Week of December 2, 2019

I have ALL the feels tonight as I reflect about our week.  WHAT A WEEK OF LEARNING!  The conversations, lessons, collaboration and use of the building that have taken place this week remind me of WHY I enjoy leading OUR SCHOOL and each of you.  I am so proud of the staff that helped lead this week's Staff Meeting.  Many of you you implemented learning from Wednesday's staff meeting THE VERY NEXT DAY.  If that isn't awesome, I don't know what is?!  Lastly, thank you for taking the time to show someone in the building a bit of gratitude on Thankful Thursday.  Words are powerful and we need to lift each other up.  There are more feathers in my mailbox if you feel inclined to spread more gratitude.

Ladies, I mean this to the core of my heart, I am so impressed by you!  THANK YOU for your hard work, THANK YOU for trying new things, THANK YOU for doing this all for our children!  There is no doubt you love them and our school so very much.

Please REST over the break.  DO NOT WORK OR THINK ABOUT SCHOOL!  Take time for yourself and reflect on how incredible you are.  Leigh Ann and I cannot wait to show you how much we care during December to Remember.  When you return it will be here!  Get READY!

DID YOU KNOW:

• that you can personalize assignments on iStation now? Have a learner that needs to work on Vocabulary, but aren't sure how you can use iStation to help? Ask L'Oreal (B5) or Laura (Y5B) if you want to learn more! Better yet...attend a Fed Ex session on iStation on Wedensday.
• there is an article about the new apartments that will be adjacent to Lee Elementary?
• our staff Christmas party will be held at Cane Rosso on Wednesday, Dec. 18? Stay tuned for more information from Social Spurs.
• that the board has approved funds for safety blinds and ceramic wall panels (like the ones at CMSW and CRE) for our school? The panels alone cost $80,000!!! Stay tuned for install details.
• GEMS are due Friday?
• the CISD Ed Foundation Red and Black Superstar nomination window is open and are due December 6? Please nominate at least one learner.
• Jacque will be offering a coaching session about Patterns of Power and/or Pulling Reports on DreamBox? Sign up here if you are interested! 
• we have new Spheros and other robotics from CISD on campus? If you want to learn more, ask Priscilla!
• that early dismissal time for December 20 is 12:15?  Start telling your parents, NOW!
• the district will Go Red for staff wellness the month of February? For a link to order your Go Red t-shirt (credit card only) and show your support during the Month of Mondays in February - American Heart Month - simply text DHCCOPPELL to 41444. 

DRUMLINE VISIT TOMORROW
So....we have the talented and award winning CHS Drumline coming to see us TOMORROW at 10:00.  If you are interested in bringing your class to hear them, please come down to the gym and sit in Spirit Rally spots when called over the intercom.

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.  Please complete this form at the conclusion of your learning session.  The form will open at 4:30.  We will have sessions available on iStation and Schoology.  The two Schoology sessions are: 

• Schoology Basics-Facilitated by Brad Cook: Accessing Schoology, Understanding the differences between Courses and Groups, Inserting Content (Files/links, Pages, Discussions, Media Albums)

• Schoology Advanced-Facilitated by Monica Champagne: Creating Assignments and Assessments, Attaching Rubrics, Tracking Mastery of Standards

LET IT GO, AGAIN
We have exciting news! We will be taking the ENTIRE school on a field trip to see the new Frozen 2 movie on Thursday, December 19 (our class Winter Party day). Please share this information with your parents and begin collecting $7 per learner. Here is the form to document who has paid. We will either eat lunch (well BRUNCH), on campus, before leaving for the show. Please find out who will need a school sack lunch this day, as well.

MACY'S BELIEVE LETTERS TO SANTA

Want an authentic writing experience for your learners?  For every letter to Santa receives through Christmas Eve, Macy's will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million. Need inspiration for your letter to Santa? Let Violet's video explain how your letters make a difference.  If you'd like to participate, please have your kids bring their finished letters in the mailbox in the office by 3:05 Friday, December 13th. You can also have learners send letters digitally and/or you can print letterhead here.  Feel free to use the hashtag #MacysBelieve to promote this event.

LUNCHES ON DECEMBER 21:

We will have lunches in your spaces on December 20.  Please take time to find out what your learners plan to eat so that our cafeteria can place an order that meets our needs and not have left over food for the break.  Please complete this form by December 13.  THANKS for your help on this!

