Memorable MondayVolunteering

For the past year, I volunteered at Taylor serving on the FIAT (Family Involvement Action Team). I represented the FIAT in the safety committee and attended those meetings and represented the parents. Danni witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to the principal.  I wished that she could have reported anonymously, but there was no way to do that.  I approached the administrators, FIAT, and the Safety Committee Mtg.  Now there is an anonymously tip line.  It was great to see an idea that I had put into place. It was great to see how I can make a difference in the community.  

I remember when I was heading up a big volunteer project when I was in college. I was attending ASU and still participating at Lambda Delt at MCC. I was the interchapter officer and was representing our Alpha Kappa Chapter and the Insititute mtgs. I was asked to attend an MCC mtg and represent the instititute in a community project. When I went to the meeting at MCC and hear that the institite was their biggest club, I felt that the institute needed to become involved in this community project. I found myself in charge of one the main events. I was an ASU student representing MCC at a homeless shelter for the "Into the Streets' community event.  We cleaned motel rooms and made the motel look acceptable for people to live there until they could provide a home for themselves.

Last Day of School

It's the last day of school and I'm so sad for the school year to end. My girls have grown and learned a lot this year. The both had amazing teachers that challenged them.

THANK YOU!!!!

Award's Ceremony

Angela earned the reading award at Porter this year. Each teacher picked the top two readers in the class and honored them. Angela is a good reader and was selected to receive this award with many of her peers. She has worked really hard in school and reading is one subject and she is really good at. She taught herself to read and shocked everyone when she started reading out loud. I often find her reading a book in a corner. I'm so proud of Angela.

Goodbye Taylor

Fight Song

Go fight win for Taylor Junior High

Go fight win today

We'll fight side-by-side always go with pride

Always give our best for Taylor Junior High

Whether we win or whether we lose

We'll always give our best

Taylor's the school we're proudest of

We're ove all the rest, we're singing...

Go fight win for Taylor Junior High

Go fight win today

We'll fight side-by-side always go with pride

Always give our best for Taylor Junior High

FIGHT!

Guitar Concert

Josh had a guitar concert this evening. He started taking guitar this year at Taylor. The students really wanted to have a year end concert to show off all that they learned this year. They played a variety of songs and showed off a variety of technique. There were several soloists scattered throughout the program. Josh was one of the soloist and he performed the theme song from Mario Brothers. He did an amazing job and his guitar teacher mentioned that he was a great musician and was able to learn this song.

Good Job Josh!!

Memorable MondaySpring Pictures

My kid's school spring pictures are in. My kids are growing up before my eyes.

Since Emily is in Kindergarten, I wanted to see my kids's kindergarten spring pictures side by side.

Memorable MondayCountry Dancing

The Mesa High Booster's held a Swing Dance to earn some money.  Jim and I went and had a great time. We learned to swing dance, which is very similar to country dancing.

Before Jim and I married, we went country dancing often.  I asked him to Sadie Hawkins dance one year.  While our group was in line to get pictures, we were on the floor dancing.  We don't look our best in the picture, but we had a total blast that night.  I loved going country dancing with Jim!!

NJHS

Danni was inducted into the NJHS along with some of her friends. She received an application based on her good grades. She had to fill out an application, write a letter of acceptance, as well as get a letter of reference. It was a good to see Danni take the action to become a member of NJHS. I am so proud of Danni and all that she has accomplished this year at Taylor Junior High.

Congratulations Danni!

Last Taylor Band Concert

Josh had his last band concert at Taylor Jr. High tonight. The evening started off with dinner and an award ceremony where Josh was presented a plaque. The concert was amazing and started with the 7th grade Stomp Project where students used everyday items to create rhythms. It was hilarious and Mr. Quamo and Mrs. Piranio were in the act. Following that performance, Mr. Quamo showed a Disney clip of Lion King in which his band students provided the background music. They recorded this production at the Disney Studio. What a great experience for these kids.

The Symphonic Band performed the following numbers:
1- Pulsation
2- Fantasia on the Dargason
3- The Magnificent Seven
4- The Best of Journey
5- Jazz It Up

After their last song, the audience gave the band a standing ovation which was followed by an encore. When the encore was ending, Mr. Quamo quietly left the stage and the lights dimmed. It was sad to know that this was Josh's last concert at Taylor Jr.

Memorable MondayDonny and Marie

Today, I went to Wal-Mart and saw Donny and Marie. They were in the valley to promote their new CD. I didn't even know that they were in the valley until my sister called. During Jim's lunch break, we drove over to see them. We were to late to get a CD signed, but I didn't care. I was able to see Donny and Marie.

I grew up in Utah where the Osmond's lived and toured their home and studio in Provo. Lisa and I loved to watch Donny and Marie as kids and still love to watch them today. We love to watch their variety shows in the '70's, their Christmas Specials, and their talk show in the '90's. We watched Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny more times than we can remember. We loved listening to Donny sing from the Mulan soundtrack and Solider of Live. We loved watching them Dance with Dancing with the Stars. We love almost everything that Donny and Marie has been involved with. It was so fun to see our childhood icons and share them with our kids.

Orchestra Concert

Angela had her orchestra concert tonight. Angela has wanted to play the violin since she was very young and this was her year. She has worked really hard this year and has improved a lot. The beginning orchestra performed the following songs: Spanish Dancer, March of the Pioneers, War Dance, Bile 'em Cabbage Down, and Mozart Melody. She practiced these songs in preparation for the concert.

Great Job Angela!!

