TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL gets a visit from the dentist

Dr. Margo Woll, Smile Mobile Dentists, visited Taylor Parks Elementary School recently to give an Oral Hygiene lesson to kindergarten, first- and second-grade classes.

The Smile Programs was founded more than a decade ago to help children who were unable to access dental care and as a result, often suffered from poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, pain and associated medical problems.

Services are delivered directly in the school setting, which alleviates the time and transportation burden on parents and provides a safe, secure and often fun environment for the children.

Students had fun learning about taking care of their teeth and will hopefully feel more assured when visiting the dentist.

KINYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL children rock the building

The Kinyon Elementary School kindergarten kids amazed parents and families recent during their concert! A huge thanks to Jessica Brady, fabulous music teacher, for making the event happen!

KINYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL cheerleaders take first in dance and cheer

The Kinyon Elementary School cheerleaders really rock after taking first in dance and cheer at the Taylor Cheer Competition.

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 'Chalk the Walk'

Here are photos from the recent Eureka Heights Elementary School PBIS celebration "Chalk the Walk.”

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: It's time for a tastiest

As part of a Nutrition Program at West Middle School, Adventure Learning students had an opportunity to make and tastetest Rainbow Veggie Wraps.  The students have been learning about food safety and food preparation so this activity was a fun way to practice what they have been learning. Thank you for Miss Flaura from "ShowMe Nutrition" for providing this great experience.

KINYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has team-building experience

Kinyon Elementary School fifth-grade students recently went to the Howell Nature Center on team-building experience.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL aides perform outstanding service

Randall Elementary School ATAs are outstanding!

The ATAs, or Academic Teacher Aides, at Randall come up with innovative ways to help our students learn math. Mr. Doute even gets on the floor to work with them.

Thank you to Kathy Bennet-Davis and Ryan Doute.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Teacher receives MEEMIC grant

Randall Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Kelly Szwed was the recipient of $300 from a grant offered by MEEMIC, Omni Insurance Agency. 

Mrs. Szwed’s students were excited to hear the good news about the money going toward their classroom. Congratulations Mrs. Szwed!

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL chorus performs

On May 2 the Holland Elementary School chorus, 45 students strong and directed by Mrs. Leslie Burnett, performed two concerts for the entire student body.  

They showcased the songs performed at the Taylor school district Literacy Luau in March: “Spring, Spring, Spring,” “All You Need is Love” (by The Beatles) and “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin.

The students and staff enjoyed the performance!

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students visit Michigan Opera Theater

On April 29 West Middle School chorus classes attended a wonderful performance of “Mikado” at the Michigan Opera Theater.  A huge thank you is extended to the Michigan Opera Theater for donating the tickets and paying for the transportation. 

     

The opera centers on Nanki-Poo, the son of Mikado of Japan. Nanki-Poo has fled his father's imperial court to escape marriage with Katisha, an elderly lady.  But all ends well with laughing song and a merry dance as Nanki-Poo marries his true love, Yum Yum.

     

The performance was lively and entertaining.  The colorful costumes and set design added to the enjoyment.  For many of the students, this was their first time attending an opera. Hopefully, the students will continue to participate and appreciate the theater throughout their lifetime.  

BIANCA WARNER: First DECA president discusses trip to international convention

By Bianca Warner

DECA President

My trip down to Nashville for DECA International Career Development Conference (April 23-26) was one I'll always remember.

It was my first time traveling outside of the state on my own so it was kind of scary. I was able to make new friends from all around the country, which isn't something someone often gets to do. I attended the Aspire Academy, which was a two-day seminar on preparation for student's futures. I enjoyed interacting with all of the new people and learning so many beneficial things.

Our seminars were broken into three main topics: College Matters, Money Matters, and Tips for Interviews. I really learned a lot in each of the seminars. It's definitely something I would encourage any students to try and be a part of.

I also was able to meet with executive mentors from big companies around the world and ask them questions. It was a one in a lifetime opportunity.

I am so thankful for my advisor, Carly Lundgren-Barnard; Principal Melissa Skopczynski; career center Principal Jacqueline Lancina; and the Board of Education. It was such a great feeling being the first Truman student to ever attemd and being able to come home and tell my peers about it. I’m encouraging them to work hard and go to ICDC in the future. 

Here is the speech I presented about my experience with DECA throughout my high school career (click on for YouTube video). I am Truman's first president of DECA and was able to start many traditions this year that I hope to live on. 

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Green Team helps city celebrate Tree City USA

The City of Taylor celebrated 25 years in the "Tree City USA" program with a honorary planting of trees with the Randall Elementary School "Mustangs Green Team" on April 29.

Mayor Rick Sollars, Golf, Parks and Recreatiion Executive Director Jeff Dobek and Guido Ulin and Troy Cox of the City grounds crew visited Randall and joined Principal Cynthia Meszaros and her staff in enabling the school's Green Team -- which gets involved in all things environmental -- and planted two new crab apple trees in the front of the building off the parking lot.

The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees.

More than 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA. They have achieved Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

The tree planting wasn't the only thing going on at Randall today. As City of Taylor representatives walked the main hall at Randall (with Mayor Sollars high-fiving students along the way), it was pointed out that pupils were celebrating good behavior throughout the month of April with some paper plane flying. So you occasionally had to duck a wayward flight.

Caroline Patts and Kelly Mitroka assembled the Green Team in the library, where they explained their mission and talked about environmental efforts in the building.

After taking a team photo, taskmasters Ulin and Cox put the children to work in the drizzle, filling dirt and mulch around the trees before spreading some more top soil around the main walkway, and adding grass seed. Ulin has been planting trees as part of the Tree City USA program across Taylor for 17 years.

When the pair of new crab apples grow up and fill out, they will match the existing one already existing there.