CAN YOU SPELL RESPECT? Here's two versions to have some fun with on the holidays!

Want to teach your children some ideas about respect ... and have some fun, too? 

Check out this short video at the top.

Then, if you REALLY want to have some fun dancing around the Christmas Tree, check out Aretha Franklin's Blue Brothers' version of "Respect" below. It's one of the all-time great movie blowouts ... 

BULLYING? Do you really know what it is? Here's a short video that discusses the subject on students' terms

Just what is bullying?

The issue has received plenty of concern in Michigan schools during the last decade. 

But is it often misunderstood. 

What is the difference between bullying and just an argument between two friends? Why is bullying often overlooked? What are the different forces of peer pressure. 

This 6:20 minute video provides a lot of answers.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY: Don't take it for granted!

School bus safety tips are something often ignored around the household. 

This video provides guidelines for safety and even during an emergency.

Families might want to get together and watch this relatively short video during the holiday season before children have to return to school in 2014.

THE NUMBER TRAIN: Great short video for children learning their numbers

Here's a great little video for young children learning their numbers. And parents can play right along during the holidays.

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: It's pancakes with Santa!

Students at Blair Moody Elementary School got the chance to have pancakes with Santa on Wednesday December 18.

Students let Santa know what it was they really wanted for Christmas.  

A big "thank you" to parent volunteers, who organized the entire morning, along with the Watch D.O.G. dads, who volunteered to cook and serve the pancakes.

A very special thank you to Santa for taking the time to be with our students. We know he is a very busy man this time of year!

MELISSA SKOPCZYNSKI: Past two weeks have flown by ...

By Melissa Skopczynski

Truman High School Principal

Wow, the last two weeks have flown by with all the activities in and outside of the classroom at Truman High School.

Our second trimester is off to a good start and so are the girls and boys Cougar basketball teams (both are currently undefeated). Way to show that Cougar Pride!

As the holiday quickly approaches let me take the opportunity to extend my warm holiday wishes to you and your family. I hope everyone truly enjoys their time off and comes back refreshed and ready to go.

I am blessed to have a wonderful staff. Thank you to Kim, Linda and Vickie for making out staff party a success. We appreciate all your hard work and effort. I would also like to recognize Ms. Carr and Mrs. Hutter for putting on a great play.

Merry Christmas.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Drive collects items for needy families

With Principal Trish Kaechele and counselors Amy Hicks and Kim Cason leading the drive, the staff of West Middle School collected food, clothing and bought gift certificates for eight families in need of help this holiday season.  

McGuckins Pub even sponsored a chili cook off to raise money for Taylor families in need of help and donated over $200 to one of West's eight families.  

It is amazing how generous everyone is this time of year and the West staff is very proud to have been able to help.  

And they wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Music fills the air!

There is nothing like music filling the air, especially during the holiday season.

The choir students at Taylor Parks Elementary School outdid themselves during their annual Holiday concert.  

Students practiced for months to perform their songs for students, staff and parents.

And they did a great job!

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: More photos from the cookie makers!

Here are some more pictures from Mrs. Abramas' class at Taylor Parks Elementary School.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: It's great when you can eat your best work!

The students of Mrs. Abramas' class at Taylor Parks Elementary School like reading and comparing many gingerbread stories. 

They created a story board in the hallway showing the storyline of each book.  

The books included, "The Gingerbread Boy," "Gingerbread Friends," and "Gingerbread Mouse and Santa."

At the end of the unit, the students had the added fun of decorating gingerbread cookies and enjoyed eating them with a cup of warm hot chocolate.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Students do wonderful job delivering backpacks!

Many of the fourth- and fifth-grade students at Randall Elementary School help deliver "Blessings in a Backpack" each week to all of the classrooms. 

Those involved are doing an awesome job!

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Snow party like a well-deserved one!

A little snow goes a long way at McDowell Elementary School.

Mrs. VanDerworp's third graders earned time outside because they set a goal and reached it.

Every single student in the class passed an addition and subtraction with regrouping math test. 

There's "sNOw" party like a VanDerworp party!

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Christmas becomes a fun time

Christmas can be plenty of fun in McDowell Elementary School's kindergarten class.

Mrs. Bochenek's students always have lots of fun whether they are writing letters to Santa or making gingerbread houses.

The pictures tell the whole story!

SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY: Fundraiser turns teacher into a turkey!

The students at the Sixth Grade Academy had a little fun the week before Thanksgiving recess.

They raised money for a good cause -- Relay for Life. 

Students were asked to bring in loose change. The team with the most money donated at the end of the designated time won the contest -- and the teacher from the winning team had  to dress up in a turkey costume for the entire day. 

The honors went to Mrs. Tumas' class in the amount of $144.00. On the other hand, Mrs. Tumas ... 

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Pupils perform play for parents

Mrs. Mrowca'z third-grade class at Eureka Heights Elementary School recently performed a play for their parents.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Close home finale goes to LP

The Hoover Middle School varsity basketball team played a game against Lincoln Park on Friday, December 13.

It was the team’s last home game. It was hard-fought and really close but Hoover ended up losing 40-36.  

Hoover is now 5-5. The team’s final two games are being played this week against Trenton and Brownstown.

SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY: Creating art for those stationed overseas

Cindy Tumas' class at the Sixth Grade Academy -- with help from art teacher Ms. Malloy -- worked to create and send over 200 holiday cards to U.S. armed forces troops in Afghanistan recently.

HOOVER/WEST MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Music students join in celebration

Hoover and West middle school students took over the Prechter Auditorium recently.

The auditorium at Wayne County Community College Downriver became a jazz dance hall for music students while it was hosting CALJE, the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Students were invited to join in for an concert highlighting different forms of jazz from Argentina to New Orleans. Even students and teachers were invited to come down and dance with the group.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Old Christmas song takes a new slant

This is another David Martin dandy!

On Wednesday, December 11, West Middle School teachers and teacher aides surprised the student body when they joined the day's band and chorus concert.  

The staff members performed their version of the holiday classic, "The 12 Days of Christmas."

"When's the class party?"

"I lost my ID."

I'll leave the rest to you and won't ruin what's coming when you tune in.

See the teachers and the student reactions in the video click here.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: NJHS learns the ropes

On Thursday December 12, the West Middle School National Junior Honor Society students listened to several presenters from the Taylor Teen Health Center.  

Several of the speakers were from Truman and Kennedy High Schools.

The West students learned about ways to show leadership and get involved in the community. The high school students spoke also about becoming peer mentors.  

In addition, the NJHS students raised $100 to start the West Relay for Life Team.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: PRIDE does the school proud!

Recently the Randall Elementary School PRIDE organization put on another amazing night for all of school’s families to enjoy.

Families got to spend time together making Christmas crafts, enjoy a snack, visit Santa's Secret Shop and visit with the Big Man himself.

A wonderful time was had by one and all.