Youngblood Community News

Dear Wildcat Families,

We have crossed the halfway mark of the fall semester, and I am so proud of what our students are building. Every morning I see 5th and 6th graders walking into Youngblood with purpose, and every afternoon I see them leave a little stronger than they came.

This fall our focus has stayed on three things: a clear vision, a safe and caring culture, and strong instruction in every classroom. Vision sets the direction. Culture makes it safe to move. Instruction makes it real for every student. Your partnership is what holds all three together.

Thank you for every early drop-off, every signed folder, and every conversation at the dinner table about what your child learned today. Those moments matter more than you know. My door stays open to you, so come by, call, or catch me in the car line.

With gratitude,

Lauren Ford Principal, Youngblood Intermediate School

October:

22nd- 6th Grade Social Studies CBA

23rd- 6th Grade Math/AAC Math CBA

26th-30th- Red Ribbon Week

29th- Fall Performing Arts Showcase 6:00 pm-7:00 pm

30th- Yum Yum Day

November:

2nd-6th- Book Fair

5th- Progress Reports Go Home

16th- 5th & 6th Grade Reading CBA

18th- 5th & 6th grade Science AOL Fall Assessment

20th- District Choir Day

20th - Substitute's Day

23rd-27th- Thanksgiving Break

I am delighted to share the excellent results from the Solo and Ensemble competition held this past Saturday. Youngblood Intermediate's ten student participants demonstrated exceptional musicianship and dedication, earning outstanding recognition at the event.

Our students' achievements include nine 1st Division ratings (Gold medals) and one 2nd Division rating (Silver medal). These results reflect countless hours of practice, commitment, and the strong musical foundation our program provides.

1st Division Ratings

• Dilam Abreu

• Emmasyn Brown

• Ximena Colocho

• Jacob Harris

• Bailey Hill

• Omasirichim Ikwuegbu

• Adhel Lual

• Julianna Morales

• Ceyri Solario

2nd Division Ratings

• Frank Cardona

I am incredibly proud of our students' hard work and perseverance. Their success at this competition is a testament to their talent and determination, as well as to the supportive environment we have cultivated at Youngblood Intermediate. Please share this achievement on the morning announcements so the whole school can celebrate the students' success.

Thank you for your continued support of our music program.

Warm regards,

Daniel Schaffer

Families play an important role in helping students make the most of our daily intervention time. Throughout the week, students participate in personalized learning programs and targeted intervention activities designed to strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and support continued growth.

You can support your child at home by:

• Encouraging consistent attendance and punctuality so students do not miss intervention time.
• Asking your child about the learning program they used each day and what they learned.
• Celebrating progress and effort as students work toward their academic goals.
• Providing opportunities for reading and practicing academic skills outside of school.

Our intervention programs are tailored to meet each student's individual needs and are an important part of ensuring every student receives the support necessary for success. When families and schools work together, students are more likely to stay engaged, make progress, and achieve at higher levels.

Thank you for your partnership and commitment to your child's learning journey. Together, we can help every student reach their full potential.

1. Reading on Grade Level📖

Studies show that consistent attendance from Pre-K gives the best start for early literacy development. Students who aren't reading on grade level by 3rd grade have a lower chance of graduating. It starts that early!

2. Joining Classmates on Exciting Field Trips🚌

Don't miss out on hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, like visits to museums, nature centers, science centers, parks, and performances of all kinds. These enriching experiences help students figure out their passions.

3. Forming Lasting Friendships😍

Attending daily allows students to foster strong social bonds and an inclusive peer network. Even if not all friendships work out, developing the skills is only possible with ongoing interaction. Students who develop their social skills through school attendance have more positive relationships, overall.

4. Developing Effective Study Habits Early⏰

Good attendance instills vital skills like punctuality, time management and self-discipline. A big part of succeeding is learning how to learn. Daily attendance from elementary onwards helps students build their toolbox of strategies for success.

5. Demonstrating Responsibility and Commitment🙌

Employers value established patterns of dedication and follow-through. Whether students are getting after school jobs in high school, or securing employment after graduation, good work habits are formed by consistent school attendance. It's also how students get teachers to serve as references!

6. Maximizing Instructional Time with Teachers✍🏽

Fewer disruptions means more personalized learning and academic support. Sometimes, students don't come to school because they're struggling with the material in class and staying home is a way to avoid it. But the better choice is to come to school -- that's where the support is. The more time students have with their teachers, the more successful they will be.

