Week of March 30, 2026

Thank you for a wonderful first week back from break.  It has been FUN being in so many classrooms.  Letting you know, Angel and I will be working to get second and third walkthroughs completed in the coming weeks. What fun the March Madness pop tart challenge has been, too!  THANK YOU, Linda for your hard work and communication.  

DID YOU KNOW:

• Kindergarten enrollment has begun?  If you have FamiLEEs with siblings that will be kindergarteners next year, please share this information and encourage them to register, now, if they are not already in PreK in CISD.  We want to get an accurate count of our incoming learners.
• we need all classroom designers to check learner bus tags on backpacks?  If you cannot see/read their bus number anymore, please re-write it with sharpie.  If it has fallen off, please add another one.  
• that it is time to review your Respect Agreements and technology expectations with our classes for the last nine weeks?  Please keep random history checks up and use Apple Classroom as part of your routine.
• I am making a final call for POs?  If there is anything else your house or grade needs this year, get with Chantel before next Friday.  We have ordered items for houses so that the Shared Curriculum Lists are brought back up to "standard."
• CISD has dates set for next year, already?  Check out the graphics below:

PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY

Wednesday is a day to celebrate the staff that supports ALL of us and ALL of our learners.  Please take time to thank these ladies on their special day.  We could NOT do what we do without each of them and their hearts of gold!

COLLEGE SHIRT DAY

All learners are encouraged to participate in wearing a college shirt on the first Wednesday of each month.  

LET'S CELEBRATE

Please stop by the conference room on Wednesday to celebrate Sam. 

NO SCHOOL

GRADES 3-5

Plan to make time for these readiness tasks this week.  We are a week out!

UPCOMING AUTHOR VISIT

SUMMATIVES
Summative Season is here!  Your summative meeting is your time to get praise from us and brag about all you have accomplished this year.  Here is the link to sign up for this year's EOY summative times.  Please sign up for a time that works for you.  Pay attention to field trips, events, and do not sign up on the day designated for parprofessionals if you are not a paraprofessional.  On your day, meet Chantel and Angel in the large conference room with your MacBook ready to AirPlay to the tv.  We have 30 minutes with each of you and can't wait for individual time to discuss all you have accomplished this year and moving forward into 2026-2027.  Calendar invites will be sent for the time you sign up for.

• Agenda we will follow for hourly employees
• Agenda we will follow for non-hourly employees

PLEASE DO NOT stress out about having the PERFECT BULB for this meeting.  I request you have some evidence that documents you have worked toward your two goals and your Student Growth Tracker visible. If you can talk about your SLO with us, we will NOT need to go through every SLO reflection question, so BREATHE!  Reflection questions are attached if you want to know some topics you could discuss related to your SLO.

YEARBOOK

Order your 2025-26 yearbooks today! You must order online before April 7. Type in Richard J Lee Elementary. Yearbook ID: 13015826.

DO GOOD DAY!

Blue House is excited to celebrate Earth Day by participating in service projects for our community. You can help by encouraging your learners to donate hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant), plastic bags (grocery store bags), and newspapers/magazines. We will have large boxes for collection upstairs by the elevator. Thank you for your help with supporting our project! 

🏆🌈 COLOR RUN- GOAL SMASHED!
We did it, FamiLEEs! Our 2026 Color Run was a vibrant success, and thanks to your overwhelming generosity, we haven't just hit our goal—we’ve sprinted right past it!

We are officially at 129% of our target, raising over $24,500 for our PE Department and Field Day! These extra funds will go even further in supporting our learners with new equipment and school programs.

Relive the fun and browse the Color Run photo gallery.

FAMILEE FUN SPIRIT NIGHT TONIGHT! 
Today is the day!! Please join us TONIGHT at Ground Control Las Colinas trampoline park on March 27th for glow night! We hope this will be a great time for the kids to hang, but also for the adults to get to know each other!

You can buy tickets for entry from 6-8pm on the hour or half hour onsite or online! If you purchase online, when you arrive, make sure to mention our fundraiser and have them print out your receipt! If you attend, feel free to share any good photos you capture here.

COACH'S CORNER

Rethinking Test Prep

As we head into testing season, a reminder: At Lee, we do not do packet after packet or rely on full-length practice STAAR tests as review.

That approach often creates fatigue and disengagement, not stronger learning. Instead, we want review to be active, meaningful, and engaging—giving students opportunities to think, discuss, and apply what they know.

