Always Love Our R L Young Students

Even when Young students graduate from six grade and leave our campus, there is still a part of them that remains...in our hearts. Whether we see them in town, at a football game, or even go visit at their new school...they will always belong to R. L. Young. 

Ms. Deese and I traveled to Ellis Junior High to reward our former students on the success of their ARMT and SAT scores from the spring. These students raised their % in math or reading by 5 points, scored a 4 in both math and reading, or scored in the 80th percentile. We wanted them to know we were proud and appreciated their efforts.

We will continue to follow you and your progress through all of your school years. 

Grandparents' Tea 2009

We love our grandparents!

THS Visits R L YOUNG

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Little elves were busy scurrying around R. L. Young today getting ready for the holidays. They are very excited and can't wait for you to see!

Passing the AR Trophy

Mrs. Armstrong's second graders have led the school for the last 10 weeks with the highest comprehension % in the Accelerated Reader Program. Last week we had a new leader....Mrs. Bittle's First Graders! Congratulations to all students working to become better readers by participating in the AR Program. 

"The MORE you read, the BETTER you read!"

Happy Thanksgiving From R L Young

Happy Thanksgiving Holidays from our school family!  School will resume on Monday, November 30th at 8 am. 

Please note:

Those students who want to participate in the HINI spray for flu need to return his/her form on Monday. 

2009 Fall Festival Pumpkin Queen

This year's Pumpkin Queen "honors" was bestowed upon me.  Mrs. Thomas asked for this picture but because of technical difficulties, we couldn't get the pic to her.  Thanks to all for the votes; I'm honored to have this beautiful hat displayed in my rear window until the next Fall Festival.  What a Fall it has been, too!  Because of wonderful parents and supporters, you have just proven, again, that R. L. Young truly is "A good place to learn and grow!"  

Animoto.com

A Big "R. L. Young Thank You" from Mrs. Armstrong's Class To:

1. Our parents for letting us sell candy and all our friends, family and neighbors for buying the candy from us!

2. The P. T. O. for sponsoring the candy sale and paying for the Pizza Party we won!

3. Custom Pizza sent us homemade brownies as a treat! They were yummy, too!

This class is to be commended for their hard work, community spirit and winning the AR Comprehension Trophy for 10 weeks in a row! Woo - Hoo!!!! Each week, Mrs. Thomas checks the comprehension percentage for each class. The class with the highest comprehension average wins their name on a trophy, displayed in the hallway of the main building. Mrs. Armstrong's class embraced the spirit of AR from the beginning and started out making mostly 80's and 100's on all their tests. It is difficult to bring your percentage up once it has fallen below 85%. They are all in agreement that re-reading the book before taking a test is a sure way to be successful. They also read each test question and each answer choice prior to marking their answer. It is evident that what they are doing is working and their teacher is ever so proud of her students. While we may not win the trophy every week, we are so proud to have had the "bragging rights" for 10 straight weeks! R. L. Young is truly a "good place to learn and grow!"

Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher

Use your inside voice, we always stress

As we stand there in our Sunday dress.

Keep your hands to yourselves, we chime and chime

As we search for daily rhythm and rhyme.

Keep your eyes on your own paper we demand as we test

While urging all students to do his or her best!

As the curriculum, daily, is stretched beyond measure

We teach, daily, our world's greatest treasure...

However meek, and, last desired...wild -

All teachers are loved in the heart of each child!

So, day after day and year after year

We sign in and sign out of our classrooms here.

We hope to make it to year twenty-five

So, on we continue to teach as we strive...

Some with a tear and some with a smile

Retire from teaching after many a mile.

But...the teaching stays with us in spite of all we do

It's a calling, not a job, that helps us teach you.

In honor of all those who have taught and retired....

We want you to know you are truly thanked and admired!

Dedicated to all the former teachers, principals, librarians, counselors, assistants, secretaries, bus drivers, CNP workers, board members/employees, coaches and substitute teachers.  None of us would be where we are today without you all!  Thanks for building a firm foundation for us to continue building the future!

Written by:  Rebecca Armstrong, November 18, 2009

It Takes Everyone Working Together

Monday, November 16th, begins American Education Week. Schools across the Nation are celebrating and recognizing everyone who plays a part in educating our children.

So hurrah for BUS DRIVERS, LUNCHROOM WORKERS, SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, ASSISTANTS, SECRETARIES, CUSTODIANS, MAINTENANCE AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS, CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF, PAYROLL CLERKS, CUSTODIAN OF FUNDS, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, COUNSELORS, INTERVENTIONISTS, COMMUNITY AGENCIES, BOARD MEMBERS, AND PARENTS!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!"

