Week of January 4

May each of you have a restful and relaxing two weeks off.   Enjoy making memories with your family and friends.  It has been a marvelous ending to 2015 because of YOU, and we cannot wait to see what is in store for 2016!  Last year we had our ONE WORD Challenge.  How did you do with yours?  We will revisit this topic at our first staff meeting after Winter Break.  

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• school Supply lists need updated so that we can get the best price for the 2016-2017 school year? Please review lists with your grade level in your first PLC back from Winter Break so that we can submit them to PTO.  THANK YOU!
• that there will be other campuses (CMSW) and, potentially the new school, that will be using CBL?  
• that Dr. Denison was with Apple in Cupertino and they told the focus group that the best example (in the world) of what they want CBL to look like at the elementary level is at Lee Elementary??!!
• that we will pilot a Student Success App next year that is the result of a partnership between Apple and IBM using predictive software?  Samira will be going to Cupertino to learn more and will come back and share.
• that we have Ebooks that you and your learners have access to?  We will be getting you some training in the future regarding these and how to use them.
• that you can check out our Leadership Meeting Agenda and notes here?

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

We will have a LEEdership Council meeting on Thursday, January 7.  Please have your learners wear their shirts.  THANK YOU for sharing your learners during recess for Spirit Stick sales.


LOST AND FOUND
Please make sure that your learners clear their items out of lost and found before leaving on Friday. What is left will be donated to charity.

REFRIGERATOR
Please clean out your items by 10:30 on Friday.  We will throw out anything left so we come back to a clean refrigerator after the break.  Also....check cubbies and make sure all lunch boxes go home. You do not want to come back to a science project (and smell) in your space!

HAPPY CALLS
Thank you to those of you that took the time to make your Happy Calls!


SECOND NINE WEEKS GOAL SETTING
We are getting close to the conclusion of the second nine weeks.  Make sure your learners are revisiting their October Goal Setting documents.  The expectation is that these go home at the end of the 9 weeks and the learners have an at-home conference with their parents.  This is in our Campus Improvement Plan.


CAMPUS PLC BOOK STUDY
Don't forget that Chapters 3 and 4 (reading and posting) was extended to the due date of January 3. Thank you for your creations of grade level common assessments during PLCs!


EMAIL PASSWORD
Don't forget to change your email password before you leave.  You can do this by pressing control+alt+delete.  You will get locked out if it expires over the break!


ECONOMICS FAIR
Please remind learners that only those that bring money may shop at the Economic's Fair on Friday from 8:30 to 10:00.


DISMISSAL ON FRIDAY
You are ALL responsible for dismissal on Friday.  Please make sure you send a reminder email to parents that school dismisses at 12:50.  Homeroom teachers will have to stay with any late learners until parents arrive, so make sure you know how each is getting home.  Busses will run regular routes.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Trustworthiness- keeping your word; doing what is right for yourself and others.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” -Abraham Lincoln

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

People trust you when your attitudes, words, and motives align with what you actually choose to do. This includes being honest about mistakes, refusing to gossip and shift blame, and doing things the ethical way (even if it’s quicker to do otherwise).

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Jan 4:  WELCOME BACK

Jan 5:  Red and Black Attack shirt w/ Jeans

Jan 6:  Walk at School Wednesday
            CISD Spelling Bee
            Staff Mtg. (3:30)  
Jan 7:  Spur Savings (7:30-7:50 Cafe)   
              LEEdership Council (8:00)
              Campus Tours (9:00 and 1:00)

Jan 9:  Rikki's Birthday
           Priscilla's Birthday

Week of December 14

Hope you have had your ELF a MERRY second week of December.  We have had fun treating you each day.  There is still more to come next week!  It has been an ABSOLUTE JOY completing everyone's first walkthrough and/or fall observation.  It reminds me what talented individuals we have on campus!  Please KNOW that I encourage conversation afterwards.  Stop me or schedule me, so we can visit about the comments and observations.  Here are some things I observed that impressed me:  clearly posted objectives, student choice, small group work, authentic learner work displayed, connections to multiple curriculum areas, infusion of technology, organized spaces, thinking maps, and specific feedback.  THANK YOU!!

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• that PTO approved buying 10 more school iPads at Tuesday's meeting?  We know that with our increased enrollment we will need more devices.  Please take time to thank them through email or a note in their mailbox in the lounge.  This will me two more iPads for K-3 in each house.
• because of PTO, we have ordered a projector, carts, speaker, and Apple TV for each house. When they arrive they will be delivered to you.
• that all holiday work on the wall needs to be removed before Friday?  Please start the new year with new learner work displayed.

