Nelson's Fifth Grades Steal Back the Highest Comprehension for the Week Trophy!

Yes, they are a force to be reckoned with......Mrs. Nelson's fifth grade readers. They are the proud winners of the highest comprehension for the week in the Accelerated Reader Program at R. L. Young.  The Accelerated Reader Program has become the supplementary program that has helped the school move from a 79.9 % overall school comprehension to an impressive 88.9% success rate. AWESOME!!!!


If your child is not participating, they are missing out on a NO penalty way to increase their individual ability to comprehend not only AR books, BUT the material presented in class. The more a child reads, the better they read. AR cut off date to qualify for the trip ended Friday, but students can still be rewarded for their reading efforts. The library closes on May 12. All books must be returned by this date. 


Keep reading!

65 TOP DOGs at R. L. Young for 5th Six Weeks

Perfect attendance is very important at R. L. Young. 65 students qualified for TOP DOG status for the 5th six weeks! Thanks to our parents who make coming to school important and a daily habit. We can't teach them unless they are at school.

Early Dismissal TODAY 4-27-11

School will dismiss at 11:30 today (April 27, 2011) for all students. 

4-22-11 P.E. Star Student of the Week

Natalie M. has demonstrated good sportsmanship, great work ethics, and true friendship. Natalie has always got a great smile on her face and a wonderful sense of humor. Natalie is a fair student who is a hard worker. Natalie is the type of student that every teacher wants in their class. Great job Natalie for being a bright shinning star.

Keep up the great work!

No School April 25, 2011

Tomorrow there will be NO school for Talladega City Schools. Take time to swing and enjoy the day........

French Takes the Trophy for April 22

Congratulations to Mrs. French's classroom for winning the trophy this week. 

*Not pictured: Isaiah Morris.

Earn an A....Win a New Bike!

Each Friday, all students earning an A in conduct will be entered into a drawing for a BRAND NEW BIKE! The Winner will be announced on Monday, May 2. 
Good luck, everybody!

APRIL 26 HONOR ROLL ASSEMBLY

Honor Roll Assembly is a special time to honor and recognize hard work, super attendance, great behavior, and academic achievement. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

K-2 program begins at 12:45 p.m.

3rd-6th program begins at 1:30 p.m. 

Please allow your child(ren) to finish out the day at school. Checking out is discouraged.

Thank you for your support and attendance!

First Time Trophy Winner- Congrats to Mrs. Nelson's 5th Graders

Not only did Mrs. Nelson's 5th graders win the trophy for the first time this year...they won big with a 99.1% in comprehension for last week! Can they do it again.......tune in on Friday and see!

Special Guests at R. L. Young

We never turn down an opportunity to showcase the wonderful things here at R. L. Young. Last Friday, our Ambassadors served as tour guides and the lunchroom staff created a wonderful meal for the Hobnobbers from Alpine. 

These guests were quite impressed with the school. The most impressive comments were about the friendliness of the students and the exciting things we have happening. We hope they will come again! 

Dibelers: Start Your Timers!

If you teach in grades K-3, then you know what Spring Dibels testing means. Preparing involves progress monitoring and getting the students ready for how many WPM they can read. As we all know, there is nothing better than a partner. Our principal always says, "Not one of us can do as much as all of us can do." These 2nd grade students in Mrs. Armstrong's class are progress monitoring each other on some cold read passages. They were all very encouraging to each other and learned the art of paying attention. All students were timed and given the chance to see how their WPM is calculated. This is a reading skill but character education and math are involved, too. They were all thrilled when they got the chance to progress monitor their teacher. Good luck to all the Spring Dibels testers!

Young Writers Need an Audience

From my teaching days in first grade, I remember how important it is for new readers and writers to have an audience. Giving gentle support, motivation, and appreciation for the tremendous effort it takes to read and write, keeps them going. Kid writing should be allowed in grade k and 1st. It allows students to spell phonically (how it sounds). This frees them to focus on getting their thoughts down using words from their own vocabulary.

I was delighted to be the audience for this story from Exzavier R. in first grade. Notice the big smile when he finishes!

