TOP DOG CLUB

TESTING TIME IS HERE!

Tips to Share with Your Child...

1. Follow test directions carefully.

2. Read all of the answers before you choose one.

3. Answer the easy questions first.

4. If you don't know an answer, make the best guess you can.

5. Beware of questions with the words always, never, not, and only.

6. Fill in the whole bubble to mark your answer.

7. Completely erase incorrect answers and any marks outside the bubble.

8. Check your answers when you're done.

9. Don't change any answers unless you are sure they are wrong.

10. Stay relaxed--take some deep breaths.

Another School Succeeds with AR

Parent Tips during TESTING

Help your child be successful during testing (April 1 & 2 AND 6-8)

* Be on Time....students will have to wait until a break to enter classroom.

* Eat Breakfast...an empty stomach can be very distracting!

* Encourage your child to do their BEST.

* Avoid any arguments before school.

* Help your child review if the teacher sends materials.

CHILDREN WHO RAISE THEIR TEST SCORES BY 5% POINTS OR THAT SCORE IN THE 80th Percentile will be invited to CELEBRATION O9!

English + Spanish = Great Reading!

First graders are quite remarkable. They grasp new information like a sponge and are so excited to learn that they can read. I encourage teachers to send students that want to show off their reading skills.

Today I was pleasantly surprised to have Moriah and Haylee from Mrs. Bittle's class visit and share a book. It wasn't your average first grade book, but one that contained both English and Spanish. Moriah speaks fluent Spanish...and can also read it very well. So the two girls read both versions and did a wonderful job.

It is times like these that make me LOVE being a principal. Thanks Mrs. Bittle for sharing these two and for doing a super job!

Protecting Your Brain for Life

R. L. Young kindergarteners had a special treat today, compliments of the Pilot Club of Talladega. The program was entitled, "BrainMinders." The presentation stressed the importance of safety and injury prevention to save the lives of children. Every 21 seconds someone in the US incurs a brain injury. Every 16 seconds someone in the world sustains a brain injury. Brain injury is the most frequent cause of death among young people.
Since 1991, Pilot International Foundation has raised millions of dollars in financial support of charities and organizations benefiting brain disabilities and disorders. The only defense against brain injury is prevention education.

Along with the presentation, each student received a certificate and a coloring book. It is wonderful when the community and schools work together to improve the lives of Talladega's youngest citizens. Thank you for coming!

No PTO Meeting in April

R. L. Young second graders will hit the big stage (Harwell Auditorium) on April 14th along with classes from the other elementary schools in the district. They will also do a dress rehearsal for the school. Because of this special performance, we will not be hosting a PTO meeting for April.

Please join us in support of these brave 2nd graders at Harwell Auditorium!

Time will be announced at a later date.

AR- How to take a test

***R.L.Young students do not print out a report to bring home. Each week the principal gives teachers a diagnostic report which shows the number of points and the % correct for each student. We track the % correct as a school, list the top 20 AR point winners, post students with 80-89% and 90-100 % correct, and keep a running list of those going on the AR Trip.

Parents can go to www.rlyoung.blogspot.com, click on HOME CONNECT, and login to see their child's individual AR report.
Happy Reading!

The Power of ONE...Pennies for Patients

Every month or so, R. L. Young has sponsored a service project. For the next couple of weeks, students may bring coins to place in the "Pennies for Patients" box in their classroom. The target for this project is children suffering from cancer. Almost everyone has loose change around their house, so we hope you will allow your child to support this effort.

"Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much." Helen Keller

Build Your Wild Self

Build Your Wild SelfThe Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Zoos and Aquarium has unveiled Build Your Wild Self, a fun tool that kids (and principals too!) are sure to love. Kids start by clicking the Body button and choosing their body (boy or girl) and skin color (from nine different skin tones that cover the gamut). Then they add their Hair, Eyes, Mouth, and Clothes. Then the Build Your Wild Self tool gets really cool! That’s when kids can dress up as their favorite animals by adding antlers, fins, tails, and more.

