Week of December 1

Before we leave for our FABULOUS week off, I want to express MANY THANKS for the blessings that each of you bring to our school.

THANK YOU for the tireless effort that you give our school and children EACH and EVERY day. I know the personal time you sacrifice to go above and beyond to make our school the most fun and exciting place for children to learn and grow.  I am honored to work with you!

THANK YOU for all you did to make Friday a day of showcase for our school.  I have no doubt these leading Superintendents will be mesmerized with what you are doing with our learners. 

THANK YOU for making my 42nd Birthday and "AMAZING" one that will forever be in my memory.  I was touched, humbled, and blown away with your creativity, generosity, and thoughtfulness.  I become overwhelmed with emotion thinking about the WEEK OF CHANTEL and how special and celebrated I feel. I love each and every one of you!

PLEASE ENJOY YOUR WEEK OFF!  I pray that you have wonderful memories with friends, family, and loved ones.  I also pray that you get some well-deserved rest and "YOU time."  I plan to avoid this building.  I hope you each will do the same- you have earned it!

DID YOU KNOW?

• that you can plant in our raised beds now?  Check out this site if you want to know what you can start as seedlings for when the spring gets here.  

• that we received the sweetest praise from a parent?  They said,  "I wanted to compliment your staff at car line. I have been observing this since the school started: they are all smiling and waving while making eye contacts with the parents all the time. They create a  happy feeling which is very contagious and gives me extra energy while I drive to work."  WHAT A GREAT EMAIL TO GET!!!
• that Shelley and Kylie moved a total of 863 pounds of cans?  That was 879 cans of food. These cans will provide access to 719 meals for hungry children, families and seniors in need in North Texas!
• we are going to take a staff Christmas picture on Monday, December 1, right after school?  Please bring a Santa hat, Christmas props, or wear a tacky sweater so we can send out holiday wishes from Lee to the other Coppell schools.
• that you need to get fun pajama bottoms SOON?  We will have a Polar Express day where you can wear them to school.  Maybe we will even have a pajama parade?
• that most shelves should be finished being installed by the end of the day?  YAY!
  
  
  

TURKEY DRIVE
I can't wait to see how many turkeys come in from RJL!  THANK YOU to those of you that succumbed to the pressure of a phone call plea for turkeys.  THANK YOU to Alicia for being our point person for the Turkey Drive and to Stacey for sharing her turkey hats with us in the car loop!  :)



TASA VISIT ON FRIDAY
I cannot wait to tour our visiting Superintendents around our school tomorrow.  Thank you to those who already shared that you will be in the flex space, the outdoor learning pavilion, and more.  If anyone is interested, the data dashboard is up and working with close to accurate information, now.  The pen is in the front office.


LUNCHROOM EXPECTATIONS
Please review the lunch expectations from our Leadership Meeting with your houses.  Some already started on Thursday- WOW!  


HOUR OF CODE
If you are planning on participating in this event, please let CK know.  


TOY DRIVE AT LEE
4th graders will be hosting a CBL toy drive from December 8 - December 19 at our school.  This is to go along with their Global Read Aloud book study of One for the Murphys.  Please post in your newsletters that they will be asking for new, unwrapped toys during these days.

BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
Thank you for getting your estimated lunch counts in to Jean.  Also, remember that this day you will eat in your spaces.  Todd will send a schedule your way so that you know what to expect that day.  I'm sad to miss the event.  Please have your learners make Thank You cards for PTO for funding the busses for our learners and staff. 


LITERACY COACHING
Don't forget to book Roxann on this website!


LIVE MORNING BROADCAST STARTING MONDAY
We hope you have enjoyed our new LIVE morning broadcast.  We will continue to do our best to start promptly at 7:55.  We hope that this helps with getting your learning day started.  Thank you Courtney and Alli for your efforts with this!

