Week of January 20, 2025

Thank you for an awesome week.  I'm so excited to celebrate our namesake Mr. Richard J. Lee for his 90th birthday on Saturday.  Thank you to the classes that made cards for us to present him with.  He is going to feel so loved by our Spurs.  CONGRATS to our entire school on winning money from CISD for your work with our attendance.  Please share your ideas in house meetings for how we can spend the funds in a meaningful way.  What a cool surprise as a result of your hard work.

DID YOU KNOW:

• chargers for the MetaPens arrive January 25 and will be distributed to campuses?
• it is already time to start thinking about school supplies for next year?  Here is last year's list. Please review, as a grade level, and make any adjustments.  Once your adjustments are made, change the date on your tab to "Your Grade 2025-2026" so we know you are done.  The total should be below $60.  Please have this done by Friday, Feb 21, so I can get it to PTO.  I'm sorry, but this task should be done outside of Team Time since it does not align with our 4 questions.
• MTSS is only two weeks away?  I know that the snow days have delayed progress monitoring a bit.  Please make sure you have your goals updated with the most recent information before our meeting on January 30. Everyone is doing a great job creating new goals as the old ones have been met. Thank you for updating our spreadsheet and Panorama with progress and needs. -Kat
• you need to accumulate 18 hours of flex credit this year? Please check out your portfolio in Power School to see that you are close and send in your submissions for approval, now.

THINKAPALOOZA

Friday is here!  Thank you to everyone, especially Ayesha, for making this day possible for our learners and to all of the staff for your flexibility.

NO SCHOOL

School will be closed on Monday in celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

PTO MEETING

Our next virtual PTO meeting is coming up this Tuesday, January 21, at 6pm. Zoom link will be emailed out prior to the meeting. This month, we will be highlighting some important things you should know about our CISD School Board, the Texas Legislative session, and how you can get involved and stay up to date. Make sure to save the date and join us to hear all the important updates!

FLEX LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

On Wednesday, Holly will host a flex session for those interested.   

Learn more about Page Keeley probes from Samira.  Please share if you are attending here: https://forms.gle/D5w3yv8AeHkrrSuCA so Samira can plan accordingly.

 

GARDEN FUNDRAISER

We are excited to support a group of learners who have been working with our Garden Guru to implement ideas to control the mouse problem in our school garden.  If you would like to support their efforts, they will be hosting a key tag sale on Thursday and Friday.  You will get to personalize your key tag and hang it on the fence by the garden.

PTO SPIRIT NIGHT AT MODERN MARKET

Looking for a night out that makes a difference? Join us at Modern Market Eatery on January 23rd from 11am-8pm  and enjoy wholesome, tasty food for the whole family! 30% of proceeds will benefit Lee PTO when you use promo code giveback015. Healthy eating never felt so rewarding! #EatWellGiveBack

ANNUAL PTO DESIGNER GRAND APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Reminder that our PTO grant application cycle for this school year is now officially open. If you are interested in applying for a PTO grant this year, please submit this form. We will be accepting applications through Sunday January 26, 2025. We are looking forward to partnering with you!

GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE
THANK YOU, Angela, for leading the charge with our Great Kindness Challenge planning for 2025!  Be thinking about how you can incorporate KINDNESS into your lesson design in the next couple of weeks.  You will want to create a banner for your classes for our Kindness Kickoff Parade.  This will take place first thing Monday morning, January 27. Here is the link from Angela with details.

SAVE THE DATE FOR 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL

We hope our staff and learners will have fun celebrating the 100th day of learning on February 3.

BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Scholastic Book fair is coming to the RJL Library in early February, and the volunteer sign up is live.  Act fast to get a slot that works best for you!  This is a great way to get involved and foster young readers!  bit.ly/RJLBookFair

Reminder, if you plan to volunteer for these or any other future events, complete your yearly required CISD Background Check asap here. 

COACH'S CORNER

Timely reminders:

*1st grade mCLASS testing-there are 2 weeks left to complete mCLASS.  It is due by Jan. 31st.

*Your SLO student growth check in is due in Power School Perform by January 24th. Here is a 2 minute tutorial to walk you through the process. If you would like to go through this with a learning coach, email us to schedule a time.

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK

TELPAS testing dates are February 24 and 25 and on the staff calendar. 