Over the next few weeks through mid-April, I’ll be sharing simple alternatives for making spiral review more interactive. The goal: more thinking, more engagement, less packet fatigue.

Engaging Test Prep: Ideas and strategies to get your started! 

Check out the Lead4Ward Instructional Playlist. Here are some of my personal favorites for review are: 

• Make the Case
• Chatterbox (aka Cootie Catchers)
• Fixer Upper
• HandUp - HandOver
• IQ Slap Down
• Pick up the Slip Up (you could have students develop these!)
• Presto Chango!
• Thinking Inside/Outside the Box
• Triad Trades

Pair these with Think It Up exit tickets to use to formatively assess your learner’s understanding.

Want help with these or to see it in action? Let me know, I would love to come in and co-teach an activity together!

LEEDERSHIP TIPS OF THE WEEK

    LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

    Curiosity- the eager desire to learn, to explore, to investigate

    LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

    Learn and inquire about things that interest you.

    LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

    "The future belongs to the curious. The ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, 

     question it, and turn it inside out." -Anonymous

DATES TO REMEMBER:

SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH

NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WEEK

EOY SUMMATIVE WINDOW

YELLOW AND RED LOUNGE DUTY

March 31- Renee's Birthday

April 1- College Shirt Day

     Paraprofessional Appreciation Day- We 💗 our paras!

     Onboarding Mtg. (3:15-4:15) bring your iPad

April 2- LEEdership Council Mtg. (8:00 Flex space)

April 3-  National School Librarian Appreciation Day- We 💗 you, Holly!

     NO SCHOOL

April 4- Easter

April 6- NO SCHOOL

Week of March 23, 2026

Your spaces and our school look AMAZING and I am so proud to show off our school tonight.  Our parents will be bragging about all of you!!!  

CONGRATS on hitting the Color Run goal.  I appreciate the campus-wide effort from everyone.  It takes us ALL.  ENJOY tomorrow.

HOORAY!  You made it to Spring Break.  Please enjoy taking time for yourself over the week.  Travel.  Sleep in.  Read a book.  Binge watch some TV.  Do what makes YOU happy!  You have EARNED IT!  I will be in Florida.

DID YOU KNOW:

• we will clean out the lounge fridges at 1:00 tomorrow? Please make sure you get your items so they are not discarded. We don't want any Science projects growing!!
• you will want to set your auto replies for Spring Break? Don't forget!
• some folks have forgotten that GOOGLE is not a tool for research and images? Please remember to use MackinVIA and other library databases.
• CISD Tech Dept. is working to finalize the replacement of district Vivitek boards? The current deployment window is projected to begin as early as this summer, but depending on the manufacturing it could be as late as December. They have narrowed our selection to two primary candidates: Clear Touch and Newline. Both displays are currently installed at Pinkerton Elementary. Any interested staff is encouraged to visit Pinkerton to experience the interactive boards firsthand.
• some of you have GT hours that are ready for approval? You need to go into Power School and check a box and the blue submit button to send the request to me so I can approve next.  Please do this.

OPEN HOUSE

We are excited to host Open House tonight.  Front and rear doors will be unlocked for entrance at 5:30 PM.  This is a "come and go" event, so parents can stay as long as they need to during this hour.  Don't forget to invite parents to stop by the cafeteria to see the Color Run incentive charts and shop the PTO merch table.  Please plan to dress professionally for the Open House event. 

COLOR RUN
Our learners may have crossed the finish line on Friday, but there’s still time to donate! The House Class competitions are open through Spring Break, closing on Sunday, March 22nd! Visit rjlpto.org/colorrun to donate. Proceeds directly fund Field Day, with all remaining funds going to our PE department for PE and recess equipment!

NO SCHOOL

There will be no school March 16-20.  See you back safely on March 23.

SPIRIT RALLY MONDAY

Please follow the Spirit Rally schedule on Monday.  Our Spirit Rally will take place outside so that leading donators can color a staff member of their choice.  

STAFF MEETING

During Wednesday's staff meeting, we have STAAR testing and security training.  We will not need hourly employees to attend this training.

YEARBOOK

Order your 2025-26 yearbooks today! You must order online before April 7. Type in Richard J Lee Elementary. Yearbook ID: 13015826.

