Week of February 26, 2018

I have missed seeing everyone this week, but am having the time of my life in Iceland.  I can't wait to share our adventures when I return.  Thank you, ALL, for "holding down the fort" while I am away.  I will be back on campus on Tuesday.

POSITIVE PHONE CALLS
Please make sure that by the end of this week that you have made a positive call home to each learner in your class.   THANK YOU for going the extra mile- it will pay HUGE dividends!

TELPAS

Just a friendly reminder that we will be TELPAS testing this week  Please see the linked schedule.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Ann!  Thank you to those of you sharing your laptops.  Just a reminder that Enrichment and STEAM classrooms will be used and need to maintain a testing environment.  

FUN RUN IS COMING
Get ready for orange, blue, and excitement to start working its way through the building.  This group does a great job of teaching citizenship and being present on campus.  Please join us at 3:30, on Monday, in the Media Center flex space.  If you read the teacher playbook page I emailed, it will help answer questions and keep our meeting BRIEF.  The main take-away is the more you pump up Fun Run participation, the more $ you get to spend in your classrooms.  10% of what your class raises goes back to YOUR CLASS.  Next Monday's pep rally, in the gym, will get the kids excited and they will go home with their pledge packs.

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, and share what you learned during your time in order to get credit for your hour.  We will host:

• Apple in the Classroom, We say YES! with Alli
• Math and Science Exemplars with Jacque

STUDENT SERVICES SURVEY

CISD has requested that 3-5 graders take the following survey.  It will take less than 10 minutes and must be completed by February 28.  THANK YOU to those who already completed these!

RED AND BLACK SUPERSTARS
Please turn in at least one nomination for a learner or staff member by Friday.  We will announce these at our next Spirit Rally.


READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY
Will you be Thing 1 or Thing 2?  
Maybe Dr. Seuss or Horton Hears a Who?  
Whichever you like, we hope you'll join in.  
It is sure to bring a smile and a grin!

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This we will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

CISD CURRICULUM COURIER

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK:

Break Up Your Writing Time into Smaller Chunks

Break up your total writing time into smaller chunks.  Set a goal for yourself (numbers of lines or words).  Set a timer or watch the clock.  Write!  Consider if you’ve met your goal or you need to adjust it fo the next five minutes. Challenge yourself to outgrow your best each time.  (Taken from The Writing Strategies Book by Serravallo)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Initiative- taking action; originating new ideas

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Strong leaders take responsibility for events and believe that they can have an effect on outcomes and conditions.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"If an opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." -Milton Berle

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb 26-March 9- TELPAS Writing Samples Collected
Feb 26-March 2- TELPAS Testing
Feb 26- RtI Meetings
     FUN RUN Teacher Huddle (3:30 Flex Space)
Feb 27- Garden Gurus (2:00 Media Center)
     Mentor Meeting (3:30)
Feb 28- House Shirt and Jeans
     BWW Night Blue House
     3-5 Student Surveys Due
     New Learner Lunches
     Melissa's Bridal Shower (3:15)
     Fed Ex Day (3:30-4:30)
Mar 1- Green House in charge of Lounge
     World of Music Performance (8:15 and 6:30)
     STAAR Module Certificates Due to Angela
Mar 2- Read Across America Day
     Red and Black Superstar Nominations Due
     Spirit Stick Sales

Week of February 19, 2018

What a loveLEE week it has been at Lee!  Thank you for showing each other and our learners so much love.  You put so much into each and every effort and it shows.  I will be here tomorrow, but gone the entire next week, so please text Ashley and Leigh Ann with any last minute absences, arrivals, or needs.  I will be out of the country and will return on Tuesday, the 27th.

DID YOU KNOW

• Mr. Hunt and Mrs. Streeter will be at Lee tomorrow.  They will be walking the building with me from 12:30-1:30.  Please work on learner volume in the building!
• Claudia's Smore is updated and covers TELPAS and ELLevation?  Check it out here.
• Jacque's blog is updated and supports our campus goal of questioning?  Check it out here.
• that you can still submit a GEM for a Lee staff member?  Please go into Eduphoria Formspace and submit one.  The deadline is approaching.
• it is that time of year to make positive contact with your learners and their families at home? Please take time in the next two weeks to make a positive call home to each learner in your class.  