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP

DATES TO REMEMBER:

MOY MAP and MCLASS WINDOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 28

SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH

Jan 20- NO SCHOOL

Jan 21- Reading Academy

     Virtual PTO Mtg. (6:00)

Jan 22-  Reading Academy

     Design Day (Green House AM / Red House PM)

     Flex Learning (3:15)

Jan 23-  Angela's Birthday

     Design Day (Blue House AM / Yellow House PM)

     Sky Ranch Chaperone Mtg. (5:00)

Jan 24- SLOs due in Power School

     Design Day (Purple House PM)

     Chantel OFF

Week of January 13, 2025

WOW!  This has been a fast and furious first short week back!  THANK YOU for the experiences you designed for our children.  It has been a joy walking the buliding and hearing and seeing your learners set goals, review resolutions, and vision for the new year.  I hope you all enjoyed the extra two days off and that you are as excited for Thinkapalooza as I am.  I want to say thank you for being the AMAZING staff that you are.  The way that you go ALL IN all the time at Lee is seen and appreciated.  There really is NO PLACE LIKE LEE!!!

DID YOU KNOW:

• all learners are not wearing their badges to during the day?  Please make sure they have them to ease with checkout and accuracy in the cafeteria and library. 
• we are putting in subs for your upcoming design days on January 22-24? DO NOT PANIC if you see full day for you or no day for you.  We have it in the system the way we need to to secure subs and all of you are taken care of. 

ANNUAL PTO GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Reminder that our PTO grant application cycle for this school year is now officially open. If you are interested in applying for a PTO grant this year, please submit this form. We will be accepting applications through Sunday January 26, 2025. We are looking forward to partnering with you!

STATE OF THE DISTRICT

Stay informed on what is happening with the budget and legislative impacts on Coppell ISD.  Please add this to your weekly communication to parents.

THINKAPALOOZA

Friday is the day.  Please HYPE THIS EVENT UP and see Ayesha if you have any questions or need supplies.  

NO SCHOOL

School will be closed on Monday .

PTO MEETING

The upcoming virtual PTO Meeting has been moved to Tuesday January 21, 2025 at 6pm to allow for individuals to attend the State of the District Meeting being held at Coppell High School on January 14th at 6:30pm. We hope to see many of you at these meetings.

GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE
THANK YOU, Angela, for leading the charge with our Great Kindness Challenge planning for 2025!  Be thinking about how you can incorporate KINDNESS into your lesson design in the next couple of weeks.  You will want to create a banner for your classes for our Kindness Kickoff Parade.  This will take place first thing Monday morning, January 27. Here is the link from Angela with details.

MOY GOAL SETTING
If you are a paraprofessional, instructional aide, or office support staff,  I would like to set up a middle of the year goal setting appointment with you.  Please have Tara schedule you on my calendar for 15 minutes.  This is time for us to check in and see how I can support you and your professional goals this year.  For all others that are evaluated under TTESS, Angel, Kat, and I should have scheduled your formal TTESS Observation by now. If any of you under TTESS want a middle of the year check-in, please email your evaluator.  We are happy to have one on one time with you.  

AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

There are still some open spots for those interested in the new session for the second semester.

FLEX LEARNING IN TWO WEEKS

Save the date!  On January 22, Holly will host a flex session for those interested.   Our learning coaches will also host a session on Page Keeley probes. 

SAVE THE DATE FOR 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL

COACH'S CORNER

Instructional Idea to Try!

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK

Professional Learning Opportunity for Flex Credit:

The stronger the background knowledge, the more effectively a student will engage in new learning. Participants will explore ways to infuse the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) into content instruction while building their background knowledge through linguistically accommodated learning activities. Such best practices help scaffold learning experiences that build the foundation for higher-order thinking skills in students’ first and second languages.

Course Contact Name: Laura Ortega - laura.ortega@region10.org
CPE CREDIT: 1.5

This course may only be taken one (1) time for credit. The course Certificate of Completion will only show the original date of completion.

Create an account and Sign-in to access the course for free. Link: https://www.myprofessionallearning.com/visitor_catalog_class/show/202079/ELPS-Focus-on-Building-Background

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

While attendance is important, the health of our students and schools comes first.  If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home. Allowing a child with a fever to attend school can increase the risk of spreading illness to classmates and teachers, affecting everyone's well-being. Let's prioritize health and safety to maintain a positive learning environment for all.

LESSON IN LEEDERSHIP

 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

MOY MAP AND MCLASS WINDOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 28

SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH

January 12- Aparna's Birthday

January 14- Kaitlin's Birthday

     State of the District Event (CHS Commons 6:30)

January 15- Leadership Meeting

January 17- Thinkapalooza

January 20- NO SCHOOL

Week of January 6, 2025

We hope you have enjoyed our gingerbread themed December to Remember.  Have a SUPERB TWO WEEKS away from work, sweet staff.  We wish you nothing short of the most safe, memorable, and restful break and can't wait to hear about your time away from school!