WEEK OF CODE

Thank you for  your participation in #hourofcode this week!  It was WONDERFUL seeing the learners AND DESIGNERS excited about this opportunity for our children.  Thank you, Alli, for your support!

SOCIAL SPURS PARTY

Thank you, Social Spurs, for planning a fun staff get together!  There was a GREAT turnout and it was a LOT of FUN!  If you are interested...there will be another "Sip and See" at Chantel's, during the day, on December 23.  Stop by- more details coming! 

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

Holiday Spirit Sticks will be on sale Wednesday and Thursday during recess time.  Please send your Leadership Council members down to the lost and found area and your learners with their money.


ELF WINNERS
Please make sure that your faculty favorites is updated.  We will bring you your surprise tomorrow, so make sure it is accurate.

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS NEXT WEEK:

• MONDAY:  Day 6 Rotation,  Normal Schedule, be ready for CMSW @1:30 in gym
• THURSDAY:  Grade Level Schedule.  Please view the Winter Party schedule here.
• FRIDAY:  Economics Fair.  Please see Early Release schedule here.

Specials and Support Staff will cover 3 classroom designers for 30 minutes, each, between 10:00 and 11:30 on Friday.  Please help the assigned houses and coordinate together: 

Yellow House:  Julie L. and Roxann

Red:  Claudia and Ashley

Purple:  Ayesha and Jessica

Green:  Julie B. and Kandice

Blue:  Meghan, Todd, Chantel, Angela

PLCS

We will NOT have PLCS Tuesday through Friday this week.  No one needs to stay late (unless you choose to).  Hopefully you can talk "virtually."  Please make sure that you have shared your grade level common assessment with Chantel and Todd.  It is due before Winter Break. We will start back with PLCs, on January 4, with DAY 1.

NEED YOUR INPUT IN TWO AREAS
Laurie O'Nell is collecting information about what employees WANT during summer training.  If you would like something, we need to ASK.  Please email me ANY training support you would like this summer, by end of day Monday, so that I can share it with her.  

Meghan is adding books to our circulation.  We need your help, so please complete this form before leaving for break.

(This infographic is information from our Clarity Survey you completed at the beginning of the year.)

SUB LIST
Here is the list of substitutes and their contact information if you need it. 


HAPPY CALLS
It is a GREAT week to make "Happy Calls" home to learners' parents this week.  Imagine all the great things that parents will tell family members about YOU calling.  Specials, pick one learner from each class to call.  Pre K and PPCD, you too!!  There is a January jeans pass for the entire first week back for those who do!


THIRD GRADE
I want to start by saying that next week is going to be a tough week.  We are all heartbroken Lauren is heading to Houston, but we also know that this is an exciting time for her family.  We are ALL looking forward to getting ideas from her new school and Lauren will ALWAYS be welcome to return to our famiLEE.

So that you are informed, we have recommended Kamille Hudson for our third grade opening. Layne joined Todd and I in the interview, and we feel she is a lovely addition to Blue House and to Third Grade.  Kamille just completed her student teaching at Valley Ranch Elementary and is a swim coach with Lewisville Independent School District.  Her mom is an educator and the minute you meet her you will see why she will be a great addition to our famiLEE.  Kamille will be here next Wednesday-Friday to shadow Lauren and to get to the the children.  If you want to welcome Kamille, her phone number is 972-757-7561, and her email is kamillehudson@hotmail.com.


ECONOMICS FAIR
Please encourage learners to shop on Friday.  Thanks, third grade for the schedule to help with crowd control and flow!

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Cooperation- working together

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We must all live together as brothers or perish alone as fools.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Staying positive, being approachable, and expressing positive thoughts and feelings through both verbal and nonverbal communication help you build rapport with those around you.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec 14:  Grinch Green Day (wear green)
              Salad Lunch in Lounge
              CMSW Performance (1:30-2:00 Gym)

Dec 15:  Blue House Field Trip

Dec 16:  Walk at School Wednesday
               Ugly Sweater Contest
               Spirit Stick Sale (During Recess)
               New Learner Luncheon (10:30-1:00)
               Leadership Mtg. (3:30)  TRYING TO KEEP IT SHORT!!
Dec 17:  Grade Level Schedule
              Polar PJ Day
              Spur Savings (7:30-7:50 Cafe)   
              Spirit Stick Sale (During Recess)
              Madrigals (1:00 Gym)

              Winter Parties (2:00 Houses)
              Buffalo Wild Wings Night
Dec 18:  Economics Fair (8:30-10:00)

               Lunch in Spaces
               Early Release (12:50)
Dec 19:  Ayesha's Birthday
Dec 20 - Jan 3:  Winter Break- ENJOY!