"LEE" QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding on the 20th.” -Julie Andrews

"LEE"DERSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK:  While you are with a substitute teacher, obey the same rules that you follow when your teacher is with you.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
November 24-28- NO SCHOOL

November 25- Going Bonkers w/ Dad's Club (6:00-8:00pm)
December 1- 5th Grade visits from Wilson
                      Staff Christmas Picture (3:20)
                      SBDM Mtg. (3:30)
                      Clay Night at Lee (5:00)
December 2- 5th Grade Spelling Bee in classes
December 3- Wear your House shirt day with jeans
                      Progress Report Grades Due
                      3rd Field Trip- Arboretum
                      Picture Retakes (8:15)
                      Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00)
December 4- Spur Savings (before school-cafe)
                      Chantel at TAGT Conference
                      4th Field Trip- FMSH
December 5- Chantel at TAGT Conference 
                      Progress Reports go home (under 73%)
                      School Wide Field Trip (CMSW)
December 8- Signed Progress Reports Due back to School
December 9- Lee Campus Spelling Bee (3:15 Library Flex Space)
                      NO PTO Mtg.
December 10- Red and Black Attack shirt with Jeans
                        Fed Ex Day
December 11- Todd's Birthday
                        Instrumental Ensemble Performance
                        Yellow CBL Planning Day
                        PTO Holiday Luncheon for staff
                        Channel 11 News films 2nd Grade (10:00)
                        Elisa's Bridal Shower (3:30)
December 12- CISD Holiday Open House (Conference Time)
                        Possible Drama Club Performance (8:15)
                        Lee Performs at Holiday Open House (10:15)

Week of November 17

Thank you for a super fun week as we cap it off with our school dance tonight.  We can't wait to see you there.  

DID YOU KNOW?

• that you can nominate a colleague for as a Super Teacher.  Here is a link to recognize them.  

• that we are going to have a luncheon next Wednesday?  Please sign up to bring in something on our Social Spurs document.

• that we will have TED Ed Clubs at Lee on Tuesday afternoons?  Please share this with your parents.  Thank you Elisa for spearheading this!  Our learners, parents, and Admin are VERY EXCITED!  If you didn't watch the TedEd video I tweeted out this week, please take time to watch this.

• that the fall window for observations closes next Thursday?  Todd and I will be in your classrooms within the next week to perform a 20 minute observation in your classroom.  This is a focused walkthrough based on your professional goals.  
• that we are ordering Number Talks for all designers.  Thank you Courtney for writing up this order with Library bond dollars! 

SO YOU THINK YOU "CAN" DANCE
Thank you to those of you that are able to attend our Fall dance.  Our PTO really wanted a free family event and did their best to put together a fun time for all.  We appreciate that you would take your personal time to connect with our learners and families!  This is so important the first year and it makes a difference that you were there!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

LOCK DOWN DRILL / SAFETY AUDIT

You all did an incredible job performing all three drills on Wednesday.  We recognize that this is a disruption to the learning day, so we appreciate your cooperation.  The auditors were HIGHLY IMPRESSED with how quickly and quietly our learners respond in these drills.  THANK YOU DESIGNERS for your efforts!!!  We will share the results of their project when we learn more.

SPURS SAVINGS
We had an incredible Grand Opening to the bank.  48 learners deposited over $545.53 on our first day! Our next Spur Savings day will be December 4.

LEADERSHIP MEETING ON WEDNESDAY
Everyone is welcome, but our campus leadership team is required to attend our after school meeting on Wednesday from 3:30-5:00.  This will be in place of our Staff Meeting.  During this time we will develop school wide expectations in the cafeteria and more.  


LEARNER "LEE"DERSHIP COUNCIL

Your council member was given a home"fun" assignment.  They are to find out their t-shirt size.  Please remind them and send them to the PreK classroom from 9:00-10:00 on Wednesday, November 19.  THANK YOU for sharing your leaders with me!

