RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Graduation a huge success

5th grade graduation at Randall Elementary School was an even bigger success than usual this year, thanks to some special help.

Randall was able to use The Harbor facility at 8850 Pardee, walking distance for our 5^th-grade graduation on June 7.  The facility was larger then the school's multi-purpose room.

Randall officials were very appreciative to Mark Cryderman for allowing us to use their facility.

After the awards were passed out to 103 students, they returned to Randall, ate lunch provided by the Parent Group, and then had a dance.

Some of the key pictures that will be included in this and others upcoming posts include the students facing the audience thanking their parents and families. They also sang the Randall school song to them.

Bobby O'Guin was honored for never missing a day of school since kindergarten.

And Margaret Pilon Citizenship award went to Johanna Palshan.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE: Truman, West and Eureka Heights vie for technology awards during ongoing contest

Don’t forget that Truman High School, West Middle School and Eureka Heights Elementary School are all vying for new technology awards in the "Lots2Give" contest being held nationwide by Big Lots.

Each school created a video highlighting the school’s technology needs. Those videos are posted online, to be viewed and voted on. Anyone can vote three times from each electronic device that you possess … that means you can vote daily from your home computer, work computer, smartphone, iPad, etc.

Your vote could help any of the schools win up to $20,000. The videos are online through July 7. Winning schools will share $120,000, which includes the $20,000 grand prize, two $10,000 first-place prizes and four $5,000 second-place prizes. There will also be 30, $2,000 awards.

In addition, you can help participating schools through Big Lots’ in-store donation programs, which allow a $1 or $5 donation directly to the school desired through July 7.

To view the videos or see more on the contest, just click here.

ART IN THE GARDEN: Conservatory offers educational series for children next month

Looking for a fun activity for your child? Try the "Art in the Garden" series, the second of which is scheduled next month at the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

Session No. 2 of the series is scheduled for July 15-16. It will take place between 1-2 p.m. each day, and is titled, "Amazing Animals." The first part of the series was held earlier this week.

Children ages 6 through 12 years will explore various forms of visual art during this fun-filled two-day session. It will feature drawing, painting, crafting and discussion.

And it's a good deal for only $15 per child.

It's hosted by The Harbor. For more information, click here to go directly to the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Garden's Web site.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: More photos of Fun Day!

More photos follow of the recent Fun Day at Holland Elementary School.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Fun Day caps off an 'amazing year'

The sun came out and dried up all the rain, enabling Holland Elementary School to hold one of its "most awesome" Fun Days ever, according to Principal Sue Massucci.

Parent volunteers and the Parent Teacher Organization worked hard to mark sure the children had a great time and some treats. Pupils enjoyed bounces, snow cones, cotton candy, Minute to Win It games, the water bucket brigade, tug of war, and dancing with music from DJ Scott Bachman (Spb Productions, Lincoln Park).

The highlight of the day? Getting a chance to "soak the principal" who was sitting under the Pitch Burst all day!

The event ended with the entire day doing Zumba, led by former school secretary Mrs. Amy, and dancing to the "Cupid Shuffle" and some other fun songs.

The PTO supplied Jets Pizza for all the students and volunteers.

Principal Massucci, who is now finally dried out, sends out a big "thank you" to the PTO and the volunteers who put the event together. "It was a great way to wrap up an amazing school year." she said.

'IMAGINATION IN BLOOM': Students' work will be on display this summer and into the fall

Many Taylor students entered a recent art and poetry contest sponsored by the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. The award winners will be on display throughout the summer months.

The "Best of Show" will be on display Sept. 8-14. Four Blair Moody pupils from Mrs. Wolney's class received such an honor, and Wolney would like to remind everyone to stop and see the displays during the summer months.

The conservatory and surrounding woodlands area is located on Northline Road just east of Pardee Road and just a few steps away from the Petting Farm.

What follows is a portion of the original post that "Talking Taylor Schools" published earlier this spring:

The Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, in partnership with the Taylor School District, will be displaying artwork created by students throughout the summer months.




The program, called "Imagination in Bloom," focuses on art and poetry. The winners are scheduled to be display on the grounds of the conservatory and gardens, and the woodlands area also located there. The entire facility is located along Northline Road near the Petting Farm at Heritage Park.


Those to be displayed between June 15-29 in the conservatory include:

•               Third-grader Fransicsco Ascencio (art, "Fish," Eureka Heights Elementary)

•               Third-grader Shannon Sosa (art, "Rainbow," Eureka Heights)

•               Third-grader KayAnna Brown (art, "Butterflies," Eureka Heights)

•               Fourth-grader Tyra Edison (art, "Flower," Myers Elementary School)

•               Third-grader Lauren Davidson (Poetry, "Growing," Blair Moody Elementary School)

•               Fifth-grader Ajanae Finley (poetry, "Spring," Holland Elementary School)


Edison's and Davidson's work were considered "Best in Show" during the judging.


