OUT OF DISTRICT ENROLLMENT: Join the Taylor team

"Reach for the Stars" in the Taylor School District!

The TSD is accepting out of district school choice applications for kindergarten through 12th grade. Applications will be accepted for the 2013-14 school year through Sept. 6, 2013, at the Pupil Accounting Office, 9551 Westlake Road. The office is open between 7 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. daily. Call (313) 295-5742 for more information.

The district offers new beginnings, attitudes, standards and programs across the board, including the these unique offerings:

• An early college partnership with the Wayne County Community College District
• Taylor Virtual Learning Academy
• Great Start Readiness preschool program
• All-day kindergarten
• Career & Technical Education Center
• Curriculum aligned with Common Core Standards
• Advanced placement classes
• Alternative high school
• Candidate for NCA AdvancEd
• Junior ROTC
• Award-winning music programs
• Nationally recognized robotics program
• Taylor Public School Foundation for Educational Excellence support
• Taylor Reading Corps mentoring program
• K-5 Balanced Literacy Program
• Early Intervention Programs
• Quality teachers
• Nurturing school environments
• Enrichment programs
• Competitive athletics
• Family programs and involvement

TAYLOR EDU: Edmondo 101

The Taylor School District is helping its teachers learn more about common core objectives and technology this summer through what is becoming known as the "Taylor EDU" campaign.

The TSD has combined with state and federal programs and school improvement efforts to hire coaches from within the district to provide professional development for all of the system's instructional staff during the summer break.

The staff will offer a wide range of courses including some focusing on Twitter, OpenOffice, Interwrite Boards, Desktop and Browser Tips, Math Common Core, Project-based Learning, Engaging Students, increasing feedback, effort math instruction through literature, community resources and more.

Here are some pictures from our first Edmodo class, Edmodo 101, with 201 and 301 to follow as the summer progresses. This is a Facebook-type collaboration tool for adults and students. These classes are part of the Taylor summer professional development program. The class was presented by Mike Weaver and Colleen Ampezzan with help form Amy Farkas. We had a great turnout.  Teachers brought their smart phones and tablets prepared to learn how to integrate these tools into their classroom lessons.

Teachers will learn how to use different technologies to help engage students in and out of class. Sessions will also cover topics to help increase student achievement in Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

TAYLOR READING CORPS: Summer program starts up

The Taylor Reading Corps’ second summer program began earlier this week at McDowell Elementary School.

Theme of the week is “autobiography.” Students started creating biography books.

Got to know each other with an ice breaker. Exercised the brains with “Brain Gym” and read some stories.

The Taylor Reading Corps could use a few recycled items to aid in children's education over the vacation months. Emily Sweeney, who is coordinating much of the program, needs the following:

•                Yogurt containers

•                Paper towel and/or toilet paper rolls

•                Tissue boxes

•                Cereal boxes

•                Coffer containers

•                Pringles cans

•                Masking tape

The TRC plans to have children building a "recycled city including towers and buildings" so anything that you'd like to donate would be very helpful.

The TRC office (22755 Wick) is located in the Par-Wick Plaza near Sax Pharmacy, which is at Wick Road and Pardee. The office is open during regular business hours weekly. For further information, call (313) 769-6730 or click on the TRC Web site by clicking here.

The TRC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that recruits, trains and supervises adult reading mentors to work in the Taylor School District. This past year, the TRC mentored children in preschool, kindergarten and the first grade. Next year, it plans to expand its effort to the second-grade level.

FOCUS ON THE ARTS: Award winners' photos

FOCUS ON THE ARTS: More from a great night

Focus on the Arts, a fundraiser, brought together musical talent to raise money for arts programs in the Taylor School District.

Held at the Ford Senior Center, the event combined dinner, raffles and a silent auction with entertainment from Taylor Schools students and was sponsored by the Taylor Public Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence and the Taylor Alumni Association.

The funds collected this year were for the Art enrichment programs throughout the school district, which can include band, chorus, art, drama, etc. Teachers and principals will apply for monies for next year.

The event turned out excellent with organizer Lynn Polgar in charge. Tickets purchased were for a wonderful dinner catered by Veronica's Catering from Allen Park. There were raffles and a silent auction for items like Tigers tickets, Cecil Fielder signed baseball, signed hockey puck, golf for 4 at Lakes of Taylor, 5 burner Grill, student art work & hand made baskets.

Raffles were for baskets with great items, which included an MGM package and The Henry Ford family membership.

At the farewell assemblies, the Foundation awarded 9 at Kennedy and 10 at Truman.

• Foundation's scholarship ($500 each) went to Ta'Sha Edison at JFK and Morelia Adrianzen at HST
• Alumni Association scholarship ($500) - Samantha Stellini JFK and Emily Theisen at HST
• Grodman/Simmons ($1,000) at Kennedy only, Roman Williams [Dr. Scott Grodman funds this scholarship in remembrance of a Kennedy star athlete/student Shane Simmons who died in a car accident.]
• Taylor Chevrolet scholarships ($500) - Elaine Czarnik at JFK and Ashley Lucier at HST
• Changing Lives scholarship ($500 ea.) Mariah Anselmi JFK and Victoria Fisher HST
• Mayoral scholarship ($250 ea.) Sara El-Rifaai JFK and Brittany Oren HST
• Taylor Ministerial Making a Difference scholarship Giovanna Savastano JKF and two at HST, Morelia Adrianzen & Raquel Sobecki
• Total Community Credit Union ($500) - Breana Douglas JFK and Melanie Sears HST
• Power LINK scholarship (one student from Titan $500) Samantha Stephens [her home school is HST]
• Educational Athletic ($1,000) went to Hunter Hanson at HST
• One time only scholarship from Taylor Center classes 1957, ‘58, & ‘59 ($1,200) went to Steven Moore JFK

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Pride and fun come together

The Randall Elementary School P.R.I.D.E. parent group has funded the Fun Day every year.

This year was more field day activities than games with prizes. Everyone who attended was put into a raffle for some awesome prizes.

We had snow cone and popcorn machines, bingo, crafts, movie room and even a reading room for those who wanted to take time to relax.

When they left the reading room they received a new book free.

Fun was had by all -- even the staff.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: The running never stops

It may be the good old summertime, but for some athletes and adults in Taylor, that means more work!

Well, that may be a little too direct. It's more like love. Two Kennedy High School cross country runners and two Kennedy teachers and parents ran in the recent Happy Soles 5K. Each of the four -- KHS students Nancy Wu and Jakob Muntz and adults Lisa Guitar and Amber McNew -- finished between first and third in their respective age divisions.

By the way, look out for the Eagles: The team has logged a combined 250 miles so far this summer!

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: More grad, dance photos