Week of May 30

THANK YOU for another incredible year at our school.  #RJLYEAR2 was the massive success it was because of each and every one of you.  Your hard work, dedication, perseverance, and genuine love of children goes unmatched and you are applauded for all that you have contributed to making our school the fine place that it is!  I hope you will always remember that you were carefully selected to be here because of the gifts and talents that you possess.  Sometimes you already knew them, other times we brought them out of you.  The special and unique blessing is that we are each on our own journey, yet we can all reflect back over the last year and see that we are better because of each other. 

It will be sad to see some of our famiLEE move on to different paths, however, I feel confident that the bonds, connections, and lessons you have made here will have a positive impact on you in the future.  You will forever be a Lee Spur famiLEE member, and we wish you nothing less than the best. Please keep in touch! 

Enjoy your THREE DAY weekend as you get ready for the last (sort of) week of school.  We know this is the greatest school, with the greatest staff and learners.  We only get the learners 187 days, so make the most of these last 3 1/2 with them!  THEY ADORE YOU!  AS DO I!

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.

What YOU are doing to do to LIVE out this VISION at Lee?  

DID YOU KNOW?

• that we have a FINAL WALK for 5th graders on the last day of school?  Early release is 12:45, so at 12:30, we will ask you to line a path with learners and their backpacks from the cafe around the first floor so that our fifth graders can be recognized by their school.  Bring your Kleenex!
• if your learners do not pick up their medication by the last day of school that it will be discarded?  Please inform your parents!
• we hired another famiLEE member?  Her name is Jessica Stow and she is moving here from Tulsa, OK.  She visited Lee today, so some of you had a chance to meet her.  She will be teaching 3rd grade in Purple House.
• that iStation will be available to our learners during the summer?  It's true!
• Todd has a heartfelt thank you and goodbye blog post to share with you?  Check it out here.
• Katie will be in Y4 next year, Alex will be in G2, and Nick will be in R4 and on Leadership Team?  These placements are always subject to change, but are current as of today.

MEMORIAL DAY CARDS

Don't forget to turn these in to Bethany before leaving on Friday.  They should be in a gallon sized ziploc bag with a rock.  THANKS for supporting these families.

SCHEDULES FOR NEXT WEEK

Please look here for our Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday schedules.  If you have SSI ARDs scheduled, we will have to ask your house to help with coverage on Tuesday.  These should be brief!

SPIRIT RALLY

Please notify your parents if their child is getting an award at Thursday's Spirit Rally.  They may want to come and watch them be honored.  Learners will get awards from Leedership Council, Citizen of the Year, Spelling Bee, Yearbook Cover, Math Olympiad, Art, PE, Music, Library, and Enrichment. 

5TH GRADE GRADUATION

Want to see our fifth grade graduation on Wednesday afternoon?  Tune in here to watch via LiveStream.  Thank you, Alli, for setting this up for us. 

LAST DAY LUNCHES

Please let the cafeteria know on this form if your learners will need a sack lunch on the last day.  All learners will eat before we release on Thursday.  http://goo.gl/forms/r0K1Qk42ZqJWQg9v1

SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Don't forget to sign up here for summer learning in CISD.  If you are not able to attend, please make sure you unenroll.  Hours earned for this will count towards your 2016-2017 Flex Time.  Please remember that when you attend events outside of Lee that you represent our school.  Please be respectful of presenters, use technology appropriately, and enjoy learning from others.

USED SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Please place these outside Stacey's room if you care to donate.


FUN RUN FUND
Tomorrow, Friday, May 27 is the LAST DAY to turn in a check request for remimbursement for the money you earned.  Please use approved vendors ONLY.


"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Success- the gain of something desired or attempted.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"If you want to be successsful, it is just that simple...know what you are doing, love what you are doing, believe in what you are doing,"  Will Rogers

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Never stop improving.  Great people are always learning and keep their minds open to new possibilities.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

May 30- NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)

May 31- Talent Show (8:00-10:00)
              House Techno Check-In (3:30)

June 1- Talent Show (8:00-10:00)
             Techno Check-In
             5th Grade Graduation (1:00-3:00)
             Cindy's Birthday

June 2- Spirit Rally (8:00-10:00)
             Bring Projector Carts to Broadcast (11:00-1150)
             5th Grade Walk (12:30)
             Early Release (12:45)
August 8-9- Campus Watson Element Training

Week of May 23

What a busy and exciting week.  THANK YOU for continuing to meet with parents for your Spring Conferences.  Your learners have grown SO MUCH this year- and this is because of YOU!!  We hope you celebrate the growth in, not only your learners, but yourself!

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.

What YOU are doing to do to LIVE out this VISION at Lee?  

DID YOU KNOW?

