TOMMIE SAYLOR: It's another year in the books

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure…  than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School

It is another year “in the books” and what a year it was. Back in September I wrote:

“The 2015 – 2016 school year is now upon us, and we have three large hills to climb, the first trimester, the second trimester, and the third trimester. Once again, I feel your eyes upon my back, some pushing and others pulling. Yet together we will stand upon the crest of the final hill in triumph, together we will make this school year the best one yet. But keep in mind that upon your back are the eyes of your students. How and where will you lead them?”

Now as we stand upon “the final hill” looking back over the school year in raged triumph, battered and bruised, we must ask ourselves, did we win or did we lose? Was this school year epically awesome to stand as the model for all other school years yet to come, or was this school year a devastating loss wrought with disappointment, frustration and disillusion?

In truth, I would say someplace between the two extremes. As I review this school year, I can recall many victories, some simple and small, many others huge and life changing.  We suffered losses as well, losses that have left us scarred.  Personally, I like to believe that our victories outweigh our losses, both in number and impact. In our business it is hard to quantify. Each victory and each loss is independently graduated within the heart and mind of each individual.

As we brush this year’s dust off of our shoulders we see on the horizon the 2016-2017 school year looming over us.  Three more hills, three more trimesters, students that need us more than we will ever know. Have a great summer.

How and where will you lead them. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL holds field day

Randall Elementary School's May PBIS incentive was a Field Day. There were various stations set up for the students to enjoy during a half-hour session. They included: Tic tac toe relay; volleyball; relay race around cones; spoon race with marshmallows; and a kickball game. 

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Super Hero Run title goes to kindergarten class

The title of Randall Elementary School's Super Hero Run winning class went to Mrs. Jonassen's kindergarten. They collected the most donations to earn a prize.

The prize for collecting the most was to have a water soak fight with the principal Ms. Meszaros. The class and Ms. Meszaros all had fun getting wet on a beautiful day.

Thanks Ms. Meszaros for your putting smiles on a group of kindergarten students (and the adults watching).

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL brings heroes to life

Fifth-grade students at Randall Elementary School recently brought history to life.

They ranged from Sally Ride to Ken Griffey Jr., Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank, Dr. Martin Luther King and even Malcolm X. Students spent time reading and researching someone famous who they considered to be a hero. Students were then responsible for creating a display, preparing a presentation and writing a report about the famous person.

In May 19, fifth graders dressed as their heroes and shared their presentations. Students and parents were invited to the gym to view the "museum" displays and to hear presentations from the "wax figures.” 

All of the students did an outstanding job!

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL choir to perform at Detroit Tigers' game in September

West Middle School’s top choir, the Cardinal Singers, has been selected to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" at Comerica Park for the Tigers’ game on Friday, September 9. It starts at 7:10 p.m.  

Tigers selected the choir after watching of video of one of their performances. West staff hopes that lots of parents, teachers and students can come out and support the choir that night. 

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a fun day ... literally!

June 13th was Randall Elementary School's annual Fun Day and everyone had a blast!

The PTA set up two movie rooms, two bingo rooms, two game rooms and a reading room where students could take a free book.

Students had the following chances: slide down three enormous blow-up slides or toss a basketball in one; create their own flavor of Kona frozen ice; play kickball; do the egg relay; throw the football through the hole; play tic tac toe; and participate in the Frisbee toss.  

Two of the most popular activities were the soak guns and plastic cup game, and the DJ in the gym for dancing.

The staff was happy to have parent volunteers helping with the games and staff were on duty in various places. The Randall staff and students would like to give a big thank you to our parent club for all their hard work to making Fun Day “FUN!”