Week of December 7

Hope you have had your ELF a MERRY first week of December.  Be on the lookout for the ELF game rules over the weekend.  

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• that there is a deadline to book busses for field trips between December 18 and January 7?  The reservation must be input by December 10 to be approved.
• that our enrollment is up to 665 and our free and reduced lunch is 6%.  Please include information for parents to learn more in this week's email home.

WEEK OF CODE

Please consider signing up and sharing out learner opportunities for #hourofcode next week.  Here is an easy guide to get started and lesson plans, too!  (Thanks Alli and Twitter)

WRITE FROM THE BEGINNING AND BEYOND TRAINING

THANK YOU for your attention and professionalism during training!  Brenda shared the Essential Question activity cards.  Here they are!  She also emailed and commented, "Your teachers oops I mean designers, were wonderful!  It was such a pleasure to be a part of this very talented group." I appreciate the way you represented Coppell ISD and our school.  She will be back on January 11 for Learning Walks in our building.

DATA DASHBOARD

MP2 Energy was here on Monday.  To get to the dashboard, this is the website and the password is: spurs  They cleared out the learner leaderboard since first and last names were on there and updated it to only collect first name last initial now.  Please challenge our learners to go on and take multiple sustainability quizzes.  The questions randomly generate, so no two quizzes are the same and the bank of questions will keep the quizzes fresh and challenging.  Did you know we can add our own questions to the quiz bank?  Did you know we can add videos too?  See Todd or Chantel to learn more.

ESL UPDATE

Please review the S'more sent by Claudia this week.  It has excellent updates for resources and strategies for our ESL learners!

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

Thank you for giving your LEEders time to share with your classes after our meetings.  I will email the minutes after each meeting to help learners share what we have done.  We will host holiday Spirit Stick sales the last week before Winter Break.

HANDBOOK UPDATE TO RECESS SECTION HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW
As the allergy season gets going, or cold weather approaches, please let parents know that if they request their child stay in from outside activities, it will require a note from them.  If the request is for longer than 2-3 days, we will need a doctor’s note that gives specific dates that the learner must stay inside.

• On days that the learner remains inside, they will report to the media center with something to read or work to do (after you have notified the media specialist).  If our media specialist has lunch at that time and it would prevent the learner from staying in the media center, the designer will have to work out another placement (i.e. in the café or another house during that time).

SCIENCE IS MESSY

Make sure you let me know if you attended training today.  I will cover a lunch or recess duty for you as a token of thanks for continuing your learning.

SOCIAL SPURS PARTY

We hope you can join Social Spurs on Wednesday for their party at Love and War in Texas.  Bring a wrapped ornament ($10) if you would like to participate in the ornament exchange.

MATH EDUCATOR ACADEMY

If you are interested in attending Math Educator Academy on these days, please let me know.  We have the budget to send four total PreK-2 Designers and four total 3-5 Designers plus one Special Education Designer.  We will secure your subs but you must still request through Eduphoria.

CISD HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

For those of you new to the district, CISD has a great event at the Admin Bldg. all day on Friday. Head over during your conference time and rub elbows with other CISD employees while enjoying snacks and entertainment by the CISD Fine Arts Department.  Our learners will perform around 9:30 so check them out if you are there at that time.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Justice- being fair, right, and upholding what is right.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“In matters of style, swim with the current.  In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” -Thomas Jefferson

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Never cut line. If someone cuts in front of you, do not say or do anything about it. Let it happen, but let a teacher know about it. They will handle the situation.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
December 7-11: Week of Code

Dec 8:  PTO Mtg. (6:30 pm)

Dec 9:  Walk at School Wednesday
             Choir Sings at Northpark Mall
             Staff Holiday Party (3:30 Love and War in Texas)
Dec 10:  April's Birthday
              Learning Walk @ Lee (8:15)
              Choir/Instrumental Dress Rehearsal (8:30 Cafe)

              Campus Tours (9:00 and 1:00)
              Campus Spelling Bee
              Lauren's Farewell (4:30-6:30 Esparzas)
              Choir/Instrumental Performance (6:30 Cafe)
Dec 11:  Todd's Birthday

               Julie B's Birthday
               CISD Holiday Open House (conference time)
               GtI Learner Interviews Due to Ayesha

Week of November 30

The definition of thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude.  There is SO MUCH that I am grateful for!  Most importantly, I am grateful for each of YOU!!  The experiences that you give our learners EVERY day is mind-blowing, but the experiences that you give ME are ones that I treasure and feel deep to my core.  I am reminded daily of the blessing of being at THE BEST SCHOOL ON THE PLANET and will miss seeing you next week while we are off.   Please enjoy time with your friends and family!