ESL THIS WEEK

Claudia and Stormy will begin the ESL book study over Sheltered Instruction in Texas, once we return from break. Locate your book now and begin reviewing chapter 1. Each week we will take 5 minutes to review one chapter (there are 6 chapters). At the end of the book study, you will have the opportunity to earn 6 flex hours by completing various activities in Schoology. Course Code: ZCZM-MFCQ-PXRPG

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Week of Nov 25-29- NO SCHOOL
     Maintenance and Grounds Appreciation Week
     National Inclusive Schools Week
     National Handwashing Awareness Week
Dec 2- iStation ISIP must be done this week
Dec 3- Education Foundation t-shirt and jeans
     Choir performs at Northpark Mall
      PTO Meeting (6:30)
Dec 4- College Shirt Day
     Allaso Ranch Trip
     Fed Ex Day (3:30-4:30)
Dec 5- Allaso Ranch Trip
Dec 6- Allaso Ranch Trip
     Red and Black Super Stars Due
     Coppell Gifted Association Writing Contest Deadline

Week of November 18, 2019

Thank you for taking the time to spread some love to your peers with our gratitude cards.  If you need more, they are in my office.  We appreciate you taking the time to show one another kindness and make Lee a GRATEFUL place!  All of us can use a word of encouragement and praise!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am reflecting about they many blessings at our school.  Every one of you are a blessing to me in your own unique ways.  You are not taken for granted and are appreciated beyond measure.  Each of you choose to come to Lee and work hard, daily, to bring our school building to life for our learners.  Your passion for learning, your flexibility and your heart shines in all you do.  

We hope you are gearing up for "December to Remember."  We cannot wait to remind you why we are GRATEFUL that YOU are at Lee and are having fun planning ways to show you!

DID YOU KNOW:

• that learners who are registered on Imagine Learning from Claudia and Stormy should be getting at least 60 minutes a week of time? Please make sure they are getting this in. 
• we received the sweetest card from one of our tours?  Please read it- it is all about YOU and the amazing job you do!  

• that last night's tour went so well?  It is because of YOU that people working on their doctorates were inspired and challenged.  THANK YOU for having your spaces so tidy and for wall walking your spaces.  IT SHOWED!
• that today is Rhonda's last day as a long term sub on campus?  Rhonda, we are going to miss seeing your face EVERY day, but we know you will be back.  Once a Spur, always a Spur!  THANK YOU for extending your stay and for the impact you have made with our learners and staff!  We are so GRATEFUL for YOU!

THANKSGIVING FEAST
All families are invited to join their learner for a traditional Thanksgiving Lunch, on Thursday, Nov 21, during their child’s lunch time.  The cost of a school lunch is $3.50, for guests, and will be easiest if guests use their learner's lunch account when purchasing.  If parents are planning to attend they can sign up here to avoid waiting in lines. 

PANORAMA SURVEY FOR THIRD -> FIFTH GRADE

3-5 Designers, please have your learners complete the Panorama survey by November 22.  Please read this important document about it from CISD.

GEMS

This award is intended to celebrate educators who go above and beyond their normal job duties and expectations to make a difference in the lives of their students.   The winners are recognized at the school board, and we would love to have Lee represented!!  The deadline is November 22 and forms can be found in Formspace.  Go to "formspace" then "my forms" then  "submit new form" in the bottom left corner.  Click on "student and staff services department" to get a blank form.  Fill it out completely, then hit "submit form."  We have SO MANY GEMS at Lee!

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 5:  Monitor and Adjust.  We will be looking for evidence of how you are managing and monitoring learner engagement.  Are you noticing when you need to adjust pacing?  Are you scaffolding your questioning?  How are you checking for understanding along the way?  