Helen Keller

Raymond L. Young...Through the Eyes of a Child

Often the best judge of a person or place is through the eyes of a child. First grader Abigail, proudly displays artwork of R. L. Young. Her artwork and other students' drawings will be displayed in Young's auditorium for all to enjoy during the week long festivities.

As we celebrate American Education and public schools, our school will take time to recognize and reflect on those who are involved in touching the lives of our students. The theme for this year is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility". Please feel free to join us as we celebrate the joy of receiving an education at R. L. Young...it's a good place to learn and grow.

Monday: 1:00 pm. Kickoff Assembly with Special Guests (Mayor York, Chamber Director Mack Ferguson, Board of Education Member James Braswell, and a representative of First National Bank of Talladega) Our fourth graders will perform.

Tuesday: 1:00 pm. Grandparents' Tea in Auditorium with Bobbye Trammell and
State Representative Steve Hurst
A professional photographer will be on hand for group picture of
grandparents and their grandchildren

Wednesday: 12:00 pm. Retired Employees of R. L. Young Luncheon
Students will write notes of thanks to people who work at the school

Thursday: Substitute Day
Students, Faculty, and Staff will honor our guest teachers

Friday: Iron Bowl Reading and CHAIN competition between Alabama and Auburn

STAR STUDENT of the WEEK

Congratulations to Amber K. who was selected as R.L. Young's Star Student of the Week.

Coach Stephens had the following to say about this week's winner:

Amber demonstrates great qualities of a true leader as well as a true friend. No matter how bad a situation is, Amber always makes the best out of it by using a smile.

Great job, Amber!

TOP DOGS...2nd Six Weeks

Congratulations to the 76 students who earned the title of TOP DOG this past six weeks. No tardies, no check outs, and no absences..........REALLY IMPRESSIVE!

Bad Behavior

All students, at one time or another have bad behavior. They are learning about how the world works, behavior and consequences, and developing social skills as they grown. 

Enjoy what NAESP shares with parents concerning bad behavior by clicking here.

GRANDPARENTS' TEA Nov. 17th

Who: All R.L. Young Grandparents

When: November 17th at 1:00 pm

Where: R. L. Young Auditorium

Why: Because we want to honor YOU!

What’s happening that day?
A photographer will be on hand ($10 a package)

Have punch and cookies with your Grandchild(ren)

View Artwork

Visit with State Representative Steve Hurst and new author Bobbye Trammell

Take a tour of the school

We can't wait to see you!

Red Ribbon Week 09

Every year across our Nation, schools have several activities to celebrate RED RIBBON WEEK. The red ribbon symbolizes that we want our children to be drug free. So children wear their clothes inside out, wear all red clothing, sign a pledge, and declare they will remain drug free.

One of the most important activities we do is have Patrick Thornton as a speaker. His passion for helping our city be rid of drugs is impressive. Better yet, his determination to help children understand that drugs destroy lives, families, neighbors, and bodies is obvious.

Pictured above is Mr. Thornton and his son Tanner. We feel safer knowing that this great dad is not only thinking about his son, but your sons and daughters, too. We appreciate this speaker taking his time to talk with all the schools about the danger of doing drugs.

Let's protect our children by reminding them, not just during Red Ribbon Week that drugs are not for them.

**Special thanks to Ms. Deese, school counselor for arranging Mr. Thornton's visit.

HARVEST KING AND QUEEN Nov. 9-12 only

Gather those dimes and dollars students to enter in the Harvest King and Queen contest at R.L. Young beginning Monday, Nov. 9 through Nov. 12th. Each dime is one vote. 

There will be 6 winners....K and Q from grades K-2, K and Q from grades 3-4, and K and Q from grades 5-6. 

Each King and Queen will be invited to represent our school in the Christmas Parade. 

**All proceeds go to our First National Bank School of the Month Fund to purchase ELMOs (document cameras) for the classrooms. Thank you in advance for all of the support to help equip our teachers and students with up-to-date technology.

Good Luck!  Good Luck!  Good Luck!

Education World ® Professional Development Channel: Leah Davies: 52 Character Building Thoughts for Children

Education World ® Professional Development Channel: Leah Davies: 52 Character Building Thoughts for Children

80 Years of Excellence Video...Priceless!

Last spring, R. L. Young celebrated its rich and successful history of excellent teaching, strong parent and community support, and quality students. Grab a coke or cup of coffee and a snack, then sit back to enjoy the video created especially for this event.

R. L. Young...a good place to learn and grow.

WOW...LOOK AT THESE TOP DOGS!

Absolutely amazing....109 students with NO tardies, NO check outs, and NO absences for the 1st Six Weeks. (Click on the picture to enlarge)

This tells me several things:
Attendance is important to our students
Attendance is important to their parents
These students are learning more because they have not missed instruction.

