RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL uses bingo as incentive

March's PBIS incentive was BINGO at Randall Elementary School. Each class came to the gym to play and hopefully win some awesome bingo prizes. Classes came per grade, according to a schedule.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL receives a unique visitor

Even though the weather cancelled its Easter Egg Hunt outside on March 24, the Randall Elementary School Student Council were able to put smiles on all the kindergartners.

The Easter Bunny visited Randall’s four kindergarten classes and each student received a bag full of goodies.

The Bunny either received a hug, a high-five or a big wave!

Even Mrs. Patts got to see the Easter Bunny.

Thank you to everyone who sent in candy for the bags!

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL hosts Drug Awareness and Prevention Workshop for parents

The Truman High School PTA is hosting a Drug Awareness and Prevention Workshop for the parents of students enrolled in the Taylor School District.  The event is going to be held at Truman High School in the Media Center on Tuesday, April 19.  

The content is focused on middle school and high school parents; however all parents are invited to attend.  

During the workshop Lt. Mary Kapp of the Downriver Area Narcotics Organization will be talking with parents about what drugs are popular and how to keep kids safe from their influence.  In addition to Lt. Kapp, parents will be able to meet the Taylor Police Officer Liaisons that work in the district.  

Pizza will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. and Lt. Kapp will be starting her presentation at 6.

This event is for adults only. 

KINYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL choir performs

The Kinyon Elementary School choir recently performed at MediLodge.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL fancies theme of favorites

“Favorites” was the "March is Reading Month" theme at McDowell Elementary School. Each classroom was asked to work on a display board based on their favorite book throughout the month and then take turns presenting their board during televised announcements. The students are doing a great job of speaking with enthusiasm about their special projects. Here are a few that we hope you enjoy, because those at the school sure have!

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL students learn Native American symbols

While reading “The Search for the Lost Cave,” several of Ms. Donaldson's fourth and fifth graders at McDowell Elementary School were inspired to learn Native American symbols.

Each student made an animal skin replica and wrote a story using only symbols. They then wrote the story in English so others could match the symbols to our words.

Their projects look quite authentic!

JOHNSON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER gets visit from the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came to visit the Johnson Early Childhood Center last month. 

JOHNSON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER: Board president reads to class

Mr. Reilly, Board of Education president, came to Johnson Early Childhood Center to read “Pete the Cat” in Mrs. Sute's classroom in March. 

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL children rewarded for good behavior

Myers Elementary School students who were on “green” or “yellow” for the month of March were invited to attend a Minute-to-Win-It celebration. The kids had plenty of fun!

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL children build Space Stations

Holland Elementary School’s second-graders in Ms. Danaj's class are learning about – and building – Space Stations. The best part is that the students get to eat the spare parts!

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO helps with chip sale

Holland Elementary School’s amazing PTO is at it again. They are always doing fun things for kids. Recently the school held its chip sale and the PTO was busy counting money and filling orders. The money raised will be going towards “Fun Day” at the end of the year!

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: News-Herald story highlights musical donations

NOTE: News-Herald Newspapers' Reporter Jessica Strachan recently published the following story about The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation and Music Rising's presentation of new instruments to Hoover Middle School.

Hoover Middle School has received new musical instruments, thanks to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and Music Rising.

The foundation gives to music programs around the country that are losing funding and to bands in underserved schools with minimal budgets, replacing some instruments that are more than 30 years old.

Jim Bergler, Hoover Middle School’s band director and longtime music leader in the district, applied for the program and said it allows more students to be able to play and experience the benefits of music education.

“Through the generous donation of the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and Music Rising, our band students and our school have been given more than school instruments,” Bergler said. “They have been given a greater sense of dignity and pride in their school band program.”

Many of the instruments have been around since Bergler began teaching at the middle school 25 years ago, he said.

“They have served us well, but it is time for them to be officially retired and replaced with some new instruments,” Bergler said.

Approximately 150 students in the seventh and eighth grades take part in band each year and they perform in school concerts, band competitions, solo and ensemble festivals, school assemblies, parades and other events in the community.

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation was inspired by the 1995 motion picture “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and founded by Michael Kamen, who composed the music for the movie and several others.

In the last 20 years, over 20,000 instruments have been donated to over 1,360 schools across the country.

“Learning music in school is a way to engage kids and give them something that makes them better students and better people,” said Felice Mancini, president and CEO of the foundation. “They deserve every tool available to help them receive a quality education, and we want to ensure that music is in that toolbox.”

For more information, visit www.mhopus.org.

LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS? Heritage Park Cleanup is right around the corner

Are you a student looking for community service hours? Or a school group looking to do a good deed for the community? An answer to everything you might be looking for is coming up right around the corner -- the third annual Heritage Park Cleanup Day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon April 16.

