hei along. | | |
Officer Bady came in to kick off March is Reading Month with the first graders at Saginaw Preparatory Academy. Representative Amos O'Neal also visited and read to the kindergarten through fourth graders. | | |
César Chávez Academy Lower Elementary had a surprise visit by Captain Theresa Halsell with the Detroit Fire Department. She popped in to read a few books to some some of the second grade classes. They read about fire safety and bullying. | | |
Northridge Academy has a variety of mystery readers stopping out throughout the month. Kicking everything off was their first mystery reader, Mary Hood, Attorney Referee at 7th Judicial Circuit Court. They have had other visitors from the community as well, including members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Zeta Beta Zeta chapter. | | |
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy got parents involved with their reading month efforts and had a family literacy night. There were many stations set up for students and their families to experience. Read more about the whole night here. | | |
Michigan State Police stopped by to read to the students at Joy Preparatory Academy. | | |
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March is Social Work Appreciation Month, and we would love to take advantage of this time to celebrate our school social workers! We applaud your hard work and dedication in serving our students, families, and staff, especially over the last few years.
Please click the links below to hear from the school leaders about how their social workers have supported our families and staff each and every day.
Thank you for continuing to improve life chances!
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Celebrate Women’s History Month, Pi Day, Reading Across America, and More With SIS March Classroom Resources
Celebrate this month’s observances with Statistics in Schools (SIS) resources! From elementary to high school, these classroom gems are full of fun interesting facts that help improve the statistical literacy of students while they explore things like the number of U.S. businesses owned by women, college completion at higher ages, and U.S. residents who speak Irish (known as Gaelic in Ireland).
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Women’s History Month
Did you know in 2022, 53% of women voted, compared to 51.3% of men? The U.S. Census Bureau’s Women’s History Month Fun Facts offers this and other fascinating facts about U.S. women from the number in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations to percentage of females living in the United States in 2022, and more. Begin a class discussion by asking students to name a woman in their lives or in history who did something that inspired or encouraged them. Use the Census Bureau's teaching guide for classroom activity ideas at any grade level such as having students pretend to be a journalist reporting about women in STEM occupations; explore trends in marriage data to make educated guesses as to why new generations are getting married later; and discuss differences of the gender pay gaps within and across different occupations.
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Making Herstory: Celebrating Women's History Month
March is Women’s History Month! This observance traces its roots back to 1857, when women in New York City staged a protest over poor working conditions. Celebrate the advances women have made since then and test your knowledge about Census Bureau statistics highlighting American women today, like the number of women-owned businesses and the share of women with a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
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Women’s Roles in
Antebellum America
Share this history activity for which students examine an 1850 Census questionnaire and 1851 political cartoon to learn about challenges women faced during the antebellum period (1832-1860).
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St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
Did you know that 31 million U.S. residents claimed Irish ancestry in 2022? March is Irish-American Heritage Month and this is a perfect opportunity to celebrate Irish culture! Share cool data on all things Irish in the St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts. This handout includes interesting stats from the estimated number of U.S. residents who speak Irish Gaelic to places across the country with lucky names. The accompanying teaching guide provides lots of ideas on activities you can do using the handout. For example, have students research U.S. places with Irish-like names; identify an annual tradition their state can start for St. Patrick’s Day; or develop an advertising campaign to celebrate the month.
Continue the celebration with more engaging Irish-American SIS resources for students to enjoy!
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Irish-Sounding Places
Did you know there are places called Lucky, WI (population 1,093) and Luck, LA (population 251)? Students will discover this and a whole lot more about Irish-sounding places around the country – and perhaps even close to home – when they participate in the 5-Minute Warm-Up Challenge. For this activity, students examine and answer questions about Irish-sounding places across the country.
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Where Irish Eyes Are Smiling in the United States
Did you know Cook County, IL had the largest Irish county population (418,997) in 2022? Challenge students’ knowledge and have them review a graph showing where Irish-Americans live and then complete the crossword puzzle with the information they discover.
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Shamrocks and Clovers: Celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month
Irish heritage is strong in America: More than 31 million residents (1 out of 10) claimed Irish ancestry in 2022. Try your luck on all things Irish with this Kahoot! game about Irish-American Heritage Month. Answers come from Census Bureau data.
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We are entering our eighth Teacher Hall of Fame Induction for the 2023-2024 school year, which allows The Leona Group to recognize all of the exceptional things teachers are doing in our schools. Without teachers who continue to strive for excellence, we would not be able to carry out our company's mission to provide a quality education for students and families.
