AUGUST 2009 Good Citizens

Kindergarten and First Grade

Second and Third Grade

Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR AUGUST GOOD CITIZENS!

Nabors-Madison S

Liner-Emily G

amberth-Ansley T

Bittle-Ethan N

Brooks-Bryer B

Davidson-Gracie S

Armstrong-Samantha L

Vincent-Kacie P

Thornton-Kaley B

Haynes-Tripp A

Harris-Kevin W

Wilson-Alvin W

Thomas-Jaelyn C

Nelson-Juan G

Shirley-Brittany H

French-Kaitlyn M

Complete Campus Security Solution-WOW!

R. L. Young is taking measures to ensure that all who enter our doors are logged into a computer located at the main building office. Guest teachers, volunteers, and faculty/staff check in every day. Student attendance is monitored and recorded when boys or girls check out or come in tardy. A report is printed and kept on file for future records and tracking purposes. The program was free through IDENT-A-KID company.

The new program has been well received by faculty, guests and parents. Many have stated that they feel better about the beefed up security measures. We work hard to keep all students safe each day.

A BIG thanks goes out to Donnie Gallahar (pictured with Chelsey B.) and Tommy Batchelor who built beautiful shelves on each side of the main building entrance. We love the new look and safety precautions!

Last Day to Order Sept. 4

Moriah L. (in red shirt) had a great idea for illustrating R. L. Young's motto, "A good place to learn and grow". She and classmate Mya S. are proudly sporting the new t-shirt design.

Children and adult sizes are available and each grade level has a specific color. The order forms can be found in the office. The last day to order is SEPTEMBER 4.
Get yours today!

Continuing our Attendance Efforts

This year our school has the same club and same emphasis with a BIG payoff...more student learning! R.L. Young faculty and staff believe that students who come to school on time and stay at school all day learn more. That is why we are continuing the popular TOP DOG CLUB again this year.

All students have the opportunity to be a TOP DOG when they complete a six weeks with NO TARDIES, CHECKOUTS, or ABSENCES. This is often a hard thing for students to accomplish, but the great thing about the TOP DOG CLUB is that each six weeks offers a new opportunity to join.

Students in the TOP DOG CLUB are recognized at each Honor Roll Assembly and a group picture is taken and posted on a special bulletin board in the main hall.

This year, at the end of each six weeks, two TOP DOG hats will be given away. All those who had perfect attendance will be eligible to win!

**Not only does good attendance increase student learning, the habits students have as children follow them into their adult years.

Mr. J Does It Again!

The summer is usually a chance for "down time" at a school...but not at R. L. Young. It was a chance for the principal, secretary, and building support staff to reflect and plan for a new school year.

THANK YOU, MR. J!

Mr. Jemison rolled up his sleeves and got many things completed with help from the district maintenance department, Student Life workers (a volunteer group housed at Shocco Springs), and a Bootcamp Worker from the Childersburg Correctional Center.

With his expertise and knowledge of the needs of the buildings, all floor surfaces were clean, outside doors were spuced up, sidewalks were pressure washed, the attic is pristine, and the overall buildings and grounds look awesome.

On Friday, August 7, R. L. Young faculty and staff took a moment to let Mr. J know how much we appreciated all of his hard work.

Helen Keller must have been thinking about R. L. Young when she said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much".

New T.I.G.E.R. in Town

Have you seen a TIGER book at your house? Hopefully, your child is bringing home DAILY their T.I.G.E.R. book which stands for TODAY I'VE GOT EVERYTHING READY. This year's goal for students is to help them become more responsible and organized. The T.I.G.E.R. book is also meant to help the parent feel better connected to what is happening at school and in the classroom.

So, everyday....ask your child to let the T.I.G.E.R. out of the (book) bag and take a peek. If you want to make sure something arrives at school, stick it in the T.I.G.E.R. book. With your help, every child will become more responsible!

WIN JONAS BROTHERS CONCERT TICKETS!!!!

Guess the number of JB items in the jar and win! Jar is located in main building.

The winner will be announced on Friday, August 14th!

Arriving Early....BRING A BOOK!

It's called "Breakfast and a Book Club". Students who arrive before 7:50 am each day are the members and there is only one requirement...THEY MUST BRING A BOOK!

IF your child comes early, PLEASE help by providing reading material. Library will begin next week which will help, but students need other books to practice reading during this time.

Faculty members arrive at school so that they can supervise these early arrivals. There is no extra pay involved, just dedication to the school and its students. Thanks for your cooperation!

Meet 2009-2010 PTO Officers

It is a pleasure to introduce our PTO officers for the new school year (from left to right), Secretary Wendy Struzik, President Alicia Holbrook, Treasurer Michelle Wilson, and Vice President Amy Grogan.

These ladies kicked off the new school year with a bang by using our Meet and Greet Event to recruit new members, sell this year's (student designed) t-shirt, and offer chances to win 4 JONAS BROTHERS concert tickets.

Last year, the PTO was instrumental in making wonderful things happen such as covering the sidewalks in the back of the old and new annexes, funding the huge end of the year award's day, hosting a teacher appreciation luncheon, and helping the school reward students meeting their Accelerated Reader goals!