HELP TELL OUR LEE STORY

Are we doing a satisfactory job with your learner(s)?  Please tell us and others.  Here are three places you can review our school.

• Facebook

• Niche

• Great Schools

GT RESOURCE

REMINDER FROM THE FRONT OFFICE

To minimize disruptions and allow all learners to fully participate in special events (for example Music performances), the front office has been instructed not to pull learners from assemblies for early parent pick-up. When assemblies are in progress, students will not be called out until the assembly has concluded.

We understand that families may occasionally need to pick up early, and appreciate your understanding that our office team is following school practices designed to support a positive experience for all learners. If an early pick-up is necessary on a day when an assembly is scheduled, please ask parents to plan on arriving before the assembly begins or after it has concluded.

COACHES CORNER

Review Strategy Spotlight: Human Bingo
Looking for an engaging way to review? Try Human Bingo as a formative assessment tool.

What it is:

• A movement-based review game aligned to your learning targets
• Each square includes a skill-based prompt (explain, solve, justify, give an example)
• Students must find classmates who can accurately demonstrate understanding

Why it works:

• Gets every student talking and thinking
• Surfaces misconceptions in real time
• Feels like a game, but provides meaningful data
• Quick, interactive, and easy to align to any content area — perfect for review season! 

Check out the article to learn more!

FAMILEE FUN SPIRIT NIGHT
This may sound far away, but mark your calendars now since this event is the Friday after we come back from spring break! Please save the date to join us at Ground Control Las Colinas trampoline park on the evening of March 27th for glow night! We hope this will be a great time for the kids to hang, but also for the adults to get to know each other! You can buy tickets for entry from 6-8pm on the hour or half hour onsite or online! If you purchase online, when you arrive, make sure to mention our fundraiser and have them print out your receipt!

CISD RUN TO FUND- REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Join us Saturday, May 2 for the14th Annual CEF Run to Fund<http://coppellisdef.org/run-to-fund/> at Andy Brown East! Choose your way to participate:

 * 5K Run
 * 1-Mile Family Fun Run
 * Sleep-In & Support

Proceeds will allow CEF to bring innovative teacher support and learning opportunities to all students in CISD. Bonus: $2 from every entry goes directly to the PE department at the CISD school of your choice!

Sign up today and support CISD classrooms!  coppellisdef.org/run-to-fund/<http://coppellisdef.org/run-to-fund/>
Early Bird pricing is $35 through March 29 (prices increase March 30).

LEEDERSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER:

GREEN AND PURPLE HOUSE LOUNGE DUTY (March)

TEXAS HISTORY MONTH

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

March 23- Spirit Rally 2:00 (Basketball Courts)

March 24- Report Card Grades Due (8:00 AM)

March 25- Staff Meeting (3:15 Cafe and Library)

March 26- Reagan's Birthday

     Community Learning Walk (8:00-9:00)

     Chantel off    

March 27- Report Cards in HAC

     Evidence of Student Progress #5 completed and scored

     Chantel off

Week of March 9, 2026

One more week and Spring Break is HERE!!!  Thank you for all you are doing to get your learning spaces set up for Open House.  It is a HUGE deal to have parents in the building and there is so much learning to showcase.  Please make sure all extra furniture is moved out of your spaces and that collabs are as organized as your learning spaces.  

The district employee that was here getting technology data for CISD was super complimentary of all of you and our school.  She said she had been at multiple campuses and that our school does an incredible job of using devices to PRODUCE content with.  She also mentioned that she had never been here before and she was super impressed with the sound level and how our learners behave.  Way to shine!

DID YOU KNOW:

• if you need to call 911, it is best to use your classroom phone? Cell phones will delay response time.
• we need your feedback on Kendall's pathway and digital manual?  Please take time to review and participate.  From Kendall: Please complete this post-survey regarding the sensory pathway. I’m sharing it a bit early to give you ample time to complete it; there’s no need to respond right away. I want to be sure you’ve had sufficient time to use the pathway and review the digital manual. Please submit your response by March 13 at the latest. Thank you! -Kendall Keeton
•  ...what this means?   

PTO MEETING REMINDER

Mark your calendar! Our March Virtual PTO Meeting is Tuesday, March 10th at 6 PM. Join us for exciting updates from your PTO and RJL Admin Team. Submit questions for Principal or PTO anonymously before the meeting by visiting rjlpto.org/rjlspeaks.

