TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL DECA group focuses on teaching POHI students basic concepts

Here are some pictures from the Truman High School DECA group’s latest project.

Three marketing students will be competing this year for DECA in the financial literacy category. As part of their project they were required to choose a target market to help educate on personal finance.

Truman’s groups primary target market was the POHI program. The teachers brought their students down to the DECA classroom every day for a week and DECA students Starr Lewis, Caroline Vaughn and Junaid Syed put together lessons and taught them the basic concepts of debit, credit, savings, budget and counting money.

They put together creative and engaging assignments while also using technology and guest speakers from Citizen Bank. 

The group also designed T-shirts to wear during the lessons so that the students would know that they were the ones to ask for help and they also gave shirts away as rewards for those who volunteered and participated.

The lessons went over so well and their POHI students showed growth from their pre-tests to their post-tests they decided to open it up to a secondary target market. They signed up math teachers who have freshman classes and also did their lessons with them. Overall they did their lessons for a total of 278 students. 

Starr, Junaid and Caroline were very professional and prepared as they taught their lessons. DECA Instructor Carly Lundgren-Barnard says that she is very proud of them, as well as the Truman students who attended the lessons. They showed respect for their peers and they were brave to get up in front of the room and become the teacher and presenter. 

This group will write a paper on their experience and put together a presentation for a judge and compete at the district level, and Lundgren-Barnard is confident that they will advance to state and national competition levels.

They will also be coming to the Board of Education meeting on December 12 with their visual aids to make a presentation. 

Remember, in DECA "We mean business."

EUREKA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL families learn STEM

Eureka Heights Elementary School families are learning to STEM together.  

On September 29, the families participated in a STEM Family Learning Night.  The evening began with sign-in and a pizza dinner.  

After pizza, the families were welcomed by Nannette Kuhn, the Taylor School District's Title I Parent Facilitator, who thanked them for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate with their child in hands-on STEM activities.  

During the remainder of the evening, families were able to rotate through a variety of activities including the learning and playing math games; creating the longest paper chain using just one piece of construction paper; constructing a 1-foot high tower to rescue their stuffed animal from drowning using only a few index cards and tape; learning about states of matter by using a solid and a liquid to make a zip-loc bag expand with a gas; making and testing a hypothesis about which 3D shape could support the most books, and how using that knowledge that can help architects and builders design and build buildings; solving the challenge of how to cut a single index card so that the human body can fit through it; and more.  

“Arts & Scraps” was also on site so the students could create an artistic robot and learn about the different types of robots and how they help society.  Each child was able to take home a robot kit from Arts & Scraps so they could continue the learning fun at home.

Even though it was a chilly, rainy evening, 30 families were represented with over 80 participants in attendance.

TNT MARCHING BAND leads fight against Alzheimer's

Here is a photo of the TNT Truman Marching Band in front of Comerica Park.  The band had the privilege of leading the walk to benefit the fight against for Alzheimer disease held recently in Detroit.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL is proud to #BeKind

Every Monday at Hoover Middle School, you will see all staff, teachers, secretaries, cooks, maintenance, paraprofessionals, counselors, etc. wearing "Be Kind" shirts.  

We are creating a culture of positive behavior.  We encourage and teach our students to be respectful, responsible, kind and safe. We believe are students are the best!

Join us at  #BeKind

KENNEDY TEACHER RESPONDS to principal's column

Editor’s Note: Randy Bennett, a teacher at Kennedy High School, recently lost his father, Principal Tommie Saylor wrote a heartfelt columnabout the passing, which he shared on the blog. The following letter is Bennett’s response.)

Dear Mr. Saylor and John F. Kennedy High School Faculty and Staff,

Thank you for the kind words of sympathy and support during this trying time for my family and I. I am at a loss for words to describe my dad.  He was the patriarch for the entire Bennett family – a most conspicuous entity whose influence, bearing and demeanor affected us all. 

Indeed, he was part of that “Greatest Generation” that launched the United States of America into world prominence.  Those who knew him continue to feel diminished with his passing. 

Mr. Saylor, your kind and very generous words were a great help to get me through the myriad tasks that my mother and the rest of the Bennett family looked for me to accomplish. 

I was in control of my grief throughout all of the tasks, even as the honor guard fired the rifle volleys. I was in control until the bugler sounded that most haunting of melodies —“Taps.” 

Now, my school year starts. I am energized, but I will need your continued help and support to get me up to speed with procedures and curriculum. I know and have confidence that my friends and colleagues will be there when I need them. 

Having had some interaction with the staff and faculty from three different Ann Arbor Public School campuses in recent days, I am convinced that John F. Kennedy High School has some of the best teachers and staff in the State of Michigan. I continue to be impressed with the dedication and the care that so many of you demonstrate day in and day out. I just wanted to pass that along to you.

Sincerely and with heartfelt gratitude,

Randy Bennett.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL children learn their C's

Mrs. Ambrosia's kindergarten friends at Taylor Parks Elementary School celebrated learning their first letter … C!

In one center, the children made a craft of a favorite story, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”

Then they sorted, counted, graphed and crunched two yummy cereals.

In the creation station, students rolled out Play Doh to make the “Cc.” Finally, they practiced cutting and gluing with a sorting letter activity.

The students had a great day in Friday centers!

TAYLOR FALL FEST scheduled for October 8 at Heritage Park

Families are reminded that the City of Taylor's annual Fall Fest will be held at Heritage Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 8. Free hayrides, free pumpkin decorating, cider, donuts and bounce houses at additional small fee. 

Hot dogs, chips and pop will be sold to benefit the VIP Special Needs Camp. Fall Fest runs in conjunction with Petting Farm's special event on October 8 (special $3 admission offered) and the Fall Fest will have the trackless train going that day.