Week of May 18, 2020

THANK YOU for another incredible year at our school.  #rjlyear6 was filled with GRATITUDE because of each and every one of you.  Your hard work, dedication, perseverance, and genuine love of children goes unmatched and you are applauded for all that you have contributed to making our school the incredible place that it is!  I hope you will always remember that you are were hand picked to be at Lee because of the gifts and talents that you possess. Sometimes you already knew them, other times we brought them out of you.  The special and unique blessing is that we are each on our own journey, yet we can all reflect back over the last year and see that we are better because of each other.  It is exciting looking forward and dreaming about #rjlyear7!

It will be sad to see one of our famiLEE members move along, however, I feel confident that the bonds and lessons made at Lee will have lasting positive effects on your new adventure. We are super excited to watch you, Shelby, as you make a difference at your new school in Rockwall. We wish you nothing less than the best.  You will forever be Lee Spur famiLEE member.  Please keep in touch!  

Enjoy the last couple of days of school.  Make some lasting memories with your kiddos.  We know Lee is the BEST school, with the AWESOMEST staff and learners.  We only get these kiddos 187 days, so make the most of these last 5 1/2 with them! THEY ADORE YOU-  AS DO I!

MEET OUR NEWEST FAMILEE MEMBER:

I am Hannah Ferrell soon to be Hannah Jones! I am beyond excited to start my first year of teaching at Lee. I have been preparing to be a teacher since I can remember- from asking for an overhead projector for Christmas, to holding summer school in my game room for my younger sister and her friends. I graduated in December from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. My certifications are in 4-8th grade Social Studies, EC-6th, and ESL. My aunt, Meredith Wilson, is already part of the Lee Family, so I am excited to join as well. Although this summer has been filled with wedding planning, I enjoy crafting, calligraphy, and creating! I can’t wait to meet everyone and begin to collaborate with the faculty, students, and parents at Lee Elementary. I am counting down the days until the first day of school! 

DID YOU KNOW?

• Taylor was nominated and will be recognized as a GEM this quarter?  CONGRATULATIONS, Taylor for being a Great Educator that Matters!  I know we all agree you go above and beyond for our school and learners.
• we secured some S'more licenses for next year?  We wanted to tell you now, so that if you are planning to renew your personal S'more subscription, that you hold off. 
• next year's spirit wear will look like this in house colors?  Thanks PTO for sharing.

• you can attend summer professional learning on June 24 and 25?  Attendance this summer counts towards your flex hours for 2020-2021.
• that I will continue to blog important info over the summer?  I will email you when I do, so you stay informed.

REDEFINING SUCCESS PANEL ZOOM
 Can I just say THANK YOU SO MUCH to those of you that attended the Principal Panel Zoom meeting today.  I know each of you are so busy finishing out the year.  I never have a problem bragging about the work you all do and it energized me to reflect about our journey as we redefine success during these times.  I felt so much love and support seeing some Spurs in the chat and thank you for your texts and comments afterwards.  You REALLY know how to make a girl feel good!


FIELD DAY
THANKS, again, to Julie, Aparna, and the PE team for the virtual Field Day choice board for kids to engage with tomorrow.  I can't wait to see pictures on social media of our kids getting active!

TALENT SHOW

Thank you to our Talent Show Committee for all of their hard work.  Boy some of our kids and their families really have some talent!  Remind your famiLEEs that tomorrow is the last day to like their favorites on FlipGrid.  We can't wait to see how our broadcast team showcases them next week!

REMINDER FROM THE NURSE
Please send to parents: Please pick up any medication or medical supplies your student has in the clinic on Monday or Tuesday during your scheduled house time.  Medication must be picked up in the loop during your assigned house time and all medication not picked up will be discarded.  

STAFF CELEBRATION

We have some very special recognition for our staff.  Check out those that are being acknowledged for their years of service in Coppell ISD.  YOU ARE A BIG DEAL!

FIFTH GRADE FAREWELL PARADE

We host a FINAL WALK for 5th graders on Wednesday.  Please wear your Attitude of Gratitude shirts and get here by 9:30 because the "walk" will begin at 10:00.  We will line the front loop (and back if needed) on both sides of the drive.  Please stand at least 6 feet apart. 

5TH GRADE GRADUATION

We know each and every one of you have poured into these incredible graduates and will want to share in their special day.  If you miss their fifth grade graduation on Wednesday afternoon, fifth grade designers will be recording their Zoom Sessions and place them in this folder for you to watch.  

