Week of April 3

We survived our first round of testing and we are so very grateful for Angela keeping us compliant.   Have a beautiful weekend!

DID YOU KNOW

• not every class has given a response on the Google Form for PTO regarding the shade structure?  If your class did not vote after broadcast, PLEASE contribute today so that we can share results with PTO.  THANK YOU!
• Summer Professional Learning Opportunities in CISD go live on April 3? Here is a Listing of summer sessions and description of sessions.  I am still waiting to get information about K-2 and 3-5 Balanced Literacy dates.  
• Kristina, Taylor H, and Samira will join Ashley and Chantel for Common Formative Assessment training this summer? THANK YOU, girls!
• May is going to serve as our Math Content Specialist next year?  Thank you, May, and a HUGE THANKS to Samira for her service the last two years.  
• that we have 13 identified Dyslexia learners and 4-5 being investigated?  Thank you to Ashley, Mary, and all Designers for narrowing in on these learners and getting them the help they need and deserve.  WOW!

                                  

APPLE VISIT
Nelson will be back three days this week to support our professional learning and campus growth.  He will work with Kylie, Priscilla, Megan, Britt, and Samira.  Nelson will be returning in May, so if you want to work with him, just let CK know.

YEARBOOKS
Please talk up yearbooks to your kids and put another note in your newsletter this week.  THANK YOU!

Dear Parents,
Online ordering of this year's RJL yearbook is closed, however, you can STILL purchase a yearbook.  Designers were given envelopes from PTO for learners who have not ordered yet.  All you need to do is write a check to LEE PTO and send your check back in the envelope and a yearbook will be reserved for you.


FUN RUN 
Please send the following blurb home to your parents in this week's newsletter.  You will also have a print out in your mailbox of learners who have outstanding collections still out there.

Dear Parents, 
Thank you again for all of your help collecting the pledges from the Apex Fun Run! Right now, we have collected 87% of the pledges and our goal is 100%. Please help us by making sure that all sponsors have paid online or by check/cash. You can check to see who has paid by logging in with your student’s access code at www.apexfunrun.com and scrolling to the bottom to the list of pledges for your student. 

Thank you so much for making the Apex Fun Run such a wonderful event for our school! If you have any questions about pledges or need your student’s access code, please contact the school or email Apex at info@apexfunrun.com. 

Thanks for making this a great success and helping us reach our goal!
Lee PTO


CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT PLAN
Please remember to review this document before April 14 when Mary and April will be here for your feedback.


CLARITY SURVEY

Please complete this survey (you completed this at the beginning of the year and the district uses this as a comparative study.)  If you are a 3-5 grade Designer your learners need to complete it, too. It opens on Tuesday and must be completed by next Friday, April 14.  (Link and info will be coming from Alli the beginning of the next week)

THURSDAY
Safe travels to our fourth graders, Designers, Ashley, and chaperones as they head out bright and early for Austin.  We will have a guest Principal on campus this day.  Bret Shelby (Town Center AP) will be subbing in for the day.  Angela, Shanna, and I will be at the TEPSA secretary's luncheon in the late morning and afternoon.  We will also get our State School of Character Banner from TEPSA this day.  YAY!!!


CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
It is that time of the year where we recognize one individual from each class for their incredible character.  Please submit the name of one of your learners on this form.  Please customize and send the personalized letter to parents TODAY so that they have time to RSVP and order tickets if they will attend.  All Citizens of the Year will be recognized at the last Spirit Rally as well as at the Ballpark on May 17.

WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

(it is updated)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Flexibility- the ability to make adjustments or alter plans.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

A leader is able to change and adjust to different situations and settings with a positive attitude.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Expect the best.  Prepare for the worst.  Capitalize on what comes." -Zig Ziglar

DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 2- World Autism Awareness Day
April 3- Nelson Taylor Visits Lee
        RtI Meetings
April 4- Education Foundation T-shirt and Jeans
         Librarian Appreciation Day
         Nelson Taylor Visits Lee
        Clarity Survey Window Opens
        Dad's Club Meeting (7:00 Buffalo Wild Wings)
April 5- Nelson Taylor Visits Lee
         Jeans and College Shirt
         Mrs. Harris' Birthday
         Leadership Meeting (3:30-5:00)
April 6- 4th Grade Austin Field trip
          Rebekah's Birthday
          TEPSA Secretary's Luncheon
April 7- Spirit Stick Sales (Recess Time)
April 8- Megan's Birthday

Week of March 27

THANK YOU for "springing" back into the work week after our time off for Spring Break.  Our Green House music performance was precious and classroom visits this week were exceptional.  It is NEAT seeing new faces in the open spaces of the building.  Way to push some comfort zones (I guess that is ONE positive thing about state testing!)  The climate and culture you have established with our kiddos exudes such joy and happiness.  Please know how much it is noticed!  

THANK YOU, Special Education Support Staff.  We appreciate you beyond words and you are such valuable parts of our FamiLEE!

I apologize that I will be out, AGAIN, as strep has returned.  After a visit to Urgent Care, a steroid shot and more antibiotics, I  should be back to myself and ready to go for next week.  I appreciate your patience, understanding, and prayers.  I know you recognize how badly I hate to miss school.

DID YOU KNOW

• that Chantel and Ashley will visit your learners BEFORE you begin testing on STAAR Days?  We will visit EVERY testing space, spread a little positivity, and cheer them on to success.  Please do not start going over directions or pass out tests until we have visited your class or small group.  We will start those visits immediately after morning broadcast.  If your class needs a visit on Monday too, please schedule with Chantel.  We want them to be confident going into their tests and remind them how well you have prepared them.
• that breakfast will be provided for all staff on Tuesday, March 28, to get all of us fueled up for our first day of testing and noise control?  Please stop by the lounge.  THANK YOU for the school wide effort to support our learners, test administrators, and Angela.
• we are investigating having Spur Savings at Lee EVERY Thursday next year?  Stay tuned!
• Summer Professional Learning Opportunities in CISD are coming your way.  This image will give you some of the latest information.  Enrollment opens April 3. Here is a Listing of summer sessions and description of sessions.  I am trying to get information about K-2 and 3-5 Balanced Literacy dates.  I would love to send some more of you this year.  We have 2 more spots for anyone interested in going to Common Formative Assessment on June 13.  Email me if you are interested.

REMINDERS IN YOUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS

Please remind parents to purchase yearbooks before the price increases.  Yearbooks are still available to order! You can order online here (ID code: 13015817). Don't miss out!

Please remind parents to send in their pledge envelopes for the Apex Fun Run by sending this message:   Please help us by making sure that all sponsors have paid online or by check/cash.  You can check to see who has paid by logging in with your student’s access code at www.apexfunrun.com  and scrolling to the bottom to the list of pledges for your student. 

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. 

Want to work on questioning during Fed Ex time?  Come join Ashley and Jacque to dig deeper in the importance of quality questioning in instruction.  We will be learning about how to form essential questions for our learners and create quality questions for our upcoming lessons! We will be meeting in Karli & Priscilla's space. 

Alli will be hosting Digital Learning Practice during FedEx on Wednesday.  Keep an eye out for more details coming early next week!

SPRING CONFERENCES

You can begin your Spring Conferences at any time, now.  Please give due diligence to make contact with all parents to review their learners data and goal setting.  During your time together, I would encourage you to listen if parents would like to make a change in house for the 2017-2018 school year.  Maybe their learner is not working well with classmates?  Perhaps they need a change of classmates after three years?  Please write these requests down and EMAIL them to Chantel.  This makes sure that I have a second layer of documentation to double check when class lists are created.  In addition, remind parents to indicate the same information on the 2017-2018 Campus Enrollment letter that will be going home in April.  We do NOT take requests for house colors and we do our best to have siblings in the same house.  If you are a Blue Kinder, Green 2nd, or Red 4th grade Designer (ESPECIALLY FOURTH) parents need to know that we will do our BEST to keep as many learners in their house to loop up, but due to enrollment, there may need to be some learners moved into other houses.  Parents WILL be notified by campus administration before Meet the Designer Night, if their learner is being moved.  Please ask me if you have any questions!!!

WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

(not updated)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Compassion- the ability to share another's feelings or ideas.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

When a designer is having a serious conversation with a learners, don't look at that learner.  You wouldn't want your classmates looking at your in a similar situation.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"It is the weak who are cruel.  Gentleness can only be expected from the strong."  - Leo Roskin

DATES TO REMEMBER:
March 27-31 Kindergarten Registration
March 27- RJL Cares Shirt with Jeans
March 28- 4th STAAR Writing
         5th STAAR Math
March 29- Positive Post It Day
         5th STAAR Reading
         Fed Ex Day
March 30- Lee Learning Walk (8:15)
         4th Grade Chaperone Meeting (6:00)
         Buffalo Wild Wings Night
         Youth Art Month Reception (CHS)
March 31- Megan Sonnamaker's Birthday
         Spirit Stick Sales (Recess time)

Week of March 20

THANK YOU for pumping up our Fun Run and for participating with your learners.  Our success is because of YOU.  Thank you, Julie, for adding an additional motivator through PE.  We appreciate you. THANK YOU for an incredible Open House and for showcasing your children and their learning in such creative ways!  Have a wonderful Spring Break!  Be safe as you make memories with your loved ones and friends.  

DID YOU KNOW

• that confidential information is being printed (and sometimes left) on the copy machines.  Please be careful to pick up your items promptly.  
• there is a great blog post about morning work.  Do your kids have "morning work?" I hope this blog causes some reflection if you do. 
• we will clean out the refrigerator tomorrow at 1:30.  Please have your items out of there so they don't spoil over the week off.
• your technology is supposed to be locked in your storage closets over a break?  Please roll them in there and plug them in so your devices are charged when you return.
• we will have visitors from Apple with Ashley and I all day on Monday?  They will complete a tour and site visit and then work with Ashley and I on our research.  

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Please be patient with our front office when we return from Spring Break.  In addition to the number of families they will continue to enroll, they will also be registering new Kindergarteners through March 31.  THANK YOU!

REPORT CARDS
Report cards will go home March 24th, the Friday when we return from Spring Break.  Please have your grades in the system by 8:00 on Tuesday, March 21st.  Thank you!


PTO MEETING
Please have learners ready to present on Tuesday night.  We will have two presentations at the start of our meeting (Dr. Waldrip and our Shade Structure Representative) so our CBL presentations will not open this month's meeting.

INNOVATOR'S MINDSET

Please have chapters 13 an 14 read by March 22nd.  You will not have an assignment in Schoology before that date, but we will discuss those chapters and celebrate our learning at the staff meeting that afternoon! 

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 WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

(not updated)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Fortitude- strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

If someone in the class wins a game or does something well, we will congratulate that person.  If you win or do well at something, do not brag.  When you lose, do not show anger.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"He who knows others is wise.  He who knows himself is enlightened." -Lu Tzu

DATES TO REMEMBER:
March 12- Daylight Savings Time
March 13-17- SPRING BREAK!
March 20-31-  Kindergarten Registration
March 20-24- Special Education Support Staff Week
March 20- TELPAS Online Assessments
         Apple Research Visit
March 21- GEM Nominations Due
        World Downe Syndrome Day
        World Poetry Day
        3rd 9 Weeks Grades Due in System
        TELPAS Online Reading Assessment
         PTO Mtg. (6:30 Cafe)
March 22- Jeans and House Shirt
         Innovator's Mindset Chapters Due
         Staff Mtg. (3:30-5:00)
March 23- Spurs Savings (7:30-7:50)
          Green House Music Performance (8:15 and 6:30)
March 24- Social Spurs Luncheon
           Report Cards Go Home
           Claudia picks up graded TELPAS samples
           Spirit Stick Sales (Recess Time)

Week of March 6

THANK YOU for another AMAZING week at Lee.  You all outdid yourselves with your Dr. Seuss gear and class swapping.  It sounds like some of you returned to your space feeling quite grateful for your grade assignments.  (Well....there may be some of you that liked your substitute job better...)

