TOMMIE SAYLOR: Chicken soup remedies for the dog days of the school year

“Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.”  

-- Karl Barth

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

I have always said that the most difficult time of the school year is February.

Why? Consider the following …

• It is difficult because the days are short
• Everything is masked is shades of gloom because the weather is awful
• The Michigan Merit Examinations are on the horizon
• Evaluations are in full dose
• Next year’s schedule is being debated
• Tempers are short and moods sour
• We just passed the halfway point in the school year
• And the end is not yet in sight.  

When you add it all up, it is just hard to remain focused and on task and joyous of spirit. So, what is the solution?  

There is none!  This time of the school year is like suffering through a bad cold.  We may be able to address some of the symptoms, but there is no cure; we must just simply endure.

Consider the following educational “chicken soup” remedies. They are inexpensive:

• 1 part routine
• 2 parts adherence to procedures
• A dash of kindness
• A healthy dose of planning
• A casual smile (faking it is OK)
• Lots of understanding
• And an abundance of caring

Be not afraid. In just a few short weeks the weather will improve, the sun will return and the gloom will give way to happier times.

Stay the course and remain vigilant. Together we will make it through this time of melancholy, and emerge from the other side stronger and wiser.

Remember, their future is in our hands. Making Kennedy the school of  choice. Excellence by design.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY: Students turn to apples during heart healthy week

On Wednesday, February 5, as part of the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy week celebration, all of the students at Taylor Parks Elementary School were treated to a healthy snack of apples, courtesy of the Meijer store in Taylor and the district’s school nurses.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Students learn about the power they hold with computers. cell phones and gaming systems

On Wednesday, February 5, all of the students at Hoover Middle School viewed a presentation by a representative of Children's Hospital of Michigan on Internet safety.  

The students learned of the power they have with their computers, cell phones and gaming systems, along with the dangers of not using them safely.  

Afterwards, they were treated to a healthy snack, courtesy of the Meijer of Taylor, and the school nurses, celebrating The American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Week.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Parents go above and beyond ... and even sell 'West Wear'

According to Principal Trish Kaechele at West Middle School, not only did the school schedule a “Parent Game Night” during parent/teacher conferences, but the West parent group also works during every conference night to sell the school’s fancy “West Wear.”

West Wear includes sunglasses, lanyards and anti-bully wristbands. The group also offers slushies and popcorn, ready for the parents and siblings of students for a nice refreshment break between conferences.

Thanks to all of the West parent and student helpers. All the West gear is available for purchase any time in the main office.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Band beats the weather and the competition

Fifty-six Hoover Middle School Band students participated in the MSBOA District 12 Solo and Ensemble Festival Competition held at Livonia Franklin High School on Saturday, February 1. Forty-two received the highest first division rating.

Students and parents traveled through the snow and ice to perform their solo, duet or trio for a musical judge.  Each student received helpful advice and verbal and written comments from the judge.  

Forty-two Hoover students received the highest first division rating. Twelve students received a second division rating and four received a third division rating.  

Pianist Mrs. Winnie accompanied all the solo performers. Mrs. Winnie has been playing the piano for Taylor students for the past 23 years, and students and staff are grateful for her time and service.  

Mr. Bergler, Hoover band director, was extremely proud of all of the students and very impressed that parents made the extra effort to get them to Livonia despite the storm.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Here comes Mr. Kaunelis and his computers ...

McDowell Elementary School first-graders are learning to compute!

On a recent day, two carts full of laptop computers rolled into Ms. Park's room followed by the most enthusiastic technology teacher you’d ever want to meet, Mr. Derek Kaunelis.

Mr. Kaunalis has had a chance to be in almost every classroom in the Taylor School District. He gives instruction and encourages students to get comfortable with a computer.

Ms. Park's students learned about the keyboard and much more. Mr. Kaunelis's big advice to every student is, “Try it, you're really going to like it.”

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: There's a 'bug' going around, and it has numbers in it ...

There is a “bug” going around McDowell Elementary School these days. It seems that everyone has caught “Math Mania!”

Everyone had a good time at the school’s Math Mania Family Night recently. Students and their parents played a variety of math games that really made learning fun.

The games included What's My Number (a game like Guess Who); Tangram Triangles, where pictures were made out of geometric shapes; Getting Glyphy, where students followed a key to make a picture with a message; Silly Shape Fun, which is a geometric shape board game; and last but not least, math games that the families could make and take home!

The McDowell staff and Talking Taylor Schools sends out a big thank you to all the families that came out and made the family night a success!