Saturday, June 13, 2015

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: Eagles fly high in baseball tourney



The Kennedy High School baseball team defeated No. 1-ranked Saline recently to become the Division One Regional Champions. Portage Northern eliminated the Eagles in the quarterfinals last week.  Hats off to the team, which had not advanced that far in more than 20 years.

TOMMIE SAYLOR: It takes a village, and that village is our public schools


“Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”
-- Abraham Lincoln

By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal

If you have any doubt about the success of today’s public high schools, try joining us at graduation and your doubts will quickly evaporate.

The media, our very own politicians and critical naysayers only want to focus on the bottom 30 percent of students and graduates. They say, “See, our schools are failing.”

But what they don’t know, is that those bottom 30 percent have made it to graduation after overcoming obstacles that would drive those so-called “do-gooders” into a catatonic state.

Those bottom 30 percent overcame poverty (the arch-nemesis to the field of education), abuse, learning disabilities, mental disorders, neglect and homelessness. Those bottom 30 percent are the true heroes of the night.

Though they may not receive scholarships, academic rewards and recognition, they are the ones who fought the biggest battles and bear the deepest scars as they clawed their way to graduation.

So, as they quietly cross the stage unadorned by clanging medals, sashes and honor cords, they should be the most revered for making the longest journey with the least amount of resources.

Though the naïve media and politicians want to argue about the bottom 30 percent with the words “I told you so” upon their lips, I would like to point out the top 30 percent.

I would like to take the time to highlight the achievements and honors earned by our top students. I would like to point out the 17 graduates that earned over a 4.0 GPA. Or the couple of dozen or so students who will be entering college as a junior or sophomore because they earned many college credits while still in high school. Or the multitude of students who earned technical certifications and are now prepared to enter the skilled trades work force.

Let’s talk about the over $1 million our graduates have been awarded in college scholarships, the student that has been accepted directly into medical school or the student who has been recognized as one of the top instrumentalist in the state and is now going to college to earn a degree in music.

Or the dozen or so students who have decided to serve their country by joining the military and the students who earned the right to compete in the World Robotics Competition and are now heading off to college to earn a degree in engineering/robotics.

If our detractors wish to discuss the fate and effectiveness of our underfunded, understaffed and publicly undermined education system, then I offer the above as proof of our effectiveness.

Check and mate!

It has been said, that it takes a village to raise a child. In today’s modern age, that village is the public school system.

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

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: How about those Hawk tracksters!


Hoover Middle School’s Track and Field Team competed last month in the Showcase Invitational hosted at Wilson Middle School in Wyandotte. 

The Hoover Track Team is coached by Mr. Altesleben an Mr. Seigel.    

In the 70-meter dash Kenny Jones took first place and Darann Jones placed fourth out 34 competitors. In the girl’s event, Savannah Leleniewski was fourth. Ronriel Ford was right behind her taking home fifth place out of 28 girls. 
               
In the 100 meter dash, Darann Jones placed seventh out of 31 and Savannah Leleniewski finished fifth out of 35 girls. 

The school is very proud of Hoover Hawk LaTrenisha Hawkins for placing sixth place out of 35 in both the 200-meter and 55-meter hurdle events.

The Hoover Hawk girl’s 4x200 meter relay came home third of 18 teams.  The Hoover Hawk Relay Team is made up of Ronrielle Ford, Latrenish Hawkins, Destiny Hines and Savannah Leleniewski.













MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Kindergarten certificates!


Wow – can these kindergarteners sing! Red, white and blue was displayed proudly as McDowell Elementary School celebrated America and handed out kindergarten completion certificates. The children performed to a packed out gym of proud parents, grandparents, staff and friends. 






MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Fun Day photos


The recent McDowell Elementary School was spectacular!






MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Rocking out a concert


McDowell Elementary School second-graders recently rocked out their concert!

Mrs. Arndt directed these two classes, who performed the "Rainbow Song" complete with swirling scarves, playing of xylophones, and doing drum solos.

Mrs. Osborne said, "They were so cute! These are my second-graders doing their music. Here they are singing a song about reading everywhere."





KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: Graduation photographs

Here are photographs from the Kennedy High School graduation at the Taylor Sportsplex, via The News-Herald Newspapers.

Click here.

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL: Graduation photography

Check out The News-Herald Newspapers' photographs from the Truman High School graduation at the Taylor Sportsplex.

Click here.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Class hosts end of the year banquet


McDowell Elementary School recently had a banquet! Ms. Santarossa's class made invitations, delivered them, decorated and then hosted a wonderful end of the year banquet.

The menu was egg casserole, sausage/pancakes provided by McDonalds, juice/milk, biscuits/gravy and fruit.

It was completely yummy.






SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY: Class plants flowers


Mrs. Brewer's class recently planted flowers in front of the Sixth Grade Academy. Great job, gang!






RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Learning about safety around animals


Students and adults at Randall Elementary School have been thinking about dog safety. What do you do when a dog chases you? How do you pet a dog that isn’t your own?

Well, students learned about those questions and much more from a group call DOG AIDE. This organization helps educate dog owners and others on how to approach dogs or what to do around an angry dog.

One thing even the adults learned was:  If they come in contact with an angry dog, they are not to run, they are to STOP, cross their arms, stand like a tree and close their eyes. It is not a good idea to stick your hand out to a dog. Instead you are to let the dog come to you.

If you would like more information on dog safety call DOG AIDE @ 313-744-6DOG.











HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Hair donation focuses on Relay for Life activities


Last month, Hoover Middle School had its annual Mini Relay For Life. 

Four students volunteered to donate their hair for the local charity, Children With Hair Loss.  Eighth-graders Faith Stith and Brandy Holmes, and seventh-graders Jessica Smith and Brooklyn Sills, were the brave ones to get their hair cut in front of the school during the kick off assembly for the relay. 

Holly Martin from Hairatage in Dearborn, donated her time and talents that day too.