Week of January 7, 2019

We hope you have enjoyed our December to Remember.  How can it already be done??!!!  This year has been going by SO FAST!!   Have a REMARKABLE TWO WEEKS OFF, sweet staff.  We wish you nothing short of the most safe, memorable, and restful break and can't wait to hear about the FUN you have.

Best wishes, Julie, as you start your new part time gig!  You have been with us since opening, and we will miss your helpful spirit, spunky humor and presence.  Please welcome Aparna Rao as our new media center aide.  She will start on January 7.

A fond farewell goes out to Ashley.  She has done an EXCEPTIONAL JOB of taking care of our campus (and me!) for the last two and a half years.  Ashley, we are grateful, beyond words, for the way you have led and grown our campus.  We wish you  the best on your new adventure with Canyon Ranch and can't wait for you to take care of some of our Spurs next year!!! 

I am excited to announce that Leigh Ann will be here FULL TIME, starting January 7.  It is going to be a treat for her to be on one campus and fully immersing her into the culture of one building.  

Congratulations to Meghan W. and Nikki!  These first year teachers have done an incredible job with their first class of their own.  Kudos to this year's new hires: Stormy, Misty, Kathy, Ameira, and Shelby.  You have made it to Christmas!  We are so proud of you and the journey you are on with us!  We can't forget to acknowledge our new support staff members, too: Delorise, Kristi, Christina, Susie- we can't do what we do without each of you!  Thank you, returning staff, for pouring into our newest FamiLEE members the first two nine weeks and helping them along the way!  THANK YOU, each of you, for choosing Lee!  

Have the BEST last day of 2018 with our children.  They deserve it!

DID YOU KNOW:

• you only have a few more weeks to get your Go Red shirt?  Donate $20 and get a shirt to wear jeans with every Monday in February.
• it is time for learners to sign up for their new Team Time?  Watch this video with them (same as what was on Lee Live on Thursday) and fill out the Google Form for them before leaving on Friday. 

BEFORE LEAVING ON FRIDAY       

1. Please get any items form the fridge by 10:00.  The office will be tossing anything "suspect."
2. Please, also visit your mailbox by 11:00.  Empty it of all contents.  There are many thank you notes in there. Please make sure these get in take home folders.  
3. Custodial does a deep cleaning of the campus these next two weeks.  May I suggest a FRESH START and take everything down off your idea paint so that your room gets cleaned as much as possible.  Erase what you can on your glass- you may return to some shiny glass if you do!  PLEASE take down and store any holiday displays and decorations before leaving.  
4. If you have pets, please take them home with you or let Chantel know your plans for the two weeks. 
5. Please change your computer password, before leaving campus, so you don't get locked out over the break. 
6. Make sure all projectors, computers, digital signage and tv's are turned off before leaving.
7. iPads and MacBooks should be plugged in for charging.  

SPIRIT ASSEMBLY
We will start at 8:15.  Purple and Yellow, please sit in front of the bleachers so your learners have a good view of Spirit Rally.

LUNCHES ON FRIDAY:

We will have lunches in your spaces on December 21.

EARLY RELEASE
Please assist us with any learners that are not picked up on time.  We will make an announcement when all learners are gone so that you may leave and start your holiday break.  Please wait for the announcement before leaving.

REMINDER
Don't forget!  Grades are due January 7th, the Monday we return from winter break.  Please go into e-school this week to make sure you are able to enter grades, have all of your learners, etc. so that if Leigh Ann needs to correct anything, it can be done before the holiday.  Also, if you enter grades over the break, please remember that they must be back-dated to a date before December 21st or they will not save.

iSTATION
As mentioned in last week's CISD Newsletter, please take time to send log in information to the parents/guardians of learners for use at home.  This link will give you directions for enabling the parent portal access to parent letters for accessing iStation at home. 


RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
Please make sure you participate in the Twitter Slow Chat so you can get flex credit for our Book Study.  Also, you should have your class Respect/Trust Agreements completed and posted before leaving for the Winter Break.