Super.................Wonderful.................Fabulous.................Awesome......................

Suggestions for FIDO

Our school is always looking for new and exciting ways to increase attendance, student achievement, and overall excellence. New this week you will find "FIDO" in the main hallway, who is hungry for suggestions by teachers, students, parents, and staff.

Put on your thinking caps, and toss FIDO your thoughts!

Donate to YOUNG online!

Check out First National Bank's Website here and scroll down to find the link which allows you to make a donation to YOUNG online. Share this with grandparents or those family members that might like to help our school with this project.

A parent shared a nifty idea that I'd like to pass along....
During AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK, Nov. 16-20th, you might like to make a donation in honor of one of our wonderful teachers or staff members. All donations will go to the purchasing of ELMOS (document cameras) for the classrooms.

Great idea!

HAT DAY for R L. YOUNG

Thanks...JIM PREUITT

Senator Jim Preuitt paid R. L.Young a visit recently. His mission was to present a generous donation of $5000 earmarked to help replace the leaking windows in our full size auditorium. This room is a vital part of our school and is used daily. Stay tuned to other fund raisers that will be targeted for this important project.

You can make a donation to help us make this happen...just let us know you want to contribute to the auditorium restoration. It will be placed in this account. The total project should cost around 13,000 dollars.

R. L. Young Gives by the GALLONS!

Our school is working hard to earn money through the First National Bank School of the Month Program, but we are also thinking about others during this season of thanksgiving. Pictured above are Matthew F. and Matt L. who were the first students to bring in their gallon cans for the RED DOOR KITCHEN.

Anyone can contribute to this activity which runs until November 20th, just in time to help with Thanksgiving meals. All cans are being collected in the main building hallway.

Happy Giving!

Parent Extravaganza...Can't Help Falling in Love with RLY!

Thanks to all who participated in the Parent Extravaganza. It was fun to create a display portraying our school. ENJOY!

A special thanks To Coach Stephens (BIG ELVIS) and Will (LITTLE ELVIS) for making our table extra cool! Can't help falling in love with R. L. YOUNG!

First National Bank School of the Month

R. L. Young has a grand opportunity to put an ELMO, not the fuzzy red kind, but a cool machine that serves as a document camera in every classroom. We need only 4 more to have each classroom equipped. ELMOs cost around 650 dollars each! So how can we make this happen?

In the month of November, R. L. Young will join forces with First National Bank as the School of the Month. Together we will raise money to bring more technology to our students. First National will place huge jugs in the 3 branches, plus give us $260 donated by employees. The school will host activities to involve the students. At the end of the month, First National will present a check for the total collected.

If R. L. Young is the "School of the Month" (out of the 10 winners) that raises the most money, at the end of the year, our amount will be doubled.

Activities for the students:
November 4 Hats off to RLY! Bring $1 and wear your favorite hat.
November 9-12 Harvest King and Queen 3 levels K-2, 3-4, 5-6 (10 cents a vote)!
(Winners will represent school in Christmas Parade)
November 13 Movie Day at Young donate $3 includes movie, popcorn, and drink
November 20 Iron Bowl Reading...Who can make the longest chain? $1 per strip
ALL MONTH LONG...Eat with a friend coupon for $1.

All money raised will be used for the purchase of the much needed technology. We hope everyone will pitch in and make this happen!!

NONSENSE WORDS...a way to practice!

Nonsense words are not really words, but letters put together to check a child's ability to blend letters together. The vowel is always "silent" and this skill can be tough for even great readers. Enjoy this powerpoint which allows for practice of this kindergarten and first grade skill.

To download and save this powerpoint to your computer, click here.

October 2009 Good Citizen Luncheon

One of my favorite days of each month is the GOOD CITIZEN Luncheon day. Ms. Deese, school counselor, and a representative from each classroom dine together at the HARDWORK Cafe.

Pictured above:

Kneeling-Anna Belle A., Standing-Riley L., Taylor P., Shayla C., Tyler W., Halle S., Carolyn H., Judson G., and Landry L. Not pictured, but selected as good citizen was Samuel W.

Pictured above: Keshawn L., Jordan H., Megan R., Haisten S., Tristen S., and Richard C.

Spending time with the students allows me an opportunity to get good ideas, see how we are doing as a school, and places an emphasis on being good at school!

Congratulations!

Fall Festival 2009

**A special thanks to Event Coordinators Chris and Maxine Cole for their efforts and hard work to make Fall Festival 09 a complete SUCCESS!

STUDY ISLAND--Check it out!

We have STUDY ISLAND for grades K through 6th grade. Click here to watch a video about this new and exciting program your child can do at school or home for FREE!