Week of August 31

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

What a week!!!  YOU DID IT, and we could not be happier with the "going's on" in your spaces.  You have happy learners which equates to happy parents.  We saw EXCELLENCE at every turn.  I have thoroughly enjoyed having visits with your learners.  This is a great way for me to get a feel about some of our new and returning friends.  It also helps them learn more about me in the process.  I am grateful that you shared them with me.  I have some great stories that we can share at our after school social spurs event! :)  We appreciate your flexibility this week as last minute bus routes have changed, last minute forms were requested to be sent home, and our campus procedures shake out.  Week 2 is always so much smoother!


DID YOU KNOW?

• that we expected PLC time would be spent designing the first round or two?  It is expected that you sort out your responsibilities, get some electronic means of collaboration set up, and all get on the same page.  By the end of your third PLC time, please have your Lead 4ward tasks completed.  
• that Julie will now be the PE aide and Kandice will be the Enrichment Hour Designer?  We are excited about this switch!  Please remind your learners to wear sneakers on their PE Days.
• that there are Racetrack Teacher Appreciation tags in your mailbox that get one ANY SIZE fountain drink or coffee EACH DAY the month of September?  ENJOY!
• that we have our first campus visit on Tuesday morning?  We will have 10-15 visitors during this tour.

UPDATE ON DESIGNER WEBSITES
Now that you are familiar with updating your websites, please ensure that the following information is located on your home page before your scheduled Curriculum Night.  

1. 6 day rotation schedule
2. specials time
3. recess time
4. lunch time
5. contact info (email, Twitter, blog site, etc.)

CURRICULUM NIGHT
This weekend we will finalize the slides so that you can add specific grade level curriculum content for your presentations.  Remember to keep curriculum general.  Inform parents you will send more specific details in your weekly communication.  Please, use the notes to help you with your presentation, host the session in an enclosed space in your house, and remember that is is professional dress for this event.  You will want to email your parents to remind them that this event is for parents only, and that children should stay home.  Please also post the Curriculum Night presentation to your campus website. 


MATH TEMI UNIVERSAL SCREENER
All Designers need to complete the RtI2: Math Universal Screener course in Schoology.  To access the RtI2: Math Universal Screener course in Schoology:

• Navigate to: cisd.schoology.com
• Select the Courses dropdown menu in the top menu
• Click on the Join link in the Courses dropdown 
• Enter this access code: C4QBH-TWT8V

Once you have entered that code, it will say RTI2 Math Universal Screener. Designers, select your grade level for the universal screener training that you need.

iPad INSURANCE
Per the district, educators are financially responsible for the Educator iPad (32gb iPad Air WiFi) that is issued and checked out to them in Destiny.  CISD has partnered with Worth Avenue Group (WAG) for discounted rates on iPad insurance. While this is completely optional, some educators find this to be helpful in the event of damage or loss.  To learn more about insurance, please see click here!


APPLE RELEASE
Please check folders for these, immediately after arrival on Monday.  We need to have ALL forms to the office as soon as possible.  We have a 5:00 deadline to submit our iBook and we have to verify all learners in photos and videos.  Your help is appreciated!  


LEEDER OF THE WEEK
Carefully select your leader of the week and post in Angela's google form by Tuesday.  This learner will be invited to ride on the Homecoming Float next week.  Shhhhh.....it is a secret!


"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Respect- showing consideration for others.


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society” -Confucius


LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP
We will often have visitors in our school. When a visitor arrives, look them in the eyes, shake hands, tell them who you are, and welcome the person to our school.


DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 31: Apple Releases Due
                   PreK Busses begin
                   Social Spurs (3:15 p.m.)
                   Dad's Club Mtg. (7:00 p.m.)
Sept 1:  Curriculum Night for K, 2, 4 (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
             Ashley's Birthday
             Amanda's Birthday
Sept 2:  Walk AT School Wednesday
             Jeans with College Shirt
Sept 3:  Curriculum Night for 1, 3, 5 (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Sept 4:  1:1 Apple ID Letter Due
              Fresh Grade Webinar w/ Wade
              Girl Scout Meeting (4:00 p.m. Media Center)
Sept 7:  NO SCHOOL

Week of August 24

“The ‘what if’ question begs for completion: ‘What if we tried?'” – Dale Dauten

Many times I think to myself...how could #rjlyear2 be better than #rjlyear1?  Tuesday... today...tonight... staff, ALL OF YOU, proved AGAIN, what an incredible group you are.  Walking the building before Meet the Designer solidified that you all have my complete and total trust with our learners.  I am constantly in AWE of your creativity, ideas, and ability to have FUN in this challenging field.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

What a great week we have ahead of us.  The learners are coming!  Remember that this first week is about building SOLID relationships with the children and their parents.  Please, by the end of the first week, pick up the phone and call EVERY family.  Tell them/leave a message sharing something special about their child.  It will pay huge dividends to take the time to do this!

