Youree Drive Middle Advanced Placement Magnet

🚨 Last Call for 8th Grade Celebration Shirts! 🚨 Today is the LAST DAY to order your student's 8th Grade Celebration shirt for $15. Remember, shirts let students wear non-uniform bottoms on the big day, Monday, May 12th! Don't miss out - NO extra shirts will be ordered. Get yours NOW at www.youreedrive.com (Local Level).

8th Grade Celebration Shirts are available for $15.00! 8th Grade Celebration is Monday, May 12th. This is a fun day for our students to enjoy their last day at Youree Drive. If a shirt is purchased, students will be allowed to wear non-uniform bottoms on that day. Deadline to purchase is Tuesday, April 22nd. Students will be given shirts before celebration. EXTRA SHIRTS WILL NOT BE ORDERED. Head to www.youreedrive.com and access our Local Level to get yours today!

Spartans—your voice matters! Student Council elections open Wednesday, April 16, and every student at Youree Drive has the power to vote! Our Student Council represents the student body. They speak up for what YOU want and need, and they work hard to make YDMS the best it can be. From planning school events, dances, and fundraisers to leading new ideas and projects—Student Council does it all. Now it’s your turn to choose the leaders who will represent you. Voting ends Friday, April 18. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference! #YDMSVotes #SpartanStrong #StudentVoice

Unbelievable performance from our YDMS track stars! Both the boys' and girls' teams dominated the City Meet, taking home the overall FIRST PLACE title! 🥇 We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our track athletes for their commitment and effort. Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches!#Spartanproud #track

8th Grade Celebration Shirts are available! 8th Grade Celebration is Monday, May 12th. This is a fun day for our students to enjoy their last day at Youree Drive. If a shirt is purchased, students will be allowed to wear non-uniform bottoms on that day. Deadline to purchase is Tuesday, April 22nd. Students will be given shirts before celebration. EXTRA SHIRTS WILL NOT BE ORDERED. Head to Youreedrive.com and access our local level to get yours today!

The Caddo Parish School System Security Department (Division of Mental Health, Wellness, and Safe Schools) sponsored several poster contests over the 2024-2025 school year. Congratulations to our winners from Youree Drive. Mental Health Awareness Poster Winners: Jada Davis won 2nd place for 6th grade Melvin Day won 2nd place for 7th grade Lauryn Jones won 1st place for 8th grade Character Education Poster Winners: Sha’Coreya Sample won 1st place for 6th grade Karmyn Clarkson won 2nd place for 6th grade Mia Ashford won 1st place for 7th grade and is the grand prize winner overall for Character Education Kylee Lloyd won 1st place for 8th grade Internet Safety Education Poster Winners: Gabby Martinez won 2nd place for 6th grade Laycee Roebuck won 1st place for 7th grade Kimora Jackson won 2nd place for 8th grade Red Ribbon Drug Education Poster Winners: Molly Tucker won 2nd place for 6th grade Sophia Sjouwke won 1st place for 7th grade Lyric Stewart won 1st place for 8th grade National Diversity Poster Winners: Sophie Humpal won 1st place for 7th grade Mikalah Murray won 2nd place for 8th grade Bullying Prevention Poster Winners: Journey Dyer won 2nd place for 6th grade Rayleigh Erlinger won 1st place for 7th grade Sa’Brena Carpenter won 1st place for 8th grade Suicide Prevention Poster Winners: Kynleigh Wheeler won 1st place for 6th grade Trinity Johnson won 2nd place for 7th grade Internet Safety Education Poster Winners: Gabby Martinez won 2nd place for 6th grade Laycee Roebuck won 1st place for 7th grade Kimora Jackson won 2nd place for 8th grade Red Ribbon Drug Education Poster Winners: Molly Tucker won 2nd place for 6th grade Sophia Sjouwke won 1st place for 7th grade Lyric Stewart won 1st place for 8th grade National Diversity Poster Winners: Sophie Humpal won 1st place for 7th grade Mikalah Murray won 2nd place for 8th grade Bullying Prevention Poster Winners: Journey Dyer won 2nd place for 6th grade Rayleigh Erlinger won 1st place for 7th grade Sa’Brena Carpenter won 1st place for 8th grade Suicide Prevention Poster Winners: Kynleigh Wheeler won 1st place for 6th grade Trinity Johnson won 2nd place for 7th grade

LEAP TESTING: Students, it is extremely important that you are on time to school and present every day of testing. You should be in your testing sites by 8:00 a.m. each morning. Remember — if you are present, on time, and have no discipline concerns for each day of testing, you may dress down at no cost to you on Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17. Let's go Spartans!

Reminder: No backpacks during testing. Lunchboxes and small purses are allowed. Students should report directly to their testing location when arriving to school. Spartans will LEAP to success and show what they know! You've got this!

HUGE congrats to our amazing YDMS Band students! 🎉 We took 36 talented musicians to Solo & Ensemble, and an incredible 28 of them earned a SUPERIOR rating in either their solo or ensemble performance! 🤩 What an outstanding achievement – we're so proud of your hard work and dedication! 🎶 #YDMSBand #SoloAndEnsemble #SuperiorRating #ProudBandDirector #MusicEducation

This week, we celebrate National Assistant Principals Week, and it's the perfect time to recognize the amazing contributions of Mr. Amidon and Mrs. Ferguson! Principal Edwards is absolutely right - the countless hours and hard work they invest often go unseen, but they are the backbone of our school's success. Let's make sure they feel the love this week with a kind word, deed, or action. Their dedication truly shapes our students' experience! ❤️ #NationalAssistantPrincipalsWeek #APpreciation