TURKEY DRIVE
Friday is our turkey drive and our LEEdership council has challenged us with bringing at least 350 turkeys.  Please bring turkeys to school Friday morning.  Dads Club will help us with collecting them and Ready, Set, Teach students will tally our donations.  If you do not want to shop for a turkey, you can donate online at www.ntfb.org/turkey . Select Kid’s 4 Turkeys and choose Richard J. Lee Elementary.


TASA VISIT ON FRIDAY
Friday is a huge day on campus.  Not only do we have our turkey drive and PTO Presidents meeting here at Lee, but we have a visit by our former Superintendent, Dr. Turner.  If you don't know, he is the one that envisioned this school.  He will be bringing Superintendents from all over from 9:00-10:00 on Friday.  I know that we can count on you to showcase all that you are doing in and with our building to transform education and he will see our school in a positive way!

FLEXIBLE USE OF SPACES
Thank you for using ALL parts of our building ALL of the time.  This is something that each of you have pushed yourselves with, and we notice!!   Just a friendly reminder to pay attention to the library schedule.  If Mrs. George is scheduled with a class, we ask that you use the flex space or exterior areas of the library so that it does not disrupt her lesson on the carpet space by the checkout.  Please remind learners that if they go to the library and she is teaching class, that they should not walk through the middle of her lesson.


LITERACY COACH ROLE
I want to share some exciting news with the role of our Literacy Coach.  This website will help you with seeing the vision of how we are going to be utilizing this role at Lee.  This is different than you are used to, so I encourage you to visit with me if you have any questions or suggestions.  We are transforming the role of this job in the district, and (shocker) Lee is the model for what other schools will be moving toward.  I am excited to see how using Roxann in this capacity benefits YOU and our learners.


LIVE MORNING BROADCAST STARTING MONDAY
Weeks ago you got an email from Alli about signing up for a Livestream account.  If you haven't done that yet, please do that this weekend.  On Monday, we will be live (thank you James, Alli, and Courtney)!  We will begin our live broadcast at 7:55 each morning, so BE READY!  Coming soon: CK interviews learners interested in being our anchors for morning broadcast.


DISMISSAL FROM THE GYM IN THE MORNINGS
Just a reminder to be ready to greet your learners as they are automatically dismissed from the gym for you each morning at 7:45.

"LEE" QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “Be like a postage stamp, stick to something until you get there.” -Josh Billings

"LEE"DERSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK:  Do not smack your lips, tsk, roll your eyes, or show disrespect with gestures.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
November 17- Chantel's Birthday

November 19- Red and Black Attack Shirt with Jeans
                        Leadership Meeting (3:30-5:00)
November 20- Courtney M's Birthday
                        2nd Grade Field Trip-Arboretum
                        Learn About Lee (9:00 Media Center)
November 21- Turkey Drive (7:30-9:00 Car Loop)
                        TASA Visit (IMPORTANT- 9:00)
                        PTO President's Meeting @ Lee (9:00)
November 24-28- NO SCHOOL
November 25- Going Bonkers w/ Dad's Club (6:00-8:00pm)
December 3- Wear your House shirt day with jeans
                      Progress Report Grades Due
                      3rd Field Trip- Arboretum
                      Picture Retakes (8:15)
                      Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00)
December 4- Spur Savings (before school-cafe)
                      Chantel at Conference
                      4th Field Trip- FMSH
December 5- Chantel at Conference 
                      Progress Reports go home (under 73%)
                      School Wide Field Trip (CMSW)

Week of November 10

What a week!  It was so much fun watching you run around the building looking for feathers (thanks for the idea, Rachel!)  Check out this great action pic that Angela caught:

I swear YOU are the best staff a principal could ask for!  Each of you bring spirit and fun to this place we call work!  THANK YOU!


DID YOU KNOW?

• that you still have to put in an absence request in Eduphoria for your CBL planning day so that we can book your substitute?  Sign up fast so you can get the sub you request!
• that the entire school is going to go see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Coppell Middle School West.  PTO will be providing us busses to attend.  Please take time to thank them for this holiday gift to our learners.
• that our plastic and paper recycling can go in the same containers?  Please check out this document that explains our new district recycling program.
• that there is a great DMN article about why families from India move to this area in droves.