DID YOU KNOW

• that next week is Spring Break?  Besides jeans permitted all week, here is a little humor to keep you going this last week.  YOU GOT THIS!

FUN RUN
Please plan on wearing your Fun Run t-shirt and walking/running with your learners during your half of the Fun Run.  You can have conference time the other half.  Before Thursday, as a house, please pair up your K-2 learners (or half your house) with a 3-5 learner (the other half).  When K-2 run, their 3-5 partner will stand around the outside perimeter of the track and mark each lap on their backpack.  When 3-5 runs, their K-2 partner will stand on the outside of the track and do the same.  I do not know which group will run first, so you will have to ask Electric Everrett which set they plan to run first.  THANK YOU for all you have been doing to hype up the event!  It is noticed!  


OPEN HOUSE
THANK YOU for the work that is already being put up for next week.  I can't wait to walk the building before Open House to take it all in!  Please wear your RJL year 3 shirt with jeans that night. Encourage parents to stop by the cafeteria to buy their child's artwork and to stop by the library, gym and music rooms, too.  Lastly, have a system in place for how you will manage the check in of technology before heading home at the conclusion of Open House.


SPIRIT RALLY
Friday morning we will recognize this 9 week's accomplishments.  There WILL be a Designer event at the end.  :)


APPLE TEACHER
We are a famiLEE of Apple Teachers!  Congratulations to everyone who has already completed badges for this program.  Once you become an Apple Teacher, join our famiLEE Wall of Fame by posting your signature to the media albums in this folder! Still need help getting started? Contact Alli!


RECYCLING
GREAT NEWS!  Karen's class is going to head up our campus paper recycling effort.  She and her learners will be visiting each room or house to let you know how they will manage this huge task.  We are excited for them to have their own CBL Solution and the way they will get to interact with every house.  Stay tuned.


INTERVIEWING
If you are interested in serving on our campus interview team (ALL are welcome), you must be trained by CISD.  Trainings are scheduled on March 7 (4:30-6:30), April 6 (4:00-6:00) and April 11 (4:00-6:00) in Euphoria under CISD Interview Training.  If you were trained last year, you do NOT have to be trained again!


2017-2018 SCHOOL HOURS
As you can see from the email sent by HR today, the elementary school hours have been adjusted.  I assure you I first learned about this at Tuesday's Principal's Meeting.  It was requested we wait for HR to send an email.  Please do NOT fret about the impact that has on your morning arrival time.  I have an idea that I will share in Team Times that will NOT change the arrival time that you have grown accustomed to this year.  BREATHE!!!


WEEKLY WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
We will be observing in a new Domain and Dimension the next several weeks.  3.3 Evaluates your classroom culture.  This goes BEAUTIFULLY with the Classroom Management Belief Statements we reflected on in Team Time this round.

THIS WEEK'S CURRICULUM COURIER

(no update)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Courage- strength to act even when afraid or uncertain

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:

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."  - Winston Churchill

DATES TO REMEMBER:

March 6-10 National School Breakfast Week
              TX Public Schools Week
March 6- Tour (9:00-10:00)
March 7- #TXEdTuesday
      Dad's Club Meeting (7:00 BWW)
March 8- TELPAS Testing
      Staff Meeting (All MUST Attend)
March 9- Hillary's Birthday
       Spurs Savings (7:30-7:50)
       Fun Run (during Specials) DAY ZERO
       Open House (6:00-7:30)
March 10- Last Day of 3rd 9 Weeks
       Spirit Rally (8:15 Gym)
       TELPAS Testing
       Spirit Stick Sales (Recess time)
March 13-17- SPRING BREAK!