Week of March 3, 2025

You are almost there!  Two more weeks until Spring Break!!!  Thank you for all you are doing to get your learning spaces set up for Open House.  Don't forget to start tidying up the design studios too.  It is a HUGE deal to have parents in the building and there is so much learning to showcase.  Enjoy the beautiful weather!

DID YOU KNOW:

• Ramadan is here starting Friday night? Please make sure to be sensitive to learners who may be fasting or need a place to pray.  Campus Admin can help you if you need guidance.
• we have guests in the building, on Monday, to see the great teaching in Reagan and Rikki’s spaces?  I'm letting you know in case guests "bleed" out into the building.  There is an AM group and a PM group.
• Super Teacher nominations are due March 6, and GEM nominations are due March 22?  Please nominate some dedicated peers. 
• we have a community event in our lounge this week?  Special needs learners from CHS will be hosting a parent meeting with coffee in our lounge.  They will be wrapping up for our first staff lunch time.
• that a chef's hat, called a toque, traditionally has 100 folds, with each pleat. The number of pleats in a chef's hat used to indicate the chef's skill and knowledge. For example, a chef with 100 pleats might know 100 ways to cook an egg. You're welcome!

NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK

It’s no secret that eating a nutritious breakfast helps our learners start the school day off right!  Next week, March 3-7th, is National School Breakfast Week!  All week long our cafeterias will be featuring new and exciting menu items.

MARCH MADNESS AT LEE ELEMENTARY

Join in the March Madness!  Stop by the lounge each day, starting Monday, and sample the daily cereal flavor to vote on.  We will see who is the winner at Lee Elementary in 13 days.  Thank you, Social Spurs, for sponsoring the taste test and to Linda for designing the bracket and event!

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY

Tuesday is staff and class picture day.  Please plan to be here by 7:05 for our staff photograph in the cafeteria at 7:10.  Immediately after arrival, we will start calling your classes down for pictures according to our lunch schedule (feedback from Leadership Team). Blue...that means hold off on watching morning broadcast until after your pictures, because your groups will start right at 7:45.  It is imperative you drop what you are doing and hustle down to the cafe, so we can try to get learners through before their recess time. Please line your learners up from shortest to tallest before coming down and have their name badges clipped on their back to assist photographers.  Don't forget to include your PA and AL learners in your class pictures.  Lastly, remember that lunch is in your spaces, this day, as the photographers may need the entire cafeteria.  We will make sure custodial brings you trash cans.

COLLEGE SHIRT DAY

Wednesday is College Shirt Day.  Encourage learners to participate by wearing a college shirt on the first Wednesday of each month.  

LEE COLOR RUN

FamiLEE!  Only two weeks left before our Color Run, with all proceeds going to the PE Department, and one of our learners' favorite events of the year, FIELD DAY!!  Visit bit.ly/RJLColorRun for more details, to donate, and to register to run or throw color at your learner's race.  Ask your learner about the awesome prizes their classes are working towards! 

SAVE THE DATE

We are excited to host Open House next Thursday, March 13.  During this event you can also shop our annual student art show in the cafeteria.  All proceeds from the Art Show go back to our Art program.  

YEARBOOK

Order your 2024-25 yearbook from Lifetouch today! Type in Richard J Lee Elementary. Yearbook ID: 13015825.

ESL UPDATES

Here is the February ESL/Bilingual Newsletter

COACH'S CORNER

💡Instructional Idea to Try!
Ever wonder how to decrease your grading load? TCEA shared this resource on how to harness the power of Peer review effectively. Check out this resource. 

 
Science Academy participants learned about discovery trunks. Click here to explore more and reserve a trunk for your grade level.  Discovery Trunks - Texas Wildlife Association

LESSON IN LEEDERSHIP

DATES TO REMEMBER:

GREEN AND PURPLE HOUSE LOUNGE DUTY (March)

COLOR RUN FUNDRAISING WINDOW

NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK

EDUCATIONAL DIAGNOSTICIAN WEEK

March 4- Staff Picture (7:05 AM)

     Spring Picture Day (cafeteria)

     Eat in Houses for lunch so we can conclude pictures

March 5- Laura's Birthday

     College Shirt Day

     LEEdership Council Meeting (9:00)

     Community Event in our Lounge

     Super Teacher Nominations Due

March 6- MTSS Meetings (Conference Time)

     Yellow House Music Performance (2:00 and 6:30)

March 7- Keiko's Birthday

     Economics Fair (Third Grade)

March 8- Good luck at the Spelling Bee Ishaan

Week of February 24, 2025

What a week!  Monday off, sub zero weather, school-wide presentations!  It was a busy "short" week!  We hope you enjoy your new Lee mugs to thank you for all of your hard work with attendance.  Angel did such a great job designing them!  Enjoy the extra time tomorrow as the second part of your attendance incentive award.  