• that Newks is opening near our school?  They will be offering us a free dinner for their soft opening.  Stay tuned for a date next week.
• this week's Curriculum Courier addresses Lit Camp and our Elementary Student Survey?  We have 2 K-2 and 2 3-5 spots open if you are interested in attending.  Let CK know- names are due by May 31.  
• part of your end of year check out will be to ensure your house work rooms are organized and inventoried.  The following list documents what was purchased by the campus/district and should be in your closet by the last day of school.  You may also have items checked out to your house from the Media Center.
• we have recommended some folks for hire.  Please welcome Stephanie Richter, Hillary Brown, Akta Patel, and (back for year 3) Nick Coenraad and Suzanne Hunt.  We still have a second grade, Enrichment, and Special Education Resource teacher to hire.  Our Practical Academics teacher will be Karen Johnson.  I am sure each would all LOVE to have a friendly welcome to/back to our FamiLEE, so please email them at: 
• stephanie.richter12@gmail.com  and srichter@coppellisd.com  
• brownhillaryb@gmail.com  
• nic605@mail.harvard.edu  
• s.patelakta@gmail.com 
• suzannehunt40@yahoo.com
• kbmhjohnson@yahoo.com 

FIELD DAY

Feel free to wear shorts or warm ups with your Field Day t-shirts tomorrow.  Shorts should be fingertip length or longer- don't ruin it for others!  Directions about "ZONES" were delivered with your t-shirts.  This information page missing times.  Please use the following schedule:

• 8:15- Go outside to your first zone
• 12:00-1:15-  Lunchtime and lounging
• 1:15-2:30- House Competition/Teacher Games

FUN RUN FUNDS
Don't forget to get your Fun Run money spent by Friday.  Totals are in last week's blog post. You MUST use approved vendors and turn in your receipts after using a tax exempt form.  Approved vendors can be found here.

DRAMA CLUB PERFORMANCE

Join us, on Monday, at 2:00 and 7:00 for our Spring Drama Performances. 

4TH GRADE AUSTIN TRIP:

Safe travels to our fourth graders, Designers, and Chaperones as they head to Austin, Texas on Tuesday.  THANK YOU, 4th Grade, for your hard work and planning for this amazing experience!

LEEdership COUNCIL:

LEEdership Council will have their FINAL pickle sale on Wednesday.  Pickles are $1 each and will be sold during recess times.  Please advertise this in your weekly email to parents!!  Also, please remind learners to wear their shirts on FRIDAY for our last meeting for the year. 

SPECIAL EVENT
Please bring your learners outside the front entrance, on Thursday, for a "surprise" from PTO at 8:30. We can sit on the cement islands along the staff parking lot, and when those are full, final classes  can sit on the loading sidewalk and on the steps into the school.  We should be done by 9:00ish.


BUFFALO WILD WINGS NIGHT:

Feel free to join our FamiLEEs Thursday night.  If you go, this time can count towards your flex time you need to earn.


LIBRARY UPDATE:
THANKS, Megan, for the creation of house accounts!  Staff, please help make sure all books and materials are turned into the media center as soon as possible.

Learners who received invitations to the Bluebonnet Party will stay after school, in the media center, on Friday.

Don't forget to follow directions on this document to help with end of year technology check-ins.

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Humor- comical or amusing quality; ability to see or show the funny or amusing side of things.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." -Victor Borge

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

Your ability to make people laugh can help others feel comfortable and relieve tense situations. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 23- Drama Club Performance (2:00 and 7:00 Cafe)
              Leadership Meeting (3:30)
              Outgoing Board Member Reception (Admin 4:00-6:00)
May 24- 3rd and 4th Grade Field Trips
May 25- House t-shirt with Jeans
               FOSS Kits Due on Stage
               Talent Show Mtg. (9:00-9:30- Yellow House)
               LEEdership Council Pickle Sales (Recess times)
               New Learner Luncheons (Lunch times)
May 26- Buffalo Wild Wings Night (can count towards 8 hours)
               Hot Air Balloon Visits Lee (8:30 front of school)
               Katie's Shower (3:30)
May 27- Report Card Grades Due in the System
               ESL and GTI Folders Due
               LEEdership Council Meeting (8:00)
               4th Grade Shark Tank (1:30)
               Bluebonnet Party (3:00-4:00)
May 30- NO SCHOOL

Week of May 16

THANK YOU for your perseverance this week with state testing and all that it is.  For some of you that was adding lots of steps on your fit bit, for others it was silencing learners for what seems like an eternity, for some it was nervously watching your learners and maintaining a secure environment, and for all of us, it was trusting we have prepared our learners well.  ALL OF US have done our best to have our learners ready, so THANK YOU for your hard work!!  

