SUPT. BEN WILLIAMS to be guest speaker during Mayor Sollars' annual State of the City Feb. 15

Taylor School District Supt. Ben Williams is scheduled to be a special guest speaker during Mayor Rick Sollars' 2018 State of the City Address at noon on February 15. The program will be held in the Prechter Educational & Performing Arts Center at Wayne County College College's Downriver District. 

Admission is free.

Supt. Williams and Mayor Sollars will both have "great" things to say about the community -- the school superintendent will discuss the new Taylor High School, a brand new learning academies concept and many other new features coming to the Taylor Schools. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Sollars' keynote speech, his fifth since taking office in 2013, will focus on the City's new Good to Great Neighborhoods Program, with will bring a new emphasis on improving residential and businesses areas throughout the community.

The State of the City program annually benefits charities, and this year is no different. Proceeds from this year's program will be divided between the new Taylor Goodfellows and the 23rd District Court's Goodwill Gardens program. The Goodfellows, restarted in late 2017, helped 29 families and 60 children over the holiday season. The Goodwill Gardens annually plants and harvest produce that is then used at charitable organizations like the Downriver Fish & Loaves Food Pantry.

Over time, the SOC has raised approximately $20,000 for Taylor charities. 

The 2018 SOC, presented by the Rotary Club of Taylor, will give a unique opportunity to see the new visions for the City and the public school district simultaneously.

School groups (middle or high school only) and other organizations are welcome to attend. If your group is interested, please contact Kimber Dorton at (734) 374-1450. Individual walkups are welcome -- just be in your Prechter Center seat by noon sharp!

TAYLOR SCHOOLS alum newsletter published for February

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL jumps with Jill!

Taylor Parks Elementary School pupils had a blast thanks to a visit from “Jump With Jill,” a music-based health program for kids that make nutrition education rock. 

Armed with catchy songs, upbeat dance moves and a hip wardrobe, Jump With Jill uses the same tools normally used to sell junk food and keep kids sedentary to empower kids to make healthy choices.

Jump With Jill is known as the world's only rock & roll nutrition show. And Taylor Parks students were rocking!

DUELING PIANOS to again benefit education

Lt. Horatio Caine won’t be in town, but David Caruso will be.

While the Dave Caruso who is performing a benefit concert in Taylor isn’t the same one famous for roles on “CSI: Miami” and “NYPD,” he is quite popularly known as the “man of a thousand songs.” The benefit, an evening of dueling pianos, is set for March 3 at the Democratic Club of Taylor, 23400 Wick Road.

For the complete story in The News-Herald, click here

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL kicks off Pennies for Patients Campaign

McDowell Elementary School is once again going to contribute to a "Pennies for Patients" campaign to benefit the Leukemia Foundation.

Led by teachers, Mrs. Sutphen and Mrs. Vanderworp, the campaign will raise money this month, award a pasta party and cheer on this worthy cause.

This is the assembly to kick off the campaign. 

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL pupils find the right combination at library

What better way to spend a snowy morning then to sip hot cocoa (with marshmallows, of course) and enjoy a good book about playing in the snow.

That’s exactly what Taylor Parks Elementary School Librarian Mrs. Lind thought as she treated the kindergartners to a snow day surprise.

Mmmmm!

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL fourth graders to make trip to Henry Ford

Eureka Heights Elementary School fourth-graders will take a field trip to the Henry Ford Museum on Friday, February 16.

The Henry Ford provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future.

To warm up for the trip, click here

CAREER CENTER students to learn about remodeling and repairing

Students are the Career Center will be taking a field trip February 15 to the Suburban Showcase in Novi to focus on remodeling and repair. 

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL hosts Merger Committee meeting February 14

A meeting of the Merger Committee is scheduled for 4 p.m. February 14 at Truman High School. Parents and students should remember that they can follow all Taylor School District merger information on the school website. It is constantly updated, and includes plenty of background material.

Click here for merger information

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL holds parent session

There will be a Westfall Parent Session at 1:30 p.m. February 14 at Eureka Heights Elementary School. 

FEBRUARY 14 marks an Official Student Count Day

Parents of Taylor School District students should remember that Wednesday, February 14, is more that just Valentine's Day. It is an official Student Count Day. So it is important that students are in school that day.

Student count days are mandated by the State of Michigan and have direct bearing on school funding, the great majority of which comes directly from the state. 

For more information on student count day, click here

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Players schedule public performance

The Randall Elementary School Players will hold their public performance from 6-8 p.m. February 12, 13 and 14 in the school gym. For more information and tickets, contact the school. The public is encouraged to attend and support the group.

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL holds PTO meeting

There is a PTO meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 8, at Myers Elementary School.

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA to meet

There is a PTA meeting scheduled at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, February 8, at Eureka Heights Elementary School.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Players at work this week

Just a reminder that the Randall Elementary School Players are releasing each afternoon this week, culminating in their dress rehearsal and cast party on Friday, February 9.

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL gets in the habit

Blair Moody Elementary School recently held its “Super Second Graders for our Leader In Me Habit 4 Assembly.”

To understand the program, think, “Win Win … Everyone can win.”

The school-wide assembly included skits, songs, presenters and posters. There were special guests, and first graders joined the second grade to sing songs and kick off “Habit 5.”

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students join symphony band

Eight students from West Middle School will soon begin playing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Concert Band.

The band contacted West band director Joann Farmer when they were looking for brass and percussion players. Farmer recommended eight students, who all auditioned and were all accepted.

Their first performance will be March 4 behind the direction of Damien Crutcher.

The eight students who are joining the Concert Band are Nick Marshall, Natalia Sharbo, Ryanne Berringer, Alexandra Berringer, Gwen Crawford, Jackson Bolsley, Christopher MacKenzie, and Chineme Ezeokoli.

Forthe entire story by Dave Herndon of The News-Herald, click here