Congratulations to Jacky!  As first year teacher she has done an incredible job with her first classes of her own.  With drive and determination and the help of Kara, her teams, and our coaches, she does not look or behave like a beginning educator.  Kudos to this year's new hires and additions to our team: Menaka, Joy, Sheila, and Zeal.  You have made it to Christmas!  We are so proud of each of you and the journey you are on with us.  Thank you, returning staff, for pouring into our newest FamiLEE members the first two nine weeks and helping them along the way!  I am a proud principal who is blessed to have a staff that I trust and who live out the vision of Lee.  Each of you are a huge part in actualizing our guiding purpose.  THANK YOU for loving our school, loving our children, loving each other, and loving ME!  Leadership Team...WOW!  Thank you for being the voice for your grades and houses.  You are such a FUN group.  Thank you for the support you have given our Admin Team and campus, this year.  You continue to grow in immeasurable ways and we are grateful for you.  

DID YOU KNOW:

• the office will clean out the lounge refrigerators at 11:00 on Friday? Please get your left over items so they don't get discarded.  
• you should set up your automatic replies before you leave for Winter Break?  Please make time to go in and set this up before leaving so you can disconnect for the two weeks.   
• January is School Board Appreciation Month?  Thanks to Zara for making a banner to represent Lee Elementary in the Board Room.  We can't wait to see it.
• Dr. Hunt approved jeans through January...therefore I permit warm ups at this time?  If you got a scratch off for joggers...save it- use it another time.  Those who got leave early or come late...please use your time on Friday the 20th?  That coupon is for one hour of time.  Please communicate with Admin if you are coming late or leaving early and put the coupon on CKs desk.  Sonic drinks will be delivered on Friday, as well.  Hours on Friday are 8:00-12:00 for those who are not hourly employees.

HOLIDAY PARTIES

Please enjoy your parties on THURSDAY from 2:00-3:00.  Parents will be coming in to set up from 1:00-2:00 while we are in Spirit Rally in the gym.  Please have all learners packed up before the Spirit Rally so that you can help with clean up and dismiss after the party.  PTO should be bringing their own paper and supplies.  Parents should have signed up to volunteer through your Room Parent Sign up.  The third tab on the Master Schedule shows the schedule for the day. Your Special's time is impacted, so check out the schedule.

YEARBOOK REMINDER

PANORAMA SURVEY

Staff members, please include this link to your parents in  your newsletter.  Right now, we only have 35 responses.

• Family 

• Here is your universal anonymous link to share with families: surveys.panoramaed.com/coppellisd/FamilyFall2024/surveys

BEFORE LEAVING ON FRIDAY       

1. Make sure you completed your Panorama survey.  70% of you are done, so thank you if you already did yours.
2. Please get any items form the fridge by 11:00.  The office will be tossing anything "suspect."
3. Please, also visit your mailbox before 11:00.  Empty it of all contents.  
4. UNPLUG your Vivitek Board and any other items that are plugged into outlets (including coffee makers, lamps, pencil sharpeners, etc.)
5. Custodial does a deep cleaning of the campus these next two weeks.  May I suggest a FRESH START?  I ask that you erase as much as you can on your dry erase boards and clean off your counters of clutter so that your room gets cleaned as much as possible.  PLEASE take down, send home, and store any holiday displays and decorations before leaving.  
6. If you have pets, you are required to take them home with you.  Pets are not permitted to stay on campus these two weeks.  Take plants home, too, if you are not coming up to water them.

FROM PTO

Annual PTO Designer Grant Applications now open!

We are excited to announce that our PTO grant application cycle for this school year is now officially open. If you are interested in applying for a PTO grant this year, please submit this form.

We will be accepting applications through Sunday January 26, 2025. We are looking forward to partnering with you!

JANUARY 6

This day is a scheduled work day for you.  You can choose to work remotely this day.  The building will be open from 8:00-3:00 and dress is casual if you come in.  Hourly employees, please make sure if you are not coming in to Lee, that you have work from your supervising teacher.  If you do not have anything to do, we are more than happy to accept help covering in the front office.  

REMINDERS
Don't forget that grades are due January 7th.  Please go into e-school, today, to make sure you are able to enter grades, have all of your learners, etc. so that if Kat needs to correct anything, it can be done before the holiday.  Also, if you enter grades on Monday (our work day), please remember that they must be back-dated to a date before December 20th, or they will not save.

Everyone is doing a great job on their HB 1416 minutes and MTSS Tier 2 and 3 interventions. Lee got a shout out from the district saying that we are "rocking it" with our interventions. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work and dedication to giving every learner what they need every day. The district has asked that we update progress for every intervention before we leave for break. Please make sure that you have an update for this week on all interventions before you leave at noon on Friday. 