CISD PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Monday is Professional Learning Day.  Please refer to the email I forwarded on Friday, February 9, from Laurie O'Neill.  Feel free to wear jeans and remember you represent our campus!  When you are back on campus in the afternoon (12:30-3:30), you are are to work in your grade levels on future menu guiding activities.  Focus on rigor of experience, ELL strategies, extension activities for those who already "know it" and review for those who "don't."  Please ensure there are accountability pieces in place like items to turn in, reflections, posts, and expectations for learners to reflect on each others' posts.  If you have questions, Ashley, Leigh Ann, Ayesha, Claudia, and Jacque will be coming by throughout the afternoon.  Please, also share the menus you create with all of us so we can give feedback and see the work you have accomplished.  Let's finish the last part of the year with some awesome menus/guiding activities!  

TELPAS

Just a friendly reminder that we will be TELPAS testing the week of February 26th.  Please see the linked schedule.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Ann!  Thank you to those of you sharing your laptops.  Remember that STEAM and Enrichment will be in your houses during TELPAS testing.

SIX FLAGS READ TO SUCCEED

Please make sure you turn in a complete list of names to Melinda so that she can secure your tickets.

STAFF MEETING

Enjoy the gift of time!  We will not have a staff meeting this week.  

LEE LEARNING WALK

Please remind parents in your newsletters that we host one of these walks this Thursday.  This is a chance for parents to walk the building with campus administrators and for them to see what learning looks like during the day.  It is an AWESOME way to dispel misconceptions like our learners are on technology the entire day!

STUDENT SERVICES SURVEY

CISD has requested that 3rd-5th graders take the following survey.  It will take less than 10 minutes and must be completed by February 28.  

TECH KNOW THURSDAY

Please remind parents to come to Tech Know Thursday this week.  They can view the course catalog here.  The Peach Jar flyer link is not working, sorry.  Please make sure your presentations are public and sign in to this event in the front office.  This will count towards the hours you need for June 1.

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

CISD CURRICULUM COURIER

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK:

Silence the “It’s No Good” Voice

Be aware of a voice in your head that keeps you from starting (or continuing) your writing.  Write without stopping the pencil or pen.  When you hear the voice urging you to stop, silence it.  Redirect your energy back to the page. (Taken from The Writing Strategies Book by Serravallo)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Risk-taking- exposure to possible loss or injury

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Live so that you will never have regrets.  If there is something you want to do, DO IT!

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"If you shoot for the moon and miss, at least you'll be one of the stars." -Les Brown

DATES TO REMEMBER:
February 19-March 9: Collect TELPAS Writing Samples
Feb 19- Kamille's Birthday
     CISD Professional Learning Day
Feb 20- Ed Foundation shirt and jeans
     Six Flags Read to Succeed Logs Due
     TELPAS Calibration Training (3:30)
     Stop Collab and Listen (1, 3, 5)
Feb 21- TELPAS Practice
     Dad's Club Teacher Breakfast
     School Shirt and Jeans
     NO Staff Meeting
Feb 22- TELPAS Practice
     American Heart Assos shirt and jeans
     Digital Learning Day
     Lee Learning Walk
     Stop Collab and Listen (K, 2, 4)
     TechKNOW Thursday (6:00-7:30)
Feb 23- Spirit Stick Sales

Week of February 12, 2018

Thank you for the wonderful PLC work I have been hearing about during your Team Times.  Ashley and Jacque have been bragging about the learner and professional growth conversations that are happening.  WAY TO GO!  We appreciate your flexibility with the large tours that have been coming through the building.  Our Board Walk went beautifully.  CMSW Educators were impressed. Huffman ISD continues to be inspired.  Please know what an amazing impact you are having on the people who tour through our building!  

DID YOU KNOW

• that there is a possibility that Nelson will be back on campus on March 6-8, April 17-19, or in May?  It is in the planning stages, and I will keep you posted as I learn more from the district!
• that the Fun Run is quickly approaching?  I will be forwarding an email from APEX so that you are informed of how you can help support this fundraising effort.  Remember you get 10% of what your class earns for use on items of your choice!  All Fun Run dates are on the staff calendar.  Pay attention to the Teacher Huddle (2/26), Pep Rally (3/5), and Fun Run (3/23) dates. 
• we have something special planned for you each Friday in February?  The fun starts tomorrow!

                           

MORNING ARRIVAL

Please be mindful to be at school by 7:10 each morning.  You are doing a great job of texting if you are stuck in traffic, but we need a friendly reminder to everyone to be here on time.  Thank you for your cooperation.

