Week of Oct 31

It has been a busy but exciting week!  Red Ribbon Week always brings smiles to faces with theme days and a focus on great decision making.  Ashley and I are LOVING being in classrooms for walkthroughs and observations.  We see such greatness ALL over the building.  THANK YOU for that!  You continue to tell a beautiful story about #rjlyear3 on Twitter.  Your efforts and comments to others are appreciated and noticed!

DID YOU KNOW

• that we have reviewed grading practices at our last two Principal's meetings?  We continue to try to calibrate throughout the district.  Stay tuned!
• that George Couros has a great blog this week that speaks to passion driven learning?  Check it out here. 
• that PTO is going to leave the food donations from the dance for one week so you can use the items for authentic math activities?  We can't wait to see what learners create and share.  Perfect timing to reinforce that data collection we have been seeing in spaces!

BOOK CHARACTER PARADE
We will take the parade OUTDOORS this year.  At 8:00, we will make an announcement and ask everyone to head out to the track for 2 laps.  Please keep learners in an organized line and head out promptly.  Learners who do not dress up, and parents who come up to watch, can sit/stand on the inside perimeter and cheer on the participants.  THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT PARTICIPATED and got learners involved.  I believe we are going to have even greater participation this year because of your excitement!!!

CARE OF THE BUILDING
Ashley and I walked the building with someone from custodial on Wednesday.  We were inspecting the exterior window washing.  Little did we know that the inside 2nd floor interior windows were cleaned after hours, too.  Imagine our surprise when we saw smeared handprints (we are talking wet and dripping) on windows that have already been professionally cleaned. First, we emphasize the importance of caring for our beautiful building. Second that you hold learners accountable for cleaning up when they make a mess.  Please be observant!  Third, that PAPER TOWELS are used to clean windows.  (NOT hands, NOT microfiber cloths, NOT socks, NOT spit)  We have seen all four of these.  We WANT learners designing on glass surfaces, but let's teach them proper cleaning and handling.  We will purchase window cleaner and have it in the office for you.  We also see windowsills where learners have PEELED the paint off of the walls, pencil writing on aluminum door frames, and paper towels all over bathroom floors.  We need to unify together and are asking for your help and diligence in these efforts.  We want to keep our new school looking new and teach these habits to learners.  THANK YOU!


LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL
Samira sent an email, today, with the specifics regarding LEEdership Council.  I also included the dates on the staff calendar.  Please remember that those who have already served on LEEdership Council are tasked with seeing the leadership capacity in others and should not run for a spot.  They may need reminding.  Please look for Google Form from Samira for declaration of candidacy to send home in your Friday communication.


INNOVATORS MINDSET BOOK STUDY
Just a friendly reminder that Chapters 1-3 should be read by Wednesday.  Ashely, Jessica, and Jacque will be hosting a *SLOW* Twitter chat, beginning Tuesday November 1st through Friday, November 4th.  Check out the directions for our Slow Twitter Chat here.  We can't wait to grow together, virtually, through the Innovator's Mindset book study!


ITEMS FOR BLOG
If you have items for my blog, please email them to me by Wednesday.  Short and concise is the rule to live by.  If you have items to go in Designer newsletters, type PUT IN WEEKLY NEWSLETTER in the subject line so designers can easily search their inbox for your blurbs.


FED EX DAY
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 Today's Meet after 4:30, but before 5:00, on Wednesday and share what you learned during your time in order to get credit for your hour.  You may choose to participate in the slow chat part of this time.  Alli will also be offering a technology session.  She will email that info to you. You may also be interested in this differentiation self-assessment.

WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Please be aware that we are looking for choice in learner experiences and scaffolding to meet varied needs in your classroom.  Think about the Team Time question: How do you know they know it?  What do you do when they do?  This is a great video Ashley found on principles of differentiation from Carol Ann Tomlinson.

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

(thank you fourth grade for your work on the ADI pilot!!)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Perseverance- the ability to persist or continue to the end

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Make every effort to be as organized as possible.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

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

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Oct 30- Jessica's Birthday
Oct 31- Nov 4- Last week for Write a Check Fundraising
Oct 31-  Learners Declare Candidacy for LEEdership Council
              Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Assembly (1:45-2:30 Gym- we will sit like Spirit Rally)
Nov 1- Education Foundation t-shirt and Jeans
            K-2 Math Educator Academy
            Alex's Bridal Shower (3:30 Media Center)
Nov 2-  College Shirt with Jeans
             Digital LEEdership Council Campaign Posters Due
             Chapters 1-3 of Innovator's Mindset Read
             IBM Feedback (Small conference room 8:30-12:00)
             Fed Ex Day (3:30-4:30)
             Padlet Webinar (7:00-8:00pm)
Nov 3- 3-5 Math Educator Academy
            Claudia visits houses during Specials to review TELPAS & Years in School
Nov 4- LEEdership Speeches and Primary Elections
            Chris Barton Author Visit (see schedule here)
Nov 5- Dads Club Event (Main Event)

Week of Oct 24

Thank you for your FIERCEness this week!  You did a wonderful job of representing our school with our many visitors and continue to impress.  Our guests leave Lee feeling inspired and hopeful with new ideas to take back to their schools.  This is because of each and every one of YOU!  Please remember you are "Here for a Reason" and that YOU make a difference in education and at Lee.

