Saturday, December 31, 2016

ONLINE NEWSLETTERS include High School Years


Talking Taylor Schools has been doing periodic reviews of online newsletter available to all parents via the Taylor School District website. 

Just click on here to see everything available

One of the offerings available is the December 2016 edition of High School Years, Working Together for Lifelong Success. This edition offers discussions on responsibility and choices, recognizing process and gearing up for safety, and also gives plenty of hinting on "reading to a topic, which often involves beginning at the back of a section and starting with the review, or sharing a topic and discussing it among peers.

The newsletter also encourages critical thinking, paying for college and even taking good advantage of the winter break. 

Click on today. You won't be disappointed.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL bands and choir on display

Hoover Middle School Bands presented "An American Christmas" while the Choir performed their annual winter concert. The musical artists sounded amazing as they brought Christmas cheer to the ears of the audience. The band is directed by Mr. Bergler and the choir is directed by Mrs. Federle.


HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL student teachers complete assignments


Congratulations to Holland Elementary School student teachers Toni Spath and Christina Phillips. Both completed their University of Michigan-Dearborn education with great student teaching experiences at Holland. Thank you to Mrs. Wensorski and Mrs. Irwin for giving back and providing a wonderful environment for success. Good luck to Ms. Spath and Ms. Phillips and “Go Blue!”



KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL cares and shares

During the “Kennedy Care and Share!” program students from the school’s Student Government sold paper ornaments for just 25 cents each and had a contest between the fourth-hour classes at Kennedy High School.


The class with the most ornaments won a pizza party. Congratulations to Mr. Burnett and Mrs. Raval! Kennedy was able to raise just over $1,000 for 20 families in need. The funds went to buy food, non-perishable goods, milk, butter and ham.


EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL holds concert



Eureka Heights Elementary School held its fourth- and fifth-grade concert before the holiday season.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL basketball team to be recognized



The eighth-grade Hoover Middle School boys' basketball team finished an undefeated season in the Downriver League. Coached by Richard Jackson for 18 years, the coach and team will be recognized at the Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m. January 9.

Monday, December 26, 2016

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Just having some fun!


Nothing serious, just having a little fun with an old Christmas carol:

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Thy days are so relaxing;

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Thy days are so relaxing;

Not as good as summer’s break,

In the sun and by the lake.

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Thy days are so relaxing!



O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Two weeks of unwinding;

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Two weeks of unwinding;

How often has the Christmas Break,

Saved me from incarcerate.

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Two weeks of unwinding!



O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Thy hours are so soothing;

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Thy hours are so soothing;

From Christmas eve to New Years day,

No papers to grade but still some pay.

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

Thy hours are so soothing!



O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

How richly earned and rewarding;

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

How richly earned and rewarding;

Thou cometh in the nick of time,

Recharge your spirit and your mind.

O Christmas Break! O Christmas Break!

How richly earned and rewarding!



MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL food drive a success



Mr. Tomassion and his fifth-grade class at McDowell Elementary School want to thank everyone for all their contributions to the food drive.

Their goal was 1,000 food items. Every day in December they had a different challenge. Sometimes it was staff vs. students, or boys vs. girls, or grade vs. grade or a call out for each grade level.


In the end they are pleased to say they had over 850 food items to donate. Even though they fell short of their goal, we all learned that we can help and sometimes it's one can at a time.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has fun during spirit week


Check out the McDowell Elementary School Christmas disguises. The staff and students had a lot of fun for spirit week.




MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a sing-a-long

McDowell Elementary School had an old-fashioned sing-a-long to celebrate the holidays!

Mrs. Arndt, music teacher, led the group in all of its favorites and introduced them to some new ones like "Christmas Cray Cray."



Then we had a special visit from Santa and a performance of "12 Very Special Days of Christmas" led by the teachers. Merry Christmas to all our McDowell family and friends!








MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL picks the perfect trip

The Detroit Science Center was the perfect trip for the third graders at McDowell Elementary School!

They chose this trip to kick off their Christmas vacation. Just a few of their trip highlights were Space Motion, Kids Town, Health Engineers, Science Stages, Creatures of Light, Spark! Lab, “Kidstructions” and so much more!


Check out the bathroom display fun that Mrs. VanDerworp's and Ms. Blair's classes had!

















WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students learn new ways to do old tasks

How can I safely cross the room? Getting from one side of the classroom to the other shouldn't be a challenge.  Students do that every day, numerous times a day.  However, in Adventure Learning at West Middle School, students really had to use patience and perseverance to accomplish this task.

One day the students needed to cross the room while each group member's shoe stayed touching another person's shoe in your group. Now this otherwise simple task becomes quite difficult. The students problem-solved in various ways to get their group across the classroom while keeping their shoes touching!  And they did a good job.


Another challenge occurred when the students are blindfolded and had to cross a "minefield" without exploding.  Students were assigned a partner to verbally guide through our minefield and given three chances to safely cross without "exploding.”  Students practiced giving detailed directions, clarifying as needed, and actively listening.  Skills everyone needs to be successful in life.


HOILLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL council buys books



The Holland Elementary School Student Council has purchased holiday themed books for the school library.  The staff knows many students will enjoy reading these beautiful hardcover books.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL jazz band offers surprise


Hoover Middle School Bands presented "An American Christmas" and the Hoover Jazz Band surprise everyone at the concert with some rhythm and blues.






HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL present holiday concert



Hoover Middle School Bands presented "An American Christmas" while the Hoover Choir performed their annual winter concert.  The musical artists sounded amazing as they brought Christmas cheer to the ears of the audience. The band is directed by Mr. Bergler and the choir is directed by Mrs. Federle.