My expectations for you, this first week, are to ensure that school is SO FUN and EXCITING, that the learners do not want to leave at the end of each day.  Please get those procedures in check while involving your learners in the process.  Todd, Angela, and I will be throughout the building to check on learners. You got this!


DID YOU KNOW?

• there are Lego We Build Kits available for check out in your space?  Leadership team, please sign out a set from the broadcast studio closet and share as a house.  Do we need to buy more?  Keep me posted!
• if you want some, we have book boxes for our new designers in the broadcast studio closet.  Please only take enough for your learners.
• that we have an a sustainability kiosk over by the Art room?  We will get training on this VERY SOON!
• that we are over 700 learners enrolled for the first day of our second year?
• that RJL will be receiving the prestigious Caudill Award for architecture and design? The school will be honored at the TASA/TASB Architectural Exhibit during the TASA/TASB Convention October 2-4 in Austin.
• that each learner that attended summer school for 2+days has a file attachment in Aware called "Summer School 2015".  You will also get paper copies from Dr. Herauf.

CONVOCATION AND FRIDAY PLANS
Please by at Irving Bible Church in your Convocation t-shirt no later than 8:15 on Friday.  We will sit together as a school and take a group photo (on the stage steps) at the conclusion of Convocation. Don't forget to bring your foam fingers! Please be back at school at 12:30 so that we can have a "Nuts and Bolts" meeting.  We will meet in Blue House in Samira's space.  Please bring your MacBook.  Our Plan is that we can wrap this up by 1:30 so that you have at least 2.5 hours to work on lesson designing.  Todd will deliver your 504 folders and Amanda, Wendy, and Jamie will deliver any IEPs. 


FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Parents have permission to walk their learners to your class on the first day of school.  Thank you for being prepared to welcome them and to ready to leave a great first impression of their first day of school with YOU!  Our front doors open at 7:30, and if Meet the Designer is any indication of their excitement to come to school, there will be a line ready when we unlock the doors.  Here is a short blog post  about the first day that should make you smile. 


DESIGNER WEBSITES
Please take time before leaving on Friday to personalize your website on our campus webpage.  You must include a photograph and contact information.  Remember we want to train our parents to go to these sites!  Here is a video showing you how. (video coming Friday)


CLASS VISITS
I still need eight designers to please sign up HERE for a visit from Mrs. Kastrounis.  THANK YOU!


RED AND BLACK ATTACK
Interested in supporting our CISD Education Foundation?  Order your Red and Black t-shirt here and you will be allowed to wear jeans with this shirt once a month this entire school year.  You must have this year's t-shirt to participate!


CAMPUS HANDBOOK
Here is our updated campus handbook.  A copy of the signature page is already in your teacher mailbox to sign and return to Diana by the end of the first week of school.  NOTE: If you already completed reading the handbook, the Lounge section was updated on August 11, 2015. 


SPIRIT DAYS
Fridays (unless otherwise notified) is a jeans day at Lee.  If you wear jeans (they may not be torn) then you must wear a RJL spirit shirt.  This Wednesday, August 26, you can choose to wear jeans with your Convocation t-shirt, too!


"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Excellence- to stand out with valuable quality.


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Excellence is never and accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and skillful execution." -Aristotle


LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP
Quickly learn the names of designers and other learners in the school and greet them by name.  


DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 22: Jillian's Birthday
August 23: Kristen's Birthday
August 24: First Day of School
                   Kinder Yahoo BooHoo Breakfast (7:50-8:30 Media Center)
                   After School Surprise!
August 25: Roxann's Birthday
August 27: Sam's Birthday
                   Buffalo Wild Wings Night for Lee
August 28: Stephanie's Birthday
                   Happy Hour at Mattitos (3:30)

Week of August 17

We are excited for our upcoming week together to bond, learn, and set the stage for an incredible second year at RJL.  Your spaces are looking great and it is awesome that you are pushing your barriers and putting the learners in charge of designing your spaces.


We received a special thank you from Metrocrest for helping to Sack Out Hunger this Summer.

CLASS VISITS
This school is about forming and building trusting relationships.  During the first week of school it is important that I get into your classrooms to meet the children.  I would like to request 15 minutes of your day.  You are welcome to stay or take a break while I am there.  PreK - 5 Designers, please sign up HERE for a visit.  THANK YOU!


LEADERSHIP RETREAT
Your house leader has the notes from Friday's work day.  They have been charged with sharing all that we covered during our day together.  They did INCREDIBLE work and I appreciate your open mindedness as they share where we are moving in #rjlyear2.  Our group worked diligently to follow through with the vision of our #rjlyear1 team and in responding to feedback from our parent surveys.