Thank you for celebrating us on Bosses' Day and making Monday a special day for us.

We also thank you for staying late for Watson training and moving full steam ahead with our pilot.

DID YOU KNOW

• that Dodi Casper has a SS Newsletter for you to view? There are some voting and Veteran's Day ideas.  Be thinking about how you will incorporate the election and Veteran's Day in your lesson designs the next couple of weeks.  LEEdership Council info will be coming your way from fifth grade, soon!
• the cafeteria may be short handed on Friday.  If they are, we may have to use only one line.  We MIGHT also have a guest server (trying to move things on my calendar and secure a hairnet- ha)  THANK YOU for your flexibility!
• thanks to PTO Reflex Math should be back up and running?  Please write a card of thanks for this pricey support from them.  If you have new learners that need added, please email Ashley.

WRITE A CHECK
Please make sure the Write a Check letters go home in report card envelopes on Friday.  These were copied and placed in your mailboxes.  It is imperative that the letter makes it home.  The letter is also posted on Peach Jar for any parents that need another copy.  WAC is our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year and we need you to pump your learners up about it.  Please read the letter so you are informed what our funds go toward.


CLARITY SURVEY
If you have not taken the survey (or had your learners complete it) PLEASE get this done this week so that it is off of all of our "to do" lists.  Participation is crucial for making campus technology decisions.  THANK YOU!


RED RIBBON WEEK
You may wear jeans if you participate in Red Ribbon Week theme days.

STORYBOOK CHARACTER PARADE and SCHOOL DANCE
Please encourage learners and plan to participate in Friday's parade.  A book should accompany "costumes" and learners are allowed to wear their costume to the dance on Friday night.  Entrance into the event is free with a food donation that will be donated to Metrocrest.  PTO will communicate what each grade/house is bringing.  Please plan to attend the dance and engage with the learners and their famiLEEs.  We love it when you bring your family, too!   It is a great opportunity to build relationships and have FUN!


DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

Target the Problem! is a tool to help parents and Designers understand the specific problems a child may be having with reading. You'll find practical suggestions on what you (and kids themselves) can do to help learners overcome or deal with their reading difficulties.

WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Ashley and I have started our observations this week.  It is SO WONDERFUL being in your space for 45 minutes.  Remember we are to see the entire lesson cycle, so you need to plan a lesson that encompasses the full lesson cycle.  If you did not get a calendar invite for an observation, please email your evaluator.  This week we start a new domain focus during our walkthroughs.  We will focus on:  2.4 Differentiation.  Be aware, if you have your observation in the next four weeks, you will not receive a walkthrough in this domain.  We will address it in your TTESS observation.  THANK YOU!

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Problem Solving- creating solutions; finding answers

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

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.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

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

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Oct 23: Britt's Birthday
Oct 24- Nov 4: Write a Check Fundraising
Oct 24- Oct 31: Red Ribbon Week
Oct 24:  Wear pajamas
Oct 25:  Wear boots
              Mentor Meeting (3:30 Green House)
Oct 26:  Wear hats or have crazy hair
              Lee Learner Luncheons (10:30-1:00)
              Leadership Meeting (3:30)
Oct 27:  Spurs Savings (7:30-7:50 Cafe)
              Learn About Lee Learning Walk (8:00-9:00)
Oct 28:  TOY Nominations Due to District
              Storybook Character Parade (8:00-8:30ish)
              5th Grade Bully Program (1:00-2:30 CMSW)
              So You Think You CAN Dance (6:30-8:30)

Week of Oct 17

This "short" week sure has gone by in a FLASH!  THANK YOU for going with the flow with our IBM guests and tours this week.  Shanna and Chantel will be out on Friday.  There is no doubt you can all hold down the fort.  Please leave as soon as learners are safely dismissed.  Have a super weekend!

DID YOU KNOW:

• that with the new budget system, our approved vendors list is KAPUT?  Please contact Nikki (X6026) if you need to know if a vendor is approved before completing your POs.  We need your help on POs.  Make sure you include shipping costs and print out your shopping bag if your order was made online.
• interior and exterior window washing will start happening the next couple weeks?  Please put a sign on any glass surface you do not want washed.
• that we will be getting a new nighttime custodian?  I will continue to keep you posted, but sadly, Tina has gone to Grand Prairie.
• some folks have already completed their Clarity surveys and their classes, too?

