ROB0TICS HOSTS competition at Taylor Sportsplex

The Taylor School District's TNT Robotics Team recently hosted its own competition and exhibition at the Taylor Sportsplex. On hand were over 20 teams. Here are some photos from the competition.

BEAUMONT, TEEN HEALTH CENTER AND TRUMAN honored with award

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) recently announced the winners of its 2016 Ludwig Community Benefit Award during the MHA Annual Membership Meeting, which included the Beaumont-Taylor Teen Health Center affiliate partnering with Truman High School.

Honored were programs led by Beaumont Hospital, Taylor; Bronson Battle Creek; and Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital, Charlotte.

The award is named in memory of Patric E. Ludwig, a former MHA president who championed investing in the community’s overall health, and is presented to member organizations integrally involved in collaborative programs to improve the health and well-being of area residents.

Each winner will receive $3,000 from the MHA Health Foundation to assist in its health improvement efforts.

Part of Beaumont Health, Beaumont Hospital, Taylor; its Taylor Teen Health Center; and the Taylor School District partnered to help students stay in school and improve their chances for academic success through the School Wellness Program at Harry S. Truman High School.

Most of the children attending the school live in a medically underserved area that includes large numbers of uninsured and Medicaid patients. 

Since November 2011, free services have been provided on-site during all school hours by registered nurses and Licensed Master of Social Work counselors.

The nurses provide services for acute illness and first aid; blood pressure monitoring; HIV testing and counseling; immunization assessment and administration; vision exams and eyeglass certificates; dental referrals; individual health education and counseling; and management of chronic conditions. One educational component is a student nutrition group initially intended to support diabetic students; it became so popular that non-diabetic students asked and were permitted to join. The social work counselors provide services based on the mental health needs of the students. 

More than 8,000 medical visits and 2,600 mental health visits have taken place at the school, and 97 percent of these visits resulted in the student returning to class and staying in school. Many of these vulnerable children would be unlikely to access physical or mental health services without the on-site services of the school wellness program.

For more information on the School Wellness Program at Harry S. Truman High School, contact Jeffrey Cook, director, school-based health at the Taylor Teen Health Center, at (734) 942-2273.

STUDENTS CAN APPLY for spot in police academy

The Taylor Police Department is accepting applications for the 2016 Youth Police Academy through July 30. The academy is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the week of August 15.

Space is limited. The opportunity is open for qualified young men and women entering the ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th grade. Priority will be given to juniors and seniors. The academy is free. You do not have to be a resident of the City of Taylor.

The curriculum includes educational and hands-on activities. 

Applications are available at the Taylor Police Department or by emailing kziomek@ci.taylor.mi.us. 

For more information, email Officer Frank Canning a fdcanning@ci.taylor.mi.us.

SUMMER CREATIVE ACADEMY a big hit for participants

The following artwork is a variation of a PowerPoint that a student made from Taylor’s Summer Creative Academy.

These are students who spend two extra weeks in school. They receive an extra half credit, but having a construction and educational location to attend for the extra 10 days is what the program is really all about.

Students spent six days in the classroom working on survival skills and activities. The students also went on five field trips: Rouge Factory Tour, Holocaust Memorial Center, Greenfield Village, the MASCO hangar at Metro Airport (where they were able to tour the hangar, a plane, use flight simulators and make egg drop projects); and to the movie “Natural Parks” at The Henry Ford.

Summer Creative Academy was a great two weeks for all of the students and the three staff members.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL football camp attracts about 30 campers

The Kennedy High School Youth Football camp was held in late June.  The camp was a three-hour program that taught and practiced the game of football.

The coaching staff along with some varsity players helped guide participants in offensive and defensive drills.  The players had a great time and were given a T-shirt upon registration.

There were approximately 30 campers who experienced the second annual camp.   Coaches even gave them a special treat at the end – popsicles and pizza!