MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Talking Taylor School blog!

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL active before the break

The last week before Christmas Break is always an active week. At Randall Elementary School it was very active. Holiday Spirit Week (which included: crazy hat/hair day; pajama day; snow day; favorite holiday character day; and red, white and green day); Night with Santa; art projects on the walls; PBIS winter games; presents made for family members; and of course class work. Randall School would like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Taylor School District families and staff!

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL classes have a challenge

Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Vargo’s pupils from Holland Elementary School challenged each other to a equivalent fraction race. The students worked in teams and were given a simple fraction. Each member took a turn looking for equivalent fractions.

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL gets special visit

This week at Blair Moody Elementary School, Taylor High School senior Dean Smith (aka the Griffin mascot) was a fan favorite dressed up as the Grinch. The Grinch visited classes, joined in activities, lead some songs, and was very happy and un-Grinch like! The kids all had a blast!

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL mother-son dance

Eureka Heights Elementary School mother/son dance.

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL takes on project

The Eureka Heights Elementary School Student Council took on a meals-on-wheels projects with the help of every grade in the school.

They received 300 placemats from a former Taylor graduate (Angie Winton) to decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our students loved creating them and took a lot of pride in their task. The placemats will be delivered out with the meals on wheel project.

(Student Council Advisor Jeana Rybski)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the THS Griffins!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE GRIFFIN FAMILY!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL events schedule

Upcoming Events at Taylor High School:

• December 21-January 6 - Holiday Break
• January 7- School Resumes
• January 11 - DECA District Competition @ EMU

Other News!

Afterschool tutoring is underway. Transportation is provided.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL hoop teams get first wins in history

The Taylor High School Griffin Men’s and Women’s basketball teams both got their first win’s in history! The women beat Dearborn Edsel Ford and the men beat Allen Park! Congratulations to both teams! Way to show your Griffin Pride!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL bowlers on the mark

Both the Taylor High School girls and boys bowling team had huge success over the weekend at the Huron Holiday Classic Tournament. The girls took first place and the boys finished second. Congratulations to you both.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL: Zorn speaks with students

A huge shout out to Mr. Zorn who came out to talk to Mr. Bolderick’s and Mr. Manning’s Engineering Classes at Taylor High School! He shared his experiences as an Engineer at GM. Thank you Mr. Zorn! You rock!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL Key Club project a success!

The Key Club ornament contest was a huge success at Taylor High School! Students and staff raised over $2,400 for needy Griffin families and also provided 25 food baskets for students to take home for the holidays! The spirit of giving is alive and well … THANK YOU GRIFFINS!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL students make 'thank you' a part of the program

Seniors in Taylor High School ELA 12A have been working very hard on their senior projects this semester.

Students have investigated future careers and have even had the opportunity to job shadow professionals in our community. A new component to the project this year is a “Thank You” letter.

In Mrs. Stabnick's class, nearly 100 professional letters have been written and sent to those community members who were gracious enough to allow our students to job shadow them, including 2018 JFK HS graduate Randy Ramey.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL teachers show the spirit of the season

Green Grinches? No way! These McDowell Elementary School teachers wish you all a Merry Christmas!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL choir students raise the roof

Monday evening the Taylor High School Choir students sounded amazing during their concert at Wayne County Community College District’s Downriver Campus. Way to go Griffins!

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sells Holiday Grams

Taylor Parks Elementary School Student Council helped sell “Holiday Grams” to purchase Toys for Tots. They were able to purchase 40 toys to donate to children in need.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL: Chem classes perform labs

Mr. Caltabiano’s Taylor High School chemistry classes recently performed a lab with ionic compounds:

1. The first picture is showing a single replacement reaction where students were able to form copper from a reaction with aluminum foil and copper chloride.
2. The second picture shows how to light a Christmas bulb using an ionic compound solution.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL pupils receive important holiday presents

Oh, what a Merry Christmas! Recently at McDowell Elementary School each child in the building received a "Merry Christmas" bag from our supporting partner, Gilead Church in Taylor. 

Through thre church’s generosity, pupils took wonderful food stuffs home for the holidays Thanks to Gilead for remembering the children during the holiday season! Staff is so glad they are part of our McDowell family!

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students learn ancient games

Ms. Sarah Mullersmen, from the Kelsey Museum in Ann Arbor, recently showed West Middle School seventh-grade social Studies classes how to play games from ancient Egypt, Rome and the Middle East.

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TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL rewards positive behavior

Taylor Parks Elementary School pupils were recently rewarded for positive behavior with an “Ice Cream Social” and dancing.  