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• that Austin's Butterfly is a great example of modeling, critiquing, and honest feedback?  Take a chance to watch this incredible video!
• even though you might have missed Math Educator Academy that you can see their presentations and resources here?
• when you are doing something you are proud of in math you should use the hashtag #75019math?  In science you can use #cisdscience and in SS you can use #cisdss.
• that we cannot accept any more personal day request for December 4 and 11?  I'm sorry for this news, but we have met our daily quota of subs on these days. 

WRITE FROM THE BEGINNING AND BEYOND TRAINING
Don't forget that we have training starting at 3:30 on Monday.  We will conclude by 6:30, and before you leave, please sign your extra duty pay forms.  Also, we will provide you with dinner and drinks. You each need to bring with you your Setting the Stage Binder from your storage room and a few diverse student writing samples (high, middle, low) to use when we discuss characteristics and mini-lessons.  Please wear jeans on Monday with a school shirt.


SCHOOLOGY COURSE
It is impressive how many of you have embraced Schoology, and I am so proud of you for using this learning management system.  Please remember to share (and reshare) your course codes with parents and principals.  Since we don't use worksheets that often, Schoology is an AWESOME way for all of us to see and interact with what the learners are studying at school.


FIND YOUR VOICE THROUGH BLOGGING
Digital Learning Coaches invite you to participate in a new professional learning experience called "Find your Voice Through Blogging."  The course is listed in Eduphoria and it begins this week and runs through April.  Please share your blog with me, if you participate, so that I can comment on it!


DASHBOARD TRAINING
MP2 Energy (the creators of the new dashboard) will be here on Monday from 11:30-1:30.  You are welcome to come into the conference room to ask questions, give suggestions/feedback during this time.  If you forget how to get there this is the website and the password is:  spurs


LOUNGE
Please check your design studios and at home for forks, spoons, knives, and the can opener that belong in our lounge.  We added over 40 forks (thanks Elisa Genco) this summer.  Thanks for your help!


BIRTHDAY WEEK
I want to extend a gracious thank you to each and every one of you for showering me with love, notes, presents, banners, cards, top secret missions and MORE this week.  My heart is filled with gratefulness and appreciation, so THANK YOU for the "Week of Chantel."  I am truly touched!


LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL
Please remind your leader to wear their t-shirt on the Monday that we return from Thanksgiving.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Fairness- playing by the rules.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Fairness doesn't mean that everyone getst the same.  Fairness means that everyone gets what they need."  - Rick Riordan

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Whenever you are offered food, whether it be a birthday treat or a snack, never take more than your fair share.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Nov 15-21:  NO SCHOOL!  
Nov 22:  Jacque's Birthday
Nov 30:  LEEdership Council Meeting (8:00-Flex Space)
            MP2 Energy Kiosk Training (11:30-1:30 Large Conference Room)
            WFTBB Training (3:30-6:30 Media Center)
Dec 1:  Red and Black Attack Shirt and Jeans
             Dad's Club Mtg. (7:00pm)

Dec 2:  Walk at School Wednesday
             College Shirt w/Jeans
             4-5 Progress Report Grades due in System (8:00)
Dec 3:  Science is Messy Training (VRE 4:00-5:00)

             Campus Tours (9:00 and 1:00)
             5th Grade in-class Spelling Bee

Dec 4:  Progress Reports sent home

Week of November 16

What a wonderful week of school with Veterans Day, bond visitors, and more design days.  You have continued to shine and prove why we are the BEST school on the planet.  Yesterday's afternoon tour made two ladies CRY.  When I asked them why they were crying, they said that this school is what they have dreamed for children and they were touched to their core that it is happening.  THANK YOU for demonstrating on a daily basis how special our school is!!  Our school IS beautiful, but it is WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN OUR SCHOOL that is the showstopper!

High Schoool learners (as well as Samira, Layne, and Cassie) presented to the bond committee members Wednesday night.  What the high schoolers are dreaming of in a new school IS OUR SCHOOL.  How incredible it was to tell them, after their presentation, that what they want is HERE!!

Lastly, this was an email from one of our visiting Veterans:  

Good Morning:

My wife and myself attended your Veterans Day event at Richard Lee school where our grandson, Max Victory is a student and we would like to express our appreciation for a "JOB WELL DONE". Not only was the program well organized by you and your staff but we were amazed by how well you brought the students into the room but also how mature the students were in exiting the event. Not what you would expect from children that age.  Again, thank you very much for having a program for veterans and inform your staff that it really was a "JOB WELL DONE".

