TAYLOR READING CORPS: Mentoring group supports Taylor School District

Recognizing the need for regular, weekly tutoring to improve reading and comprehension for some of our students, several Taylor community leaders, residents, the Taylor Board of Education and district staff members support the year Taylor Reading Corps.

The mission of the TRC is to recruit, train, and sustain a network of volunteer workers for weekly reading/tutoring sessions with students in grades Pre K-3.

The goal of the TRC is to improve educational outcomes for students in grades Pre K-3 by increasing identified students’ reading ability to grade level or above.

We need your help. If you or your organization would like to contribute funds and/ or time to this worthwhile project, please contact TRC at 313-769-6730.

BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION: High school orientations

High school orientations:

Kennedy High School

FRESHMAN Link Crew ORIENTATION

Thursday, August 28th

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

All students will receive schedules, IDs and other important information.

Truman High School

FRESHMAN Link Crew ORIENTATION

Wednesday, August 27th

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

All students will receive schedules, IDs and other important information.

BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION: Starting and dismissal times for 2014-15

Starting and dismissal times for Taylor schools in 2014-15:

Elementary Schools:

8:53 a.m. - 3:42 p.m. Half days – 11:59 a.m.

Holland & McDowell elementary schools:

8:25 a.m. - 3:12 p.m. Half days – 11:29 a.m.

Sixth Grade Academy:

8:25 a.m. - 3:12 p.m. Half days – 11:34 a.m.

Hoover and West middle schools:

7:55 a.m. - 2:43 p.m. Half days – 10:57 a.m.

Kennedy and Truman high schools:

7:20 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. Half days – 10:30 a.m.

Titan program:

7:55 a.m. - 2:43 p.m. Half days – 11:05 a.m.

TENTATIVE CALENDAR: School calendar for 2014-15

Here is the tentative school calendar for 2014-15:

DIANE ALLEN: Looking forward to more progress in 2014-25

By Diane Allen

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Taylor School District Parents and Community Members,

This is always an exciting time of year for me. With the beginning of the 2014-15 school year just around the corner, I am already looking forward to the new challenges and numerous rewards that it will bring.

My plan is to continue to make progress toward positive change. That progress includes being on track to emerge from deficit by June 30, 2015, which would be truly an accomplishment that everyone can be proud of. Also, by that same date, every Taylor School District school will be accredited by AdvancEd NCA. Our schools have been working on meeting all accreditation standards, which will ultimately improve teaching and learning.

Our partnership with Wayne County Community College is growing. This fall we will have approximately 95 juniors and seniors from both high schools attending college classes on the WCCCD campus each afternoon. This is a tuition-free program for our students.

September will mark the opening of our new Early Childhood Academy and Parent Center. It will be a comprehensive center offering preschool classes, parenting classes, play groups, a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children and much more. Taylor Schools will be working in collaboration with United Way, The Guidance Center and WIC to support the young learners in our district.

As I hope you will agree, we have a lot to be proud of. There is much yet to accomplish, but we are moving forward. Let’s continue to work together for a successful school year for every student.

"One Team, One Mission"

TAYLOR SCHOOL OBJECTIVES: Mission statement, vision statement, etc.

Our Mission Statement

The Taylor School District’s mission is to maximize the talents and abilities of all.

Our Vision Statement

Taylor School District is a safe, supportive learning environment where all stakeholders (parents, board members, community members, and all staff) work collaboratively to make students their first priority and insure that failure is not an option.

Our Strategic Goals

• Improve student achievement at all levels in the district. Develop a comprehensive staff development plan which includes targeted professional development, and an evaluation process that becomes a tool to enhance teaching and learning.
• Develop a comprehensive communication and community engagement plan for all stakeholders (parents, board members, community members and all staff). Ensure financial stability.
• The Board will actively work on their governance role and board development strategies

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Taylor School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, handicap, or disability in any of its programs or activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies:

• Inquiries by students and/or their parents/ guardians related to discrimination on the basis of disability/handicap should be directed to the Managing Director of Special Education, Taylor School District, 23033 Northline Road, Taylor, MI 48180 (734) 374- 1200.
• All other inquiries related to discrimination should be directed to the Executive Director for Human Resources/ Labor Relations and Employee Benefits, Taylor School District, 23033 Northline Road, Taylor, MI 48180 (734) 374-1200.

USE RESOURCES: Schools promote websites for information

In an effort to make the Taylor School District more environmentally friendly and to reduce spending, officials are requesting that parents and students help in this effort by using electronic communications sites to acquire information about programs and schools instead of receiving paper notes.

School offices, departments and Board of Education will maintain and frequently update a user friendly “Parent Information” page on our websites: school menu, Student Code of Conduct, parent organization meeting reminders, parent/teacher conference days, and much more.

If you are not able to access the Internet, contact your child’s principal and other arrangements can be made so that

you receive the information in another form. You may access Taylor School District website at www.taylorschools. net.

From this site, you may select any of our buildings’ websites to view building information.

DEBBIE STELLINI: Looking forward to the 2014-15 school year

By Debbie Stellini

President, Board of Education

The 2014-15 school year will prove to be a very exciting one, full of potential and possibilities.

As the school year begins we have been good stewards of your tax dollars and are set to eliminate the Taylor School District’s deficit. We would like to thank all who have made sacrifices to make this happen. With structural changes to the budget, by increasing efficiencies and accountability and by bringing in additional revenue, we will continue to insure that teachers and staff have what they need to do their jobs and build a financially strong district.

We are also on track to enhance the educational opportunities for our students with a new Early Childhood Educational Center in Johnson school, which was the first concept to be presented to the Board of Education for review by the Superintendent and Revitalization Task Force.

We have formed a Revitalization Ad Hoc Board Committee to study the other concepts presented and we welcome your input on these ideas for the future of our school district. Also, look for opportunities for our students with Early College, Dual Enrollment, Career Center, PAES, Taylor Virtual Learning Academy, and with our many opportunities with sports, band, Robotics and extra-curricular activities.

With strong team efforts we can rebuild our school district. We need partnerships with our parents to send students to school prepared to learn – and thank you to those who do just that. We need adults to stay focused on the needs of our students so that they may become successful upon graduation. Again, thank you to those who do.

We need parents, staff and community members to volunteer their time with our students. Thank you to those that take time to read to a child or mentor them or coach them. We welcome new businesses and thank those business owners who have businesses in our community as they provide revenue that supports our public schools and students. We thank our community leaders for supporting public education. Our community benefits in many ways by having a strong educational system. Thank you to those who contribute to this mission.

Please let us know what you think. We are your elected officials and represent you as advocates for our students and district. We look forward to an exciting school year.

Taylor Proud. Taylor Strong.