PTO MEETING
Don't forget to have someone prepared to give your house CBL Update on the Tuesday we get back from the break.  The meeting starts at 7:00.


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 complete this form at the conclusion of your learning session on Wednesday.  The form will open at 4:30. 

PET PROJECT

We have another challenge that learners are trying to actualize.  Please share this flyer with your parents for the next couple of weeks.  We appreciate you "advertising" the learner designed projects.  They will deliver supplies collected to the Coppell Animal Shelter on 

LEE OUTLOOK
Do you have a 3rd - 5th grader interested in joining our student generated newspaper that will begin in Spring 2019?  Apply by January 18.  (The link is not live on the PDF flyer)

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Commitment- keeping a promise or pledge

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Be committed to your family, friends, and your values.  Follow through with your responsibilities at school and at home.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Go put your creed into deed." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec 21-Jan 6-  NO SCHOOL
Dec 29- Ashley's Birthday
Jan 1- Red House Lounge Responsibilities
Jan 7- May's Birthday
     MOY Assessment Window Opens
     Kids Heart Challenge Begins (Formally known as Jump Rope For Heart)
     Grades Due (8:00 am)
Jan 8- CISD Education Foundation Shirt w/ Jeans
     PTO Mtg. (7:00 Cafe)
Jan 9- College Shirt Day
     Karli's Birthday
     Priscilla's Birthday
     Rikki's Birthday
     Fed Ex Day / Lucy Calkins Cohort (3:30-4:30)
     Dad's Club Mtg. (7:00 pm)
Jan 10- Last Day to order Go Red Shirts
     Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40 Cafe)
Jan 11- Report Card Day

Week of December 17, 2018

We want you to have the BEST final week of school for 2018 and to ENJOY an incredible two weeks off as you take time to celebrate the happiness of the giving season and make memories with those you love.  We will miss you during the break, and be happy to catch up in the new year!  Happy Holidays from your Lee Spurs (thank you Jessica!).

DID YOU KNOW:

• we have TWO GEMS being recognized at Monday night's Board Meeting?  Congratulations to Samira and Rikki for being Great Educators that Matter!  Please come to the Board Room at  5:30 to cheer them on!
• that Lee got a $500 donation for hosting the 40 person tour about a month ago?  THANKS, again, to those that participated and shared their spaces.  We will have to find something wonderful to get for our school!
• Kasey has updated her Bulb?  Check out her resources page.  She has shared information on different tools for building digital portfolio content and publishing work in Bulb.
• Purple 2 is heading up our Box Top collections?  Please share this collection form with your parents. 
• we have extra long sleeve Spur shirts from last year's December to Remember?  If you would like one, they are on the chairs in Leigh Ann's office.  Please don't blame the Babe's luncheon if you have to go up a couple of sizes.  (I think they were made for toddlers.)  We suggest you try it on before you take one.
• speaking of Babe's...there are some leftovers if you would like to have some for lunch?
• we have learners who are collecting stuffed animals and cards for children at Shriner's Hospital as part of their "Spark a Movement" challenge?  Please share this flyer they created and encourage your learners to bring a stuffed animal to school, next week, that they can donate to a child having surgery.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Please plan on going to the CISD Open House during your conference time on Friday.  If you are an hourly employee, please work with your supervising teacher to arrange a time to go over.  You will NOT want to miss this fun event! 

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL HOT COCOA SALE

Please remind learners to bring their dollars to recess time tomorrow so they can get their cup of hot cocoa from LEEdership Council.


DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
Congratulations, Bethany, for finding our Selfie Elfie on the first day and tweeting out.  Good luck!!! She has hidden it for day two.  I have to admit is was funny watching some of you competitive ones search and have fun this morning.

SECRET SANTA

Thank you to Social Spurs for organizing our Secret Santa gift exchange.  Drawing of names will happen on Friday, after school, and gift giving will occur December 17-21.  Click here to sign up to participate. 

