Week of May 23, 2022

We thank you for the outstanding job you all are doing with ALL that comes at you during the end of the year.  THANK YOU for being thorough with your furniture and supply inventories.  We know you are READY to start your first week of summer vacation on Friday, but we need you each to do your part.  YOU ARE ALMOST THERE!  Enjoy these last few days with each other and the learners.  You have been the sunshine each and every day!  

We hope you enjoy your summer break.  Relax.  Make memories.  Learn something new.  I will miss you, but know I am feeling blessed to have served as your Principal this year and can't wait to see what #rjlyear9 brings us.  YEAR 9 YA'LL!!!!!  Nothing but adventures ahead! 

(Thanks for the picture, Keiko)

CONGRATULATIONS

Congrats to these gals for their service to Coppell ISD.

TO DO

• Staff Panorama Surveys.  Thank you to the 11 staff members that have done this and the 61% of our learners in grades 3-5. Please help get us to 100% participation!  Your feedback really does matter!
• EOY Checklist- we are trusting you to execute what is expected to be completed on the lists.  Please read them carefully and complete ALL tasks before school, after school, during your conference time, or during Team Time.  Please do not work on this while you should be teaching.  Learning should happen until the last day at Lee.  Save room in your storage rooms for the awesome STEAM, robotics, and engineering items that will be coming to your houses from Create and Design!
• Furniture Inventory- remember extra furniture in your house may be from a neighboring house.  Before you take extras to the flex space, check with your neighbors.  It is wise to complete the furniture inventory on the LAST day of school.  Please stack like furniture together in your spaces.
• if you are ready to "check out" your space before Friday, please let Admin know.

SCHEDULES FOR LAST WEEK

Please review the RJL Master Schedule Document for schedules for the last week of school.  There is a Talent Show tab, Graduation tab, and Last Day tab.  Breakfast will be in spaces on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (THANK YOU FOR YOUR FLEXIBILITY) and Lunches will be in spaces on Wednesday and Friday.  Please communicate any schedule adjustments to your parents so that they are not frustrated when they come to pick up their learner from the office. 

CHOIR PERFORMANCE/SPIRIT RALLY

Join us on Friday, when we call you down, as we meet one last time as a FamiLEE in the gym.

LAST DAY SCHEDULE

Please plan to be here until 3:30 on Friday.  At 3:30, please get in your cars, drive BYE the cafeteria loop so that Leigh Ann and Chantel can send each of you off for summer break!

• 8:00 Spirit Rally
• Lunches (Please eat in your spaces)
• Blue 10:30
• Yellow 10:40
• Green 10:50
• Red 11:00
• Purple 11:10
• 12:00 K-4 Pack up and sit around the downstairs circle with backpacks
• 12:15 5th Grade Parade through one time
• 12:30 Dismissal (all hands on deck!)
• 12:45 -1:30 Lunch time for Staff (you are free to leave campus)
• 1:30 Start checking out Staff members
• 3:30 Good bye Drive by

EOY TECHNOLOGY RESPONSIBILITIES

Please review the email sent from Coppell ISD on 5/17.

• Technology Device Turn in Checklist
• for non-returning staff members
• staff members transferring to another campus

If you have learners who are not returning to CISD next year (Shanna emailed the list on 5/18), please collect their iPad on the last day of school.  

#RJLSUMMERSELFIE CHALLENGE

You will learn more about this year's challenge on the last day drive away at 3:30.  Stay tuned!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Please remind parents that they can pre order next year's school supplies NOW.  They will be delivered straight to their home.  Orders can only be guaranteed if ordered by May 31, 2022.  Click here to order and use School code: LEE008 (three letters and 3 numbers).

COACHES CORNER

On May 3rd, we had our first group of seniors visit. I remember that first year being so challenging because of all the firsts. First year in a brand new building, first year with a new team, first year in an open space, first year in a self contained classroom, however, when I met with the learners, they only remembered the Lego Machines, our force and motion challenge, playing chess and checkers on the pavilion and the fun they had as a house. All of you work hard to build memories and  I can’t wait for you to meet your first group of Spurs when they graduate. Thank you for being the SUNSHINE this year! 

Please use this link to book a time with me so we can collaborate.

DLC UPDATE

 

  School days, drifting away to ah oh the summertime!!!!!! 