Our faculty and staff are very appreciative of these officers and all PTO members.

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

2009 MEET AND GREET...A SUCCESS!

Our Meet and Greet, Thursday night was a complete success thanks to all parents, grandparents, and caregivers who attended our yearly Meet and Greet at R. L. Young. Look at all those cars lining the street in from of the school!

84% of our parents were able to come to this important event. If you were unable to attend, your child's teacher will send home important paperwork that needs to be completed as soon as possible. Your child will be bringing home a T.I.G.E.R. book (TODAY I'VE GOT EVERYTHING READY). This will be their tool for staying organized and being prepared for school. It will also be YOUR tool for staying connected with your child's teacher and what is happening at school and in the classroom.
All of the teachers were surveyed so that we could adjust, improve, or rejoice in the success of the event. Please feel free to leave your suggestions for 2010 MEET AND GREET!

Take a look a some photos snapped during our Meet and Greet....

Jeremia and sister Sara help mom estimate the number of Jonas Brothers items in the jar. Some lucky guesser will win 4 free Jonas Brothers concert tickets! This contest will continue for the next couple of weeks.

Patrick is one of the first students to meet our new visiting music teacher, Mrs. Barrow. This program will last for the first 7 weeks of school.

Mrs. Bittle and Mrs. Brooks share important information will their new students' parents.

These students appear to be ready to start the new year!

Mrs. Gaither, lunchroom manager, and Mrs. Gurley, one of our lunchbunch crew, assist parents paying for lunch money.

We are ready for Monday! Don't be late...

ONE DAY UNTIL MEET and GREET!

R. L. Young students have one more day until our annual "Meet and Greet" on August 6th. Each teacher will be hosting 2 information sessions for your convenience from 5 to 6 pm. and 6 to 7 pm.

Don't forget you can also do the following:

* Bring supplies or supply donation

*Pay for lunch money or complete free/reduced lunch forms

*Guess the number of JONAS BROTHERS items in a jar--the one closest to the # wins 4 tickets to see them in concert!

*Join our PTO ($5 per family)

*Pre-purchase a RL Young T-shirt

*Visit school and see all the upgrades, changes, improvements

*See classmates

*Complete paperwork and meet new teacher for the year

We are smiling already!

Raymond L. Young DATA is HOT, HOT, HOT!

Our students certainly took on the challenge of being 212 degrees (BOILING HOT) during state testing this spring. With a substantial cushion above the state set goal, every grade level scored well into the 90's. 5th grade even had 100% proficiency in math. WOW!!!

Come by and browse our DATA BOARD covering all data for the 2008-2009 school year.

AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) is figured on 3 components: testing at least 95% of the student body, the academic proficiency of students in math and reading, and an attendance count for the 20 days that follow Labor Day each year.

R. L. Young was surprised to see that the state department recorded our attendance of the 20 day period as 94.36%. The school records indicate 96.29%. So why the big difference? A CODING ERROR in our operating system (STI) counted students that checked out after

11:30 pm. as absent.

Although, our high performing school would have liked to have seen "MADE AYP" on the report, we realize that this does not define the wonderful program we have at Young.

Every teacher and staff member gives their best each day and truly cares about the kids. I am so proud and appreciative of the job our folks do every day.

It is a good place to learn and grow.

Talladega City School District plans to appeal the AYP report for R. L. Young and will ask the state to give us credit for the over 100 checkouts that were incorrectly coded.

CONGRATULATIONS R.L. YOUNG teachers, staff, and students. You are AMAZING!

Two Days Until "Meet and Greet"

R. L. Young faculty and staff can't wait until our annual "Meet and Greet" on August 6th. Each teacher will be hosting 2 information sessions for your convenience from 5 to 6 pm. and 6 to 7 pm.

On this night you may also do the following:

* Bring supplies or supply donation

*Pay for lunch money or complete free/reduced lunch forms

*Estimate the number of JONAS BROTHERS items in a jar--the one closest to the # wins 4 tickets to see them in concert!

*Join our PTO ($5 per family)

*Pre-purchase a RL Young T-shirt

*Visit school and see all the upgrades, changes, improvements

*See classmates

*Complete paperwork and meet new teacher for the year

We look forward to seeing you there!!

BREAKFAST BEGINS AUG. 17th

The TCS Breakfast Program will begin on August 17th. Please make sure that your child eats at home before coming to school.

5 Days Until Meet and Greet

R. L. Young is abuzzing in preparation for our annual "Meet and Greet" on August 6th. Each teacher will be hosting 2 information sessions for your convenience from 5 to 6 pm. and 6 to 7 pm.

On this night you may also do the following:
* Bring supplies or supply donation
*Pay for lunch money or complete free/reduced lunch forms
*Guess the number of JONAS BROTHERS items in a jar--the one closest to the # wins 4 tickets to see them in concert!
*Join our PTO ($5 per family)
*Pre-purchase a RL Young T-shirt
*Visit school and see all the upgrades, changes, improvements
*See classmates
*Complete paperwork and meet new teacher for the year

We look forward to seeing you there!!