JOHNSON ECC: Lego time!

Austin of the Johnson Early Education Center works in the Lego building area during Work Time. One of his favorite places to work in preschool.

JOHNSON EEC: Hands-on presentation

Alejandro of the Johnson Early Education Center touches a frog during a hands-on science presentation on marshland animals at Lake Erie Metropark. That’s Caleb looking on.

JOHNSON ECC: Drawing is a big part of the day

Writing and drawing is a large part of the curriculum in Johnson Early Childhood Center classrooms. Pupils have the opportunity to work in small groups on drawing as well as letter and name writing. Students demonstrate their writing skills with dry erase boards. Each show developmental level while gaining a sense of accomplishment. Johnson Early Childhood Center is the place to be!

JOHNSON EEC: Exploring science

Students in Mrs. Pickell's class from the Johnson Early Education Center explore in the science center at Work Time.

JOHNSON ECC: Caleb works on puzzle

Caleb of the Johnson Early Children Center works on a puzzle at the library field trip in December. Pre-reading skills are the focus with activities designed to foster fine motor, problem solving skills, and much more.

JOHNSON ECC: Workin' with Wiltsie!

Izabelle of the Johnson Early Childhood Center works with Mrs. Wiltsie during a recent trip to the library. 

JOHNSON ECC: Choosing books!

Alaina and Jacob of the Johnson Early Childhood Center choose a story during a recent visit to the library. Holiday stories were a focus during the month of December. So many to choose from!

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: TFD and Hawks play to OT tie

Hoover Middle School recently hosted an exhibition basketball game between the Taylor Fire Department Slammin' Firefighters and the Hoover Hawks. Played to a packed house, the Hawks and Firefighters finished in a 35-35 overtime tie. Staff at the school would like the firefighters for attending, and for taking the time to afterward to discuss what its like to be a first responder with some of the students at the school.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Learning on the laptops

At Randall Elementary School Mrs. Holstein’s kindergarten class had Mr. Kaunelis come in and teach them how to use laptop computers. The students enjoyed learning how to use the spacebar and many other buttons.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: One-one-one is lots of fun!

Randall Elementary School first-grade students in Mrs. Ostrowski and Ms. Schoen's class are following the "One-One-One" Library procedure. 

During Library time, grade one friends check out one book and they keep for one week.  They like to read the book many times: In the Library with a stuffed animal, with third grade “Reading Buddies,” and with a classroom partner. 

"One-One-One" is lots of reading fun.

TOMMIE SAYLOR: One bad moment should not outshine all of the good

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

 -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

Sometimes I ask, why do they hate us so much?  What have we done to deserve such vile attitudes toward us?

I must believe that it’s because people just don’t know, they don’t know what our staff does each and every day for their kids, they don’t know about all the great things taking place at John F. Kennedy High School.  They don’t know because it’s often not reported. Instead self-sacrifice and honest effort goes unnoticed as it fades into obscurity. 

We have a JROTC program that is ranked as one of the best programs in the state, and just recently won the Commanders Cup in a multi-school competition.  Our band is preparing full heartedly for the MSBOA District competition, our DECA club had nine students qualify for State-level competition, and our Youth In Government group attended the Detroit Economic luncheon this last Wednesday. 

In addition, we have many projects taking place that includes supporting a recycling program, purchasing bulletproof vests for police dogs, a canned food drive for the needy, a used book drive for anyone who has a passion for reading and fund raising for children suffering from hair loss. 

Does any of this make the news? No. But have a few students act foolish causing a disruption to the educational process, and we become the top story of the day. We have teachers who make the arrangements to take Advanced Placement Government students to see the movie “Selma,” teachers who dig deep into their own pockets to purchase necessary classroom supplies, and none of this makes the news. But we are “laid bare” the moment we falter.

Simply, the troubles we had at Kennedy High School this week does not reflect who we are.  We are a reward school, a school that is among the top 5 percent of schools in Michigan for achieving significant gains, and finds itself among the top 25 percent of schools in the nation. 

We are a proud community dedicated to the advancement of students, and embroiled in a tradition of excellence. Though from time to time we may stumble,  we are far from a school that has fallen from grace.  We are, John F. Kennedy High School, the standard for educational excellence.

What starts here, changes the world. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design….

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Extra activities honor the spirit of MLK

The Adventure Learning students at West Middle School talk about equality and justice on a regular basis. However, last week they included some extra activities in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

The students brainstormed and wrote about their dreams to make our world a better place.  Their dream papers are displayed in the hallway at West.   

The students also took part in a play called, "Taking Action.” The play takes place after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus, which then started the bus boycott.  Participating in this play opened up great discussions regarding Dr. King and segregation.   

The students involved in these activities did an amazing job and were extremely impressive and compassionate. Way to go, Adventure Learning Students!!

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Family Game Night enjoyed by all

West Middle School hosted Family Game Night during conferences on Thursday, January 22. 

Students were able to bring their families to West and enjoy pizza, snacks, and pop while they played games.  Over 60 students, parents, and siblings participated in the evening’s events and everyone had fun. 

Five names were drawn randomly to receive prizes and those students were awarded a brand new game to take home and share with their family.   Thanks for to all who participated and we look forward to more next time!

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Celebrating winter

Mrs. Jamison's first graders at Eureka Heights Elementary School are celebrating winter during a parent session. The families enjoyed hot chocolate, art, fishing, math cards, and other winter activities!

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Time for the taste test!

Mrs. Cahalan and Mrs. Harris' classes at Clarence Randall Elementary School did a taste test day of products made in Michigan. 

Students said that Kellogg’s Apple Jacks cereal and Faygo root beer were among their favorites.  Other items that were tasted were Better Made potato chips, Vernor's, Faygo redpop, Sanders's hot fudge and caramel and Vlasic pickles. 

Everyone had a yummy time learning about products made in our great state.

SGA: 53 percent of student make the honor roll!

Sixth Grade Honor Roll Assembly was recently held.

The Sixth Grade Academy would like to proudly announce that of the 514 students currently enrolled 273 or 53 percent made the "Honor Roll"

Of those 273:

·      106 made Cum Laude 3.0 - 3.49

·      63 made Magna Cum Laude 3.5 - 3.74

·      70 made Summa Cum Laude 3.75 - 3.99

·      34 made Maxima Cum Laude 4.0

Congratulations to these students!

SPECIAL EVENT: Human Trafficking to be the focus of activity at WCCCD

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Lessons on social behavior

At Myers Elementary School, Mrs. Schock came into Mrs. Wild’s kindergarten class and did a series of lessons on good social behavior. 

In these photos, the students and Mrs. Schock passed around a pom pom and each student thought of something or someone that made them feel happy. 

The students learned a lot and looked forward to Mrs. Schock coming again.  Mrs. Schock is the full-time Social Worker at Myers.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Geometry fun

They are eating Geometry at Taylor Parks Elementary School these days.

Students in Mrs. Iwaniec's third-grade class had an introduction to geometry. Using simple items such as toothpicks, marshmallows and candy corn, students made geometric lines, segments and rays.  

Along with help from ATA Mrs. Carroll and RESA math coach, Kristie, the students completed and understood these new terms and, of course, loved eating the components of their designs.  

Next assignment, making triangles out of licorice.  Who knew learning could taste so good?