You did it again- wowing another group of tours.  We saw hands on learning, multi-aged lessons, learners creating rubrics, and use of technology and spaces.  THANK YOU for constantly living under the microscope- I promise there is relief in sight.  I believe our LAST AND FINAL TOUR is THURSDAY.  It is a large group from Canada.  

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.

How are YOU doing with LIVING out this VISION at Lee?   Remember our challenge to use flexible spaces this last part of the year.  You CAN do it!

DID YOU KNOW?

• there is a formula out there: E + P = O?  This stands for (E)vents in our life + (P)positive responses to these events = (O)outcome.  Thank you Jon Gordon for helping me to reflect on this!
• there is great information in this week's Curriculum Courier?  Take time to read it, especially 3-5 Designers who were required to complete the Math Schoology Course requirements.
• some learners aren't in AWARE?  Check now- you have to enter your EOY data.   As KK reminded you, please make sure your May ISIP is completed.
• CK will be at TPESS Training at the Admin Bldg. on Wednesday and Thursday?  This is required district training, and I will be here for arrival each morning.  
• that Roxann will be transitioning into a new role next year as our campus Instructional Coach?  Ask her about it- it is super cool!  She will be joining PLC meetings to help with data, design, and MORE.  YAY!
• one of our visitors is interested in Mystery Hangouts with our school?  If you are interested, contact David at tv40954@gotvdsb.ca

FIELD DAY

Please find out who will be ordering sack lunch on Field Day- they can choose between PB&J and Turkey.  The link to the form is below, and remember we will need the names of the learners that you are buying each type of sandwich.  Please submit by 5/16/16 http://goo.gl/forms/0vReccHeLQ

THANK YOU for sending in tshirt sizes to Jenny VanLuven.  Friday will be tons of FUN.  As soon as details get to me, I will share them with you.  So far, plan to be in rotations as a house. 

SPRING CONFERENCES

THANK YOU for conducting these and including your learners as much as possible.  Please let me know if there are any parent concerns or comments about wanting their learner in a different house for 2016-2017.

LEADERSHIP RETREAT

THANK YOU to our team for giving up their valuable weekend time to vision and work for next year.  We will be leaving as soon as we are packed up after dismissal.  Please meet in the front office parking lot at 3:15.  Our notes will be shared with all staff, so you can stay informed.

FUN RUN FUNDS

Great news!  You have earned 10% of the money collected from your learners to use in your classroom.  See how much you have to spend below.  The funds must be spent by Friday, May 27, and you must present receipts to approved vendors for your items.  We cannot reimburse for tax, so please use a tax exempt form. 

END OF YEAR TECHNO CHECK-IN

Please check out this document that explains how and when we will check in/out devices and carts for the end of year.  See Meghan if you have any questions.  Dates and info are also on the staff calendar.  

In addition, 4th and 5th grade, please make sure to read and follow Alli's email titled "Please Read 1:1 End of Year Housekeeping.  Get a jump on this now because your office End of Year Checklist is coming next!

MOVIES

A friendly reminder that we do not watch movies on campus unless they are approved by Chantel.  We do not have a site license, so we have to closely monitor when movies are used.  In addition, there can be NO DISNEY movies shown. Why? 

NEED YOUR HELP

Please make sure you are emptying your teacher mailbox DAILY.  Also, please make sure your rooms are picked up by learners at the end of each day.  The custodians have mentioned that it has been getting more difficult to get their work done because there are writing utensils on the floors.  Thank you!

SCHOOL PICTURES

Please turn in all orders by next Tuesday.

TELPAS REMINDER

Don't forget to download your TELPAS calibration for your records before July 1, here. 

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Tolerance- respecting the differences of others.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins." -Native American Proverb

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

During discussions, respect other students' comments, opinions, and ideas.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 17- Baby Showers for Jillian and Taylor (3:30)
May 18- EOY Data Due in AWARE
              Staff Meeting CANCELLED- enjoy the gift of time
May 19- Final Spur Saving (7:30-7:50)
               Canadian Tour (9:00)
May 20- All Books Due to Library
               Field Day

Week of May 9

Happy Friday and Teacher Appreciation Week.  YOU are the BEST staff on the planet in the BEST school in the universe.  I hope the love your school famiLEEs have shown you this week keep you uplifted and motivated to tackle the last month of school.  Did I just say the LAST MONTH OF SCHOOL?  WOW!  The year has flown by, and I know each of you are going to "finish strong."  It is who you are!  Enjoy lunch in the lounge today, from our PTO, and have a fantastic weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all of you- you are second moms to our learners each and every day. 

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.

How are YOU doing with LIVING out this VISION at Lee?   Remember our challenge to use flexible spaces this last part of the year.  You CAN do it!

DID YOU KNOW?

