Week of October 1, 2018

What an amazing turn out for our Special Friend Event today.  The office did a wonderful job of greeting everyone and making them feel right at home!  The recess teachers helped manage learner guests, our cafeteria staff handled our large number of visitors, our lunch duty teachers did their very best keeping lunch on schedule with guests.  It takes us all on days like this.  THANK YOU!   I think of the core values Mr. Hunt discussed yesterday and having events like this align with "valuing collective engagement that positively impacts the lives our our children and our world" and  "we value authentic relationships."  The children are so excited and proud to have their guests at our school.  We recognize it is stressful on you when we have these events, so thank you for your positivity!

DID YOU KNOW:

• you can get to your H-drive on your MacBook without going through VMWare?  Check out this video from Leigh Ann. 
• there is a blog post that talks about some cool features of Schoology as well as using it in your classroom?  Thanks, Kasey!
• some of our FamiLEEs may be in need of supplies to cook a turkey dinner this holiday season? Please share this Google Form with them to fill out if they have a need.
• you and your learners can still shop the Book Fair VIRTUALLY? Click here until 10/6 and books will ship to Lee for FREE.
• compliance training is due on Sunday?  Leigh Ann will go in and credit 1.5 flex hours to those who have completed their training. 
• there is training available for Reflex Math?  Dates and times can be found here and we will host at Lee on October 2.
• your document cameras are in?  They will be put in your teacher mailbox and are part of your cart inventory.

BOOK FAIR
We have had a hugely successful Fall Book Fair this week- that means more books for our library! Thank you to Melinda, Julie, and our PTO moms for organizing it.  Thank you to all of the open space designers for handling the extra volume and for everyone being flexible with learners going down to shop.


FAIR TICKETS
The State Fair of Texas opens tomorrow?  You will get your Designer and Learner State Fair tickets in your box on Friday.  PLEASE send these home with learners, on Friday, in a secure way so that they do not get lost.  Not using your staff ticket? Return it to Deepa.  She will add it to the extras.  If you want an extra adult ticket, email her and she can get you one on a first come, first serve basis.  Check out State Fair of Texas foods to see what they have in store for you this year!  You all know I like bacon, but...I'm not so sure about "Sweet Bakin' Bacon!!!"

PICTURE DAY

Monday is class picture day.  Photographs will take place in the flex space of the media center.  We request that you come down promptly when you are scheduled. We did our best to work around the aptitude test, specials, and recess.  Please allow learners to change clothes if parents request they do so. 

BULLYING AWARENESS
October is National Bullying Prevention Month.  CISD is asking that all staff and students wear a blue shirt on Monday, Oct. 1st in observance of National Bullying Awareness Day. Thanks for your participation!  (Since it is picture day, learners and staff can change into their blue shirt if they don't want to wear it for pictures)


FED EX DAY
Enjoy your one hour on Wednesday where you learn about a topic of YOUR choice related to YOUR goals, and earn Flex credit for it.  This is a time for learning. Watch your email for how we will be be accountable for the day's learning.

CONFERENCES
We only have 15 days to respond to a parent's request for testing of their child.  If a parent requests testing during your fall conferences, we have a form coming from CISD to collect that parent request on.  We are told we will have it on October 1.


CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Our Campus Improvement Plan was approved by the Board on Monday night.  It is reflective of the District Improvement Plan and represents ideas you shared with us at the end of last year.  This is a fluid document that we can change/update throughout the year.


BOUNDARY REALIGNMENT
Please let your parents know that the district wants their input for the upcoming boundary realignment.  Decisions regarding realignment WILL affect our famiLEEs.  They can fill out this survey and find out more about the process and timeline here.

SOCIAL SPURS

The mission of the Social Spurs is to provide celebration and comfort to the wonderful staff of Lee Elementary.  Social Spurs are a staff maintained fund.  This is a voluntary financial commitment by staff members, controlled by staff members.  Dues are $20 for salaried employees and $10 for hourly employees.  You may pay cash or check (made out to: Lee Elementary) to the front office or Venmo Micha Patel (@micha-patel).  Please pay by October 5.

WALKTHROUGH FOCUS

Our focused walkthroughs for ONE MORE WEEK is in Domain 3 Dimension 1: Learning Environment.  Our goal is for everyone to have at least two pieces of feedback in this area.

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Courtesy- consideration, cooperation and generosity

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

If you can approach a door and someone is following you, hold the door and allow the other person to pass through it first, then you can walk through.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Manners are like the zero in arithmetic; they may not be much in themselves, but they are capable of adding a great deal of value to everything else' -Freya Stark

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Sept 28- FamiLEE Movie Night- Cancelled due to wet field.  Rescheduled for Oct. 12
Oct 1 - Oct 3- Aptitude Testing
Oct 1- Fall Picture Day
Oct 2- Ed Foundation Shirt and Jeans
     National Custodial Appreciation Day
     PTO Meeting (7:00 pm Cafe)
Oct 3- College Shirt Day
     Fed Ex (3:30-4:30)
     Dad's Club Meeting (7:00 pm)
Oct 4- LEEdership Meeting (8:15 Cafe)
     Campus Tour (1:00)
     Kindergarten Career Parade (2:00)
Oct 5- Social Spurs Dues Due
     Fall Conference Day
Oct 8- NO SCHOOL

Week of September 24, 2018

There are LOTS of blessings to celebrate this week.  Congratulations, Ashley and Kristina as you became new aunts!!