Wanna, wanna learn more? 

https://www.bulbapp.com/u/summer-digital-learning-pl  

When it turns colder (lol), summer will end…don’t worry, DLCs will still be your friend-end-ends. 

Reach out next year, we can’t wait! 2022-2023, it’s gonna be GREAT!

TEA DYSLEXIA COURSE

Passing along from Debbie Gauntt: This course is designed for all school and district staff members across the state who serve students in kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose is to empower educators to serve and advocate for students with or at-risk for dyslexia. Click here to enroll in the course.  If you complete this course after school is out, please save your certificate and submit for flex credit.

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILEE

I'm Holly Stout, and I'm ecstatic to be the new librarian at Richard J. Lee Elementary! I have a Bachelor of Science in Elem & Early Childhood Ed, and a Master of Library Science specializing in school libraries. I taught 6th grade in an elementary school right after college, and I am currently finishing my 9th year as a school librarian at an elementary in a neighboring district. I truly believe that the library should be the heartbeat of the school, and it is my honor and privilege to connect kids (and teachers!) with the right book at the right time. My husband Todd and I have been married over 20 years, and we are raising our family in Coppell. Our son, Leo, graduated from Turning Point in January 2020, and Henry is currently finishing up his freshman year at CHS9. In my spare time, I run (slowly) 15ish miles a week, and I love anything crafting. I knit, crochet, sew some of my clothes, embroider...if it's making something, I'm interested. And, of course, I love to read! I look forward to getting to know each member of the FamiLEE! 

Hello everyone! My name is Mayra Gonzalez Anguiano. Once all my documents are changed over, I will be Mrs. Anguiano! I was born in and spent the first seven years of my life in a small village in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. I moved to the U.S in 2002 and have spent most of my life in West Texas. In March I got married to my best friend and soon I will be making the big move to Dallas. I am a Red Raider (Wreck ‘Em!), I love to spend time in nature, I enjoy baking as a hobby, but most importantly I love being with my husband and family. I am very excited about being part of the Richard FamiLEE!!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

May 23- Talent Show (Cafe 8:00-9:30)

     Blue House Conferences 2:00

May 24- Grades Due (8:00)

     Talent Show (Cafe 8:00-9:30)

May 25- HONK Jr. Play (Cafe 9:30)

     5th Grade Graduation (Cafe 1:00)

May 26- Purple House Field Trip (AM)

     Yellow House Field Trip (PM)

May 27- Choir Performance/ Spirit Rally (Cafe 8:00)

     Early Release (12:30)

     Staff Lunch Time (12:45 - 1:30)

     Classroom Check Out (1:30-3:30)

     Summer "Break" begins (Back loop @ 3:30)

Week of May 16, 2022

WE DID IT!  Other than make up tests, we are done with STAAR.  Thank you for clearing your spaces, sharing your rooms, running alternate schedules, and helping where needed.  We appreciate ALL of you.  A special thanks to Leigh Ann for being a superSTAAR and surviving her second year as our testing coordinator for STAAR.  We also thank Camille for coming over and helping for all three test days.  

Guess what?  Your Admin Team has a surprise for you.  We will have Anamia's catered in for lunch on Monday.  They can get here between 10:30 and 10:45.  We will send a Teams message when it is ready.  We will have veggie fajita options for those of you that don't eat chicken or beef and our gluten free friends can give their extra tortillas to a friend.  We are so grateful for everything that all of you have done to finish out our school year in positive ways.  It takes the whole school to raise our kiddos and we value YOU!

DID YOU KNOW:

• that only positive comments are expected on report cards?  Please ensure this happens for the last nine weeks.  Make a second copy of the report card for learners' permanent folders.  Please file these before the last day of school.  This is on your end of year checklist.
• we are still looking for a first grade and fourth grade educator?  Do you know of anyone?  Great people KNOW great people.

STAFF MEETING

Please join us in the cafeteria for Wednesday's staff meeting.  This is the final staff meeting for the year and we will recognize staff members for their years of service and say farewell to those journeying on.  

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Please remind parents that they can pre order next year's school supplies NOW.  They will be delivered straight to their home.  Orders can only be guaranteed if ordered by May 31, 2022.  Click here to order and use School code: LEE008 (three letters and 3 numbers).