Thank You

Cal & Beverley Gibbs

Valley Ranch

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• that Dr. Waldrip shared this great article?
• even though you might have missed Math Educator Academy that you can see their presentations and resources here?

BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TEXAS
What if we had our learners go here and vote for the BEST school in Coppell ISD?  We are currently in FIFTH place.  The voting ends on Sunday so today would be the day to get them to vote.  Please send this in your Friday communication to parents, too.


LEE GEMS and MONDAY'S BOARD MEETING
Great Educators Matter and we have three GEMS that will be recognized before Monday's board meeting at the Administration Building.  If you want to cheer on Shelley, Roxann, and Lauren, please be there by 6:00.  Our campus will be recognized as an Apple Distinguished School at 7:30, if you choose to stay.


TOY SCORING COMMITTEE

Are you interested in scoring our Teacher of the Year Nominations?  We need 5-10 people interested in joining in the front conference room at 3:15 on Monday, November 16.  We have the four applications and rubrics ready.  It should not take more than 30 minutes.  If after school does not work for you and you would score during your conference time, let me know and we can arrange that.  THANK YOU!

HYPER SIGN
Your house lead was trained on updating your digital signage.  Please upload additional/new content the first of each month.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Gratitude- the act of being grateful; thankful

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The ones you should try to get even with are the ones who have helped you.” -Unknown

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Always say thank you when given something.  When given an assignment, there is no moaning or complaining.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Nov 16:  GEMS Recognized (7:30 Board Room)
Nov 17:  Chantel's Birthday

Nov 18:  Walk at School Wednesday
               House Shirt w/Jeans
               Thanksgiving Lunch in Cafe during lunch

               New Learner Luncheon (10:30-1:00 Cafe)

               Leadership Mtg. (3:30-4:30)
Nov 19:  Music Dress Rehearsal (8:30 Cafe)
               Campus Tours (9:00 and 1:00)
               Buffalo Wild Wings Night
               Yellow House Music Performance (6:30)

Nov 20:  Turkey and Chicken Drive (Front Loop)
               Happy Hour (54th Street Grill)
               Courtney's Birthday
Nov 22:  Jacque's Birthday
Nov 23-27:  NO SCHOOL

Week of November 9

Once again, you have WOWED our weekly visitors and your Principal.  Guests were snapping pictures of ALL the learning happening with your children.  Your constant hard work does not go unnoticed!  Once Principal  commented, "Your school should be on 60 Minutes," and that his teachers went on and on about what they saw with great appreciation for what they observed. Another Principal was back for a second visit and wants to bring another team back.  Thank you for continually pushing yourselves and doing what is best for kids!  You are growing EVERYday and while it is not easy, you make it look easy! 

This quote makes me think of our children AND YOU!

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• that we have projectors that have bulbs that are already burning out?  This should not happen for THREE years.  They are to last a minimum of 2000 hours.  Please turn of your projectors when they are not in use.  The bulbs are PRICEY!
• that we purchased the Lead 4ward Field Guides for you?  Since they are by grade level, we will label them and give them to the grade level lead for use.  YAY!
• the World Affairs Council D/FW is holding a Free World Religions Forum for Teachers on Saturday, November, 14, 1-3 pm at Islamic Center of Irving? Teachers can receive 2 PD hours for attending. 
• that we sent 8 Designers to this round of Math Educator Academy?  Please take a look on some of the tweets your peers posted or at the resources Sam shared with me:

• Creating Mathematical Thinkers (K-2) Presentation:  This is the presentation that was shared with us about using rich tasks, math talk, etc. to build critical thinking skills and teach math in the K-2 classroom.  There are some great examples of how to implement this.

These are some resources for 3-act tasks, rich tasks (investigations/open ended questions for learners to discover math concepts and strategies)

• ​NRICH.maths.org:  GREAT problem solving/logic puzzles that integrate skills.  Would be great for small group lessons or stations
• Elementary 3-Act Tasks:  A spreadsheet that lists 3-act tasks with the CC standards aligned.
• Illustrative Math: Tasks that are aligned with CC
• More Three-Act Ideas:  3-act lessons
• 101 Questions: Good for starting math conversations, having learners come up with questions.  MAKE SURE TO PREVIEW, since it is open for all to add pictures.
• wodba.ca:  Which one is not like the others?  ​Great for getting kids to justify their thinking.

