Week of August 9, 2021

In full transparency, I adapted this message from my blog a year ago...it still fits perfectly.

A few more days of resting and preparing ourselves to get ready for the school year. If you have been in education for a while, you know this last year and a half have been the most bizarre period in our most recent history. If you are new to education this year, I’m sure there were no college courses that prepared you for what you are seeing now. As an educator entering her 26th year of working with kiddos, I can tell you with 100% certainty that I have never faced anything with this level of gravity.  However, I can tell you with absolute confidence, that in all my years of teaching, I have been amazed by the resilience and tenacity of teachers. While I respect all professions, educators are a different breed of people all together.  We may not always be thrilled with the conditions we are given to educate children, but we do it anyway. WHY?  Because we are educators.  We are CALLED.  We know our PURPOSE.  We know our impact is far greater than a challenge that is thrown in our paths.  We see our students and their potential future… and so we WORK!!! We work to change lives, not just impart knowledge, but to form relationships that tell students “YOUR ARE SOMETHING!!! AND YOUR FUTURE IS SOMETHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR!”  We give money out of our pockets, we spend countless hours out of the workday caring for others and giving feedback, creating engaging lessons, and pouring our heart and souls into the profession that we know has an ETERNAL IMPACT.  

Right now, we are presented with continued challenges in education.  So, the future is in our hands.  The question to ask now is…”What can we do to make this year, better than ever?”  If I were a betting person, I would put my money on Lee Elementary's staff!  You are the masters of impossible and I believe you will ensure #rjlyear8 is the best one possible.  Together as a team, we will tackle this year and make the most of it… WHY?  BECAUSE WE HAVE EACH OTHER AND TOGETHER WE SHINE. 

DID YOU KNOW:

• if you have a positive COVID diagnosis, please let me know?  This practice will continue until further notice.  
• as of today, masks are optional for staff and learners?  You may not require a learner to wear/not wear a mask.  CISD will continue to keep us informed if there are any changes. 
• CISD's attendance incentive is eliminated for this school year?  Please take care of your social emotional well-being.
• there are district expectations for Schoology use for 2021-2022?
• these are the CISD Grading Practices for 2021-2022?

MEET OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION DESIGNER

I'm Rachel Tate, and I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years. Both of us served in the Army. We have four amazing children. Three boys and a girl. One is finishing college and will be getting married in January. One is a supervisor for a shipping company. Two are in the armed forces.
I love spending time with my family, when I get the chance. I love to cook and bake. I love making people happy through their tummies.  I love horses, dogs, and cats. I love being outdoors.

Although Lee is her home campus, we will be sharing Rachel with Canyon Ranch Elementary.

WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK?

Here is a draft document that will let you know plans we have for next week.  I hope this helps those of you who like to "look ahead."  We tried to help with scheduling a day for HOUSE lunch and a day for GRADE lunch so that you would not feel pulled in too many directions, yet have dedicated time for togetherness.  We also have done our best to carve out time for you to do what you need to do.  We, of course,  have district content we are required to cover, AND we have weaved in some FUN too.  We can't WAIT for us to all be together on Monday!

OUR BUS TOUR IS BAAAACK!

Please tweet out this graphic or retweet my post.  We have a "special" surprise this year- we are on a CHARTERED BUS.  Get your posters, balloons, and SPIRIT ready for Tuesday morning!

CLASS LISTS

Class lists are starting to be populated in eSchool Plus. Remember these are constantly changing if you create personalized labels.  All grade level designers will email parents a video through eSchool or Parent Square to be scheduled to send out at 12:00 on Thursday, August 12.   Time will be provided this week to work together, as a grade, to comprise your welcome email and video.  

MEET THE DESIGNER NIGHT

Please share on your social media.  We will wear our #rjlyear8 shirts on this day.

CANCER AWARENESS SHIRTS

An email was sent out by Angela letting you know that you are welcome to participate in purchasing a pink shirt to be worn with jeans on the second Wednesday of each month.  This is in place of Convocation shirts that were not provided by the district this year.  Orders will be delivered to you at school.  

CISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION OPEN

CISD Ed Foundation grants are open July 1 through midnight September 13.  If you submitted an application last year, log-in credentials are still valid.  This is a SUPER avenue to get items for your classroom that cannot be purchased through approved vendors.   GOOD LUCK!

• Get Login Credentials for LivingTree (Google Form)

• LivingTree Website

PERSONAL DISCRETIONARY LEAVE

Please read the information provided by CISD outlining personal discretionary leave. 

TO DO FOR ALL:

• Sign up for your health care with our benefits department.
• Fill out this form so we can learn all about your favorites.  It also helps us with ordering your school shirts for the school year.  We will share this with all of you so you can treat teammates.  FINAL CALL!
• Read the RJL Campus Handbook. We request you read this by August 31.  New/changed items are highlighted in yellow, but you are responsible for reading all of it.
• Complete your compliance training in PowerSchool.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 9- Shari's Birthday

     Campus/District Professional Learning

August 10- Campus Professional Learning

August 11- Campus Professional Learning

     Convocation 2:00

August 12- District Professional Learning

    Welcome email and video sent out at 12:00

     Meet the Designer 5:30-6:30

August 13- Campus/District Professional Learning

August 16- Campus Day

August 17- First Day of School