Youngblood Joins the Apple Corps
Submitted by Gregg Faith, LISD Communications Department
The task of a Social Studies teacher or more specifically a World Cultures teacher is a rather complicated one: Teach the world. Figure out a way to introduce the cultures, continents and traditions of 6 and a half billion people to sixth grade students, many of which have never been further than a 60 mile radius of their home. A social studies teacher faces a formidable task to convince students to open their minds to different ways of life without pre-determining that anything different is inherently bad.  This month’s Apple Corps inductee has been teaching the World to his students for 30 years in Livingston ISD schools and has taught generation after generation to reach outside Polk County to the nations around the globe. 

Robert Youngblood, the January 2008 inductee of the LISD Apple Corps, graduated from Huntsville High School in 1974.  He then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University, followed by a Masters of Education in 1982. In 1986 he earned his Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Texas at Austin.

Robert comes from a family full of educators. His mother was a kindergarten teacher and his father served as a principal, superintendent, and worked with the Windham Schools. He was also an employee at Region VI when it first opened its doors. Robert’s two brothers and sister-in-laws both work in Katy ISD as teachers.

Robert has spent his entire 30 year career teaching 6th grade in Livingston ISD, and though his assignment has been consistent, he has actually taught at four different campuses. In an interesting note, Robert taught at three different campuses all in the same location, as his building transcended to Livingston Middle School, Junior High, and Intermediate school. Originally hired by Principal D.D. Golden, Youngblood now works at the Livingston Junior High campus.  He has also taught Science and Math at times and has been a UIL Coach, a member of the CAC, and a department head.

Robert says his most fundamental job task is teaching students to learn more about the world around them while becoming productive citizens in their own community. He strives to make his classroom fun and informative, while helping his kids to understand that we all come from different backgrounds. He believes World Cultures is an interesting subject to teach because it covers such a broad spectrum of material and really challenges students for the first time in their lives to look at people who live very differently than the way they are accustomed.   He says one of the greatest demands is teaching students not to pre-judge different to mean bad, and to learn without immediately passing judgment on different cultures and customs. 

Robert would tell someone coming into the education field today that life is about changes and that nothing ever stays the same. Learning to adjust to change has been one of Robert’s most enduring qualities, with a subject to teach that is constantly a lesson in diversity and change.  Robert is known for his ability to treat his colleagues and students with respect, and his ability to connect with kids in a way that leaves them wanting to learn more about the world around them. Robert is very proud of the many students he has taught that have gone on to teach in Livingston and other school districts including Janan Moore, Jennifer Dunson, Angie Quinn, Brad Greene, Suzonna McFarlain, and many others.

For bringing the world to our students for over thirty years and creating a respectful and positive classroom in Livingston ISD, the school district proudly inducted Robert Youngblood into the LISD Apple Corps during the regular meeting of the LISD Board of Trustees.

Let's Camp Out
Submitted by Mrs. Kendrick, Mrs. Long, and Mrs. Murphy, Timber Creek Elementary
Timber Creek Elementary - Students from Mrs. Kendrick, Mrs. Long, and Mrs. Murphy's first grade classes enjoyed their camping trip! During our week long camp out theme, the students learned about what it would be like to camp out. We brain stormed about the different items they would take with them and the activities that would take place during a camping trip. After going on a bear hunt and safely returning back to the campsite, the students enjoyed making smores.

Click Here to see the Photo Gallery!

Trash Leads to Cash - New Scholarship for Seniors
Submitted by Sandy Gilbert, LHS Counseling Department
(AUSTIN, Texas)---The Texas Department of Transportation has upped the ante for college-bound students by introducing a new scholarship award to their existing program.

For this new Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship, TxDOT wants students to write an essay about how to get a litterbag in every car.  The essay should focus on a creative and sustainable solution that would encourage Texans to use litterbags and get them in their hands. The winner earns a $1,000 scholarship.

TxDOT will also continue its traditional scholarship, which consists of a $3,000 grand prize scholarship and a $1,000 second-prize scholarship.  To qualify for that scholarship money, students must write an essay identifying a specific litter problem at their own school or in their community and the action they took to address it.

The scholarships are intended for high-school seniors planning to a pursue a two- or four-year degree at a Texas university or college.  Essays must be 300 – 350 words.  Along with their essay(s), students are required to submit a completed application and two letters of recommendation.  Students may apply for both the traditional scholarship and the litterbag scholarship, but must complete two separate essays.

To download an application and for complete rules, visit www.DontMessWithTexas.org.

A completed application, letters and essays must be addressed as follows and postmarked by April 4, 2008:

Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship Program
c/o EnviroMedia Social Marketing
1717 West 6th Street, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78703

The Texas Department of Transportation established the Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship program in 2003 to reward high-school seniors who have worked to improve litter problems in their communities.  Research shows Texans ages 16 to 24 are the most likely to litter, and the scholarship is designed to help motivate and raise awareness among this peer group.

About Don’t Mess with Texas
Don’t Mess with Texas has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986.  TxDOT’s litter prevention program includes Adopt-a-Highway and a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful.  Don’t Mess with Texas activities also include a spring “Trash-Off,” community outreach and a corporate partner program.  For more information, visit www.DontMessWithTexas.org.  TxDOT’s goals are to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of transportation assets.  For more information, visit www.dot.gov.

BPA Visits Rope Course
Submitted by Diane Goodson, Livingston High School
On December 4, 2007, Mrs. Goodson took her BPA students to Camp Cho-Yeh for leadership and team building exercises.  The kids really had a great time.  Here are some pictures from the day.

Click Here to see the Photo Gallery!

Hamburger
/cheeseburger on bun
Burger salad
Chicken noodle soup w/crackers
French fries
Fresh fruit
Milk

Support the Lady Lions Tonight!
The winner of tonight's game between Livingston and Huntsville will be in first place in the district! Come out to the LHS gym and support the Lady Lions at 7:30!

Power Lifting - 2008 Season
Girls Soccer - 2007 Season
Boys Soccer - 2007 Season
Junior High Basketball - 2007 Season
Boys Basketball Schedule 2007 Season
Girls JH Basketball Schedule 2007 Season
Girls Basketball Schedule 2007 Season
Tennis Schedule -2007 Season

Soccer Game Location Change - January 25, 2008
Due to poor field condition at the stadium, all soccer games scheduled for January 25th, will be played at Jacksonville.

Junior High School Girls Basketball

LIVINGSTON LADY LIONS vs. Lynn Lucas
8th Grade Basketball
Thursday, January 24, 2008

Green Team
16-20
D’Andrea Youngblood – 10 points
Tori Lyons – 6 points

White Team
21-20
Kelly McLendon – 8 points
Keanna Robinson – 6 points

7th Grade Basketball
Green Team
42-20
Top Scorers – McKenzie Criddle and Tatyana Nickson

White Team
8-27
Top Scorer – Alila Flores

*Come support the Lady Lions as they play the Huntsville Hornets on Monday, January, 28th at home, starting at 4:30.  This will be their last game before the district tournament.

Beary Fun Cupcake Cones Cooking with the LISD family! - January 25, 2008 Click Here to print this recipe...and cook it for your co-workers, family, or Communications Office!

Ingredients

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 160 (Calories from Fat 60); Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 1g); Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 135mg; Total Carbohydrate 24g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 15g); Protein 1g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 2%; Iron 2% Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1 1/2