Friday, October 4, 2013

TAYLOR READING CORPS: Comedy Night scheduled to benefit nonprofit group


The Taylor Reading Corps, a non-profit organization that recruits, trains and supervises adult reading mentors for the benefit of Taylor School District children, is holding a "Night of Comedy" fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 12. The public is welcome to attend.


The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 24900 Brest Street. Tickets are $25 each. Hors d'oeuvres will be served and beer and wine will be available.

Headlining the night will be Rob Little. Other feature performers will include Mary Ann Demoss and Julie Lyons.

For ticket information, call (313) 769-6730 or drop by the TRC offices at 22755 Wick Road.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: More photos from Homecoming Week!

Here are some more images from  Homecoming Week at Kennedy High School.





KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: Images from Homecoming Week (more to come!)

Here are some images of Homecoming Week at Kennedy High School.








KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: Court, king and queen in photos

Kennedy High School celebrated its Homecoming last week.

Here are some pictures of the entire Homecoming Court, Queen Corie Kirk and King Adam Sutyak.

Congratulations to everyone who participated!



WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE: Big Lots' donation to be used on key issues!


Concerning the post earlier this week, noting that West Middle School received an $1,168.70 check from Big Lots, Principal Patricia Kaechele emailed to mention that the money will be put to good use.

The school plans to spend it on reading books, updates for technology and the school security system.

The check was a result of the Big Lots' "Lots to Give" program, where customers could donate to schools during their purchase order. The school plans to participate in the program again this year.

TAYLOR CAREER CENTER: EMT training wakes up a quiet hallway



Students at the Taylor Career Center turned a quiet hallway into a practice area for emergency medical technician training recently.

Using the proper techniques, Mrs. Proctor's students in the EMT program are shown strapping and transporting a student on a backboard.

For some more tips on EMT training, click here.





Wednesday, October 2, 2013

MELISSA SKOPCZYNSKI: New "connection" is coming and Truman plays at AP on Friday


By Melissa Skopczynski
Truman High School Principal

I am working on creating a new “Cougar Connection Publication” and am once again running into some technical difficulties. I am hoping by next week we will have a new and improved Cougar Connection!

Last week as principal of Truman High School I couldn't of been more proud of our students. We truly are a educational community that sticks together and cares about one another.  

On two separate occasions I was able to witness students coming together, facing adversity and coming out like champions. This would not of been possible without the care and concern the staff shows for the students. 

Way to go Truman staff and students!

The highlight for this week is today’s statewide student count day. Also, the football team plays Allen Park on Friday. We are on the road and could use all the support we can get.  

The Cougars are now an impressive 5-0. Next week is homecoming week so it is sure to be a fun one.


WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Big Lots program pays off in big ways


Recently, West Middle School received a $1,168.70 check from Big Lots, thanks to the "Lots to Give" program.

Customers at area Big Lots' stores were asked to donate $1 to $5 with their shopping orders. The money was collected and split among participating schools in each store's region.

"We thank Big Lots and their customers for their generosity," said David Martin of West Middle School. "We plan to participate in the program again this year."

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Miller earns Wayne RESA science grant


Kathleen Miller of Hoover Middle School was named one of five winners of $100 gift card from Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency.

Available were five, $100 science grants from the Wayne RESA Mathematics and Science Center.

Miller hopes the grant will “enable her students to explore the real world with a digital microscope. They would be able to investigate water samples from our watershed and use their data to compare/contrast the samples from local ponds, Ecorse Creek, Rouge River, the Detroit River and Lake Erie” as stated in her application.

Congratulations to Miller's students, who will benefit from their teacher’s efforts!


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: The Bower Family



Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of The Bower Family. Dad Gary and mom Cindy surround their three daughters, two of which were attending the homecoming dance.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: Gilezan photo



Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of Lexy Gilezan.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: Gilmore, Craig and Holt photo



Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of Lisa Gilmore, Dion Craig and Maddie Holt.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: Large group of KHS frosh



Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of a large group of Kennedy freshmen.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: White, Cloutier and Yandrasitch photo



Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of Devon White, Leanna Cloutier and Haley Yandrasitch.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: Sutyak and Woloszyk photo



Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of Homecoming King Adam Sutyak and Melissa Woloszyk.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING: Kirk and Keith photo


Dave Gorgon, who produces the popular Facebook page "Heritage Park Photo of the Day," is sharing some of the images that he took last weekend before the Kennedy High School Homecoming with Talking Taylor Schools.

This one is of Homecoming Queen Corie Kirk and Bobby Keith.

Click here to get to the Heritage Park Photo of the Day page.

Click here to to to the photo gallery of Kennedy and other Downriver high schools that were celebrating homecoming last weekend.

