District prepares for on-site review team visit May 29-30

School Improvement Coordinators and the director of the state and federal team in the Taylor School District are currently preparing for the State of Michigan On-Site Review Team, which will be visiting the system May 29-30.

Photographed meeting to prepare for the visit are Director of State and Federal Programs and School Improvement Germaine Jarvis and school improvement directors Bea Benjamin, Liz Biddle and Kari Nagy.

The review team is scheduled focus on how the district spends federal Title I and IIA funds as well as state Section 31a funding and will visit Taylor Parks Elementary, The Sixth Grade Academy and Kennedy High School. It will also spend time at the district’s administrative level.

According to district officials, Title I, Title IIA and Section 31a funds are used in Taylor to create and run programs that help struggling students increase achievement.

The Taylor School District has four school improvement coordinators who help oversee the programs and services provided with Title I and Title IIA funds. School improvement coordinators are assigned to curriculum areas and provide professional development and assistance. They are assigned to specific schools, where they work with the school improvement teams on funding and programming.

The coordinators keep up on federal and state laws, rules and documents by attending conferences, bringing information back to the district and the specific school teams.

The on-site review is an important visit because the visitors confirm that the funds are being spent in ways that have been previously documented by the TSD. The district must have all documentation in order, including personal development session sign-in sheets, agendas, evacuation, program evaluation, written procedures, parent information, budgets and more.

The result of the visit should be an affirmation that the district is following federal and state guidelines. If there are areas that need addressing, they will be defined and the district will have an opportunity to correct them.

The state chooses the schools to be visited.

District Title I funds Taylor’s parent facilitator, an elementary technology facilitator, ninth-grade advisors at each high school, and partly funds school improvement coordinators, just to name a few of the programs involved. Title I funds are also used at the building levels, where each school makes the decision on how they will spend the money. Many schools have academic teaching assistants, literacy consultants, behavioral specialists, etc.

Title II provides professional development for staff.

To learn more about the entire program, visit the Michigan Department of Education Web site’s Field Service page by clicking here.

Taylor Parks Drama Club to perform 'Edge of the Nest' this Thursday

The Taylor Parks Elementary School Drama Club will present "Edge of the Nest," by playwright Stephen Murray, on Thursday, May 16. The play is planned for 5:30 p.m. and the admission price will be nothing more than donation of a non-perishable item, which the club plans to donate to a food bank.

This is the first year for the Drama Club, and it has worked long and hard to bring a wonderful, funny play to life. Mrs. Zielinski and Mrs. McDonald, second-grade teachers, are directing the pupils in the play through hours upon hours of rehearsals. 

The club ran through a practice performance today in front of all the pupils in the school.

"Edge of the Nest" focuses on life. From the day we're hatched to the day we spread our wings and fly on our own, there are a series of requisite, riotous rites of passage that must be experienced. This collection of humorous scenes and hummable songs explores the innocent squawk of infancy, the terrible twos, the treacherous teens and everything in between.

There are tactics for dealing with those who endeavor to shape, stretch and warp our minds and bodies, like gym teachers, substitute teachers and those cafeteria culinary queens -- The Little Lunch Ladies!

From the angst of acne, adolescence and part-time jobs to the dangers of driver's education and dealing with "the dreaded kid sister," "Edge of the Nest" is a hilarious, high-flying adventure.

The musical soars with laughter and uplifting songs like "Happy Birthday to Me," "Baby, Baby, We're Babies," "School Daze." "The Teenage Tango" and a tribute to the parents who give us roots and wings, "Thank You."

Sounds like a musical that should be on everyone's schedule. Mark it down now: 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Taylor Parks Elementary School! And don't forget the donation for the food bank...

Grandma Flo turns 90 years young!

A Taylor School District institution celebrated her 90th birthday on May 7. And plenty of admirers shared in the event.

Flo Asher, fondly known as "Grandma Flo," flipped the page on the nine-decade mark with her friends at Blair Moody Elementary School.

Flo is one of the "Foster Grandparents" who work in the preschool program in Mrs. Garza's classroom. She keeps active with the preschoolers while reading and playing games with them each day. From what we've gathered, she runs circles around the kids.

Some of the children came down for the celebration and sang "Happy Birthday" to one of their favorite people.



"We are so fortunate to have Grandma Flo working and playing with us in the preschool program," said Amy Fesler.

A big "Happy Birthday" to Flo Asher from yours-truly at "Talking Taylor Schools." It's people like you who make this a great district!

Holland relay raises over $2,000 for battle against cancer!

Holland Elementary School hosted its fifth annual Mini Relay for Life last Friday, May 10.

Breast cancer hits close to home at Holland. Five years ago, the school lost its former principal, Nancy Varblow, to the disease.

This year's event was another big success, as students and staff raised $2,052 for the American Cancer Society.