School leaders, assistant leaders and instructional coaches are asked to submit nominations for monthly teacher hall of fame candidates for the 2023-2024 school year. We will have a Primary Teacher Category for grades K-5 and a Secondary Teacher Category for grades 6-12. These nominations are based on school leaders' observations in their locations. It is up to them to honor a teacher that they feel embodies the spirit of their school's mission. Once the nomination is sent electronically to The Leona Group Department of Academic Achievement, the team reviews the nominees and bases their decision on who best embodies the spirit of The Leona Group and academic success.
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Cassandra Black
Discovery Academy
Third Grade
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Mrs. Cassandra Black has been a teacher at Discovery Academy (DA) for over five years and brings a love for education to everything she does at the school. Mrs. Black leads the charge in English Language Arts initiatives that includes keeping a love for reading alive through our annual March Madness reading competition. With over ten years experience, she is the "go to" for peer mentorship.
Mrs. Black's structure, communication, drive and determination to win is powerful. “She is a calm spirit, but a true force to be reckoned with. She is a life changing, dynamic teacher that I would hire over and over again,” said Julieta Flowers, school leader at Discovery Academy.
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Sonya Read
Northridge Academy
Grades 6-8 Mathematics
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Mrs. Sonya Read is a beam of light at Northridge Academy (NA). Her willingness to go above and beyond to support all students is commendable. Mrs. Read often serves as a mentor and a listening ear. She has helped cultivate a positive atmosphere that has been amplified by her ability to inspire and motivate those around her.
Mrs. Read’s dedication to teaching goes far beyond the classroom. Her passion for learning is contagious and makes learning both enjoyable and enlightening for the students. “The students trust, respect and love her like a mother,” says Evelyn Hamlett, school leader at NA.
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Lalanie Johansson-Mendez
Academy for Business & Technology Elementary
Third Grade
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Ms. Lalanie Mendez is a remarkably innovative and dedicated teacher at the Academy for Business and Technology Elementary School (ABTE). She seamlessly integrates the required curriculum resources in a way that keeps learning both meaningful and enjoyable. Ms. Mendez’s commitment to fostering a love for learning is evident in her dynamic teaching style and genuine enthusiasm for her students’ growth.
In her third-grade classroom, Ms. Mendez leaves a lasting impact on her students' lives. Through nurturing guidance and personalized instruction, she has helped students grasp academic concepts and develop essential life skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. "By creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment, she ensures that every student feels valued and motivated to succeed," said Carolyn Tola, instructional coach at ABTE.
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Department Updates & Reminders | | |
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Did you know that if you work in Michigan or at SAFE Academy in Indiana you can enroll into
The Leona Group's 401k plan?
New this year is the addition of the Roth option!
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If you are interested in newly enrolling or making a change to your current deferral type/amount, please log into your Transamerica retirement account to make a change. Any changes will take place within 1 or 2 payroll periods.
What is the Roth Option? What are the benefits of a Roth Option?
Click here to learn more!
If you have any questions or need assistance, you can reach out to Lisa Smith in HR, via phone at 517-333-9090 or email, at lisa.smith@leonagroupmw.com. For more specific questions regarding your enrollment and how to allocate your funds, we recommend reaching out to TransAmerica directly at 888.676.5512. Their dedicated team is well-equipped to provide personalized guidance to ensure you make informed decisions tailored to your unique financial situation.
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If you receive a suspicious email, use the orange Phish hook on the right side of your Gmail screen to alert our Cyber security team.
Do not click any links and attachments, or forward the email!
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The art contest is here! In collaboration with school safety efforts, we encourage students to interpret what "Words Matter" means to them in a visual art contest. This contest aims to promote further conversations with you and your students regarding school safety and how words can have an impact.
What we need from you:
- Invite students to participate - Please review the attached art contest details and specs and provide those details to students submitting artwork
- Once you have received submissions, determine one piece you would like to see on a poster around your school
- Submit that ONE winning piece by the end of the day of our extended deadline 4/5/2024
Details and Specs
Submission Form
We will implement submitted artwork and student information into the poster!
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Midwest Department of Academic Achievement Website: | |
Please explore our website and find pertinent items at your fingertips to help ensure academic success! Save the link in your bookmarks to access it on the fly! | |
Do you have news to share? We'd love to hear from you! | |
The Leona Group, 2125 University Park Drive, Okemos, MI 48864 | | | | |