SAVE THE DATE

TO DO

• Staff Panorama Surveys.  Thank you to the 6% of our staff that have done this and the 61% of our learners in grades 3-5. Please help get us to 100% participation!  Your feedback really does matter!
• EOY Checklist- we are trusting you to execute what is expected to be completed on the lists.  Please read them carefully and complete ALL tasks before school, after school, during your conference time, or during Team Time.  Please do not work on this while you should be teaching.  Learning should happen until the last day at Lee.
• Furniture Inventory- remember extra furniture in your house may be from a neighboring house.  Before you take extras to the flex space, check with your neighbors.  It is wise to complete the furniture inventory on the LAST day of school.  Please stack like furniture together in your spaces.

DLC UPDATE

As we approach the end of the year, consider using these curated resources and activities in your classroom to promote learners' social and emotional well-being and review digital citizenship practices as they prepare for the summer months with their devices.

Check out a few specific resources you can find in the collection:

Safety and in my Online Neighborhood Lesson (K)

Standing Up to Online Meanness (Grades K-2)

My Media Balance Lesson (Grades 3-5)

Friendships and Social Media (Grades 6-8)

Impacts of Online Hate Speech (Grades 9-12)

Choose Kind Lesson

Learner Virtual Calming Space

And more

COACHES CORNER

Discipline becomes an issue towards the end of the year because there is less structure and so many changes to the schedule, so look out for learners who are being good. 

Please use this link to book a time with me so we can collaborate.

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK

There are many ways parents and caregivers can support EBs during the summer. Remind caregivers that opportunities to advance thinking and learning surround us daily and give them ideas such as: sharing stories, listening to songs, looking at and discussing artwork, reading and making a recipe, talking about memories, writing or reading poetry, reading books, listening to an audiobook or podcast, watching television (with the captions on), taking a walk and talking about the sights and sounds and building or creating a project.

STAFFING UPDATES 
Our interview team has been BUSY and we have recommended some great people for hire for next year.  Here are the latest:

Hello! My name is Jessica Lightfoot, and I am so excited to join the team as a school counselor next year. I graduated from Texas A&M University with my graduate and undergraduate degree (whoop!). I was born and raised in the Houston area and this will be my first time moving to a different city. In my free time I like to explore new restaurants, cook, and read! Working with students is a passion of mine, and I love finding ways to help them think outside the box. I'm excited to meet you!

Hi! My name is Amber Harmon, but I’m sure most of you will get to know me as Mrs. Harmony! I moved to Texas almost 8 years ago from southern New Mexico, and I will be finishing my 7th year as a music teacher this month! I am so excited to have the opportunity to be an educator in CISD! Here are some fun facts about me!

• I graduated with my music education degree from New Mexico State University

• My husband and I have 3 cats and 2 dogs

• My husband is a product of Coppell ISD

• I love unicorns

• Any type of noodle dish is my favorite 

• Pink makes me feel powerful and yellow brings me joy

• Hufflepuff 

• I strongly believe music is for everyone! 

(Brian Howard)

This is a picture of me with my younger daughter Mariel and my wife, Angela.

I was born and raised in Dallas.  Graduated from the Episcopal School of Dallas.  Went to Baylor where I earned my bachelor's in Human Resources and my master's in Education.  I taught in Waco, but three years ago moved back to take care of my dad.  He wanted to spend his final years in his own home, and I was grateful to help him to do that.  I have been a 5th-grade teacher in Plano for the past three years.  The commute has been a bit challenging, so I recently started looking for something closer to home.  I have heard wonderful things about Coppell ISD.  I am thrilled to be joining the Lee Elementary team.

I am Audrey Allen, and I am truly grateful to be joining your AMAZING school! This summer my son and I will be making the big move from Austin to Coppell. My son Quintas (who loves swimming, math and drawing everything pokemon) is nervous, but very excited about starting his 5th-grade year at RJL Elementary. I love hiking, exploring museums, and making new friends. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and becoming part of the Richard J Lee Elementary Art Department.  See you soon!  