Enjoy.... 

4-15-11 P.E. Star Student of the Week!

Tyler A. works very hard at being the best. Tyler does a great job following directions. Tyler is a great leader and a great example to his classmates. Great job Tyler for being an awesome student!

Keep up the great work!

Zora Ellis Students Visit Young

Yes, it is the time when our sixth graders turn their thoughts to leaving the nest.......the R. L. Young Nest, that is! Under the leadership of Assistant Principal Gloria Thomas (former teacher at R. L. Young), our school was visited by some of the best and brightest Zora Ellis students. Each one had a topic to share with the incoming students. Check out Zora Ellis' blog and video about the visits to all Talladega City Elementary Schools. Way to go, Ellis! 

Daily Routines are Important at R. L. Young

Every day the flags are proudly hung in front of the school by student Ambassadors. Two students from a different classroom each week lead us in the Pledge of Allegience. This routine is just an important part of our day. 

We like our traditions and daily activities. So how does a school repair a broken flag pole chain interrupting our routines? 

The district's new maintenance supervisor, Mr. Wayne Mitchell, played a big part in the repair. Thanks for taking notice of the little things that make a big difference in our daily practices. 

AND thanks to the kindness of the Talladega Fire Department, we are now back in business. 

Kindergarten Registration Coming Soon!

TALLADEGA CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION SET FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011

Registration for kindergarten students eligible for the kindergarten program in the Talladega City School System will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 8:30 A. M. to 2:00 P. M.  Students will be eligible to enroll in kindergarten if they are five years old on or before September 1^st.  They should register in the following primary schools zones in which they reside.

Graham Elementary School   -315-5777

Hal Henderson Elementary School  -315-5855

Houston Elementary School  -  315-5800

R. L. Young Elementary School  -315-5888

Salter Elementary School  - 315-5822

THE PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT ON

 APRIL 20, 2011 (We cannot accept a Driver’s License or Personalized Checks).

1.              CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE – MUST HAVE STATE SEAL

2.              ALABAMA CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION

3.              SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

4.              PROOF OF RESIDENCE

A.             UTILITY BILL WITH NAME AND ADDRESS

(Electric Bill  - Water Bill )

B.             LEASE AGREEMENT

If you are not certain of the school zone for your child, call one of the elementary schools listed above for the correct information.

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Although this is not a complete list, below are indicators that a child is ready for kindergarten. 

Academically (pre-reading skills)

• Can retell a simple story
• Speaks in complete sentences of 5-6 words
• Writes name or recognizes letters in name
• Recognizes the title of a book
• Matches rhyming sounds
• Counts to ten

Socially

• Feels comfortable in a group
• Asks for help when needed
• Knows personal information (name, age, gender)
• Follows simple instructions
• Recognizes authority
• Is able to share

Physically

• Exhibits fine motor skills (holds pencil, traces shapes, buttons shirt, etc.)
• Exhibits motor coordination (rides a bike with training wheels, hops, skips)
• Manages bathroom needs

R. L. Young Lunchroom.....A Perfect Score

The Alabama Department of Public Health is in charge of inspecting food establishments, including school cafeterias. Well, there is no need to worry about R. L. Young. We got a PERFECT score. Congratulations to our manager, Sheryl Gaither and her super crew, Mrs. Gurley, Mrs. Harvell, Mrs. Whitten, and Mrs. Morrow.  

The Health Department isn't the only one who thinks our lunchroom is a cool place to be. The students think the lunchroom is a pretty great place, too. Check out this artwork by 3rd grader Dawson Davidson. He captured the Hardwork Cafe area perfectly. 

The Skills Kids Need to Read - FamilyEducation.com

Curious about what kids need to read? 

Check out this article from Family Education.com.

The Skills Kids Need to Read - FamilyEducation.com

Adoptions at R. L. Young Elementary

Even though our Kindergarten, first, and second grade students did not take the ARMT and SAT state tests, they played a special role in the hectic week. Each class "adopted" an upper grade group of students to cheer on!