RED AND BLACK ATTACK
Interested in supporting our CISD Education Foundation?  Order your Red and Black t-shirt here and you will be allowed to wear jeans with this shirt once a month this entire school year.  You must have this year's t-shirt to participate!


HOUSE ASSISGNMENTS FOR 2015-2016
In an effort for ALL staff to be in a house, please view this document.  This is the house you will be a part of for luncheons, showers, and other events.  Your will be seated by houses for Tuesday's staff meeting.


CLASS LISTS/EMAIL
It is an expectation that you reach out through email to welcome learners who have verified that they ware attending next year.  Diana has a comprehensive list of learners who verified.  Please email and welcome them to your class/house by end of day Wednesday so that that they know who to look for at Meet the Designer Night.  Please DO NOT email those highlighted in yellow.  The list will change as people verify, so please watch for any changes.  THANK YOU, DIANA for creating this list!

COMPLIANCE TRAINING

We have required training related to allergies and bloodborne pathogens.  The required trainings can be accessed in one course in Schoology.  You will need to log into Schoology and join the course.  Please use the following directions to access the required training documents and resources.  Please have this completed by Friday, August 21.  Don't forget to complete your surveys in Euphoria to receive credit.

1. Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com 
2. To log on to Schoology
   1.  Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com
   2.  Log in using your school email address as your username
          ex. ngarvey@coppellisd.com
   3.  A temporary password was sent to you this summer, if you can’t find the email with the temporary password, there is an option to use “forgot my password”.  This will send a new temporary password to your email account.
   4.  Once you have logged in, click on COURSES at the top of the webpage
   5.  Click on JOIN
   6.  Type in the following code: 4VVC5-4HVN5
   

   
   

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Please review this updated version before Thursday.  The more prepared ahead of time, the more time that can be given to you to prepare for Meet the Designer Night.  This document frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD.  


CAMPUS HANDBOOK
Here is our updated campus handbook.  A copy of the signature page is already in your teacher mailbox to sign and return to Diana by the end of the first week of school.  NOTE: If you already completed reading the handbook, the Lounge section was updated on August 11, 2015. 


CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Here is campus specific information about location and dress for this week and here is the district plan for our Nurse, ESL Facilitator, Literacy Coach, Specials Designers, and SpEd Staff.  Please don't hesitate to ask if you don't know where to go each day.  Our theme is TEAM so there will be many team building activities peppered into our learning!


STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
This is the elementary student code of conduct learners in CISD are expected to follow.  It is posted on our website and learners are required to return a signed copy of acknowledgment.  Please review this so you are familiar with what consequences follow infractions.


CAMPUS CALENDAR
Can't seem to open the calendar shared by Chantel on Monday?  Try this... open the email sent on Monday, click on add calendar (top left corner).  You should be able to see all of the events on our staff calendar in green, now, when logging into mail.coppellisd.com and selecting calendar.


DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 18-21: RJL Back to School Training
August 19: Pre K Orientation
August 20: Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)
August 21: Jillian's Birthday 
August 23: Kristen's Birthday
August 24: First Day of School
                   Yahoo BooHoo Breakfast (7:50-8:30 Media Center)
August 25: Roxann's Birthday
August 27: Sam's Birthday
August 28: Stephanie's Birthday
September 8:  4/5 Stop Collaborate and Listen
September 15: 2/3 Stop Collaborate and Listen
September 17: K/1 Stop Collaborate and Listen

Week of August 10

Thank you to those of you that helped Sack Out Hunger on Saturday.  We appreciate your hearts of service and time on Saturday!  It was awesome that we had returning staff, new staff, parents, and leaners participating.  What a great event!

Enjoy this last week of summer break with your friends and family.  Try not to work TOO  MUCH!! We are going to have a remarkable year together!

We will be feeding you lunch next week.  Please complete this poll by Friday so we order the kind of pizza you prefer.


LEADERSHIP RETREAT
Campus Leadership Team, please join us on Friday at the Coppell Biodiversity Center for a day of work and ideation.  We will work from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. and provide breakfast, snacks, and lunch.    Dress is casual, and we request you bring your charged laptop and great ideas for the year.  Please bring a drink of your choice.


KEYS
Please see Todd if you need keys to your space, design studio, or storage closet.  He will do his best to get these to you in a timely manner.

COMPLIANCE TRAINING

We have required training related to allergies and bloodborne pathogens.  The required trainings can be accessed in one course in Schoology.  You will need to log into Schoology and join the course.  Please use the following directions to access the required training documents and resources.  Please have this completed by Friday, August 21.

1. Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com 
2. To log on to Schoology
   1.  Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com
   2.  Log in using your school email address as your username
          ex. ngarvey@coppellisd.com
   3.  A temporary password was sent to you this summer, if you can’t find the email with the temporary password, there is an option to use “forgot my password”.  This will send a new temporary password to your email account.
   4.  Once you have logged in, click on COURSES at the top of the webpage
   5.  Click on JOIN
   6.  Type in the following code: 4VVC5-4HVN5
   

   
   

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

New hires were updated on our CISD Learning Framework during training last week.  Returning staff, please review this updated version.  This dynamic document is one that frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD.  We will be referring to this document during Back to School Training.


CAMPUS HANDBOOK
Here is our updated campus handbook.  A copy of the signature page is already in your teacher mailbox to sign and return to Diana by the end of the first week of school. 


CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Because you have flex time earned for Apple and Tiles training in June, our campus Back to School work days will be from August 18-21.  Here is campus specific information about location and dress for that week and here is the district plan for our Nurse, ESL Facilitator, Literacy Coach, Specials Designers, and SpEd Staff.  Please don't hesitate to ask if you don't know where to go each day.


DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 13: Shelley S's Birthday
                   Residency Verification Day (7:30am & 5:30pm)
August 14: Leadership Retreat
August 18-21: RJL Back to School Training
August 19: Pre K Orientation
August 20: Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)
August 21: Jillian's Birthday 
August 23: Kristen's Birthday
August 24: First Day of School
                   Yahoo BooHoo Breakfast (7:50-8:30 Media Center)
August 25: Roxann's Birthday
August 27: Sam's Birthday
August 28: Stephanie's Birthday

Week of August 3

What a great week of learning in Coppell ISD at our Principal's Academy.  We learned a great deal about Professional Learning Communities, Learning Walks, and our updated Learning Framework. We found our media specialist, Meghan Hunt (mehunt@irvingisd.net), and look forward to watching her grow as a media specialist.  We also found our PE Designer, Julie Behr (jus_1021@hotmail.com).  She will be joined with a....wait for it....FULL TIME PE AIDE.  We have recommended Kandice Benson (kbenson@coppellisd.com).  Please take time to welcome these new folks to our famiLEE!

New hires have been in training this week and at the Chamber breakfast yesterday Ashley and Alan were winners of door prizes.  If you want some coffee, see Ashley, and if you want to visit the Container Store with Alan, he has money to spend.

SACK OUT HUNGER
We are looking forward to seeing our volunteers this Saturday.  If you participate(d) in this event and have photographs, please add them to this location for our iBook.


COMPLIANCE TRAINING

I am doing my very best to push things out to you throughout the summer so that you do not have a massive "to do" list when we get back to school.  We have required training related to allergies and bloodborne pathogens.  The required trainings can be accessed in one course in Schoology.  You will need to log into Schoology and join the course.  Please use the following directions to access the required training documents and resources.

1. Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com 
2. To log on to Schoology
   1.  Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com
   2.  Log in using your school email address as your username
          ex. ngarvey@coppellisd.com
   3.  A temporary password was sent to you this summer, if you can’t find the email with the temporary password, there is an option to use “forgot my password”.  This will send a new temporary password to your email account.
   4.  Once you have logged in, click on COURSES at the top of the webpage
   5.  Click on JOIN
   6.  Type in the following code: 4VVC5-4HVN5
   
   
   

   

   
   

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

New hires were updated on our CISD Learning Framework during training this week.  Returning staff, please review this updated version.  This dynamic document is one that frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD. 

iBOOKS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK
This week our final focus will be on collecting evidence in relation to COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS.  Below is the part of the rubric that relates to this task in order for you to see  what kind of information we are looking for. 

Please drop your written contributions (we need examples of how you have demonstrated this in your spaces), photos and videos in relation to Visionary Leadership in this location by Monday, August 10. Now it is time to construct our book!  

CAMPUS HANDBOOK

Here is our updated campus handbook.  Please sign and turn in the handbook receipt form to Diana before the end of the first week of school. 

CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Because you have flex time earned for Apple and Tiles training in June, our campus Back to School Training will be August 18-21.  We will send out more specific details about location and dress next week, but plan on beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 4:00 p.m.   Here is the district plan.  

DATES TO REMEMBER

August 3-4- Balanced Literacy Training 

August 3-7- New Teacher Orientation
August 13- Shelley S's Birthday

                   Residency Verification Day (7:30-10:30a.m. & 5:30-7:00p.m.)

August 14- Leadership Retreat (info coming soon)

August 18-21- RJL Back to School Training

August 20- Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)

August 21- Jillian's Birthday

August 23- Kristen's Birthday

August 25- Roxann's Birthday

August 27- Sam's Birthday
August 28- Stephanie's Birthday