TEAM TIME AND HOUSE TIME
You all have been doing an excellent job using our Team Time agendas, and I am proud of the work that you have accomplished as both houses and grades.  I recognize that "planning/designing" has to be done outside that time for your grades, and I want to acknowledge the commitment that many of you have made to stay late or come early to plan with your peers.  THANK YOU! Your extra time to learn from one another SHOWS!


SPIRIT RALLY
Please wear jeans and a house shirt on Monday.  We will call you down at 8:00 to sit where your houses were for our Unity Rally.  Come prepared with one adult house representative (could even be your Specials person if they like) and one learner to participate in our teacher/learner event at the end.  We will be on a normal schedule on Monday.


NOTE FROM JACQUE
Please fill out this Needs Assessment Survey for the new 9 weeks.  In addition, Jacque created a  document for House and Team Time agenda topics.  I added this resource under the IC tab on our Faculty Website.

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH
AD/HD and dyslexia are distinct conditions that frequently overlap, thereby causing some confusion about the nature of these two conditions. It is estimated that 30% of those with dyslexia have coexisting AD/HD. Coexisting means the two conditions, AD/HD and dyslexia, can occur together, but they do not cause each other. Take a look at this quick “fact sheet” for more information!  (Thanks, Mary!)


TRANSFORMATION IN ACTION VISITS
We will have visitors from high performing school districts visiting from 9-11 and 1-3 on Tuesday.   This visit is a big deal and aligned with the Visioning Document that spearheaded our CISD Learning Framework. Guests are coming to watch lesson design and digital learning.  Please have your digital signage up, please use ALL areas of the building, showcase any Schoology you are using, and ramp up the SAMR.


NTVI VISIT ON THURSDAY
Penny and Deana will be bringing a group of 25 APs from the North Texas Regional Consortium to our school on Thursday afternoon.   The goal of their visit is to learn more about our school because it is modeled after the Visioning Document.  Much like our TIA visits, they are looking for transformative practices, authentic assessment, digital learning anytime/anywhere, and accountability for learning.

WATSON TRAINING
Don't forget we have our training on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6.  If you get a chance, ask May, Cassie, or Jacque about their preview time.  I have no doubt you are going to be excited to finally learn more about this tool!


WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
This is our final week focusing on 3.2 Managing Student Behavior.  Our goal is for you to have two walkthroughs in this domain.  We are impressed with some of the management tools that we see in place like: CHAMPS, self-paced learning in Schoology, assigned jobs during collaborative work, self- reflection, goal setting and more.  Nothing helps manage student behavior more than ENGAGEMENT, wait time, and consistency!

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Accountability-being responsible for one's actions

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

If you are asked a questions in conversation, you should ask a question in return.  It is only polite to show others that you are just as interested in them as they are in you.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"I am NOT a product of my circumstances.  I AM a product of my decisions." -Stephen Covey

DATES TO REMEMBER:

National School bus Safety Week
Oct 17- RtI Meetings
             Spirit Rally (8:15 Gym)
             CISD Ed Foundation Grants Due (4:30)
Oct 18- Deepa's Birthday
             Grades Due (8:30)
             Transformation in Action Site Visits
Oct 19- Convocation Shirt and Jeans
             Watson Training (4:00-6:00 Lee Yellow House)
Oct 20- NTVI Group Visits Lee (12:30-3:30- A120)
             Watson Training (4:00-6:00 Lee Yellow House)

Oct 21- Report cards go home

             Great Expectations training at Lee (A120-A122)

             Flu Clinic (1:00)

Week of Oct 10

Have a wonderful Friday conferencing with learners and their parents.  It is the perfect time for our parents to witness the great learning experiences you give their learners and for them to own their learning.  THANK YOU for your hard work on goal setting with each child!!  The office has ordered sandwich platters and chips from Which Wich tomorrow.  They should arrive around 11:00, so please come down and feed yourself.  ENJOY the long weekend! I hope you make it to the fair and get some well deserved rest!

DID YOU KNOW

• some folks are "borrowing" items from our media center without checking them out?  Please make sure you scan out any items you need from the media center?  If you do not know how to do this, please see Melinda or leave the item with a sticky note for her to check out at her earliest convenience.
• there is a new Director of Marketing & Business Partnerships for CISD?  Her name is Tammy Taylor and she is WONDERFUL.  If you are looking for ways to connect with businesses and experts, she is an email away! 
• parents are highly interested in online textbook access to reinforce learning at home?  Can you please link in web addresses for your online textbooks that support your weekly learning?  I can share more at Team Time, but have already talked with 4th and 5th grades.
• that your presentation Macs, dongles, projectors, and apple TVs ARE NOT PERMITTED to be moved?  You received communication from Jennifer at the beginning of the school year and will be receiving another reminder.  Please fix this immediately!