TAYLOR VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY: Open house scheduled


The Taylor Virtual Learning Academy, 9601 Westlake, will be holding an open house tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 2) at 5 p.m.

The open house will run until 7.

The TVLA offers curriculum delivered according to the needs of the student by qualified and certified instructors. It offers flexible scheduling, during which students can view online courses at any time and from various locations, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Parents and students, with aid from instructors, selection appropriate classes.

Online learning has the potential to revolutionize K-12 education. Roughly 1 million children already are learning online.

For more information on the TVLA, call (313) 295-5757, Ext. 12815.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Picture day scheduled tomorrow (Oct. 2)

It's time to break out the Sunday best attire, because McDowell Elementary School's picture day is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 2).

If you have any questions, call the school at (734) 374-1240.

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Bitty-ball tryouts are today!

Myers Elementary School is having bitty-ball basketball tryouts for girls today at 4:30 p.m.

The tryout is scheduled to last until 6:30.

Look for bitty-ball tryouts at to be held across the district's elementary schools. Bitty-ball begins its season on Saturday, Oct. 19.

For more information on the program, call your child's school or the district director of athletics, Loren Ristovski, at (313) 295-5823. 

Monday, September 30, 2013

STUDENT COUNT DAY: Important that all students are in attendance on Wednesday, Oct. 2


This Wednesday (Oct. 2) is official student count day in the Taylor School District, so parents should note that it is very important to have their sons and daughters in school that day.

Student enrollment counts have become the key element to funding in public schools across Michigan. Thanks to a change in K-12 public school funding more than a decade ago, the majority of any public school district's finances comes directly from the State of Michigan.

That funding is called a "per-pupil grant." Although it varies from district to district, that allotment ranges between $7,000 and $7,500 per student per year. The "count days" help the state decide how much money is allocated per public school district in Michigan.

So make certain that your student is in attendance Wednesday, when the official begins!


WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Join the crowd and get into walking or jogging!

NOTE TO WALKERS AND JOGGERS: The West Middle School walking and jogging club next meets at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 1) at the school. located at 10575 William Street.

This is a great way to stay in shape, get into shape or just meet some great friends.

If you want to join or have any questions, call the school at (313) 295-5783.

TOMMIE SAYLOR: To better achieve, we must return to education's roots


“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”
-- Maya Angelou

By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal

Why are children so excited about school at the elementary level, yet lose interest in high school? I believe it is because of the difference in approach.  

In the elementary schools, the focus is on learning. In the high school the focus seems to be on accountability.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not blaming teachers, schools or administrators for this difference. In fact, I believe the blame squarely lies on the shoulders of our legislators, who seem to be more concerned about test scores than the quality of a student’s educational experience. I’m doing nothing more than observing and pointing out the difference.  

From my experience and observations, our elementary schools take great pains in creating a loving, nurturing environment centered on learning and self-discovery. Essentially, that approach to educating children works. Parents are happy and students develop a love for learning. They get it right.

But why the big disconnect by the time they get to high school?  

Some say because some parents are tired by the time students get to high school and no longer play an active role in their student’s educational process.  

Others say its because some parents can no longer help their children with their homework and therefore lose an interest in their children’s education, thus allowing our students to also lose interest.  

Still others want to blame the multitude of distractions that come into play when a child becomes of high school age, the disintegration of our society, and simple teenage apathy.  

But, I believe the cause is much simpler.  I believe that because our legislators are so focused on accountability, they have enacted laws focused solely on that accountability. They appear to have created a system in which the quantity of test scores are more important than the quality of our classrooms.

That has created a trap that ensnared us all. In today’s high schools we are more focused, concerned with accountability than on learning.

Students don’t lose the love for learning when they enter secondary education. Instead, I would argue that the system drives it out of them. Imagine what it would be like if our students in high school had the same love of learning they had in elementary school?

Discipline issues would be almost nonexistent. Skipping classes and absenteeism would be non-issues. Parents would be our biggest supporters and test scores would soar because students would be learning because they want to learn, as opposed to being forced to learn.  

Look at those students that do excel in high school. What do they all have in common? They never lost their love for learning.

Though I understand and agree with the importance of accountability, I do not believe it should be our primary focus. If we spent our efforts cultivating our students’ love of learning – if we asked them what they “wanted” to learn as opposed to telling them what they “will” learn – test scores and accountability would take care of itself.  

We need to build a love of learning in your students. We need to make learning fun. A little “edu-tainment” goes a long way.  

You can teach students what they need to know for the test, or you can awaken in them a love of learning that will serve the students during the rest of their lives.

Remember, their future is in our hands. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.