STORAGE ROOMS
Thank you for organizing and getting done with your inventory of your storage spaces.  Remember, you have as much time and grace needed to get this done.  Please create a digital copy that you can record your totals on and send to Admin when you are ready to check out.  Leadership Team, don't forget to make an appointment with Chantel and Leigh Ann when you are ready.  We will do our best to accommodate your schedules.

YEARBOOKS

Yearbooks will be delivered to PTO this summer.  We will plan a special event based on what is acceptable when they come in. 

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Humor- comical or amusing quality; ability to see or show the funny or amusing side of things.
LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Your ability to make people laugh can help others feel comfortable and relieve tense situations.
LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." - Victor Borge


TO DO

• Panorama Survey.  thank you to the 87% of our staff that have done this and the 70% of our learners in 3-5. Please help get us to 100% on these!  
• Furniture Inventory- remember extra furniture in your house goes to the flex space!
• EOY Technology Checklist we are TRUSTing you to make sure your projector carts are cleaned off and all other procedures followed.  Fingers crossed we will have our new projectors on the carts for the start of the 2020 school year!
• EOY Checklist- we are TRUSTing you to execute what is expected on the lists.  Email them to LAH when you have completed everything.  If you have done that, you are checked out.

#RJLYEAR7 SUMMER SELFIE CHALLENGE

Last year, we had our fourth summer selfie challenge and we will be back for a fifth round this year.  Stay tuned to next week's blog to see what this year's Bingo board looks like!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 18- Grades Due (8:00)
     Blue Pick Up/Drop Off (8:00-10:00)
     Green Pick Up/Drop Off (10:00-12:00)
     Purple Pick Up/Drop Off (1:00-3:00)
May 19- Red Pick Up/Drop Off (10:00-12:00)
     Yellow Pick Up/Drop Off (1:00-3:00)
May 20- 5th Grade Walk (10:00)
     5th Grade Graduations (12:00-4:00)

May 21- Spirit Rally (AM)
     EOY Staff Celebration (1:30)

Week of May 11, 2020

Have an incredible weekend, sweet ladies.  I hope you have felt love and appreciation from our PTO, Admin Team, 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:

• our EOY committees KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK?  Thank you to each of you that stepped up to lead and the contributions for all for an incredible end of year for everyone. WOW!
• students that are not returning to CISD next year need to schedule a time to drop off their devices at the Service Center?  If you know of any of your learners not returning, please share this form with them.
• the CISD PE Department created this choice board for you to use with learners on Friday?  Parents will need sidewalk chalk, milk jugs, and water balloons.

END OF YEAR

Very much (and great) ideas were shared at our Leadership Meeting, yesterday.  What I want to begin by saying is that everything in our notes is subject to change, so I ask for your flexibility.  The MOST IMPORTANT thing I need everyone to trust is that your health, safety and well-being are what is most important to me.  Our schedules presented to Leadership were created in attempt to try and filter out how many people are at the school at one time and where they are in the building.  They are not perfect, but we tried to honor keeping you out of the building for Teacher Appreciation Week.   If you cannot participate when is suggested, I understand.  If you need to come at different times/hours, I understand. Again, your well-being is what is most important.  You can come up any time in June if necessary.  If you need a mask, we have masks in the office.  Please wear one.  I know it will be super hard, but please practice social distancing while you are in the building. 

NEXT WEEK

We will BRIEFLY check in during house/grade/team scheduled ZOOM times, next week, so plan accordingly.  Below are suggested days for people to come up to school to prepare your classrooms for summer.  Please make a copy of the 2020 EOY Checklist on your iPad and check off items when you complete them.  We will ask you to email your completed checklists the following week.  The links are live for Furniture Inventory and the End of Year Technology Checklist, but I need until 5/15 to get the Storage Inventory document ready for you.  Thank you for your understanding.  

• May 11-5th and Specials
• May 12- Kinder and 4th grade
• May 13- 3rd grade and Sped
• May 14- 2nd grade and Support Staff (ESL, Paras, Nurse)
• May 15- 1st grade and anyone who needs extra time

AFTER NEXT WEEK

Please stay tuned for specific details for the following week (week of May 18). I have some thoughts regarding what we talked about and want to visit with some of our Leadership Team, tomorrow afternoon. You will be copied on the Parent Link, with details, that will go out to parents on Monday, May 11.

