Wednesday, December 18, 2024

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.


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

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