DID YOU KNOW:

• Super Teacher nominations are due March 5, and GEM nominations are due March 14?  Please nominate some dedicated peers.  
• that Curtis will be recognized at Monday night's Board Meeting?  If you plan on supporting Curtis, please join us in the lobby of the Admin Bldg. at 5:30 PM.  
• we have a new paraprofessional working with one of our learners in Rikki's and Aparna's classes?  Her name is Zoie.  Please welcome her to our famiLEE!
• we have the 1st Grade Fairy Tale Ball happening on Wednesday?  If you want to see the cutest little fairy tale characters, please line the circle for the Fairy Tale Parade to start at 2:45.
• Dr. DeLaIsla will be back for our staff meeting on Wednesday?  Thanks, in advance, for being such great learners!
• we have not had reminders for positive home communication lately?  I would encourage an email or picture or phone call home praising your learners.  Don't forget to document it in Panorama.  Apply for flex if you spend time after school on this task!  I cannot stress enough how grateful our parents were that got 100 Day of School calls.

FABULOUS FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY

We think you are the "BALM!" There will be a special treat in your mailboxes Friday morning.  We appreciate you so much!  

The fridge will also be stocked with drinks, this Friday, thanks to Linda and Social Spurs funds.  

You will be getting a "room service" card in your mailbox for next Friday's special delivery.  Please fill it out and leave it in your mailbox so we can pull them to make your special delivery.  If it is not filled out by Wednesday, we will not be able to make it a customized delivery.

TELPAS TESTING

Thank you to everyone for your flexibility on Monday and Tuesday.  I know that Angel and Kara have worked diligently to make this as smooth as possible these two days.  We will give you opportunities for feedback at our next Leadership Meeting. Once again, THANK YOU!

SAVE THE DATE!  LEE COLOR RUN COMING SOON

Fundraising is LIVE for our annual Color Run, with all proceeds going to the PE Department, and, of course, one of our learners' favorite events of the year, FIELD DAY!!  Visit bit.ly/RJLColorRun for more details, to donate, and to register to run or throw color at your learner's race.  Ask your learner about the awesome prize incentives their classes are working towards. 

Also, PTO will gift the top designer in each house $50 in classroom supplies (of their choice) from Amazon (PTO will order on your behalf). And PTO will provide Sonic drinks for the entire staff on March 14.

YEARBOOK
It's that time of the year!  Order your 2024-25 yearbook from Lifetouch today! Type in Richard J Lee Elementary. Yearbook ID: 13015825.

COACH'S CORNER

🔦District Resource Spotlight

SLO Student Body of Evidence #4 is due February 28th.  Please reach out to a Learning Coach to schedule a time to partner on getting your body of evidence pictures uploaded to the learner’s BULB.

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK

Please share this reminder with your parents.

TELPAS Logistics for Teachers:  

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14fzqT4w5btOxIuHOt_gOU7dTmyqN_B5_3NU86eXLT20/edit?usp=sharing

 

LEEDERSHIP FOR THE WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER:

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

NATIONAL DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

CTE APPRECIATION MONTH

TELPAS TESTING WINDOW

COLOR RUN FUNDRAISING OPEN

February 24-  TELPAS Testing (L/S)

     TOY Reception (5:30 Admin Bldg.)

February 25- TELPAS Testing (R/W)

     Stormi's Birthday

     2nd Grade Star Watching Party (6:00)

February 26- 5th Grade TWA Scavenger Hunt

     Fairy Tale Ball (2:00)
     Fairy Tale Parade (2:45)

     Staff Meeting (3:15-4:45)

February 27- Green and Red Houses to Kidzania

Week of February 17, 2025

Happy Valentine's Day (a little early).  There is NOTHING like Valentine's Day in an elementary school.  All the boxes, valentines, candy, chocolate, and flowers.  SO MUCH FUN and SO MUCH LOVE TO SPREAD AROUND!  Have fun with your kiddos.  Friday is going to be an awesome day of learning, work, and FUN- I can't wait.  ENJOY your three day weekend! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy some special time together.