• that you could apply to present at TECA 2017?  This is where Roxann and Alli got their great ideas to share at our Spring Staff Meeting.  Take a look here.  If you are applying, please let me know, so that I budget funds accordingly for next year.  Alli is happy to serve as a thought partner!
• that we recorded 100% of our technology assets and only had only two devices damaged this school year?  THANK YOU for watching over our technology and making sure our learners care for it!!  Please remember....if your device is damaged, it is your responsibility to have it repaired.  Nervous...get the district insurance!!! If learner devices are damaged DO NOT WAIT to tell me.  Turn in a help desk ticket immediately.  We need them repaired before the end of the year.
• that the DLCs have additional digital learning sessions around DFW this summer?  Check them out here.
• that I am going to put weekly district Curriculum Courier links in the blog now?  It will delay info getting to you, but the information will be in ONE place.  I hope this helps your inbox.
• that we have dates for next year's 5th grade Allaso Ranch trip?  We will be going from November 9-11, 2016.  Fourth grade team, start sharing that with your parents after your Austin trip.
• we are wearing glitter, sequins, or pink on Monday in honor of District Teacher of the Year, Wendy Pray? Don't forget!!!

SUMMER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Summer Professional Learning is now open for you to sign up.  An email was sent to the entire district from Laurie O'Neill last week.  Please take advantage of the opportunity to start earning your 2016-2017 flex time in areas of YOUR CHOICE this summer.  You MUST sign up through Euphoria and unenroll if you are going to be absent.  This will ensure that classes are full or canceled due to low enrollment.  THANKS to those of you that already signed up, we see that in your professional portfolio in Euphoria.

JUNE 3 

n order to not have to come in to work on Friday, June 3, you must accumulate 8 hours before the 3rd.  GOOD NEWS- many of you have already earned some hours from attending our Spring Carnival.  Hours can be accumulated from work done BEFORE 7:30 or AFTER 3:30.  For example: Spring Conferences, storage room inventory, end of year checkout work.  Time clock employees must also have accumulated 8 hours of comp time to ensure they don't have to come in on June 3rd.  If you have questions, please refer to the email Kristen Streeter sent out on March 23 titled "Bad Weather Day Information" or ask Chantel.  Part of your end of year check out form will ask you to log your 8 hours. 


SWAG BAGS AND PTO
Please make sure that you read the letter in your PTO swag bag.  They do not want you to throw it away by accident.  Please plan to wear the shirt they had made on Tuesday.  We will take a group picture and put it in a card to give them at Tuesday Night's PTO meeting.  Speaking of PTO, if you want to attend Tuesday night's meeting at 6:30 pm, we will give Eleanor our staff gift ($100 gift card from Social Spurs funds and a family tree painting created by learners and Jessica).  I'm sure your attendance would show appreciation for all she and the board have done.  (and you can count it towards June 3 hours)

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING
Since we will have our retreat next weekend, we will NOT have a meeting Wednesday after school.  YAY!  Team, please review the menu planner, and let Chantel know if you will need any help.  Also, look for more info regarding the trip from Chantel the beginning of next week.  In the meantime...we need your vertical teams to review the CIP one more time.  Because it is in a word document, not a Google Doc, I will fwd it to each house.  Once your group has updated it, please reply all so the next house can add on to your documentation.  (I know this is old school- bear with us!)  Since you will not have much house time this week due to STAAR, this task is due by Friday, May 20.


STAAR WEEK
We do have adjusted schedules prepared for Monday-Wednesday.  THANK YOU, all of you, for your hard work preparing our learners.  THEY ARE PREPARED!  I appreciate you all having your spaces covered and ready for testing before you leave today.  Please read reminders from Angela and revisit your manual.


SHOUT OUT TO THE OFFICE
Huge thanks to the front office.  Shanna and Bunny have done a great job this week!

"LEE"DERSHIP QUALITY OF THE WEEK
Humility- being humble, not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it," -Ralph Waldo Emerson

LESSON IN "LEE"DERSHIP

If you win or excel at something, do not brag.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 8- Mother's Day
May 9- Wear Glitter/Pink in honor of Wendy
             Kindergarten Zoo Field Trip
             3-5 Math Schoology Course Due
             3rd-4th STAAR Math Testing
             5th Grade STAAR Math Retesting
             Shelley Returns today!
May 10-  PTO Mtg. (6:30 Cafe)
             3rd-4th STAAR Reading Testing
             5th Grade STAAR Reading Retesting
May 11- 5th Grade STAAR Science Testing
               National School Nurse Day
               Convocation T-shirt and Jeans
May 12- NRH20 for Choir Learners (all day)
               Tour (1:00 pm only)
May 13- Ian Weiss Principal for 1/2 Day AM
               Choir & Instrumental Ensemble Performance (Cafe 8:30 and 6:30)
               Samsung Volunteers on Campus
May 13-15- Leadership Team Retreat