7. Greater Self-Esteem and Confidence😁

Not having to play catch-up reduces stress and boosts self-assurance. This is exactly what will carry students successfully through graduation and beyond.

8. Higher Grade Point Averages🚀

Abundant research links stellar attendance to higher GPAs and test scores. In fact, one study shows that the #1 reason students fail a course is from being absent.

9. More Scholarship and College Opportunities🎓

Colleges want applicants with strong attendance showing perseverance. And it's not just colleges! If you're choosing a new school for middle school or high school, students must demonstrate good attendance above all.

10. Increased Lifetime Earnings and Success💰

Excellent attendance correlates to higher career achievement and earnings potential. And not just that! It correlates to better physical and mental health, healthier relationships, and a happier quality of life. Something we want for every child!

Attendance Contest from 11/10 - 12/19 - The Academy with the highest attendance percentage wins a PBIS party!

It's that time again! 🎉 Our Wildcats are putting on their game faces, just like they do every single day. 😎💪 CBA week is here, and we are cheering for every one of our students! 📣🌟

📅 This Week's Assessments

📚 Thursday: 6th graders take the Social Studies CBA 🌎🗺️

➕ Friday: All students take the Math CBA 🔢📐

✏️ Scratch Paper Is Our Superpower! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

Our students have been practicing these power moves, and we'd love for them to use them as they review at home and on test day:

📝 Annotate the questions and mark the important parts 👀 Read each question twice so nothing gets missed 🧮 Show all work step by step 💬 Explain answers on paper so their thinking shines

🏡 How Families Can Help

😴 Make sure students get a good night's sleep 🍳 Send them off with a healthy, energizing breakfast 🕒 Help them arrive on time and ready to go 💛 Cheer them on with big smiles and kind words, like "I believe in you!"

We are so proud of how hard our students work, and we know they are ready to shine! 🌟 Thank you for being our partners in their success. 🤝💙

Wildcats, remember: YOU GOT THIS! 🐾🔥🏆

#ALLIN 💯 #SUPERPOWERinSHOWINGWORK ✏️🦸

Wildcat Families,

We need your help. Please take a few minutes to complete your Family Climate and Safety Survey. The survey is open now until October 30th. Your feedback is important to us. We appreciate your time.

We want every family to finish the survey. Take a screenshot of your completed survey screen. Send it to your child's teacher or Ms. G. Browning. The class with the most finished surveys will get 100 PBIS points per student. The class with the second most will get 75 PBIS points per student. The class with the third most will get 50 PBIS points per student. Each student in the class will receive the prize-winning amount of points.
We will announce the winners after the survey closes. You must send a screenshot to show you finished the survey. The surveys are private.

Home Edition: Parents, we are focused on our district wide strategy with our students in all classrooms. To support at home, you can:

Think It: Ask your students what they learned at school. Give them some silent time to think about it. Maybe a minute or two. Set a timer.

Write It: Have your student write full thoughts with detail and complete sentences to practice writing.

Talk It: Spend some time talking about what they wrote and their school day.

Prove It: Have students show you their work from their folder and their learning objectives from their agendas.

Youngblood Intermediate School Theme: Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug-Free!

Monday Oct 26: Wear Red Day
❤️ "Red-y to Be Drug-Free!"
Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week and show your commitment to making healthy choices.

Tuesday Oct 27: School Spirit Day

Wednesday Oct 28: Shades Day

😎 "My Future Looks Bright Drug-Free!"
Wear sunglasses and bright colors to show that making healthy choices leads to a bright future.

Thursday Oct 29: Twin Day

👯 "Friends Don't Let Friends Use Drugs!"
Dress alike with a friend or group to celebrate positive peer influence and healthy friendships.

Friday Oct 30: PRIDE Day
⭐ "Our Character Keeps Us Drug-Free!"
Wear a shirt representing positive character traits, leadership, a college, military branch, or career.

T-Shirts (Long & Short-Sleeve), Pullover Sweatshirts and Zipper Hoodies are now available through School Cash. Choose your styles and colors! Spirit Day with Jeans is every Tuesday, only.

If you have not applied for the free or reduced lunch program, be sure to apply. https://www.aliefisd.net/o/aisd/page/nutrition-home