TECH"KNOW" SATURDAY
Before you leave on Saturday, please see Chantel and make sure that you fill out the extra duty pay form so that we can compensate you for your time.  We already have forms ready for you, THANKS Diana! We have CHS National Honor Society students coming to help "babysit" in the gym during the event.  If you are an aide and want to earn flex time on Saturday, please come see Chantel.  We could use at least one of you.  Please be at school NO LATER THAN 8:30 to set up on Saturday. Parents will hopefully start arriving at 8:45 and we want you to be able to great them.  Learner-facilitators should arrive at 8:30, as well.  We will have breakfast snacks set up in the front of the school.  Please stop by and help yourself!


FED EX
Enjoy your one hour on Wednesday where you learn about a topic of YOUR choice related to YOUR goals, and earn flex credit for it.  This is a time for learning.  Please post to this Today's Meet after 4:30, but by 5:00, on Wednesday.  Please share what you learned during your time to get credit for your hour.  Those who post will automatically be enrolled through Eduphoria.

WANT TO LEARN ABOUT A MATH RESOURCE THAT IS ONLY AVAILABLE BECAUSE WE ARE A TITLE I SCHOOL?  Join us for Reflex Math training in the flex space of the media center.  This is a fabulous online tool that helps students become fluent with their math facts.  Please send at least one member from each house who is interested.

Are you ready to participate with your class in the Hour of Code December 7-13?  Schools across the world will be participating in this global movement to promote computer science to all levels of learners. Not sure where to begin?  Wondering what resources are out there for coding that don’t require YOU to be a programmer to figure out?  Join Alli during FedEx time November 11 to explore resources, think about design elements, and participate in a Hour of Code simulation as we prepare for this special week in December!  If you are interested in joining, please sign up here.  

PICKLE SALE
Your LEEdership Council learners will need to be inside during their recess time to sell pickles. Learners can eat them at lunch or save them for afternoon snack.  Pickles will be on sale on Thursday and Friday for $1.50.


TOY SCORING COMMITTEE
Are you interested in scoring our Teacher of the Year Nominations?  We need 5-10 people interested in joining in the front conference room at 3:15 on Monday, November 9.  We will have the four applications and rubrics ready.  It should not take more than 45 minutes.  Please email Chantel if you will be joining us.  THANK YOU!


SAFE SEARCHING
A friendly reminder that your learners should be searching for images and information through our district databases.  During walkthroughs, I observed learners searching using Google.  We REALLY need you to monitor and teach learners where to safe go for information.  This was part of educator Digital Literacy training.


DIGITAL GENIUS
Don't forget!  The Digital Learning Coaches will be offering their 2nd Face to Face opportunity on Tuesday, November 10, at Brock from 3:30-5:30.  They will host Expedition Saturday, November 14. Click here to register in Eduphoria.  Can't make it to Expedition Saturday?  Learn from DLC's, virutualy, from 10am-11am as they host #cisdchat on Twitter.  Need more details?  See the Digital Genius 15/16 Fall Course Catalog.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Effort- doing your best in an endeavor

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Don’t be content with being average.  It is as close to the bottom as it is to the top.” -Anonymous

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

It is rude to ask if you are getting something for good behavior. You should be good and try your best because you are trying to better yourself, not because you are anticipating a reward.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Nov 7:   Tech KNOW Saturday
Nov 9:   Yellow Design Day (7:30-3:30)
              Teacher of the Year Scoring (3:30 Office)
Nov 10:  PTO Meeting (6:30)

Nov 11:  Veteran's Day Ceremony (8:15 Cafe)
               Red, White, and Blue w/Jeans

               Walk at School Wednesday

               Fed Ex Day (3:30-4:30)
Nov 12:  Purple Design Day (7:30-3:30)
               Campus Tours (9:00 and 1:00)
               Pickle Sale (Recess Times)

Nov 13:  Blue Design Day (7:30-3:30)
               Social Spurs Luncheon
               Samira's Birthday
               Pickle Sale (Recess Time)

Nov 14:  CISD Parent University
               Digital Learning (CMSW)

Week of November 2

I found this article about The Anatomy of a Great Teacher.  IT SOUNDS LIKE EACH OF YOU!!! Enjoy the extra hour this weekend- YOU DESERVE IT!

