KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: Staff member is a wonderful example for entire school

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

-- Emma Lazarus

By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal

From the not-so-random acts of kindness category, we have a staff member that joined our ranks a few years ago, someone who has struggled in other buildings in the district, yet seems to have found a home here at Kennedy High School. 

A staff member that has a huge heart and an endless supply of kindness, a person that will quite literally give you the shirt off of his back even if he needs it more than you.

This staff member commits deliberate acts of kindness, and has no sense of the number of hours in a day he spends helping students, teachers, and administrators. He returns to the school for almost every after-school event. 

This staff member has a true service mentality, is exceptionally hard on himself and finds a true sense of pleasure and fulfillment in helping others. 

This staff member, Mr. Avelardo Paredes, is more than just a simple office secretary (administrative assistant), he is the embodiment of the spirit of Kennedy High School.

This is not just a reflection of Ave, it is also a testimonial to the character of Kennedy High School.

You give us your best, show a desire to succeed, have a passion for your profession and we will find a place for you. 

At Kennedy we understand that everyone has value, that every living soul has something to contribute, and all you need to do to be a part of this team is to put forth effort and we will gladly “offer our hand in friendship” and make you a part of one of the best educational teams in the Downriver area. 

We don’t care about your position or job title. We understand that it takes a village to raise a child, and we are that village.  All we consider is your dedication to the team, mission, job and our students.

So hats off to Ave, and to the entire Kennedy team for creating an atmosphere where everyone is welcomed.

Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL library serves many purposes

The McDowell Elementary School Library, like libraries in so many other buildings, is used for Santa Shop, book fair, staff meetings, celebrations, mobile dentist, and so much more.

But the heart of any library is seeing students involved with a great book. These are Mr. Young's fifth-grade students loving reading!

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STEM night gets everyone going!

Family Fun STEM Night at McDowell Elementary School was Super, Thought provoking, Enjoyable and Meaningful learning!

What STEM really stands for are the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Families got to have fun with materials from the Arts and Scraps store, play games, build a robot and work on math. That's a lot of fun learning!

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL names Eddie Roberts student of the month

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL Eagle News includes stories from English department and many others

TOMMIE SAYLOR: The right emotions are always appreciated

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.”

Brad Henry

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

It may sound strange, but when an instructor, lay-person, secretary, maintenance, counselor or coach enters my office and “pounds” on my desk passionately advocating for their cause, I appreciate their zeal. 

I appreciate the emotion and the explosion of raw energy.  I appreciate their courage to advocate for students, the pluck and daring it takes to go to “the boss” and “lay it on the line” not for their own well being, but for the well being of others, the well being of our students.

I can teach a young instructor what it takes to be a first-rate teacher, what it takes to work with students and parents and how to develop lessons that are engaging and entertaining. I am well versed in pedagogy, methodology and what the latest research says about how students learn. 

I can demonstrate and instruct others how to put together a first rate lesson, how to deliver the lesson, how to capture student attention, the art and science behind teaching and learning.

But I can’t teach passion, the love for students, and the desire to help students find their inspiration. I can’t teach that longing in one’s core that wakes you up in the middle of the night when creativity suddenly strikes or that warm feeling deep inside that brings tears to your eyes when your students finally “get it.”

I can’t teach those things, and this is why I have said over and over again, teaching is a calling, a mandate from a higher power. 

So when someone comes into my office obviously upset concerning the well being and educational opportunities of students, I appreciate their concern, intensity and enthusiasm. They are showing me that they care.

Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL enjoys holiday PBiS

At Taylor Parks Elementary School, snow was falling; a beautiful Christmas tree stood in the hallway; and students were getting excited about the holidays. 

This was the setting for the PBiS celebration in Mrs. Augustyn's fourth-grade classroom.  In keeping with the holiday spirit, she and her students created the most adorable gingerbread houses. Mrs. Augustyn can't help but wonder how many of these delectable looking creations will make it until Christmas?