ESL AT LEE

Writing and Speaking for ELs can be improved through intentional use of technology. CLICK HERE for link to the EL Digital Toolbox

Feature: Buncee - Buncee is an interactive presentation tool. Buncee allows educators and learners to create multimedia presentations using a multitude of design elements including voice recordings, graphics, animations, and more! Some implementation ideas include: Learners create a Buncee comparing their personal traits with those of a character in a story. Learners work collaboratively to describe an ecosystem or biome.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Nov- 15- Cassie gets married!  CONGRATULATIONS Cassie and Joe!
Nov 17- Chantel's Birthday
Nov 18- Welcome back Meghan Wood!
Nov 19-  CISD Ed Foundation t-shirt and jeans
Nov 20-  School Shirt and jeans
     Staff Meeting (Cassie's Space 3:30-5:00)
     Parent Book Study (6:00-7:00 Media Center)
Nov 21- Spur Savings (7:20-7:40)
     Lee Learning Walk (8:00)
     Thanksgiving Feast (Lunchtimes)
Nov 22- GEMS Due
     3-5 Panorama Surveys Due
     LEEdership Council Meeting (8:15 Cafe)
     LEEdership Pie in a Cup Sale (Recess Times)
     Jacque's Birthday
Nov 25-29- NO SCHOOL

Week of November 11, 2019

I am so grateful for our famiLEE!  The design work that has happened in this last week has been INSPIRING.  It reminds me what talented educators we have at Lee.  There is a REASON you are called Designers- you design the conditions for learning and it sure did show with our Canadian tour on Thursday.  WOW!  Of course, they were super impressed with all they saw.  You make hard work look effortless- a true talent, team!  Thank you for your House CIP documentation and for those of you that got soaked in the rain while greeting children.  The "ALL IN" attitude for our kids does not go unnoticed!

DID YOU KNOW:

• if you are new staff member looking to get your Apple Teacher designation, you will need to use your personal Apple ID to log in, not your CISD one?.
• Hour of Code is coming up?  Please sign up to participate and mark your calendars for the week of December 2-6.  I'm sure your DLCs would love to design with you! 
• Jacque is hosting trainings each month during your conference period that you can sign up for? This month's learning is on "Overview of Lucy Calkins Phonics* AND "Overview of Math in Practice".  Sign up here if you are interested!
• that some photos are making it on Twitter with learner first and last names from their badges (I have been guilty, too)?  Please be mindful to mark-up the name before posting if you can see learner names on tags.  We must protect their privacy.
• learners are sitting at the peanut free table with peanut butter sandwiches? If you are on lunch duty, this must be inspected and reinspected DAILY!  We cannot have an overlook result in injuring a child. 

VETERANS DAY

Please share this Veteran's sign up to parents and guests who plan to attend our Veteran's Day event on Monday, November 12.  Purple House will be performing immediately following morning broadcast.  Thank you, Linda and Purple House, for all of your preparation and work!  You are welcome to wear red, white, and blue jeans on Monday.

COMPOST COLLECTION

Please help spread the word to our Compost Crew will take their donations for our school garden EVERY Friday. 

PANORAMA SURVEY FOR THIRD -> FIFTH GRADE

3-5 Designers, please have your learners complete the Panorama survey by November 22.  Please read this important document about it from CISD.

FAMILEE FEAST @ LEE

Mark your calendars.  All families are invited to join their learner for a traditional Thanksgiving Lunch, next Thursday, Nov 21, during their child’s lunch time.  The cost of a school lunch is $3.50, for guests, and will be easiest if guests use their learner's lunch account when purchasing.  If parents are planning to attend they can sign up here. 

TOUR THIS WEEK

Where do we know that transformation in education needs to occur?  The university level!  We have an exciting opportunity at Lee next Thursday night.  We will be hosting a tour to UNT and Baylor Universities from 5:30-8:30.  Please:

• Make sure your space is organized
• Make sure you are using your collabs the way they were designed and they are clean, too.
• Please ensure you have these posted (Evidence of CBL work, current learner work, learning standards) 
• Make sure your digital signage is left on and updated

That should be it for tours until after Thanksgiving Break!

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 5:  Monitor and Adjust.  We will be looking for evidence of how you are managing and monitoring learner engagement.  Are you noticing when you need to adjust pacing?  Are you scaffolding your questioning?  How are you checking for understanding along the way?

ESL THIS WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Nov 11- Progress Report Grades Due
     Veteran's Day Performance (8:10 and 6:30 Cafe)
Nov 12-  Meghan W's Birthday
Nov 13- Samira's Birthday
     D's Birthday
     Leadership Meeting (Cassie's Space)
Nov 14- Spurs Savings (7:10-7:40)
     After School Tour (5:30-8:30)
Nov 15- Send Progress Reports Home
     LEEdership Council Sale (during recess times)