ECONOMICS FAIR
Third grade will host their Economic's Fair on Wednesday.  Please let parents know that this is an entrepreneurial experience for our children that also supports their financial literacy objectives.  Check out the schedule they have designed for that morning.

STAFF HOLIDAY PARTY

You may remember how much FUN this was last year.  We hope everyone can join us for some time together outside of school.  This is NOT a school sponsored event, so you are free to have "tea."

GRINCH MOVIE DATE

What FUN it will be to take our learners to the movie on Thursday.  If you have a learner not attending, please let Chantel know so we can work out supervision for the child.  We will plan on loading the buses between 11:00-11:15.  The movie start time is 11:45, and the movie should end at 1:15.  We will load the buses as we plan to be back for our parties right at 2:00.  Learners will eat lunches in your spaces from 10:30-11:00 and need to be packed up for the end of the day, before we leave for the movies.  If you are a Specialist or Support Staff member, we are excited to have you join your house for the movie.  Please get with your Leadership member to see if there are any learners in the house that they need extra help with.  Those staff members with children, please help in your child's house so you can enjoy the movie with them.  Our Admin Team is happy to lend a hand, too, if you have friends who need to sit next to one of us.

SPIRIT ASSEMBLY
Please invite parents to attend our event on Friday.  We will start at 8:15.  Red and Black Superstars (I am having the office email you, if you have a winner) and Yearbook winners (Jessica will inform you) will be announced.  We also have some festive games for you to join in- BE READY!

LUNCHES ON DECEMBER 21:

We will have lunches in your spaces on December 21.

EARLY RELEASE 

Friday is a half day of school.  The elementary school early release time is 12:15.  Please communicate this to your parents.  You may leave once the office is clear of ALL learners.  We will need all hands on deck to make sure learners get home the proper way so EVERYONE can leave early.  

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
Please make sure you participate in the Twitter Slow Chat so you can get flex credit for our Book Study.  Also, you should have your class Respect/Trust Agreements completed and posted before leaving for the Winter Break.


SMART WATCHES AND DEVICES
Please share this with your parents in this week's newsletter:  As stated in our Elementary Student Handbook:
Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Mobile Telephones.  For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess personal mobile telephones; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes. A student must have approval to possess other telecommunications devices such as netbooks, laptops, tablets, or other portable computers.  

This includes smart watches with cameras, video recorders, texting and gaming capabilities.  We kindly request these stay home ore remain in your learner's backpack during the school day. 

REMINDER

Don't forget!  Grades are due January 7th, the Monday we return from winter break.  Please go into e-school this week to make sure you are able to enter grades, have all of your learners, etc. so that if Leigh Ann needs to correct anything, it can be done before the holiday.  Also, if you enter grades over the break, please remember that they must be back-dated to a date before December 21st or they will not save.

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Trustworthiness- keeping your word; doing what is right for yourself and others.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

People trust you when your attitudes, words and motives align with what you actually choose to do.  This includes being honest about mistakes, refusing to gossip and shift blame, and doing things that ethical way (even if it's quicker to do otherwise).

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Stand with anybody that stands right.  Stand with him while he is right, and part with him when e goes wrong." -Abraham Lincoln

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec 13-Dec 19- Stuffed Animal Drive
Dec 15- #rjlcares Volunteer Opportunity (8:30)
Dec 17- Teddy Bear Drive Day (Purple Solution)
     Winter Choir Performance (8:10 Cafe)
     GEMS Recognized (5:30 Admin Bldg.)
     School Board Mtg (7:00 Admin Bldg.)
Dec 18- Breakfast from Yellow House Family
     "Toasty Tuesday" (wear your PJs)
     Winter Choir Performance (6:30 Cafe)
Dec 19- Ayesha's Birthday
     Economic's Fair
     New Learner Lunches
     PTO Holiday Luncheon!!!
     Staff Holiday Party (4:00-6:00)
Dec 20- Grinch Day (Wear your Grinch Green)
     Spurs Savings (7:10-7:40)
     Lee Learning Walk (8:00)
     Grinch Movie Date (12:00-2:00)
     Winter Parties (2:00-3:00)
Dec 21- Breakfast from IBC
     Spirit Rally (8:15 Gym)
     Early Release (12:15)
Dec 22-Jan 6- WINTER BREAK
Jan 7- Day 1

