WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL hears special presentation on War of 1812

February 22 was a very proud day for Robert J. West Middle School. One of its very own, Rachel Albany, gave a wonderful presentation on the War of 1812.

Besides being a valuable member of the academic teaching assistance staff, Miss Albany's love of history has also sent her in the direction of an additional career as a park ranger for the National Parks.

In Miss Albany's presentation to our eight-grade history students, she discussed the War of 1812 as it related to our Great Lakes region. She explained the River Raisin battle. Also she told the students about the battles fought in what are now the cities of Wyandotte and Brownstown. 

Fort Mackinaw, located in Mackinaw City, Michigan, and Fort Dearborn, located in what is now Chicago Illinois, were two other important battle sites in the War of 1812.

Miss Albany compared the casualties to our school population of about 900. With that in mind, only 33 out of 900 people survived the war, almost 400 were killed and a little more than 500 people were captured. Miss Albany impressed upon our students that the War of 1812 was the biggest American defeat by the British and Native Americans. Conversely, it was the Native Americans' greatest victory to date.

Many thanks to Miss Albany for her informative presentation. The students have a greater appreciation of the War of 1812 as it was fought in towns that they probably have often visited.  With Miss Albany's expertise in areas of history, this is just the beginning of other presentations to come.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Garden Club begins planting

Hoover Middle School's Garden Club is starting spring planting season.  The students have developed a plan for this season and learned about growing organic vegetables.  They began by planting cool weather crops.  They chose lettuce, spinach, broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, and brussel sprouts for their first planting day.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students enjoy day at The Henry Ford

Through a generous grant from The Henry Ford, 200 West Middle School students were treated to a day at the museum.

The students saw an inspiring movie about the advancements in engineering called Dream BIG at the IMAX Theater. They also visited several areas of the museum, including a roundhouse, the Civil Rights area, toys past and present and the cars and trains.

The highlight for many on the trip was to get on the bus that helped ignite the civil rights movement, when Rosa Parks refused to give her seat to a white man.

Students were also excited to view the theater chair that President Lincoln sat in when he was shot. President Kennedy's car that he was driving in on that fateful day in Texas was also on display.

During our visit, The Henry Ford had a special exhibit that showcased clothing from the last two previous centuries. It was interesting to see how styles have changed over the years.      

    

This trip was quite a success. Students found The Henry Ford informative and engaging. Surely it inspired many to continue their studies in math and science. And as in the message of the IMAX movie, it is our hope that all of our students continue to dream big!

Submitted by Sara Bochenek

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL studies light

Mrs. Proudlock's and Mrs. Woolford's seventh-grade science classes at West Middle School have been studying light.

To further explore how light behaves the students participated in a six-station light lab. From the various stations the students gained first-hand knowledge that red, green and blue light converge to create white light. Concave lenses make light diverge while convex lenses cause light rays to converge or come together.

In another station the students organized a variety of materials under the headings of translucent, transparent or opaque. Using a diffraction grating the students were able to see how green, yellow and white light refracts. Finally in an interesting activity involving a "disappearing" penny, students understand how light was refracted to make the penny "reappear.”

The students had a favorable reaction to this assignment. Students positively interacted with one another. This hands-on assignment made the principles of light come alive for the students. In real time the students now have a better understanding of how light behaves.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students study rocks while extending curriculum

West Middle School eighth-grade science classes have been studying igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. To extend the curriculum the classes were asked to use magnifying glasses and reference books to identify rock samples by name and type. Students worked cooperatively in groups to fill out lab reports.

    

It was interesting to witness critical discussions by group members in order to identify the rock samples provided. Some students used prior knowledge to either identify or eliminate particular choices. Such comments as, "We have that in our kitchen,” (for granite) and "It can't be coal because it's not blackening my hand,” (to eliminate coal and choose obsidian) were overheard.    

     

This lab activity was a success. Students were able to accurately identify rocks as igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic by using scientific tools and reference guides.

Most importantly, students have a good understanding of  what qualities make a productive group member. Active learning occured during this successful rock identification lab.

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL students spend a day with the Lions

Myers Elementary School Music Teacher Leslie Burnett and physical education teachers Scott Fiske and Jason Lauterbach took a team of six students by limo to the “Michigan Fuel Up to Play 60” rally at Ford Field on February 16.

Fifth-graders DaeSean Williams and Jasmyn Gore-Roberts, fourth- graders Joseph Anthony and Tiarah Lollie and third-graders, Erik Schroeder and Ariel McAllister made the trip.

While they were there, they learned about the importance of dairy in their diet. They listened to a dairy farmer speak of her daily routine with her cattle and her love for milk. They listened to former kicker for the Detroit Lions, Jason Hanson, tell of how his diet and exercise was an important part of his game.  

We ran through the tunnel and as our school was announced, we ran onto the field.  They were able to get on the field and learn some football conditioning moves and plays with current Detroit Lion players Cory Wick and Laken Tomlinson.  

The day was filled with nutritious food, fun activities and excitement.  They listened to Ameer Abdullah, current player for the Detroit Lions, speak about the importance of his nutrition during the season and on the offseason.  He came down on the field and danced with all of us.  

The students even met the Detroit Lions mascot Roary!

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Don't be 'that' adult

“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.”

John C. Maxwell

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

So I’m sitting on a traditional yellow school bus on Saturday afternoon after a band event.  Sitting next to me is a beautiful young lady, blonde hair, deep blue eyes and I’m holding her hand. She’s my girlfriend. 

Being a young man myself, a band geek, as we were so very proud to proclaim, I was having a good day; what could be possibly better than spending a Saturday with your girlfriend and comrades at a MSBOA event.

Then it happened: One of the chaperones, a parent from a less than popular student, a volunteer who I’m fairly certain has had more than one run in with the school administration, embarks upon the bus and with a sense of vial satisfaction painted across her face, approaches my position with a distinct walk of righteous indignation. 

This chaperone looks down her nose at me and proclaims loud enough for all to hear, “I don’t care that your father is the Principal, you’re not just going to sit there and publicly defile this young lady.”

I remind you that we were only sitting in a bus seat holding hands and engaging in polite conversation. So as you can imagine, I was taken quite aback. I gave this chaperone a slacked jaw gaze of wonderment, trying to make sense of what she was telling me, when she hit me with a second course.

“You think your just so special don’t you, that you don’t have to follow the rules.  Kids like you amount to nothing in life.”

Hoping to end this verbal assault, I let go of my girlfriends hand and the chaperone moved proudly on, halo firmly affixed upon her head, as she righteously marched to the back of the bus gleaming with pride.

To this day that chaperone’s words echo in my head.  The venom in her voice, the loathing washed across her face and her hateful demeanor will be with me forever.  Though this occurred a lifetime ago, the scars from that day will never fully heal.

Words have meaning, and when that meaning is emphasized by emotion, they become eternal.

Given this, be careful when speaking to your students. Don’t be the cause of scars that will haunt your students for the rest of their lives.  Be a source of inspiration and delight, build your students up. 

You don’t know who, but one of your students in your classes right now will be a doctor or attorney, a teacher or principal, a congressmen or senator, or maybe even governor or president.

What story will they tell others of you?

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

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