VALENTINES DAY

Wednesday will be a Day 1.  First Grade will meet on Day 7 (Tues) this week and Specials will meet on Day 1 (Wed) during class parties.  Please look at the Winter/Valentine Party tab for the day's schedule.  Purple House- THANK YOU for your lunch flexibility so that we can be ready for the Cyber Bullying program ,at 1:00, in the cafe.

If you receive Valentine candy that you want to donate to River Oaks Assisted Living, send it down to the office, on Thursday, so that we can deliver it for you.

STUDENT SERVICES SURVEY

CISD has requested that 3-5 graders take the following survey.  It will take less than 10 minutes and must be completed by February 28.  

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we start a new focus for our walkthroughs.  We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

CISD CURRICULUM COURIER

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK:

Use the Room

When you feel stuck, scan the walls of the classroom.  Search for a chart or piece of work that shows the same thing you’re working on as a writer.  Think about the step of your process, and the work you’re trying.  Take a tip from one of the charts, and get back to work!  
(Taken from The Writing Strategies Book by Serravallo)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Love- unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for others; warm attachment

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Love your neighbor as yourself.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." -Mother Teresa

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb 12-16: School Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Feb 12- iPad Rollout to Lee Support Staff
     Purple House Music Performance (8:15 and 6:30)
Feb 13- TELPAS Calibration (3:30-4:45 Cindy's Space)
     Mentor Meeting (3:30)
     PTO Mtg. (7:00 Cafe)
Feb 14- Valentine's Day
     Convocation Tshirt and Jeans
     Cyberbullying Program (1:00 Cafe)
     Valentine Parties (2:00)
Feb 15- Bethany's Birthday
     American Heart Assos shirt and jeans
     Spur Savings (7:20-7:40)
     Coppell Leadership Tour (1:00)
     Dr. Rozas and Sammy the Shark (1:15)
Feb 16- Spirit Stick Sales

Week of February 5, 2018

Thank you for a WONDERFUL WEEK!  You all BLEW UP our Twitter feed this week with the incredible experiences you designed for your learners.  Please know it is noticed and gives everyone a glimpse into how awesome you are.  THANK YOU for that!   There are opportunities to wear jeans every day next week, so ENJOY being comfortable! 

DID YOU KNOW:

• we have TWO very important tours this week?  Of course you do! 
• many areas of the building are being repainted due to damage or wear and tear.  PLEASE review  not touching or leaning on walls and windows when transitioning through the building at all times.  We will also mention on morning broadcast.  We need this to be a team effort so it is a good thing that COOPERATION is our character trait of the week!
• we will take a staff picture for yearbook before staff meeting on Wednesday?  Please wear your pink school shirt for the picture.

LEEDERSHIP MEETING

We will have a BRIEF LEEdership Meeting on Monday at 8:15.  We will be reviewing our Valogram sales that will take place on Friday, Februrary 9, in place of Spirit Sticks.  Stay tuned!

STAFF MEETING

Please plan on ALL staff attending staff meeting on Wednesday.  We have mandatory campus STAAR training.  

STUDENT SERVICES SURVEY

CISD has requested that 3-5 graders take the following survey.  It will take less than 10 minutes and must be completed by February 28.  

IPAD/MACBOOK REPAIRS

If you have a damaged shared iPad or MacBook, we need to know NOW so we can get it repaired.  Please put a help desk ticket ASAP.  THANK YOU!

LEADERSHIP MEETING IN TWO WEEKS

We love our campus leaders very much, but there is NO WAY we would have you meet on Valentine's Day.  Please enjoy the gift of time.  We will meet again on March 21.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, let Chantel know.  I wanted to let you know in advance so you can enjoy that night.

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we start a new focus for our walkthroughs.  We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

CISD CURRICULUM COURIER

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK:

Point Around the Pictures

When you read back your writing to someone else, try to point around the picture.  When your finger lands on a part, say all you can about that part.  (Taken from The Writing Strategies Book by Serravallo)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Cooperation- working together

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

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

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

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

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb 5- 100th Day of School
     RtI Meetings
     LEEdership Mtg. (8:15 Cafe)
Feb 6- Education Foundation Shirt and Jeans
     Board Walks (12:30-3:30)
     TELPAS Training (3:30-4:45)
     Dad's Club Mtg (7:00- BWW)
Feb 7- College Shirt and Jeans
     K-2 Math Educator Academy
     Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00 Hillary's Space)
Feb 8- American Heart Assos Shirt and Jeans
     3-5 Math Educator Academy
     Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40)
     Huffman ISD Tours (8:30-12:30)
Feb 9- Kylie's Birthday
     Progress Reports go home
     Val-o-gram Sales