Those to be displayed June 30-July 13 in the conservatory include:

•               Ashley Ruiz (poetry, "Bodice of Blues")

•               Fourth-grader Cameron Carrabello (art, "Blue Flowers," Eureka Heights)

•               Seventh-grader Selena Ponder (art, "Blue Jay," West Middle School)

•               Sixth-grader Lucas Mullins (art, "Blue Bug")


Ruiz, Carrabello, Ponder and Mullins were all "Best of Show" winners.


Those to be displayed July 14-27 in the conservatory include:

•               Third-grader Davon Alexander (art, "Ocean Fish," Blair Moody)

•               Third-grader Chineme Ezekoli (art, "Ocean Seahorse," Blair Moody)

•               Third-grader Dylan Nitz (art, "Ocean," Blair Moody)

•               Fifth-grader Ajanea Finley (poetry, "The Ocean," Holland)


Alexander, Ezekoi, Nitz and Finley were all "Best of Show" winners.


Those to be displayed July 28-August 10 in the conservatory include:

•               Fifth-grader Estrella Arevala (art, "Thunder," Eureka Heights)

•               Fifth-grader Jasmin Jordan (poetry, "Thunder," Eureka Heights)

•               Fifth-grader Saniya Owens (poetry, "Wind," Holland)

•               Third-grader Kaitlyn Horner (poetry, "Weather," Blair Moody)


Jordan and Owens were "Best of Show" winners.


Those to be displayed August 11-24 in the conservatory include:

•               Sixth-grader Briana King (art, "Orange Lizard")

•               Sixth-grader James Cunningham (art, "Watercolor Frog")

•               Fourth-grader Amiyah Griffin (art, "Lion and Leaves," Myers)

•               Fifth-grader Dakota Levesque (poetry, "Vegetation," Eureka Heights)


Cunningham was named "Best of Show."




Those to be displayed Aug. 25-Sept. 7 in the conservatory include:

•               Third-grader Richard Nelson (poetry, "Time," Blair Moody)

•               Third-grader Jaclyn Jackson (poetry, "4 Seasons," Eureka Heights)

•               Third-grader Gia Cook (art, "4 Seasons," Eureka Heights)

•               Fourth-grader Rachel H. (art and poetry, "Earth is our Home," McDowell Elementary School)


Between Sept. 8-14, fourth-grader Dovion Servin's "Woman in Yellow" (art) along with all the "Best of Show" winners will be on display in both the conservatory and the woodlands.


On display between June 15-July 13 in the Woodlands will be:

•               Alexandra Welch (poetry, "Tree of My Life")

•               Ashley Stahl (art, "Girl and Tree," West)

•               Fifth-grader Isaisah Mizell (art, "Tree and Snake," Taylor Parks Elementary School)

•               Sixth-grade Kyle Busch (poetry, "Trees")


Busch is a "Best of Show" winner.


On display July 14-Aug. 10 in the Woodlands are:

•               Sixth-grader Kyle Busch (poetry, "Trees")

•               Eighth-grader Kejsi Caka (art, "Trees and Houses," West)


And displayed Aug. 11-Sept. 7 at the Woodlands are:

•               Eighth-grader Clara Barnhart (poetry, "My Home," West)

•               Fifth-grader Megan Stokasa (art, "Wolf-Bear and Tree," Eureka Heights)

•               Third-grader Ellie Kwaske (art, "Giraffe and Tree," Eureka Heights)

•               Third-grader Alex Bean (art, "Lion and Tree," Eureka Heights)

KENNEDY ACTION CENTER: Students awarded during Wayne Metropolitan Action Agency gathering in Dearborn

The Kennedy Action Center recently honored three students as part of the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency's second annual Youth Believe and Achieve Awards Ceremony at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.

The Kennedy Action Center is Kennedy High School's after-school program. According to Site Manager Alyssa Tumolo, the Kennedy Action Center has been running the program for 50 high school students since 2009, focusing on academic enrichment, family involvement, recreation and life skills.

The awards, given to Khari Walker, Paris Bowens and Christopher Freeman, honored spirit and determination that helped mold them into young leaders and helped them achieve their goals. 

State Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) was in attendance and presented each honoree with a framed award. He also took time to personally tell them how proud he was of their efforts.

Walker received the Positive Growth Award for Attitude and Citizenship. When he first joined the after-school program four years ago, he kept to himself and worked quietly on his homework. Over time, Walker proved to be a trustworthy student, helpful to others and a leader to his peers. He has become more dedicated to his studies, and despite a busy schedule and a job, still takes time to come to the after-school program. 

Bowens has participated in the Kennedy Action Center for four years. In that time, he has grown to be a confident young man who is dependable, compassionate and a leader. He stays busy with his extracurricular activities including Link Crew, ROTC and DECA. More than that, he's consistently striving to do his best at anything he faces. He, too, received the Positive Growth Award for Attitude and Citizenship.

Freeman was the final winner of the same award. He's in his first year at the Kennedy Action Center, and has stepped out of his comfort zone on a number of occasions to benefit the program. At the start of the year, like Walker, he kept to himself. However, he took major steps afterward, helping teachers and peers alike. Everyone was able to see how outgoing, helpful and kind Freeman is and he became a position part of the program.