LOCK DOWN DRILL / SAFETY AUDIT

At 10:00, on Monday, we will perform our first "Lockdown, Lights Out, Out of Sight" drill.  Please go over with your learners that when they hear this phrase on the intercom that you are to go to the outer co-labs or storage rooms.  In PE, Music, and Art, learners can go in your storage closets.  Designers, remember to lock your classroom doors and turn out the lights.  Learners should sit silently as Admin will go around checking doors.  Please prepare them that they should not panic when they hear us jiggle the door handle.

On Wednesday, we will perform all three drills at 9:00.  We have a team coming from UNT to watch our procedures and to give us feedback.  With your cooperation we will get through with these as quickly as possible.  Thank you for your help!  No more drills until December!

LEE "LEE"DERSHIP COUNCIL

Thank you so much for electing a representative for your class for our Leadership Council.  We will meet on Tuesday in the PreK classroom from 9:30-10:30.  Please give them some time when they return to share what we did during our meeting. 


VETERANS DAY 
We will call you down to the cafeteria by grade level (like our School Dedication) starting at 8:05 on Tuesday.  We would like to begin our ceremony at 8:15.  We will perform our morning announcements (with the help of learners) and honor the guests in attendance.  Please send out a reminder to your parents to sign up their visitors here so that we can have ample seating for them.  At the conclusion of our ceremony we will play Taps and learners should walk back at a Level 0 to your spaces.  Please explain this to them ahead of time.

Don't forget to get Alli your digital contributions so that she can update them on the digital signage.  Thank you, Mrs. Floyd, for the beautiful flags around the campus!

You may wear your jeans on Tuesday with a red, white, or blue shirt.  Please encourage our learners to do the same.

SPURS SAVINGS
On Wednesday, we will have the grand opening of our Spurs Savings Bank before school in the cafeteria.  This will be run by our fifth graders.  Thank you for spearheading this, fifth grade designers!  Please remind your learners to bring their deposits to school on Wednesday.  If you have questions, please contact Mr. Coenraad.


SO YOU THINK YOU "CAN" DANCE
Please talk up our first school dance that is happening this Friday from 6:00 - 9:00.  Learners are encouraged to bring canned food for donations.  There will be food trucks and snacks at the event.  We hope you can be there for a little while!

"LEE" QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” -Newt Gingrich

"LEE"DERSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK:  When you cough or burp, it is appropriate to turn your head away from others and cover your mouth with the full part of your hand.  Afterward, you should say, “Excuse me.”  When you sneeze, you should sneeze in your elbow. ​

DATES TO REMEMBER

November 10- Lock Down Drill (10:00)
November 11- Veteran's Day Ceremony (8:15 Cafe)
                        LEEdership Council Meeting (9:00 PreK)

                        PTO Mtg. (6:30 Cafe)
November 12- College Shirt Day with Jeans
                        Curriculum Mtg. (3:30- Specialist's Spaces)
                        4th Grade to Arboretum
                        Grand Opening of Spurs Savings
                        Safety Drills (9:00)
November 13- Samira's Birthday
                        1st Grade Field Trip-Ft Worth Museum of Science & History
                        5th Grade Music Dress Rehearsal  (8:30 AM Cafe)
                        5th Grade Music Performance (7:00 PM Cafe)
November 14- School Dance (6:00-9:00 PM)
November 17- Chantel's Birthday
November 19- Red and Black Attack Shirt with Jeans
                        Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00)
November 20- Courtney M's Birthday
                        2nd Grade Field Trip-Arboretum
                        Learn About Lee (9:00 Media Center)
November 21- Turkey Drive (7:30-9:00 Car Loop)
                        TASA Visit (IMPORTANT- 9:00)
                        PTO President's Meeting @ Lee (9:00)