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL band and choir concerts scheduled

The Taylor High School band and choir concerts for the holiday season are scheduled as follows:

• Choir Concert is on Monday December 17 at WCCCD at 7 p.m.  
• Band Concert is on Tuesday December 18 at WCCCD at 7 p.m. 

TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT Foundation for Educational Excellence holds annual breakfast

The Taylor School District’s Foundation for Educational Excellence held its annual appreciation breakfast at the “Chopping Block” restaurant, which is part of the district’s culinary arts program.

Ken Nelson, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, MC’d the affair, which culminates in awards to the Foundation’s top donors each year. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for scholarships and other endeavors in support of the Taylor School District.

One of the Foundation’s biggest campaigns each year ends with graduating seniors awarded scholarships to the school of their choice. Traditionally, that meant Kennedy and Truman high schools. Moving forward, the organization will focus on graduates of the new Taylor High School.

The celebratory breakfast opened with prayer led by Pastor Ryan Bettinger, Taylor Ministerial Association Representative to the Foundation.

Nelson reviewed the theme from the previous presentations: “Angel Wings” from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” emphasizing that donors are angels; and then “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” emphasizing that donors are winners. This year’s theme was “Beacons of Light.”

Six students from the Taylor High School Honors Choir performed the song, “You Can’t Be a Beacon (if Your Light Don’t Shine).”

One of the donors, Tim Rodgers (Class of 1976) John F. Kennedy High School) was in attendance. He discussed his experiences in the Taylor Schools and the support and nurturing he received from teachers, coaches, and principals who led to his very successful career in business.

Because of those experiences he has decided to be a “beacon” and give back to the Taylor Public Schools and establish a scholarship. Nelson awarded Foundation “Certificates of Appreciation” to various donors of scholarships, including Mayor Rick Sollars, totaling approximately $30,000, to be distributed in June 2019.

Each certificate was imprinted with the donor’s name and a picture of a lighthouse shining its beacon of light. In addition, a certificate of appreciation was awarded to Roger (1967 Taylor Center graduate) and Pam (1967 J.F. Kennedy graduate) Swap. They gave a very generous donation to the Foundation, which will support the funding of students who are enrolled in the school district vocal music, instrumental music and drama programs, to attend The Phantom of the Opera at the Fisher Theater in January 2019.

Last June, Kennedy High School graduates who earned Foundation-related scholarships included:

• Jazmine Plank ($500) A.J. Webb Memorial Scholarship

• Jayla Dallas ($500) A.J. Webb Memorial Scholarship

• Owen Matthews ($500) Award for Educational Achievement

• Violet Ramage ($1,000) Ann Robertson Drank Scholarship

• Dominick Brock ($650) Charles Bonner Going Forward Award

• Ethan Harris ($1,250) Charles Dickelman University of Michigan Scholarship

• Baylee Collins ($500) Educational Athletic Scholarship

• Chinweoke Ezeokoli ($500) Dearborn Federal Credit Union Educational Achievement Award

• Brandy KeeSee ($500) Grodman Cure Foundation/Shane Simmons Memorial Scholarship

• Brianne Hardacre ($500) Laura Trent Memorial Scholarship

• Hunter Rodden ($500) Mayor Rick Sollars Scholarship

• Kirsten Vallimont ($500) Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship

• Natalie Cook ($500) Taylor Ministerial/ Making A Difference Award

• Rebecca Swift ($500) Taylor Public Schools Foundation Scholarship

• Hannah Bolsley ($500) Taylor School District Alumni Association Scholarship

• Raphael Vizconde ($500) Total Community Credit Union Scholarship

• Katelyn Willim ($500) Women’s Auxiliary of the Democratic Club of Taylor Scholarship.

Last June, Truman graduates who earned Foundation-related scholarships were:

• DeJanae Benton ($1,250) Charles Dickelman University of Michigan Scholarship

• Emily Conklin ($500) Dearborn Federal Credit Union Education Achievement Award

• Alex Kolnitys ($500) Educational Athletic Scholarship

• MacKenzie Raboczkay ($500) Mayor Rick Sollars Scholarship

• Chase Nester ($500) Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship

• Amber Thompson ($500) Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship

• Sara Sherazi ($500) Taylor Ministerial Scholarship

• Sara Timoficuil ($500) Taylor Public School Foundation Scholarship

• Sarah Woolley ($500) Taylor School District Alumni Association Scholarship

• Austin Gignac ($500) Total Community Credit Union Scholarship

• Cierra Jones ($500) Women’s Auxiliary of the Democratic Club Scholarship

• Tomi DaSilva ($500) Robert and Mary Merman Award