REVISITING RESPECT AGREEMENTS

Please create new or revisit respect agreements with your classes for the 3rd 9 weeks.  Remember there should be FOUR quadrants: Learner to Learner, Learner to Designer, Designer to Learner, and Learner to School.  All four quadrants should have 3 to 4 bullets with short phrases (ex: be honest, hands to self, feet off furniture, etc.). Please share updated agreements with Admin so we can update our binder.  We use these when learners come down with behavior reflections. 

COLLEGE SHIRT DAY

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

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP LESSONS

It is a new 9 weeks.  It is imperative we review responsible use for technology and learner digital footprint.  Learners should NEVER erase their history.  Learners should also not download apps from Manager without your permission.  REMIND THEM OF THIS- Admin and Designers should be checking this periodically to help learners with accountability. After teaching the review lesson, have learners sign a new Digital Citizenship agreement/poster and post it by your respect agreement. This is required and helps Admin when we visit with learners who make poor technology choices.

#ONEWORD2025
Since opening year, we, as a staff, have come back in January and had a word for the year.  Just one word.  My first word was INSPIRE, then LEAD, followed by GRATITUDE, KIND, LISTEN, GRACE etc.  This year my word is still being decided upon. Your word can be something tangible or intangible.  It can be a thought, a feeling, or an action.  The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you.  This word may not make sense to anyone but you, and that is okay.  This is YOUR word!  This little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities.  Sometimes a word will pop into your brain, and it will not make any sense to your right now.  Give it some time.  Let it percolate a bit.  Maybe this is a word you need to hear, but just aren't ready for it yet.  Again, be open to the possibilities.  Between now and our first Wednesday's staff meeting on the 8th, please determine what your #oneword2024 will be.  We will have an activity to go along with your word, so come prepared with yours. 

504 UPDATE 

Accommodations specified on a 504 services plan must be documented by the educator in some way.  There is no specific rule that requires the accommodation to be documented in a certain way- rather each educator has the flexibility to set up a system that works best for them.  It is reasonable for a parent, OCR and/or TEA to require proof that an accommodation, per the services plan, was in fact provided.  A verbal response that the accommodation was provided will not satisfy OCR or TEA.  If you have a 504 learner, please complete this Google form as a way to document the accommodations are being provided.

COACH'S CORNER

Reviewing classroom procedures and expectations after a long break is essential for resetting routines and creating a positive learning environment. Here are a few quick ideas to get you started:

• Morning Meeting Prompts: Kick off the day with reflective and forward-thinking questions, such as:

• What is one thing you’re proud of from the first half of the year?

• What is a new goal you’d like to set for yourself?

• What does respect look, sound, and feel like in our classroom?

• What would be a good class goal for our class to work on this month? 

• Learner-Created Anchor Charts: Empower learners and build learner ownership through learner-created anchor charts for classroom expectations. Grab the lesson plan here! 

• Classroom Scenario Cards: Get the editable template here! These cards are great for targeting tricky behaviors and reviewing everyday classroom management issues in a fun and engaging way. 

• Games & Challenges: Use activities like Kahoot, Simon Says, or a scavenger hunt to make reviewing expectations engaging and memorable. Looking for a ready-made game? Grab this editable Bingo Board template and have learners play along to follow classroom expectations!

• Classroom Reset: Involve learners in organizing and refreshing your classroom space—it’s a great way to build ownership and community.

A little time spent on resetting can go a long way toward a successful second half of the year! Let a Learning Coach know if you’d like additional resources or support to plan these activities! 😊

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Pro Parenting Tip: When scheduling dentist and doctor appointments, opt for times outside of school hours whenever possible. If appointments are necessary, schedule in the afternoon to ensure your child will not be marked absent for the day. Thank you for helping us prioritize attendance and support your child's learning journey!

ESL UPDATES

Please check out the CISD ESL/BIL website.  Ms. Bryant is showcased here. 

LESSON IN LEEDERSHIP

DATES TO REMEMBER:

SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH

RED HOUSE IN CHARGE OF LOUNGE

Dec 20- Zeal's Birthday

Dec 15- Christmas and start of Hanukkah

Jan 6- Staff Work Day (Option to work remotely)

Jan 7- Report Card Grades and comments due (8:00AM) 

     May's Birthday

Jan 8- College Shirt Day

     Staff Meeting (3:15 Cafe)

Jan 9- Priscilla's Birthday

     Rikki's Birthday

     LEEdership Council Mtg. (8:00)

     Sky Ranch Chaperone Meeting (5:00 PM)

Jan 10- Report Card Day

     Margie's Birthday

     CISD Spelling Bee

Jan 11- Ruby's Birthday