MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Little ones graduate with a stunning ceremony

The end of kindergarten means moving up and moving on -- and move they did at McDowell Elementary School’s end of the year "Salute to America" concert.

Every little patriotic voice and foot lifted up during the performance. The students then received their kindergarten certificates from Mrs. Doll and Ms. Bochenek and invited their families to join them in a little reception of juice and cookies.

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: End of year means bowling!

Eureka Heights Elementary School fifth graders celebrate the end of the year at their bowling field trip.

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL POHI: Recent dance draws rave reviews

Truman High School POHI held a wonderful dance recently.  

POHI students do not have many opportunities to get out and socialize with each other, since many of them live in other districts and transportation is usually an issue.  Therefore, one of the POHI staff members came up with the idea of hosting a dance for them.

Included were former students, so they also could reconnect with some of the people they grew up with and enjoy the company of the Taylor POHI staff who became like a second family to them.  

Everyone had a good time and loved being able to dance and laugh with each other like average teenagers. Several parents and both current and former students told staff members how wonderful the dance was and how they were so happy to be back with their POHI family. They were also told how much they looked forward to the next "Spring Fling," according to Stacey Master, special education teacher at Truman.

The staff made a few dozen cookies. Some of the paraprofessional’s children served as the DJs for the dance and provided lighting and decorations.  All the staff who attended brought food to feed everyone, helped set it up and assisted with clean up.  Over 100 people attended, which included most current students and their families as well as many former POHI students and family members.  There were also numerous retired and current POHI staff in attendance.  

Staff who contributed to the success of the dance are: Angela Buvia; Janie Cooper; Jamie Eilola; Alison Mack;Patty Maginity; Dawn McNabb; Lee Michna; Julie Miller; Marilyn O'Brien; Sue Peterson (Truman art teacher); Sue Peterson (POHI supervisor); and Julie Poslajko.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Fun day is a real hit!

It’s another school year in the books and Taylor Parks Elementary School pupils know how to celebrate.  

The Student Council, under the guidance of Mrs. Bergeron, fifth-grade teacher, and Mrs. Keller, resource teacher, outdid themselves arranging the event with the best games, tattoos, Sno Kones, bounce houses, face painting.

Along with the best weather day this year, everyone in the school had a blast. Wonderful Taylor Parks’ parents provided the manpower to help everything run as sooth as it did and to help them refuel, a luncheon was provided that included pizza, salad, snacks and beverage.

A big “Thank You” to all of the parent volunteers.

TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Drama club brings the house down with Little Red: Life in the Hood

The Taylor Parks Elementary School Drama Club presented a play, “Little Red: Life in the Hood,” to parents, staff, and students recently.  

The play was about Little Red Riding Hood who came to tell her story on Terry Tellus' talk show but was rudely interrupted by her grandmother and the Wolf.

It seems Red Riding Hood's version was nothing but a fairy tale. The grandmother and the Wolf insisted on equal airtime.

Henny Penny, Chicken Little and Turkey Lurkey appeared as insurance agents, and the Three Little Pigs and the Three Little Kittens were present, too, as they made their way through the twists and turns of the different versions.

The cast practiced long and hard to provide the best performance possible.  Under the direction of Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Zielinski, both second-grade teachers, it was a huge success.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Children receive lasting surprise

Every Taylor Parks Elementary School student received a surprise on their last visit to their library for this school year.  

Each student was given a new book to take home and read for the summer. Mrs. Lind, the schools librarian, was able to acquire a selection of free new books from the Kiwanis #1 Club of Detroit.  

Mrs. Lind visited the warehouse, located in downtown Detroit, where the Kiwanis has thousands of books available for schools and was able to select books based on reading ability and interest.  With the help of Mr. Lind, the books were loaded into their truck and transported to a safe place just waiting to be put into the hands of all the great students at Taylor Parks.  

From the smiles on their faces, it was a wonderful surprise indeed.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: PBiS turns into scavenger hunt

What do snowmen, robins, and picnic tables have in common?

They were but a few items on a huge list that Taylor Parks Elementary School students had to find on a school-wide scavenger hunt to celebrate the last PBiS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) day.

With the sun shining and great temperatures, students looked high and low for these and more than 30 other items.  Once the hunt was over, students enjoyed a Tootie Roll Pop.