Let every kid use this simple technology to create his or her “wild self” and then write a story about the adventures they had the day they became a “deer-pig-gator” or whatever their wild self is called. Teachers can post the kids’ stories on a bulletin board or in a class book titled “Room 12: Where the Wild Things Are.”

NAESP- Bad Behavior

Check out the latest post on the Talladega City Schools Blog on student misbehavior. The suggestions come from a report written by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Click here to go to the post:

http://talladegacityschools.blogspot.com/2009/03/bad-behavior_17.html

The teachers at Raymond L. Young are seasoned professionals who are driven by a love of teaching and for children. When students misbehave, it takes precious time away from instruction. We appreciate the support our parents lend in handling poor conduct in the classroom. The team approach where parents, teachers, and students are working together helps to make R. L. Young a good place to learn and grow!

Central Office Staff Participates in Festivities

March 2-6th was a busy week at R. L. Young. To celebrate Dr. Suess' birthday there were many activites planned, such as special guests who came to share their favorite Suess book.

Superintendent, Dr. Joanne Horton, came to share her favorite Dr. Suess book, "Horton Hatches

an Egg" with first graders.

Dr. Frank Buck read the book, "Go Dog Go!" and for an extra special surprise brought his two dogs Skipper and Bonnie. Bonnie knows many tricks and eagerly demonstrated her talents for the first graders. Skipper, who is blind, fascinated the children with his ability to get around. It is wonderful that Central Office staff are involved in making memories for our students.

AR PARTY # 5

(Pictured above: Briana R., Grayson C., Lauren H., Dylan R., Kevin W., Haley G., Caleigh C., Patrick R., and Jessica T.) Congratulations!

Friday, March 13 was a happy day at R. L. Young. A group of avid readers met with the principal for the 5th AR Party.

There were many smiles, lot of laughs, and great pizza donated by Dominoes Pizza. (Thanks so much!) We are proud of these students and their efforts.

Factors Impacting School Attendance

Questions:
What are the predictors of poor school attendance? Is there a relationship between attendance and chemical dependency? between attendance and involvement in extracurricular activities? between attendance and academic achievement?

Summary of Findings:

• Poor attendance patterns, including unexcused absences and truancies, often begin when children are young. By eighth grade patterns established earlier may increase with each successive year (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 2004; McCray, E. D., 2006; Department for children, schools and families).
• Truancies tend to be a predictor for dropping out of school, engaging in substance abuse,
  earning poor grades, and being involved in illegal activities (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 2004; Henry, K. L., 2007; McCray, E. D., 2006).
• Research also shows “that students who attend school regularly are more successful than those that don’t” (Johnston, 2005).
• Research also found that participation in extracurricular activities has a positive relationship with absenteeism, academic achievement, social and academic self-concept, educational aspirations, completion of homework, and subsequent college attendance (Marsh, 1988; Eccles, et.al, 2003; Ziff, 2003).

Attendance Facts
• Once a student misses 30 hours of instruction, it has a direct impact on the student’s grades.
• A study in Tacoma, Washington found that 1/3rd of the burglaries and 1/5th of the aggravated
assaults between 8am – 1pm were committed by juveniles.
• Males are more likely than females to drop out of school.
• Hispanics have a higher drop out rate than whites or African-Americans.
• Asian/Pacific Islanders were least likely to drop out of school.
• A high truancy rate may require additional police resources during school hours.
• When absent students return to class, they are often a discipline problem.
• Absent students often take additional teacher time and school resources.
(Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 2004; Henry, 2007; McCray, E. D., 2006; Department for children, schools and families).

Video on Accelerated Reader - Cute!

COOKIE DOUGH...coming tomorrow!

Thanks to all who supported our cookie dough sale! The dough will be delivered tomorrow (March 12) around 10:30 am. All dough will be available for pickup in the auditorium.

R. L. Young appreciates your help making our school an even better place to learn and grow!

PTO Meeting- Tuesday, March 10 6:00 pm.

The welcome mat is out....come join us for the March PTO meeting at 6:00 p.m. featuring our first grade classes. Hope to see you there!

February Good Citizens

DELAYED START

Talladega City Schools will begin for students at 10:30 am.

Faculty and staff will report at 10:00 am. to prepare for students.