This month, our CMS West Principal and PTO team will be visiting our meeting to welcome 5th grade parents!

The meeting link will be emailed home closer to the date.

OPEN HOUSE

We are excited to host Open House next week.  Front and rear doors will be unlocked for entrance at 5:30 PM.  This is a "come and go" event, so parents can stay as long as they need to during this hour.  Don't forget to invite parents to stop by the cafeteria to see the Color Run incentive charts.  Please plan to dress professionally for the Open House event.

RODEO GOAT SPIRIT DAY ALL DAY FOR LEE ELEMENTARY ON 3/12

Join us Thursday, March 12th, at Rodeo Goat in Cypress Waters from 11am-9 pm for a fun day of food and fundraising!  With our RJL Open House happening the same evening, it’s the perfect chance to grab dinner before or after the event. Mention our fundraiser when dining in or ordering by phone, and 20% of sales go to Lee PTO! Don’t miss out!

COLOR RUN FOR PARENTS

FamiLEE! Only one week 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 rjlpto.org/colorrun 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 specific classes are working towards!

COLOR RUN FOR STAFF

Please PARK IN THE BACK LOT and feel free to wear warm ups or shorts for the Color Run. We do have an adjusted schedule for the day.  Please use the schedule below (tab 2 in Master Schedule document) on Friday.  Thank you to the support staff helping to throw color and participate during the day.  Thank you to coaches and the Specials team for making this an incredible day for everyone.

NO SCHOOL

There will be no school March 16-20.  See you back safely on March 23.

MARCH MADNESS AT LEE ELEMENTARY

Join in the March Madness!  Stop by the lounge each day and sample the daily PopTart flavor to vote on.  We will see who is the winner at Lee Elementary on March 25.  

REMINDER

Remember that all flex learning is due by April 30.  Dr. Brooks sent this graphic of suggested learning opportunities for those who still want or need hours.  All submitted hours are approved by CK as of 4/4.

COACHES CORNER

📱 Intentional App Usage in the Classroom

We are focusing on intentional implementation and meaningful use of technology. Digital tools should enhance instruction and support deep thinking, creation, discussion, and application aligned to our standards. Curriculum directors have provided recommended maximum instructional usage:

ELAR

• Foundations A-Z: 60 min per week
• Boost: 45 min per week
• NoRedInk Grammar Lessons/Practice (3–5): 45 min per week

Math

• DreamBox: 3-5 lessons per week
• Each lesson in K-2 can take 8-10 minutes.
• Each lesson in 3-5 can take 10-15 minutes.
• Reflex: 3 Green Light days a week
• Each green light in 2-5 can take 10-15 minutes.
• Frax:  3 missions a week
• Each mission in 3-5 can take 15-20 minutes.

📎 Technology TEKS Reference:
When planning technology integration, consider alignment to your grade level Technology Applications TEKS, particularly strands connected to creativity, communication, research, and problem-solving.

🌟 Early Finisher and Extension Ideas

Instead of a sit-and-get app for early finishers or extension, try out:

• Choice boards aligned to current standards
• Depth & Complexity prompts (flex training from this week targeted this! If you weren’t able to make it, check it out in our RJL Schoology course here!)
• Learner created problems, questions, or task 
• Written justification tasks
• Purposeful and creative uses of technology (animations, ,gifs, podcasts, posters, etc) - check out Everyone Can Create from Apple!

If you'd like support designing early finisher tasks, extension menus, or planning lessons with intentional tech integration aligned to the Technology TEKS, feel free to book time with me — I’m happy to plan alongside you!

LEEDERSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER:

GREEN AND PURPLE HOUSE LOUNGE DUTY (March)

TEXAS HISTORY MONTH

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

COLOR RUN FUNDRAISING WINDOW

TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

March 8- Daylight Savings Time

March 10- Regan's TOY Visit (10:00-10:45)

     Kinder Dentist Visit (2:00 Cafe)

     Virtual PTO Mtg. (6:00 PM)

March 11- Leadership Mtg. (Laura's Space)

March 12- Rodeo Goat Spirit Day (11:00 AM- 10:00 PM)

     Open House (5:30-6:30)

March 13- Andrea's Birthday 

     Color Run (Day 0 Schedule)

     3rd Grading Period Ends

March 14- Maria's Birthday

March 15- Linda's Birthday

March 16-20- NO SCHOOL