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Success- the gain of something desired or attempted

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Never stop improving.  Great people are always learning and keep their minds open to new possibilities.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple...know what you’re doing, love what you’re doing, believe in what you’re doing.” -Will Rogers

DATES TO REMEMBER:

May 16- Green 5 Spring Conferences (2:00-4:00PM)

May 17- Ed Foundation Shirt Day

     Vertical Curriculum Writing (AM)

     Kindergarten Zoo (2:00 PM Cafe)

May 18- First Grade Job Day

     Red House Conferences (1:00)

     Purple House Conferences (1:30)

     Staff Meeting (3:15-4:45 Cafe)

May 19- 5th Grade Field Trip (John Sands Park)

     Spring Choir Performance (6:30 PM)

May 20- NRH2O Choir Trip

     LEEdership Council (8:00)

May 21- Claudia (Day Custodian) Birthday

Week of May 9, 2022

Have an incredible weekend, sweet ladies.  I hope you have felt love and appreciation from our PTO and FamiLEEs.  You are such a talented and dedicated bunch and are cared for so very much!  Happy Mother's Day to all of you.  Whether you have children of your own, or not, you mother the children in our school.  Thank you for all you do for them and the love you provide them each and every day they are at school. 

DID YOU KNOW:

• we are having massive issues with trash around our school. Please encourage learners to pick up after themselves and leave our school better than they found it. I see problems in restrooms, classrooms, and our cafeteria.
• all district employees are asked to visit go.coppellisd.com/Spring22StaffSurvey and complete the anonymous Panorama survey?  If you are not a classroom educator, or a question doesn't apply to you, please skip that question.  Your staff ID is the number you use in SmartFind and at the copier. 
• all 3-5 learners are asked to complete the Spring Panorama survey?  Please access the survey here:  surveys.panoramaed.com/coppellisd/login and enter their student ID, which serves as their access code.
• your Admin Team is treating you to lunch this week?  On Wednesday, we will provide lunch for all staff from Chick-fil-a.  ENJOY- we appreciate you and all that everyone does to prepare our learners for STAAR Testing!

FIELD DAY

Due to rain, we will have to skip the school-wide tug of war.  SORRY!  Please permit learners to eat breakfast in your learning spaces because the cafeteria will be set up and used for one of the zones.  Please make sure whatever movie you show your class/house is rated "G" and NOT DISNEY.  In addition, please make sure that ANY adult you see outside has a Field Day Sticker or Raptor sticker on them.  All guests MUST check into the front office.  

Staff, you may wear appropriate shorts and hats on this day.  I know bike shorts are in...if you wear them...your shirt better be long enough to cover you up. Remind your girls that they can wear one piece swimsuits, no bikinis.  All kids should bring a change of clothes.

Please share the information below with your FamiLEEs.   They can sign up to volunteer here.  Background checks are required to volunteer.

Here is a link to the email from Julie on 5/5 with latest info on zones and times.

STAAR TESTING

Thank you for having your rooms/houses ready for testing next week.  We will be walking through on Monday, so please be ready, before then,  If  you are testing in a new place, it might be a great idea to teach in your testing space, on Monday so that learners can get used to being in the new environment.  Remember you are expected to read your test administrators manual before Tuesday.   Please take a look at the STAAR Schedule tab on the Master Schedule.  We will have grade level schedule for all three test days. 

From Leigh Ann:  STAAR is here!  Thank you for getting LAH all your math supplemental aids and manipulatives.  Please remind your learners who wear a smart/digital watch to school to put it in their backpacks for the test.  You may stop by the STAAR closet on Monday to pre-check out your bin for math.  You might want to keep your learner iPads at school so they can be charged and ready to go for testing each day.  If you have any questions, please let LAH know!

PTO MEETING

You will get an email on Tuesday morning to send on to parents including our Zoom link for the meeting.  Thank you for sending it on!  Please remind parents in your newsletters that there is a meeting this Tuesday at 6:00.  Last month's participation was down.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2022-2023

You can pre order next year's school supplies NOW.  They will be delivered straight to your home.  Click here to order and use School code: LEE008 (three letters and 3 numbers).

SAVE THE DATE

END OF YEAR UPDATES AND TASKS

We will suspend Admin meeting as PLC groups from 2:00-3:00 for the remaining cycles of Team Time.  Please use this time to inventory closets, get done with assessments, work on report card comments, pull staples out of walls ;) , or other end of year tasks.  Thank you to our wonderful Specials Team for continuing to take learners during this time.  