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• there is a cheat sheet on how to use the CRICUT in the CRICUT manual in the drawer by the CRICUT machine?  Designers can create their own project by using the CRICUT app on a device and logging into our Lee Elementary account. (USERNAME: ckastrounis  PASSWORD:  LeeRocks)  Please only use items with the word SUBSCRIBED next to them.  The office can help to cut out the projects if you SAVE them to the account. 
• the count on the workroom copier says 547,770.  That is over half a million copies which is over 2400 copies a day.  THIS IS NOT OKAY.  When possible...PLEASE have learners create or make their assignment. Please work on this so that we do not have to pass out copy codes and monitor printing.
• that there is a great deal of black/white printing being sent to the color printer?  It  costs more than 6 times as much to print a black/white copy to the printer than it does to print to the copier.  Only color printing or printing on labels should be sent to the printer.  Please fix this before we disable printing to the color printer.

LEADERSHIP MEETING
Our Leadership Meeting is at Buffalo Wild Wings after school today.  Remember...anyone is welcome to join us and share ideas.  


WALKTHROUGHS
Please remember to sign off on your Walkthroughs in Eduphoria after a visit.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

THANK YOU for attending the school dance for your learners.  It was so fun to see you dancing with them!


OFFICE HELP
Please make sure you inform the office of special events, visitors, projects, etc. This helps us make sure the office is covered adequately, that they know where to send guests, and so that we can answer questions when parents call.  I am more than happy to put house/grade events on the faculty calendar, too. Thank you!


RED RIBBON WEEK

Thank you, Angela, for planning a WONDERFUL Red Ribbon Week for our school.  It was a BLAST to dress up and have fun with our learners!  We can't wait to see you in your book character costumes on Friday!


BEAN BAGS
We delivered five of each color to each house.  Please write the letter of your house on the red Fatboy label so that they stay in the correct house.  Sara, please put PK on your three and Megan, please put MC on yours.  THANK YOU!


ENRICHMENT HOUR AND SPECIALS
There will be times where Kandice and our Specials designers ask learners to bring devices to class.  I support this request and ask that you cooperate with them so that our learners can use technology in their spaces, too.  Specials teachers will be responsible for the devices when they are in their care and will walk learners back to return them in their charging stations or shared carts.  Thanks for your help.

NEED YOUR FEEDBACK
Thank you to those of you that contributed to our needs assessment for writing.  We will be having training, as a campus, on February 15 in addition to some training in upcoming staff meetings.


TECH"KNOW" SATURDAY
Please make sure that you fill out the extra duty pay form so that we can compensate you for your time.  We will have forms ready for you in the office.


BOOK CHARACTER PARADE
Friday, after broadcast, we will have our Book Character Parade.  If the weather cooperates, we will make one pass around the track after morning broadcast.  Those who did not participate can sit along the inside loop of the track and cheer on our participants.  If the weather does not cooperate, we will walk twice through the building and learners can sit along the walls as we pass through the PreK hall, in front of the office, through yellow house, then red house, through the cafe, and past Art.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Perseverance- the ability to persist or continue to the end

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The man who moves mountains begins by carrying away small stones.” -Chinese Proverb

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Make every effort to be as organized as possible.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Nov 1:  Daylight Savings Time
Nov 3:  Red and Black Shirt with Jeans

             Dad's Club Mtg. (7:00pm)

Nov 4:  College Shirt w/Jeans

              Walk at School Wednesday

              Fall Picture Retakes
              Staff Mtg. (3:30) CANCELLED!

Nov 5:  Spurs Savings (7:30-7:50)
              Leadership Council Mtg. (8:00-9:00)
              Tours (9:00 and 1:00)

Nov 7:  Tech KNOW Saturday (9:00-11:00)

Week of October 26

Thank you SO MUCH for the celebration of Todd and I for Bosses Day.  We truly work with the BEST STAFF ON EARTH!!  We appreciate you following through with expectations for our visitors this week.  Your digital signage looks fantastic, your displays of learning are informative, and your spaces look incredible!!! EXCELLENT JOB OF DISPLAYING CHALLENGE LANGUAGE, TOO!!  Today's guests were in AWE of what you are doing.

OUR GUIDING PURPOSE: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk taking, and collaboration in a flexible environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

• this blog post has great thoughts about work that can be done in a professional learning community?  Collaboration, team designed rubrics, and common assessments are ideas throughout the entry.  Don't forget to finish Chapter 2 in our book study and post in Schoology.
• this is the link to our Lee Gizmo account?  This website shows how accounts are created.  If you would like future training on Gizmos (which we get because we are a Title I school) please let Chantel know.
• that Shanna attached this year's individual photos in your permanent files for you?  Please take time to thank her!
• All, except 5, of our learners were given permission to attend a school-sponsored field trips when they were enrolled using Infosnap?  This means that a “permission” slip is not required but you will still need to communicate specific details about the trip.  A parent could decide that their child should not attend a specific trip.  This permission does not include trips such as Austin or Allaso Ranch, but includes everything else in the DFW area.
• this video about Halloween will make you laugh? Especially 2 minutes in!! (I expect comments on my blog about this one!)