Week of December 10, 2018

We hope you are looking forward to one more week of treats from Ashley, Leigh Ann, and I.  It is SO MUCH FUN planning out ways to show you how much we care for you!  You are the BEST staff on the planet and deserve to be celebrated!  Thank you for the incredible coding opportunities for our kiddos this week.  Your tweets were fantastic!  It was awesome being able to see the opportunities our kids had all the way from Allaso Ranch.

DID YOU KNOW:

• Bulb digital portfolio due dates is delayed for grades K-1 because the iPad app is not 100%?  The new due date is Spring Break. 
• we have an adjusted schedule for Monday due to visits from CMSW Band and Choir and CHS Madrigals?  Please check out the schedule here (4th tab).  The events will happen in the gym. 
• the SHAC Committee has created the 12 Days of Fitness?  Please share with your famiLEEs. 

DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
Don't forget that you can wear jeans the entire month of December.  Please tweet out what you enjoy with #DecemberToRemember and #rjlyear5

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Please plan on going to the CISD Open House during your conference time on Friday.  If you are an hourly employee, please work with your supervising teacher to arrange a time to go over.  You will NOT want to miss this fun event!

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL HOT COCOA SALE

Please let your parents know that LEEdership Council will be selling hot cocoa on Friday during recess time.  

ECONOMICS FAIR

Please encourage your learners to join in supporting our 3rd graders with their Economic's Fair on December 19.  There will be a modified schedule for this day.

REMINDER

Don't forget!  Grades are due January 7th, the Monday we return from winter break.  Please go into e-school this week to make sure you are able to enter grades, have all of your learners, etc. so that if Ashley or Leigh Ann need to correct anything, it can be done before the holiday.  Also, if you enter grades over the break, please remember that they must be back-dated to a date before December 21st or they will not save.

HOLIDY PARTY

Thank you to our Sunshine Spurs for planning our staff holiday party.  Please RSVP, by next Friday, here.

SECRET SANTA

Thank you to Social Spurs for organizing our Secret Santa gift exchange.  Drawing of names will happen on Friday, December 14, after school, and gift giving will occur December 17-21.  Click here to sign up to participate. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations, Priscilla, for being awarded a CISD Education Foundation Grant for a 3D Printer for our school.  We are so excited for you!

HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE
Some of our local organizations have already been preparing for the holidays and would like to extend their help to families if they are in a time of need.  Please reach out to our school nurse, Ameira Olayan, or Angela Garvin, the school counselor,  by Monday, December 10th, if your family would like some assistance.


RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
Please make sure you participate in the Twitter Slow Chat so you can get flex credit for our Book Study.

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Generosity- freely giving of time or resource.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.  Go out of your way to do something surprisingly kind and generous for someone at least once a month.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"We make a living by what we get and a life by what we give!" -Winston Churchill

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec 10- April's Birthday
     Day 7
     RtI Meetings
     CMSW Band and Choir Visit (1:30 Gym)
     Madrigal Visit (2:40 Gym)
Dec 11- Julie B's Birthday
     Day 6
Dec 12- Convocation t-shirt and Jeans
     Spelling Bee (3:30-4:30 Media Center Flex)
Dec 13- Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40 Cafe)
     Purple House Winter Music Program (8:10 and 6:30 Cafe)
Dec 14- LEEdership Council Hot Cocoa Sale (Recess Time)
     Lunch orders due for 12/20 and 12/21
     CISD Holiday Open House (during your conference time)
     Green House Field Trip (Perot Museum)
Dec 15- #rjlcares Volunteer Opportunity (8:30)