Welcome back Taft families! We are already off to a wonderful start of the 23-24 school year.
Here are some helpful parenting tips for the return to school in September:
- Establish a routine: Start gradually adjusting your child's sleep schedule a couple of weeks before school starts to help them ease into the new routine.
- Prepare school supplies early: Make a list of the required supplies and purchase them in advance to avoid last-minute stress and ensure your child has everything they need.
- Revisit school skills: Spend some time reviewing basic skills like reading, writing, and math with your child to refresh their memory before school begins.
- Encourage open communication: Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing any concerns or anxieties they may have about returning to school. Listen attentively and provide reassurance.
- Foster independence: Help your child develop independent skills, such as packing their own backpack or organizing their school materials. This will boost their confidence and make the transition smoother.
- Plan healthy meals: Ensure your child has a nutritious breakfast and packed lunch to fuel their day. Involve them in meal planning to make it more enjoyable and encourage healthier choices.
- Teach good hygiene habits: Remind your child about the importance of washing their hands regularly, using hand sanitizers, and adopting other hygiene practices to prevent the spread of germs.
- Encourage socialization: Organize playdates or get-togethers with classmates or friends from school before the term starts. This can help ease any social anxiety and foster connections.
- Stay positive: Maintain a positive attitude about the return to school, as children often pick up on their parents' emotions. Share your excitement for the new school year to help alleviate any worries.
- Celebrate achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's accomplishments, both big and small. This can boost their self-esteem and motivate them to excel academically and socially.
Remember, every child is unique, so adapt these tips to suit your child's specific needs and personality.
On behalf of the staff at Taft “The World’s Greatest Elementary School,” I am happy to welcome you back to yet another exciting year! It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we extend our warmest greetings to you and your children. We hope this letter finds you well, rested, and ready for the wonderful journey ahead.
As we finish our school year, we would like to thank the parents, students and staff for another successful school year.
Over the summer, we highly recommend that you and your students continue to practice the skills that they have learned all year.
Our K-3 students still have access to all of their apps and can log in, to practice all of the skills that they have gained this year as well as challenge the students to push further academically.
We also highly recommend that the students practice reading for at least 20 minutes a day, to keep their reading fluency without any summer slide.
Moving into next year, we encourage families to spend more time volunteering at the school, learning about your child's curriculum, and how to best support your child at home.
As for the remainder of this school year, we encourage you to encourage your child to "Finish Strong!"
We ask that you continue to send your students through June 9th (in person instruction) and June 12 (virtually through our Google Classroom).
We also ask that you show up on time for dismissal for the remainder of the year.
Lastly, Please RE-WATCH our parking lot rules video by clicking this link.
Sincerely,
Brandon C. Cox
Principal
As we enter May, here are some EXTREMELY IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Taft- Galloways' motto for the remainder of the year is to "Finish- Strong!" Parents, we need you to help support this initiative. Here are some ways to for YOU (the parents) to "Finish Strong:"
1. Parking Lot rules have not changed all year; however we are consistently having issues with parents who choose to break the rules repeatedly. THIS JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF!
2. Please pull all the way way up in front of the building to drop off / pick up your child. (Do not release or pick up your child along the entrance lane- this causes major back-ups) DON"T BE SELFISH!
3. Do not exit your vehicle in the looping lane to retrieve your child. By now, every child should be able to get into the vehicle and buckle-up themselves .
4. Loopers stay to the left and people exiting stay to the right.
5. Only turn right onto Gloria when exiting the parking lot.
6. Please stop disrespecting our volunteers. They are only trying to help the process work as efficient and effective as p[possible and most importantly keep our students safe.
7. Please RE-WATCH our video by clicking this link.
Sincerely,
Brandon C. Cox
Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we enter April, here are a few important reminders / updates...
Taft- Galloways' motto for the remainder of the year is to "Finish- Strong!" Parents, we need you to help support this initiative. Here are some ways to encourage your child to "Finish Strong:"
- Ask your child if they are giving their best effort.
- Encourage you child to do their homework nightly.
- Explain the importance of doing their best on assignments and assessments.
- Help your child stay organized.
- Teach your child how to be independent in their actions and thoughts.
- Recognize and celebrate achievements by giving verbal praise for successful progress or accomplishments.
- Develop an atmosphere of reading.
- Read to your child frequently.
- Have your child read aloud.
- Create a family reading time where everyone focuses on reading for 20 minutes nightly.
Sincerely,
Brandon C. Cox
Principal
As we enter March, here are a few important reminders / updates...
Mrs. Monit, our building secretary retired on February 28, 2023. We would like to thank Mrs. Monit for all of her service to this community and school for all of these years. She has been a staple in the community as well as in Taft- Galloway. We are so thankful for her commitment, dedication and matriarchal love that she has provided to our students and families. Mrs. Monit will be missed!
We would like to welcome our new Secretary Mrs. Alicia Donahee. Mrs. Donahee has been working with Central Office as well as with Mrs. Monit for her new position at the "World's Greatest Elementary School." She has already developed positive relationships with our students, staff, and parents. We are excited to have her join our team.
NEWSLETTER: Tiger Times - March 2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we enter February here are a few important reminders...
Safety in our parking lot is very important to us. Most families follow the parking lot rules; however we still have some families that are speeding, attempting to pass one another, and showing up late to pick up. Please do not speed or pass the vehicle in front of you. Please be on time to pick up your child!
Dojo is the best form of communication between families and our staff. Please feel free to communicate with any of our staff members through the Dojo app. Parents, if your phone number or address has changed please reach out to our office to let us know so we can make changes in our system.
Welcome Back Taft-Galloway Families & Friends, we are wishing that you have a truly remarkable and blissful year ahead! Happy New Year to you and your family!
As we move into 2023, I would like to thank all of our staff, parents, and students for all of the effort that went into a successful 2022.
Testing season is upon us. Your child will be taking the Winter NWEA test and grades 3-5 will be preparing for the M-STEP test. It is very important for you as parents to remind your child to put forth their best efforts when taking assessments.
I would like to remind all families of the importance of the safety of our students in our parking lot. Cones are strategically placed to keep the flow of traffic in one lane and one direction. Please drop your students off in front of the school, (not along the side because this causes traffic back ups.) Also, please have your child completely ready to exit the vehicle once you stop. There is absolutely no passing other vehicles or cutting through the parking lot.
Sincerely,
Brandon C. Cox
Principal
November has been a very exciting month for many of our students. Our Wayne Memorial High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team is in the National Preseason Top 40 for the first time. We are proud of all the hard work and energy put into the program.
Students from our elementary and middle schools had the opportunity to visit Michigan State University, where they toured the campus and got to watch a women's basketball game. Another group of middle school students visited Lawrence Technological University and participated in STEM day. HYPE Athletics made a $10,000 donation to our PBIS program, which provides students with positive behavior with a one-day pass to the facility. We continue to work with our community partners to offer our students the most hands-on and comprehensive opportunities.
Topics:
- October was : Fire Prevention Month, Anti-Bullying Month, National Principal Month
- Thank you to Staff and Students
Grants updates:
- $3.3M grant through the ECF used for LTE devices
- $850K grant for work based learning opportunities for high school students
- $500K SME grant for small manufacturing and engineering at our William D Ford Tech Center
- School based health clinic being completed in April at John Glenn High School
- $150 grant from University of Michigan Trails Program for Mental Health lessons and professional learning
- $30K from Deliotte and Amazon for K-8 STEM Kits
- $20K Michigan College Access Network for computers and smart board for College and Career Readiness rooms