The annual cleanup brought together 275 volunteers in 2014 and another 225 last year, all working to clean up Taylor's largest and most beautiful park, Heritage Park. 

This year's duties will be split into three main areas: Picking up litter in the park; spreading topsoil in front of the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion; and cleaning up the Coan Lake Historical Area.

Volunteers must sign a liability form. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

The group will meet in the Sheridan Center for registration. This is an event that goes on whether its rain or shine. Dress appropriately and bring work gloves.

They be plenty of food, fun and great prizes. This is THE EVENT to attend if you like to volunteer.

Be a volunteer and be a hero!

For more information, contact Jim Taylor at bozko1@outlook.com or call (7345) 666-8968.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a special reader

Taylor Parks Elementary School had a special guest for March is Reading Month.  

State Representative Erika Geiss paid a visit to the school to read to Kindergarten and first-grade students.  Reading “Grace for President,” by Michigan author Kelly DiPucchio, a very timely story, had students asking lots of questions about becoming the president of the United States.  

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL musical students awarded high honors

Truman High School students Gaeb Kirk and Dayaseh Johnson both received first-division (the highest ratings awarded) on their solos at State Solo and Ensemble recently. A musical expert in their particular instrument judged and awarded critiques and a final rating.

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL government student excel in Lansing

Truman High School students had a very successful five days at the capitol during the “Youth in Government” program in Lansing.

George Felix was on the Governor's Cabinet and won the highest award for Most Outstanding Participant. Nicolas Garcia's green lobbyist group finished in second place in total points. Cindy Nyarko got a standing ovation in the talent show with her rendition of Adele's "All I Ask.”

George Felix did a powerful spoken word performance of "Insomnia.”   

All Truman students were well behaved and represented the school with dignity and pride!!  Those participating were George Felix, Nicolas Garcia, Alyson Vallely, Passionay Smith, Cindy Nyarko, Rachel Zorn and Chelsea Gonzalez.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Huskies win tournament

Congratulations to the undefeated boys' basketball team from Holland Elementary School! The club finished in first place at a tournament recently. Way to go Coach Smith, Coach Gardner and the amazing Holland Huskies!

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL classroom abounds with readers

More mystery readers have been appearing in Ms. Danaj's second grade classroom at Holland Elementary School throughout March. Principal Mrs. McNiven-King made an appearance and brought along a funny story to share. Mr. Todd read "Horton Hears A Who" and brought junior police officer stickers to share.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Archaeologist gives students something to think about

In March, Sarah Mullersman, an archaeologist from the Kelsey Museum in Ann Arbor visited our seventh-grade geography classes at West Middle School. 

She provided the students with two hands-on activities. These activities gave the students with a better understanding of the processes involved in archaeology.

     

In the first activity, the students worked cooperatively to put together broken pottery. In the second activity, students investigated burial boxes to hypothesize the gender, age, status and occupation of the deceased. 

The presentation was well received by staff and students. Through this experience, the students know the skills and practices needed in successful archaeological digs and discoveries.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students hear from state representative

State Representative Erika Geiss (D-12th District) talked to the students at West Middle School earlier this year.

After a brief introduction, Geiss explained her duties as a state representative of the cities of Taylor, Romulus, and a small portion of Van Buren Township. She represents the largest population in Wayne County. This is a huge responsibility, and Geiss is the local voice in Lansing. 

Rep. Geiss said, “I work for all of you:  your parents, friends and neighbors.”  Some of her responsibilities include researching and writing bills, working to get bills passed into laws and sitting on four committees.  Rep. Geiss said that her most important duty, though,was listening to her constituents – the people of her district.  

Rep. Geiss really enjoys is visiting schools and hearing the thoughts or students.  She also read to students in the elementary schools for Reading Month in March.  

The students at West were very intrigued to meet a public figure and listened intently.  Many students took advantage of their opportunity to ask questions.  Among other things, the students asked about the Flint water crisis, the length of her service, her campaign, writing laws, compromise and some of the requirements needed to become a representative.  

Rep. Geiss made it easy for to understand how the legislature can work for people, and why they need to use their voices in government.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Garden Club member captivates students

Taylor Parks Elementary School second-grade pupils in Mrs. Zielinski’s class had a very special guest reader recently.

Mary Krzeczkowski of the Taylor Garden Club read to the students a very special book titled “The Frightened Frog, an environmental tale.”

Mrs. Krzeczkowski, a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, is a retired Taylor teacher, and had the perfect story telling experience to keep the children captivated. They asked tons of questions regarding the environment. The Taylor Garden Club purchased and donated copies of the book to the school libraries.