NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: If you're scared of snakes, don't watch this!

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: Every year, thousands of snakes gather at the Narcisse Snake Dens in Manitoba, Canada. It's billed as the largest gathering of snakes anywhere in the world. Manitoba's climate and geology make it the perfect place for red-sided garter snakes to live and mate. It has become a tourist attraction, but it's not for the faint of heart.

TAYLOR SUMMER ACADEMY: The learning continues ... and so does the weather

Learning is going on year round, thanks to the Taylor Summer Academy!  

Students had the opportunity to choose classes based upon their personal interests over two sessions, each lasting two weeks.

Ms. Farkas is teaching Wild & Wacky Weather, and her group of second to fourth graders is very excited about the weather station they have set up on the tennis courts.  

Here is fourth grader Bryan Morones' personal weather report for the morning of June 24.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Achievements on MEAP earn pair Wi-Fi tablets

Every year, KSP Insurance rewards West Middle School students for their achievements.  

This year West's two top scorers on the state MEAP test, Sana Abedi and Katelyn Willim, received Wi-Fi tablets presented by Dave Sajdak from KSP.  

Thanks to Dave for always supporting Taylor School District and congratulations to our two students for such a high achievement.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Prizes go to those performing good deeds

West Middle School has a program called “Random Acts of Kindness” during which teachers turn in student’s names when they are seen doing good deeds for others.  

Every week at West, six students are chosen out of the many turned in to get a treat and free meal coupon from a local restaurant.  At the end of each month, seventh-grade and eighth-grade students names are drawn out of all the AoK recipients to receive an iPad.  

The winners for May and June were Brandy Keesee, Tehron Mathis, Derico Thompson and Martez Hunter.  

Student's names are turned in for doing things such as turning in money they found, picking up messes without being asked, holding the door open for classmates and teachers, helping students pick up things they dropped or helping in the classroom, among others.  The staff is very proud of the thoughtfulness of our students.