Howland Jr. High School

Our 7th-grade art students are diving into one-point perspective by designing and drawing their own interior gallery spaces. Students are planning layouts and filling their galleries with at least three artworks that reflect personal objects, places, or experiences, all while identifying and applying characteristics from three major art movements. 🎨

Ms. Van Gilder’s 8th grade art students are getting creative with a paper-mâché mask project! 🎭Students are researching the cultural history of traditional masks, then using paper-mâché techniques to design and build their own. Each finished mask showcases varied textures, values, and strong craftsmanship. This project blends art history, cultural studies, and hands-on design into a meaningful and impressive work of art.

Our junior high Art Club has been busy creating and exploring new techniques!

In December, students painted winter landscapes using acrylics, learning color mixing, layering, and brushwork to capture depth, atmosphere, and the cool beauty of snowy scenes.

In January, the club switched mediums and got hands-on with ceramic tile projects featuring Valentine’s themes. Students used a pointillist technique, carefully applying small dots of glaze to create detailed, vibrant designs.

We’re excited to share that four 8th-grade artworks from Ms. Van Gilder’s art class have been selected for the 2026 Northeast Ohio Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition at Youngstown State University.

👏 Congratulations to our student artists: Kylie Barnes, Nemysys Seamon, Noah Killingsworth and Brandon Alexi

🖼 Exhibition Dates: January 7–24, 2026
🏆 Awards Ceremony: Saturday, January 24 | 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Ford Theater, Bliss Hall, Youngstown State University
📌 Address: 547 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44503

We’re proud to celebrate our talented junior high artists whose work has been selected for the Area Student Art Exhibit at the Trumbull Art Gallery (TAG) in downtown Warren! This year, 16 students from Ms. Van Gilder’s art classes will represent our school in a professional gallery setting!

🎨Congratulations to our featured artists: Aliona Robinson, Petrina Brant, Paxtyn Cuesta, Kylie Barnes, Nemysys Seamon, Ciarra Kascak, Kaitlyn Rodgers, Lilah Sybelnik, Noah Killingsworth, Brandon Alexi, Peyton Moore, Fiona Perkins, Ava Eastman, Mia Leasure, Connor Fitzpatrick and Madelyn Stein.

🖼 Exhibition Dates: January 17 – February 20, 2026
🎉 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 17 | 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Trumbull Art Gallery (TAG), 158 North Park Ave., Warren, OH

⏰ Gallery Hours (Public Viewing):
• Thursday & Friday: 12–4 PM
• Saturday: 11 AM–3 PM

Students in Mrs. Whittaker’s math class conducted a hands-on simulation as part of a probability lesson. Through active participation and real-time data collection, students explored how probability works in action! 📊🎲

Students in Janet Castner’s 8th grade Earth Science class explored Alfred Wegener’s theory of Continental Drift by modeling his original thought process. Using fossil evidence and magnetic clues, they worked to reconstruct the supercontinent Pangaea. Through step-by-step directions, matching symbols across continents, and comparing articles to their models, students strengthened their understanding of historical scientific reasoning and built critical thinking skills. 📚

Students in Megan Sullivan’s U.S. History classes brought the Constitution to life through creativity and research! Each student was assigned a constitutional amendment and designed an ornament that told its story. They could highlight when it was passed and ratified, the historical context behind it, and a meaningful quote connected to its significance. The creativity was impressive, and the top ornament from each class was recognized with a special keepsake, an actual ornament awarded by Mrs. Sullivan. 📜

January is School Board Recognition Month in Ohio!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Howland Local School District Board of Education for their leadership, dedication and service to our students, staff and community.

Jeff Pegg, President
Brianne Perry, Vice President
Julie Altawil
Abbigail Reynolds
Kelly Venniti

We are excited to welcome our newest board members, Abbigail Reynolds and Kelly Venniti, who officially joined us last night for our organizational meeting. We look forward to their contributions and leadership as they begin their service to Howland Local Schools.

#SchoolBoardRecognitionMonth #HowlandLocalSchools #ThankYouSchoolBoard #ServingOurStudents

Today wraps up two great initiatives at Howland Junior High, the HJHServes Annual Food Drive and Student Senate’s SPIRIT Week fundraiser!