Here is the  EOY Checklist.  Please make a copy on your iPad and check off items when you complete them.  We will ask you to email your completed checklists on the last week of school.  The link is live for your Furniture Inventory and you may want to wait until the last week of school to complete that portion as a House.  Please do not work on EOY tasks during teaching time.  It is important to me that we "teach until the last day at Lee." You can use before school, conference time, after school and your Team Time to wrap up these tasks. Shared Curriculum List.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Remember Todd Whitthorne who came and spoke with us in January? Wondr™ is the company that he works for.  I strongly encourage you to check out this free resource for you and your families.  Wondr™, is a digital weight loss program that teaches science-based skills that are clinically-proven to help you enjoy food more, lose weight, sleep better, feel more confident and help move you toward your best self.  Visit www.wondrhealth.com/CoppellISD and apply to participate. Please note: Each applicant will need to fill out their own application, even if you’re in the same household.

DLC UPDATE

Great news!  Everything we love about Immersive Reader is now available in the web version of Schoology with the tap of a button!  With Immersive Reader, learners can listen to your directions, translate into a home language and more! While this option is not available in the Schoology APP yet, it is available when accessing Pages and Assignments even if you are using the Elementary Experience View in the web version of Schoology. Check in with your DLC about how this new feature makes learning more accessible to all! New to Immersive Reader?  Check out this video!

COACHES CORNER

Please use this link to book a time with me so we can collaborate.

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK

When giving instructions or an assignment, model explicitly what you want to see. Your ELs will need to know what you want from them. Whether it is a writing assignment or a speaking task, show students exactly what it is that they will need to achieve. Setting students up for success from the beginning empowers them to know the goal. Some will be able to get there quickly while others will need multiple opportunities. Either way, they will all get there at some point if we model what we expect.

STAFFING UPDATES 
Our interview team has been BUSY and we have recommended some great people for hire for next year.  With 4 growth positions and people moving into new seasons in their lives, we will do our best to keep you updated with our hires.

Hello my name is Coach Hall and I am so excited to be joining the Richard J. Lee Elementary team next year as a PE designer! I consider myself a content expert in Physical Education, having worked in the fitness industry for over 15 years in NYC. My experience in education includes leading PE classrooms in South Dallas where I worked with at-risk populations and focused on building healthy classroom cultures despite challenging school environments.  I also served as a PE Aide at Canyon Ranch Elementary where I first learned how wonderful Coppell ISD's learners and leaders truly are. I have experience developing different community organizations, including starting a competitive racing team and organizing a non-profit that brought bicycles and bike education to Hatian youth.  Additionally, I have a strong background in Mindfulness and have led Mindfulness courses and training for teachers, staff and school leaders. I've always been a man of action, I served in the Navy, I am a martial artist and trained dancer - all of which have allowed me to learn the language of physical literacy. I can't wait to share my knowledge and experience with the Lee Elementary learners and community.

Hi everyone! My name is Reagan Scott and this August will start my first year of teaching! I grew up in Lewisville, Texas and then moved to Fort Worth for school where I got my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas Christian University. In my free time, I love going on hikes with my dog, Biscuit, binge-watching Friends, and hanging out by the pool! I have always dreamed of teaching special education, and can’t wait for my dream to become a reality at Lee Elementary very soon!

Hello my name is Lauren Whitthorne and I will be a new 5th Grade Teacher at Lee.  This will be my 9th year teaching.   I have taught 4th, 6th, 8th, and it is now my 6th year in 5th.  About my family, I have a daughter named Stella.  She is 15th months old and her personality is really coming out.  My husband and I are originally from Dallas, but have spent the last 7 years in Los Angeles, California.  Once Covid hit and we had our daughter we decided to move back home to be closer to family.  I am beyond excited to join the Lee family and get to know you all better! 

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Responsibility- Making the right choice to be reliable and dependable

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

After we eat, we will clean up after ourselves.  This includes cleaning off the tables and making sure we haven’t left any trash on the floor or around the eating area.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you.  Never excuse yourself.”- Henry Ward Beecher

DATES TO REMEMBER:

May 10- Ed Foundation Shirt Day

     Grade Level Schedule

     KG Zoo Field Trip 

     Math STAAR Grades 3-5

     Virtual PTO Meeting 6:00 PM

May 11- Grade Level Schedule

     National School Nurse Day

     Pink Shirt Day

     Reading STAAR Grades 3-5

     Chick-Fil-A Luncheon

     Leadership Meeting

May 12- Grade Level Schedule

     Science STAAR Grade 5

May 13- 3-5th Grade Library Books Due