Talking Taylor Schools

Saturday, April 15, 2017

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Closing marks a great opportunity

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

President John F. Kennedy

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

(Editor's Note: The Board of Education voted Monday to close Kennedy High School and merge high school operations into the Truman High School building. More information is to come.)

The decision has been made.

Now we have upon us a great opportunity, a once in a lifetime chance to transform the educational process for generations of students, not just into a long list of lessons, but into a dynamic and life altering experience.

Like a large lump of clay born from the merger of water and earth, we as the artists shall mold, shape and bake the clay into the most durable, functional and enriching educational experience to have ever been crafted from our chaotic world.

Simply, the union of Harry S Truman High School and John F. Kennedy High School is an epic opportunity to “get it right”, to finally do all those things we have always wanted to do for our students, to decisively and with great intent create an educational experience second to none.

So when people ask me how I feel concerning the closing of Kennedy High School, well, I am sad to see such a fine school close. Kennedy has earned so many honors, awards and recognition; served so many generations of students; and is so rich in tradition come.

But I am as excited as a giddy school boy, a kind of excitement I have not experienced since I first entered the classroom, It’s the kind of excitement that makes one’s mind run at warp speed thinking about all the possibilities now laid before us.

There is an excitement peppered with flecks of fear not wanting to mess this up, yet laced with dreams of what the future could hold.

We have the opportunity to create new traditions, earn new honors and awards and forge an educational culture and climate more powerful than ever before experienced by the people of Taylor.

Do we miss the caterpillar with its brilliant stripes and fuzzy appearance, or do we delight in the majestic beauty of the butterfly?

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

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Pupils can't wait for gym

Gym does the body good! This is Ms. Lavender's first-grade class at McDowell Elementary School waiting in line for gym. They say that they love gym class. Who wouldn't like running around and learning sports right in the middle of your day? Look at those cute faces!

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Testing calls for support

Shh! We're testing …

This month begins a very important time for McDowell Elementary School, M-Step Testing. The staff wants your child’s state assessment experience to be as relaxed and stress-free as possible. Your positive outlook and supportive manner going into these assessments also will influence your child’s experience.

Remember, testing is a part of learning. State assessment results do not impact student grades. They are designed to provide information on student knowledge and ability in relation to state grade-level content standards that identify what educators and employers believe students need to know and be able to do to be career-and college-ready upon graduation.

Schools and district use the results for curriculum planning and school improvement initiatives that benefit all students.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Guest readers participate in program

March was an exciting month for Mrs. Holstein's first grade class. March is reading month at Randall Elementary School.

There were many guest readers that read to her class. They included Superintendent Mr. Williams, retired Randall teacher Mrs. Pytel, Board of Education member Mrs. Lakatos, student readers from Mrs. Ostrowski's class, Andy Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse, Landon from Mrs. Collin's 5th grade class, and some students from Mrs. Holstein's class volunteered to read to their peers.