Throughout the week, our 7th and 8th grade students showed incredible generosity and school spirit by:

🥫 Donating non-perishable food items to support the district’s PAW Pantry and local food banks. During SPIRIT Week, students earned the chance to wear the day’s permitted outfit by donating food items to their first-period teacher—one item per day or five items to participate all week.

🧔 “BEARD the Staff” Fundraiser: Students purchased stickers to add beards to staff photos. Stickers were 5 for $1 or 30 for $5, with all proceeds supporting the food drive.

🎯 Fun Fact: Just $1 can help provide up to 10 meals at a food bank!

📦 Final Results:
• $202 raised through BEARD the Staff
• 10 full boxes of non-perishable food items collected

Now for the big question…
➡️ Which staff member had the longest beard?
➡️ The silliest?
➡️ And who managed to escape without one?

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for coming together to support these meaningful causes and make a real impact in our community!

This week, our Student Senate and HJHS Serves students helped ring bells for the Salvation Army at Sam’s Club and Howland Giant Eagle. We’re proud of our seventh and eighth graders for giving their time to support an important cause and make a difference in our community.

Howland Junior High students shined at Howland Speech & Debate Tournament! Congratulations to our competitors:

Sean Johnson – 4th place, Congressional Debate
Olivia Chuba – 4th place, Declamation
Braxton Ross – 2nd place, Extemp
Connor Fitzpatrick – 3rd place, Interpretation
Chloe Fletcher – 4th place, Oratory

On Friday, our students were part of the nearly 3,000 students in grades 1–7 from 5 counties in Ohio and PA who visited and enjoyed incredible performances at the W.D. Packard Family Christmas Spectacular. Some of our talented students also performed at Friday’s show and throughout the weekend!

Students from HHS, HJHS, HIS, H.C. Mines and Glen represented Howland with pride. Special shoutout to our National Honor Society students who served as ushers, helping the event run smoothly.

🎶 Featured soloists and performers included:
Naomi Aston (HJHS) – featured baton twirler
Dominic Morataya (HHS) – featured trumpet soloist
Talented dancers from HHS, HJHS, HIS and H.C. Mines
Vocal soloists from HHS, HJHS, HIS, H.C. Mines and Glen

We are so proud of all of our students and their amazing talents! Check out the photos from Friday!

#HowlandSchools #StudentTalents #FamilyChristmasSpectacular #MusicAndArts

HJHS students recently enjoyed a well-deserved morning of fun and relaxation as a reward for earning their PBIS incentives. Decked out in cozy pajama pants and wrapped in blankets, students kicked off the day on Thursday and Friday with a special screening of Home Alone, complete with hot chocolate and donuts. Congratulations to our student body for consistently demonstrating Responsibility, Ownership, Acceptance, and Respect. Your hard work truly shines!

Due to this week’s snow day, we’ve had to make a few adjustments to our concert schedule. Please note the updated date below!

Please join us in celebrating the outstanding students who were recognized by the Howland Board of Education for their hard work, character and dedication. We are so proud of each of you!

7th Grade Honorees:
• Emma Yuengert
• Krosbie Shipman
• Mason Tyran
• Caleb May

8th Grade Honorees:
• Alexa Summers
• Rocco Wilson
• Ethan Vansuch
• Lucy Shaffer (unable to attend the meeting but proudly selected)

Keep up the great work, Tigers! 🐾

Our 7th graders took their career exploration to the next level today! Students in Mr. Lantz’s classes used VR headsets to experience different careers firsthand. We’re grateful to Megan Preston from the Mahoning Valley Regional Council of Governments for making this hands-on learning opportunity possible.

We need substitutes!

Howland Schools is looking for subs in:
Bus Drivers
Custodians
Cafeteria Workers
Lunch Monitors
Educational Aides
Nurses
Secretaries

Apply today!

Reminder: There is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, October 31, 2025. Staff will be participating in professional development.

Thank you, Apostolakis Honda! 💙

We’re incredibly grateful for their generous $2,500 donation to our school lunch program. Apostolakis Honda has supported Howland Local Schools many, many times over the years, helping ensure students have access to school meals. Your continued generosity makes a real difference for our students and families!

#HowlandPride #ThankYou #CommunitySupport #ApostolakisHonda