WRITE A CHECK

Thank you ALL for your excitement with our Write a Check fundraising.  We know it is because of YOU that learners are bringing in their acknowledgement sheets and donations.  Thank you for your continued HYPE!

SPIRIT RALLY
We will start our Spirit Rally at 8:05.  3-5 will sit in the bleachers with K in front of 3rd (closest to water fountains), 1st in front of 5th (center of the bleachers), and 2nd in front of 3rd (closest to the gardens).  If you have learners in Instrumental Ensemble, please have them sit in the front row of the fifth grade bleachers so that they can easily get out to perform.  Please follow this grade level schedule and inform your parents of adjusted lunch times for this day.


TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Please use the following link to nominate a colleague for RJL's 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year.  We have special permission to nominate anyone with TWO years or more in CISD.  Nominations are due by Friday, October 30.  Remember to include as much detail as possible because we will score each form submitted with a district rubric and can only score what is written in the responses. PLEASE PUT THE PERSON'S NAME ONLY in the nomination box.  For the other responses DO NOT put their name.  This helps us judge based on what is written and not the person.

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

Please give your LEEder a few minutes to come back and talk with your class.  They will inform your learners about our norms and treasurer, secretary, VP and President.  We will share their "big ideas" in our next meeting on November 5.  Please remind them to wear their shirt.  THANK YOU! 


SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
THANK YOU for planning to attend the dance.  Please remind your learners to sign their name (once) on the butcher paper on the wall that matches your house color.  We need your help reminding them to write their REAL name (sadly, issues last year).  The house with the greatest attendance will win a surprise.  Designers, sign up, too!  Dancing with designers will happen at 7:15.  Beware...you are going to need to "shake it" to win!!!  The winning house for Write a Check donations will be announced at the end.


RED RIBBON WEEK

Next week is Red Ribbon Week.  Please encourage your learners to participate in each Spirit Day.

• Monday:  “Love Yourself”- Wear as much RED as you can. 
• Tuesday: “Follow your Dreams” – It’s PJ Day! 
• Wednesday: “Be Strong and Confident!”- Wear your work-out clothes to support a healthy lifestyle. 
• Thursday: “The Heart of the Matter”- Learners will digitally share or bring in a photo of their family.
• Friday: “Show Your Character”- Learners will bring their favorite book and come dressed to school as their book character.

NEED YOUR FEEDBACK
We have the opportunity to bring Write From the Beginning and Beyond to our school for support and training.  It could potentially be during the school day, or after the school day.  If it is after the school day, we will pay you for your time.  Please comment here if you are interested/not interested in WFTBB support as you grow as a designer.


BOOK CHARACTER PARADE
Friday, after broadcast, we will have our Book Character Parade.  If the weather cooperates, we will make two passes around the track.  Those who did not participate can sit along the inside loop of the track and cheer on our participants.  If the weather does not cooperate, we will walk through the building and learners can sit along the walls as we pass through the PreK hall, in front of the office, through yellow house, then red house, through the cafe, and past Art.


RED HOUSE MUSIC PERFORMANCE DRESS REHEARSAL 
Thursday will be our school dress rehearsal for our Red House Music program.  Please bring your classes down to the cafe at 8:30.  We will practice audience etiquette and celebrate the hard work of our Red House learners and Mrs. Benson.


LANYARDS AND NAMETAGS
Please make sure your learners wear these all day, everyday.  THANK YOU!

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK

Problem solving- creating solutions; finding answers

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” -Charles Swindoll

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

You should never complain if the line is too long, the food isn’t good, or there is a wait.  You don’t want to be negative to the point where you spoil the enjoyment of the event for others.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Red Ribbon Week
Oct 26:  RJL receives recognition @ Board Mtg. (7:30)

Oct 27:  Report Card Grades Due (8:30)

Oct 28:  House Shirt w/Jeans

              Walk at School Wednesday

              New Learner Luncheons w/Angela (10:30-1:30)

Oct 29:  Buffalo Wild Wings Night  
              Learning Walks @ Lee (8:15)
              Music Performance Dress Rehearsal (Cafe 8:30)
              Campus Tours (9:00 and 1:00)
              Leadership Mtg.(3:30)

              Red House Music Performance (Cafe 6:30)

Oct 30:  Report Cards Go Home

              Jessica F's Birthday

              TOY Nominations Due
              Book Character Parade (8:05)
Nov 1:  Daylight Savings Time