📢 C.E. Byrd Highstepper Interest Meeting 📢 🌟 Join us for the Highstepper Interest Meeting to learn all about tryouts and what it takes to be part of this incredible team! 📅 Date: April 7, 2025 ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM 📍 Location: CE Byrd Learning Center ‼️ Attendance is REQUIRED to try out for Highsteppers ‼️

LEAP TESTING STARTS NEXT WEEK! We are excited for our students' hard work to show on their LEAP Tests! Our students (grades 6, 7, & 8) will participate in state-mandated LEAP 2025 testing April 9th - April 15th. Testing will begin promptly each morning. Students should plan to get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast in the morning, and prepare to do their best! Please make arrangements to ensure that your student attends school each day and is on time for these very important school days. Our first bell rings at 7:55. Students are expected to be in class and ready to test by 8:00. Students will not be allowed to check out from school until after school-wide testing is completed each day. All electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, headphones, etc.) will be collected from students before testing and will be returned to students at the end of each school day. We encourage students to leave electronic devices at home during testing. Failure to follow our school-wide electronic device policy for testing will result in disciplinary action. Jackets and sweaters may be worn during testing, but cannot have pockets or hoods. No backpacks are allowed during testing. Small lunch boxes and small purses are allowed. We look forward to a successful Spring 2025 Leap Test. We appreciate your support as we work to ensure our students' success!

🎨🖌 YDMS ArtBreak Visual and Literary WINNERS! ✍📖 🎨 Visual Awards: 🏆 $100 Very Special Arts Best of Middle: Diamond Mensah - Cake and Watermelon Shop 🎭 $50 Best of Collage: Jamie Jackson - Blossom 🖼 $50 Best of Painting: Angelina Ngueyn - Flowers 🖍 $50 Best of Pastel: Sophia Tippit - Girl Dreams 🎖 Jurors’ Choice Visual: Landon Jackson - Lebron 🎖 Jurors’ Choice Visual: Jarodrick Butler - Hot Dog 📖 Literary Awards: 🏆 $500 VSAF Best of Show Literary: Brooklyn Jackson - November 1995 🌞 $100 Best of Seventh: Avery Edwards - Sunshine 🍍 $100 Best of Eighth: Lyric Stewart - Spongebob 🚀 $50 Best of Prose – Descriptive (Middle School): Violet Kleckinger - Celebrations on Another Planet 🎖 Jurors’ Choice Literary: Bailey Mandigo - Divorce 🎖 Jurors’ Choice Literary: Jasmin Montenegro - Starry Eyes 👏🎉 Congratulations to all the talented artists and writers! Keep shining! ✨🎭📚 #SpartanProud #SpartansTodayLeadersTomorrow🖤💛

Track Meet today at Lee Hedges! https://www.locallevelevents.com/events/details/38944

🍎📚 Don't forget to show some love to your teachers this week with our Teacher Appreciation: Student Edition! Here's the schedule: Monday: Bring a heartfelt note or picture for your teacher. Tuesday: Share the love with school supplies (think pens and post-it notes). Wednesday: Treat your teacher to a delicious snack. Thursday: Quench their thirst with a refreshing drink. Friday: Sweeten their day with some candy! Let's show our appreciation for all they do! 🎉 #TeacherAppreciation #ThankATeacher 🍏📝

⏰ LAST CALL SPARTANS! ⏰ Don't miss your chance to snag a piece of history! The deadline to pre-order your 2024-2025 yearbook is THIS SUNDAY, March 30th at MIDNIGHT! 😱 Quantities are SUPER limited, so act fast! 🏃‍♀️💨 Capture all the amazing memories from the 2024-2025 school year. 📸📚 ➡️ Order now at: www.buytheyearbook.com School ID Code: 723816 💻 Get your yearbook before it's too late! ❤️🎉 #Yearbook #SpartanPride #DontMissOut #Memories #SchoolSpirit

💛🖤SAVE THE DATES💛🖤

🌴 Don't miss the last dance of the year! 🌺 Join us for the Sadies Dance: Tropical Paradise at Youree Drive Middle School! Friday, March 28th, 5:30-7:30 PM. Tropical attire encouraged but not required. Wristbands $20 at the door. Concessions available! 🍹 #SadiesDance #TropicalParadise #YoureeDriveMiddleSchool #LastDance

🎉👏 Congratulations to our Youree Drive Most Improved Student for 2024-2025, Lacorion Strong! 📚 Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder! Keep striving for greatness! 🚀💪 #YoureeDrive #MostImproved #Success #SpartansTodayLeadersTomorrow

🎤 YDMS Talent Show Auditions Information 🎭 Talent Show Date: Thursday, May 1st, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Audition Date: Thursday, April 3rd, 3:30 - 6:30 PM in the auditorium The Audition Google form must be completed by March 31st Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday, April 30th, 3:30 - 6:30 PM (Mandatory for all performers) 🌟 Rules & Regulations: Open to a variety of acts: singing, dancing, skits, magic, comedy, juggling, and more! Acts must be under 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Performers must be YDMS students; one adult accompanist allowed if needed. Only one act per student. All lyrics must be fully appropriate; clean versions of explicit songs are not allowed. Acts must be fully prepared with memorized content and completed choreography. Music accompaniments can be live or recorded; bring your audio file to auditions. Costumes must be described on the audition form, but not purchased yet. 10-12 acts will be selected, with announcements on April 4th. A $25 entry fee applies to selected acts. 📋 Procedures: Audition Packets can be picked up in the front office or in Mr. McDade’s classroom (802). Each participant must fill out the "Contract, Contact, and Permission Form." One participant per act must fill out the "Act Information Form." Attach printed lyrics to the "Act Information Form." All forms and lyrics must be stapled together and submitted at auditions. No audition without a signed contract! 🎉 Judging & Prizes: Judges are unaffiliated with YDMS students. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners! Prepare to dazzle and shine at the YDMS Talent Show! 🌟✨