Choir Concert

Danni had her last 7th grade choir concert this evening. Danni is so fun to watch as she performs with the choir. This was a special farewell concert for Mrs. Tellef who is retiring after this year. The kids performed songs from various musicals. The Prep Choir performed:

1. "Candle on the Water" - from Pete's Dragon
2. "Consider Yourself "- from Oliver!
3. "Solla Sallow "- from Seussical the Musical
4. "We Go Together "- from Grease

During the concert, Mrs. Tellef was honored by receiving a her own city day (May 12th, 2011) and a plaque that names the auditorium in her name. It was sweet to see this lady who taught choir and helped produce musicals at Taylor for 20+ years. There were many alumni who were there to honor her as well. It was a great evening.

After the choir concert, many choir kids headed to Nielsens to hang out. It has become a tradition that the choir kids really enjoy, including Danni.

Principal's Award

Tonight Taylor Junior High held their Awards Ceremony. Danni earned the Principal's Award along with 9 other students for scholarship, leadership, and responsibility. Some of her friends received that honor as well. Kaylynn received the citizenship award, and Maybree earned the Spirit award. It was a special evening to see these students honored for their hard work.

Memorable MondayDisneyland Trips

Josh went to Disneyland with the Taylor Band this past weekend. He spent three days traveling and hanging out in California. Here is a brief itinerary of their plans.

Day one - Travel to California

Day two - Hang out in Disneyland and participate in the recording clinic at Disney

Day three - Perform at Hollywood Backlot Stage at California Adventure and hang out at park until evening and travel home

I went twice to Disneyland with the Jordan High band.

My Freshman year, I went in late May and early June for a 8 day trip to California. Everyone had to march with the band, and since I played a string instrument I helped hold the Jordan High banner

Day 1- Travel to St. George and have a BBQ dinner at Boots Johnson Ranch

Day 2- Travel to California stopping at Circus Circus and Barstow

Day 3- We had an all day clinci at Chaffey College in Alta Loma

Day 4- Performed and played at Knott's Berry Farm

Day 5- Marched in the Disneyland parade and spend the day there

Day 6- Spend the day at Laguna Beach

Day 7 - Spend the day at a high school - perform and exchange ideas

Day 8- Travel home

My senior year, we went in June after school was already out and I had already graduated from Jordan High. It was a 7 day trip an Lisa and my mom came with me.

Day 1- Traveled to Vegas and stayed at Circus Circus

Day 2- Travel to California and visited Downtown Hollywood

Day 3- Knott's Berry Farm

Day 4- Disneyland

Day 5- Travel to San Diego and visit Old Town, Sea Port Village, and the Beaches

Day 6- Sea World

Day 7 - Hang out and Travel Home.

I needed to participate in the marching band, so since I played the bass my senior year, I played the bass guitar in the parade. Someone pushed the amp while I marched with the guitar. We had a great time in Disneyland with our friends. We lost our mom after the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and I stayed with her after that and skipped the rides. While we were in Disneyland, our friend Anita Payne passed away. Jane and Judy were whisked away and we didn't see them until after the trip. We were told in the late afternoon while we were in Disneyland. It put a damper on the rest of the trip and our thoughts were on Jane and Judy.

I went twice with the Jordan High Band to Disneyland. I really had a great time each time I went.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my sweet mom!!

Let's Play Music

Angela and Emily participated in a music program called "Let's Play Music" and they had their rectal this evening. Emily is in the second year of the program called "Green Turtles" & "Yellow Indians". This year she made some had new classmates and new friends. She learned to play the keyboard with both hands. She really enjoys playing the keyboard. During the recial, she preformed "Practice Every Day" and "Tinga Layo" with her classmates on the keyboard. She sang several numbers with all the second year students and performed a puppet show as well. Emily has learned a lot of music theory through song and dance. It's an amazing program and Emily is doing really well in the program. She was especially proud to receive a yellow ribbon.

Angela is in the third and final year of the Let's Play Music program - "Purple Magic" & "Orange Roots". This year, she learned so much theory and played some really tough songs. She worked really hard and did an amazing job. She composed a piano piece with her teacher's help and named her piece "Rock & Roll Jazz". She practiced this song for months and performed it at the recital. She performed really well and at the end of the song there were tears in my eyes. She sang a few songs and performed a puppet show as well. She did an amazing job and I'm thrilled that we found a program that taught Angela to play the piano. Next year, she is taking piano lessons.

Let's Move! Flash Workout

Several students at Taylor, including Danni participated in a flash dance during an evacuation drill. First Lady Michelle Obama organized a "Let's Move!" initiative to involve many junior high schools to participate in this flash dance to promote physical activity. Beyonce re-wrote and re-recorded one of her songs and titled it "Move Your Body". Danni learned this dance in P.E. and practiced it for several months. Danni had a great time participating in this flash dance and surprising the students and teachers with it.

For a flash dance to work, students and teachers not participating were unaware of that the flash dance was going to occur during this drill. I know that the Principal kept some teachers in the dark about this event to keep the secret until the time came. How fun to be the ones participating and not following the teacher's rules to stay put.

Memorable MondayRoyal Wedding

I woke up early this morning to watch the royal wedding of William and Kate. I love to watch royal weddings and all the hype that goes with it. I remember years ago when Lisa and I stayed up to watch Prince Charles and Lady Diana get married. We were so fascinated by the wedding and didn't want to miss anything. As I watched the wedding, I remembered watching it with Lisa and couldn't wait to talk to her about this one. I love that I can talk to my sister about anything!