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

It is often thought that those identified with Dyslexia are held back by their disability. The reality, however, is that there are many famous people in the past and in the world today who have overcome this disability in order to accomplish many great things! Watch this emotionally moving, but short video of famous Dyslexics.  (Thanks, Mary!)

CLARITY SURVEY
You will be receiving an email about the district Clarity Survey from Alli.  Please complete this at your earliest convenience and have your learners complete it, too.


RED HOUSE PERFORMANCE
We will be calling grades to come down (starting with Kinder) at 8:05 so that we can start promptly at 8:15.  Please bring learners in at a level zero.  We will review audience etiquette and can't wait to watch Red House perform!

RED AND BLACK, GEMS, SUPER TEACHER
We have so many incredibly talented folks and people that go above and beyond at our school.  Please take time to nominate them through one of these recognition programs.  Red and Black winners will be recognized at our Spirit Rally by Bennett Ratliff.  GEMS are recognized before school board meetings by Anthony Hill.  Super Teachers get to go to lunch with Dr. Waldrip and are presented with a shirt from our Asst. Superintendents.


TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Do you know an extraordinary educator that has made a difference in the lives of his/her learners by exemplifying best teaching practices while serving as an ambassador for public education?  Someone who understands and demonstrates transformational leadership in the classroom? An educator who fully embraces the tenants of the Learning Framework and who supports and promotes the mission/vision of CISD?  We need nominations completed by October 28.


CISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS
Do you have an innovative idea that you would like the Education Foundation to help pay for?  Grants must be Principal approved and are due October 17.  GOOD LUCK!


DADS CLUB CAMP IN
Our Dad's Club will host their first family event on Friday Night.  Learners bring their tents and sleeping bags to school and camp out in our cafe and gym.  A movie will be shown and pizza and snack will be included.  Please share this link to have them register for the event.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfz39iLhEljR3MM35KgWjHn3B-n-1ywde7Md3GQGb44zaWOiA/viewform

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 Today's Meet after 4:30, but before 5:00, on Wednesday and share what you learned during your time in order to get credit for your hour.

Cottonwood Creek and Lee will be having FedEx at the same time on October 12.  Since cloning technology has not advanced so far as to allow me to be at both schools at the same time and since both schools are interested in learning more about Schoology, I am hosting a JOINT FedEx session open to BOTH campuses.  This session will be held in the DLC office at Brock (aka the halfway point between both schools).  Because of the design of this session, it will be limited to the first 20 educators that sign up.  Click the sign up link HERE to learn more! Please sign up by this Friday if you plan to attend.

RtI UPDATE FROM ASHLEY:

Thank you for attending the first round of RtI meetings and bearing with us as we set up a new system.  I appreciate how prepared you all were and how dedicated you are to helping problem-solve for your learners.  Please remember to continue to sign up using the RtI Meeting Sign-Up (at least a day in advance) to check in with us and provide us with current data for those in the process. 

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

Thank you to those who attended our first BWW Night!  We raised almost $200 for our school!  That is what helped pay for our sandwiches for Friday.  Please put the new card in your newsletters and remind learners to mention that they are with Lee when they eat at BWW.  The next night is Thursday, October 13th, and Red House is making an appearance.  

WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
3.2 Managing Student Behavior- By the end of next week, you should have one walkthrough from Ashley and Chantel in this domain.

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Self-Discipline- the ability to choose and control one's own actions.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Make eye contact.  When someone is speaking, keep your eyes on him or her at all times.  If someone makes a comment, turn and face that person.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"If we were supposed to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear. " -Mark Twain

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Oct 8- Chess Club Date
Fire Prevention Week
National School Lunch Week
Oct 10- NO SCHOOL
Oct 11-14- CoGAT Testing
Oct 11- Kristina's Birthday
             Stop, Collab, Listen (1st Grade- 3:30 Austin)
             PTO Mtg. (6:30 Cafe)
             CISD Twitter Chat (7:30)
Oct 12- House Shirt and Jeans
             Shanna's Birthday
             Fed Ex Day (3:30-4:30)
Oct 13- Spurs Savings (7:30-7:50 Cafe)
             Red House Performance (8:15 and 6:30 Cafe)
             Tour- Mansfield ISD- 30 people (9:00)
                       UME Prep- 5 people (1:00)
             Stop, Collab, Listen (Kinder- 3:30 Austin)
             Science Training (Second Grade- 3:45 DCE)
             Buffalo Wild Wings Night
Oct 14- Social Spurs Tailgate Luncheon
             Corissa's Birthday
             Dad's Club Camp In (7:00 pm-8:00am)
Oct 15- Alex's Birthday
             Sheltered Instruction Training Due from New Designers
             Unity in the Community- Red House (Coppell Farmers Market)