Friday's relay was set up just like a real relay. Each classroom had a theme and carried a baton. They created cancer prevention tip signs, invited family to walk with them and everyone went around the blacktop in one collective direction.

The relay also featured games for the students to play and plenty of things to purchase like stuffed animals, books, bracelets, necklaces, key chains, wind chimes and food.

Students learned the importance of raising money to find a cure for cancer and to help families who are burdened with the fight against this disease.

'TALKING TAYLOR SCHOOLS SPECIAL Q&A" with West Counselor Amy Hicks on the transition to high school

West Middle School eighth-grade Counselor Amy Hicks has been involved in middle school-to-high school transitioning programs like “Mix It Up,” which bring together high school-age student mentors with eighth-graders scheduled to attend high school in an effort to make the entire process easier.

Here’s what she had to say about what can be a difficult transition during a special “Talking Taylor Schools Q&A.”

Question: Is it really that hard to transition from middle school to high school? What types of problems do you usually see? What are the most difficult problems that students entering high school face today? Is it the academic load or things like social pressures or even bullying?

Yes, transitioning can be tough. That is why we have a ninth-grade advisor at each high school and programs like “Link Crew.” According to Jen Louwers (former Kennedy counselor that is now at West) one of the biggest issues that occur for freshman is that students usually receive the lowest grades of their academic life as they adjust to high school (with higher and greater) grading/expectations. Pressures include parental pressures and social influence to do what they are not supposed to do. The students have more freedom to make mistakes in high school, so they are more susceptible to it.

The Teaching Tolerance Web site is very focused on bringing divergent groups (or individuals) together. Is that a problem with today's schools from your point of view? Or are children much more tolerant of other races and religions than they used to be? And how does that relate to the Taylor schools specifically? After all, the population of the city is very diverse.

Our goal and focus of “Mix It Up” is to break students out of their social circles to meet new students in the school that are different than their usual clique of friends. (Overall) this activity is not geared toward race or religion.

Do you do anything special with school of choice students? That has to be a little tougher, since they are coming to Taylor from all over. You have a significant percentage there. Is there a special part of the program for them?

Nothing is done differently with school of choice students. It is not a tough transition for these students. The only difference from others with these students is that they don't ride the bus.

Is it difficult to get the older kids involved in the mentoring portion of this program? Can you tell us a little about them and the type of high school students that you're looking for?

It is not difficult to get students involved in programs such as “Link Crew.” The students actually apply and interview for these programs. Juniors and seniors are the best candidates. They show leadership capabilities. This is not based on academics. They are students from all different social groups.

How can parents play a role here?

Parents can play a role by encouraging diversity and demonstrating an understanding of others’ differences themselves.

For more information on what is available for families with students who are transitioning into high school, click here to go to the Wilson Middle School Counselors Web site page, which includes updates, direct-link emails and addition information for parents on issues like cyber bullying, community resources, parent resources, etc. For more on the "Mix It Up" event held in April, click here.

West Middle School program impresses ex-educator during special event

The Taylor Public School Foundation for Education Excellence held a "Focus on the Arts" fundraiser Thursday night with performances by various music programs in the district. The evening's events raised money for arts programs in the Taylor School District.

Included among the performing groups was the West Middle School music program, which drew notice from former Taylor educator John Pantalone. The retired educator is active on the alumni board and with the Taylor foundation.

Pantalone noted in his message to David Martin of West Middle School the following:

"Wanted to let you know how thankful I was to have an opportunity to hear your performances at the 'Focus on the Arts' dinner. You have to be congratulated on the terrific programs you have built. It was very surprising to see the large numbers, the mixture of male and female (participants) and the quality of the presentation. 

"I was a teacher, counselor and administrator in Taylor for 38 years and cannot recall being as impressed as I was (with that performance). The choir production of the Les Miserables medley was super. So many solos, the males and females involved and moving the students to and from the mikes was all very good.

"The band also surprised me with their numbers ... the band members were so attentive to your directions it was great watching ... even the way you organized the exit from the hall was impressive.

"The kids looked so good, so happy and they looked like they were enjoying the moment. What a great reflection of your teaching qualities!"

Bravo to the West Middle School music program!

Students stop by Heritage Park before going to prom

It's prom season, and students from Truman High School -- along with peers from Huron High School in New Boston -- stopped at Taylor's Heritage Park Friday night for some pre-prom photographs. 

As usual, intrepid "Heritage Park Photo of the Day" photographer Dave Gorgon was in attendance. And as most people know, you can't beat a good Gorgon photo!

At upper right are Lindsey Howell and Ryan Roulo of Taylor. 

At the left are friends Lauren Shufeldt, Jalen Bodrie and Howell.

Below are many more photographs of the prom-goers. To see the entire gallery of photos as part of Heritage Park's Photo of the Day presentation on Facebook, click here.

More photos follow on this page below.