DID YOU KNOW:

• some of you are missing out on some extra money on your paycheck?  If you are tutoring, please remember to turn in Extra Duty Pay sheets before the end of each month. You earn $25 for every hour your tutor.
• the Book Fair will be open during and after the party?  Look out- Chantel is manning a register!!
• this is the schedule for Thursday?  Thank you, again, for eating lunch in your houses.  Trash cans are delivered, and we will call you down to the cafeteria over the intercom, by grades, for the performance. 

BREAKFAST ON FRIDAY

Please join us in the lounge on Friday morning at 8:00.  We sure love you a waffle lot and can't wait to treat you.

FRIDAY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY

• Overview: The day will begin with a waffle bar in the lounge starting at 8:00 am. We will end our day at 3:30 pm.
• Lunch on Your Own: Enjoy the flexibility to choose where and what you'd like to eat. Don't want to spend $, our lounge is always an option.
• Attire: Dress comfortably for a day of active learning.  Sneakers are a MUST! 
• What to Have Ready: Fully charged Mac.  If you have pickleball paddles, please bring them.

NO SCHOOL

Although we have professional learning on Friday, please communicate to learners and parents that they do not have school on Friday and Monday.  Enjoy your Monday off!

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL SALE ON WEDNESDAY

LEEdership Council will sell bubble wands for one dollar on Wednesday.  Please share with your famiLEEs. 

FLEX LEARNING WEDNESDAY

ONCOR PROGRAM ON THURSDAY

Please follow this schedule for Thursday's presentations.  Thank you, Kristi, for working on the schedule as part of your internship.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

2nd Grade is throwing a Star Party for 2nd graders and their families on the evening of Thursday, February 20th.  We are looking for 7-10 volunteers to help us man the stations at the event from 6:00-7:30PM.  We will have an inflatable planetarium, craft stations, space-themed math connections, and an out-of-this-world scientific photography gallery.  All activities will be pre-planned and materials provided, we just need help with facilitating.  2-3 flex hours will be given to those who sign up.  Please reach out to a 2nd grade designer if you are interested in helping out!

RECOGNIZE A PEER

Super Teachers Know a star educator who demonstrates the qualities above? Nominate them for Super Teacher recognition by March 5. Learn more about what makes a teacher a Super Teacher by browsing the "Looks Fors" at visiting www.coppellisd.com/page/super-teachers.  Nomination form here.  Great Employees Matter (GEMs) The GEMs program seeks to recognize outstanding employees who serve the mission and core values of the Coppell Independent School District in a manner that exceeds job and salary expectations. Nominate a GEM in your school by March 14. Learn more about the program at www.coppellisd.com/page/great-employees-matter.  Nomination form here.

FABULOUS FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY

COACH'S CORNER

🚨Timely Reminders:

• All K-5 educators: 

• We are still in the MAP/mClass assessment window until February 28th.  New learners that enroll should be assessed as soon as possible.

• Later this month the district will let us know when to send home MAP & mClass parent reports.  

💎Classroom Tech Treasures 

Are you having trouble with student BULB submissions?  

Here is an infographic that may help!

If you have questions, I would love to pop by your space and go through it with you.

* If you have already assigned your page to the group and students have worked on their page and submitted, you can skip to step 3 - "Now…Where Is It?"  

LESSSON IN LEEDERSHIP (pick one)

DATES TO REMEMBER:
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
NATIONAL DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
CTE APPRECIATION MONTH

MAP & MCLASS WINDOW

February 17- National Random Acts of Kindness Day

     Bad Weather Day- NO SCHOOL

February 19- LEEdership Council Sale (before school)

     Flex Learning (3:15)

     TELPAS Calibration (3:15)

February 20- ONCOR Electric Safety Presentation

     2nd Grade Star Party (6:00 PM)
February 21- Cathy's Birthday

     School Supply Lists Due to CK
February 22- Mayra's Birthday

     Kat's Birthday

     Joy's Birthday