I just happened to catch this presentation by our kindergarteners to the fourth grade. 

Below is a video of their presentation and gifts of hand decorated "pet rocks". Cute and thoughtful!

4-8-11 P.E. Star Student of the Week!

Jasmine W. is an awesome student with a positive attitude. She is always doing her best to be the best. Jasmine is a hard worker with great work ethics. Great job Jasmine for being a true leader to everyone around you.

Great Job!!

A TEAM Effort at R. L. Young Elementary

R. L. Young takes a team effort approach when it comes to testing. This video features our second grade classrooms performing a program to help upper classmates in grades 3-6 SURF THROUGH THE TEST (SAT and ARMT state test). 


It is very touching the bond our students have for each other. Not only did our testers enjoy a program just for them, the lower grade classrooms "adopted" them during week. Songs, treats, posters, dances, chants, cheers....you name it, our folks did it to inspire, motivate, and support those who represented the school during testing. 


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

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my 

first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately 

wanted to paint another one. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a 

stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind 

to animals. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my 

favorite cake for me, and I learned that the 

little things can be the special things in life.. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a 

prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always 

talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a 

meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I 

learned that we all have to help take care of each other. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care 

of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have 

to take care of what we are given. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you 

handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't 

feel good, and I learned that I would have to be 

responsible when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come 

from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things 

hurt, but it's all right to cry. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you 

cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of 

life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and 

productive person when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and 

wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when 

you thought I wasn't looking' 

Each of us

(parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) 

influences the life of a child.

Astonishing DATA at R. L. Young

For the past three years, R. L. Young readers have been immersed in a two-fold program to improve and enhance their reading abilities....HARCOURT READING SERIES and ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM. Both, if used hand in hand will make dramatic increases in the reading progress of children. Below is data that we are proud to report.

	Avg % below 85%	Students at Risk	School’s Comprehension %
8/27/10	23%	46%	87.4
4/1/11	21%	17%	88.8

If you, as a parent are NOT encouraging participation in Accelerated Reader, please reconsider. Your child could be missing out on a wonderful opportunity to improve in comprehension.

Two Heads Are Better Than One....

Strategic Teaching has made it's debut with several of our teachers. Our illustrous Reading Coach and seasoned teacher, Mrs. Nunn, did a ST lesson for our class today. The children were very attentive and learned so much, as did their teacher! Thanks for sharing, Mrs. Nunn. We can't wait to do more!

After 8.....You're Late!

Being on time is a skill that, if learned early in life, is practiced into adulthood. These students in Mrs. Armstrong's class should have no trouble succeeding in their high school, college or chosen career because they have not been tardy (late) to school all year! Their bright smiling faces are the first ones I see every morning. Good job Abigail, Sanmetris, Emily, Angelo, and Nealie!

R. L. Young Logo Contest Ends Soon!

  Planning to enter the LOGO Contest at R. L. Young going on during April 11-15? 
Please keep the following guidelines in mind...



Entry must contain the motto: "R. L. Young...a good place to learn and grow."
All words must be spelled correctly. 
Artwork must be done by a student.



No color, just pen or dark pencil.
A one inch margin must be left around artwork. 
Student name, teacher name, and grade MUST be put on the back of the entry. 
DEADLINE to enter-April 18 by 8:30 a.m. Turn into classroom teacher.


Special Tips:
Make sure entry is neat and easy to read.
Erase stray marks.
Do not use tiny writing. Think big and bold.
Be clever with your design. Would YOU want to wear a shirt with your idea displayed?

The winning entry will be featured on 2011-12 School t-shirt. 

Winner receives a shirt FREE! 

Good luck....we can't wait to see what you design!

Six Grade Snags the Trophy 4/1/11

The reading challenge is on! Mrs. French's class won the trophy for the HIGHEST COMPREHENSION FOR THE WEEK! This Friday we will see if they can hang on to it!

Good luck, EVERYONE!

HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAY!

R. L. Young wishes a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING FACULTY/STAFF MEMBERS:

April 6   Ms. Joann Deese- School Counselor

Hope your day is full of FUN!