  

TAKE CARE OF YOU

What are some ways to combat stress during the hectic end of the year?  Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus, suggests these strategies:

SAVE THE DATE

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 11- Panorama training must be completed
Week of May 11-15- Complete EOY Checklist
May 13- PTO Grants Due
May 15- Staff Zoom Pics Due
     Field Day Choice Boards in Lesson Plans
May 18-19- Learners pick up bags, drop off library books, pick up medications
May 20- 5th grade parade (10:00- Car Loops)
May 21- Virtual Spirit Rally by houses (8:00)
     EOY Staff Celebration (1:30 Andy's)

Week of May 4, 2020

What another terrific week at Lee.  It is so hard to believe it is MAY!  ENJOY Cinco de Mayo, this week, as you social distance and enjoy some bottomless bowls of chips and salsa at a restaurant, maybe?!  THANK YOU for your committee work and ideation.  In a weird way it is taking me back to #rjlyear1.  Getting to design and create new ways of doing things, it's EXCITING.  I cannot wait to hear what you all have come up with, on Wednesday.

DID YOU KNOW:

• sweet Beth is going to head back to Wilson next year?  She has the opportunity to teach departmentalized 5th grade with a good friend.  We are going to miss her greatly and know that we have been blessed to have this year in our lives.  Best wishes, Beth!  Once a Spur, always a Spur.  
• that Kourtney Waggoner is approved by the Board to work at Lee next year?  Please feel free to reach out to her at kourtneyfaldyn@gmail.com to welcome her to our FamiLEE.  She will be joining either or Kindergarten or First grade team.  

I am Kourtney Waggoner, and I am so excited to be joining the FamiLee for the upcoming school year! I grew up in Katy, Texas with parents who are both educators. I graduated from Texas A&M University, Class of 2014, with my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. I began my journey as an educator in Katy ISD where I taught kindergarten and first grade. After getting married in 2015, my husband and I relocated to San Antonio. I taught kindergarten and special education in Northside ISD. During my time in San Antonio, I completed my M. Ed in Special Education and Behavior Analysis through Texas A&M University. Currently, I serve as a Behavior Specialist for Comal ISD in New Braunfels. Serving in a district-wide role has been extremely rewarding, but I am truly looking forward to being back in the classroom with little, smiling faces greeting me every morning and colleagues to collaborate with on a daily basis! On a personal note, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, running outdoors, traveling, playing with our two energetic dogs, and volunteering in programs for kids with various abilities. I cannot wait to meet you all and learn alongside you! 

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  One way to show you how much we love you is to give you the gift of time.  The ONLY virtual meeting for Lee Staff next week will be our Leadership Meeting, on Wednesday, at 11:00, and we will try and keep it BREIF.  Of course, if you need us, PLEASE reach out, but enjoy the extra time this week!  YOU DESERVE IT!

PTO MEETING

There will be a virtual PTO meeting on Tuesday night.  If you serve on PTO, please plan to attend.  Once we get the ZOOM Meeting info from PTO, we will share it. 

TALENT SHOW

3-5 Teachers, please plan on sharing the RJL Talent Show flyer and information with your families.  Thank you to the Talent Show committee for making this event happen for our children and famiLEEs.  The flyer is also posted on PeachJar.  GREAT WORK, ladies!

SCATTERGORIES LISTS

If you want to play Scattergories with your kids or family, here are the lists we used during Wednesday's Social Hour.

HAPPY CALLS

I know you are in full swing of distance learning, but it is the perfect time to end the year on a good note.  Yes, you are seeing them on ZOOM, but why not take some time and make a happy call to each of your learners in the next couple of weeks?  It will pay off for you as much as it will them, trust me!

ESL THIS WEEK

Assess Formatively- GREAT ESL teachers are always assessing their students.  They are listening to their conversations both in social settings and in academic contexts.  These teachers use multiple forms of assessment throughout the day to gauge their instruction and student learning.  They are gathering data to help inform their next steps with their students.

TO DO

• Final check- make sure ALL of your documents are signed in Strive
• Take the staff Panorama Survey
• Complete Panorama Professional Learning 
• ENJOY being celebrated next week!

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Humility- being humble, not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

If you win or excel at something, do not brag.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Teacher Appreciation Week
ISIP Testing this week
May 5- Leigh Ann's Birthday
     PTO Mtg. 6:30