AND...
Congratulations to Cassie on her Hawaiian engagement!

We are SO VERY LUCKY AT LEE to celebrate these events with you!

DID YOU KNOW:

• Global Action Day is on Tuesday?  Sustainable Development Goals are one way that you can help lead learners toward actions and solutions to CBL problems.  Actions both big and small MATTER and we can't wait to see what you design for your learners. 
• that only 9 people responded to Kasey's Lee technology needs assessment?  We have 72 staff members!  This short survey helps us give you voice so we can personalize your digital learning, so please complete it before you leave on Friday.
• Kasey created her first blog post on her Bulb portfolio.  Check it out here to learn more about the "Power of a May Do."  Don't forget that Jacque updated her blog, too!
• that we failed to collect the keys to the mobile locking carts from specialists and staff members?  If you have a cart that looks like this, please see Ashley with all of your cart keys so we can sort through them and log them in.

FALL BOOK FAIR AND LIBRARY NEWS

Please share this library S'more on district databases, that our famiLEEs have access to, with your parents.  The Scholastic Book Fair will be here all next week.  There are multiple family engagement events like: Donuts with Dads on Wednesday and Special Friends Day on Thursday.  Please send your learners down, one at a time, during the day so that the volunteers are not overwhelmed with shoppers.

SPURS SAVINGS
We have our first Spur Savings bank day open this week. Remind your learners to bring their deposits.  Thank you to our fifth grade designers and learners for their partnership with Las Colinas Federal Credit Union!

SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
We are super excited to have an event where our Special Friends can come to our school on September 27. In order to disrupt the least amount of learning, we are inviting guests to attend the Book Fair (during the learner's recess) and have lunch (from school or home) during your lunch time. We will also have a photo opportunity for your guests. Please put this invitation in your newsletters inviting guests to Lee on Thursday. We kindly request that they sign up that they are attending, in advance, so that we can prepare accordingly. This form will ensure our cafeteria has enough food and seating, and so that the office can be ready for all of our guests.  We already have 53 responses. YAY!


FAMILEE MOVIE NIGHT
Thank you for making it a priority to stop by Friday night's event, if even for just a bit, so that the children and famiLEEs can see you. This is our first PTO event, and it communicates a positive partnership with them when we have staff members present. Not to mention... the event will be FUN! Doors open at 6:30 and the movie starts at 7:15.


STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Thank you for your work on your SLOs.  We can't wait to see how these goals affect learner achievement and also educator growth!  Please make sure you complete the following in Strive by September 28th.  

• On the form in Strive, make sure you input number of learners for each level of your rubric on the Initial Skills Profile
• Make sure your form is complete, and Submit to Appraiser
• Create your student growth tracker with each learner's name.  This means you will have the first three columns complete. 
• Save the student growth tracker as a PDF and upload it to Strive.  When you are on your evaluations tab, you should see a plus sign in the right hand corner to upload a document. 
  

SOCIAL SPURS
The mission of the Social Spurs is to provide celebration and comfort to the wonderful staff of Lee Elementary.  Social Spurs are a staff maintained fund.  This is a voluntary financial commitment by staff members, controlled by staff members.  Dues are $20 for salaried employees and $10 for hourly employees.  You may pay cash or check (made out to: Lee Elementary) to the front office or Venmo Micha Patel (@micha-patel).  Please pay by October 5.


LEE LIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Do you have something you want to share on the morning broadcast?  You can find the form to request an announcement here or by going to the "Morning Broadcast" section of our faculty website.  If you want something to be announced, please submit the form at least 48 hours in advance to ensure that your announcement is made.  There are 4 ways you can share information on Lee Live:  submitting a picture or short movie, making a guest appearance, submitting an announcement for our anchors to share, and by having kids make a guest appearance.  When submitting an announcement-please make sure that....

• Graphics and Videos should be in LANDSCAPE mode and not longer than 90 seconds (less than a minute is preferred)
• If you would like learners to come in and speak, they must be in the design studio by 7:35 the morning of with their scripts ALREADY practiced and ready to go.  These should be approved by you BEFORE submitting the announcement request.

Thanks from Sam and Taylor!

WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Our focused walkthroughs for ONE MORE WEEK is in Domain 3 Dimension 1: Learning Environment.  We are looking for evidence of effective routines, transitions, and procedures that are implemented effortlessly.  We are looking for learners to be in charge of managing materials and that your room is safe, inviting, and orderly.  We are enjoying watching evidence of learning as it is showing up on the walls in your spaces.


LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Patience- the ability to wait calmly

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

When a designer is assisting another learner, wait calmly until he or she can help you.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Consider the chicken; you get them by hatching the eggs not smashing them" - Arnold H. Glasow

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Sept 23- Layne's Birthday
Sept 24-Sept 28- Fall Book Fair
Sept 24- RtI Meetings
     Board Meeting (6:00 Admin)
Sept 25- Leadership Training for 5th Grade (All Day- MKB)
     Global Action Day
Sept 26- House Shirt with Jeans
     Donuts with Dads (7:15 Media Center)
     New Learner Lunches (10:30-1:00 Cafe)
     Staff Meeting (3:30 Micah's space)
Sept 27- Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40 Cafe)
     Lee Learning Walk (8:00-9:00)
     Special Friends Day (10:00-1:00)
Sept 28- Flu Shots at Lee (1:00-1:45)
     SLOs due in Strive
     FamiLEE Movie Night (6:30 Doors Open, 7:15 Movie Starts)

Week of September 17, 2018

BOY, I have missed you all this week, but I learned a great deal reading the submissions of ADS books with Priscilla and a group from across the U.S.  While we were inspired by the books, we were both reminded of how incredible Lee Elementary is and the wonderful work we are doing here.  THANK YOU for continuing to grow your knowledge in the area of technology and for your creative uses of our devices. You make us so proud!

DID YOU KNOW:

• you have access to the ADS Bookshelf in your iTunes library?  Looking for inspiration or want to get a glimpse into how schools are using technology... check this bookshelf out.
• you have access to the Substitute Teacher Handbook that we share with our substitutes? You might choose to add this to the front of your substitute binder as well as a copy of our master schedule.  
• Chantel hosts a "Shoe Tying Club" at Lee?  If you have young learners that need an incentive to learn to tie their shoelaces, all they have to do is watch this video, come down and demonstrate they can tie their laces, and they get a SURPRISE from her!
• the atrium floor was left dirty with food, silverware, and melted ice cream today?  PLEASE make sure learners are leaving all spaces better than they find them.
• Kasey is performing a needs assessment so you can let her and Admin know how we can support your digital learning this year.  Please take a few minutes to fill out this Google Form so we can get to know your digital needs a little better.
• SHORT NOTICE, but Chantel is HAPPY to read Happy Dreamer by Peter Reynolds, tomorrow.  It will only take 10-15 mins. Sign up if interested.

Check out sweet Harper, our newest Spur, who got to go home from NICU last week.  

SPURS SAVINGS
We have our first Spur Savings bank day open next Thursday. Thank you to our fifth grade designers and learners for their partnership with Las Colinas Federal Credit Union!


SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

We are super excited to have an event where our Special Friends can come to our school on September 27. In order to disrupt the least amount of learning, we are inviting guests to attend the Book Fair (during the learner's recess) and have lunch (from school or home) during your lunch time. We will also have a photo opportunity for your guests. Please put this invitation in your newsletters inviting guests to Lee on Thursday. We kindly request that they sign up that they are attending, in advance, so that we can prepare accordingly. This form will ensure our cafeteria has enough food and seating, and so that the office can be ready for all of our guests.  We already have 53 responses. YAY!


SOCIAL SPURS
The mission of the Social Spurs is to provide celebration and comfort to the wonderful staff of Lee Elementary.  Social Spurs are a staff maintained fund.  This is a voluntary financial commitment by staff members, controlled by staff members.  Dues are $20 for salaried employees and $10 for hourly employees.  You may pay cash or check (made out to: Lee Elementary) to the front office or Venmo Micha Patel (@micha-patel).  Please pay by October 5.


RTI LETTERS:

We are required to notify parents of learners who are receiving supplemental instructions or support through RtI both in behavior and academics.  This had to be done annually.  If you have already met with Ashley or Leigh Ann, and we are continuing RtI from last year, we have created the letters and they will be in your boxes.  The letters need to be scanned and uploaded into AWARE before you send them home!  Though the parents should be aware fo this assistance from last year, please also make sure that you have had a phone conversation about this with the parents before sending home.

PARENT COMMUNICATION
Do you keep a parent communication log?  This is a good idea for both positive and not so positive conversations.  In education: if it is not documented, it didn't happen.  Also, think about picking up the phone (instead of emailing) when you have an issue that could potentially escalate.  We have a caring staff, and typically if there are issues, it is due to miscommunication.  When a parent has your listening ear and hears your voice on the other end showing concern, most problems will be solved.  Please always inform Admin if you have a "tricky" conversation.


GEM NOMINATIONS

The internal Employee Recognition Program (GEM: Great Educators Matter) seeks to recognize outstanding employees who serve the mission of the district in a manner that exceeds job/salary expectations...those who go "above and beyond the call of duty" will be recognized on a semi-annual basis by the CISD Board of Trustees at 5pm before meetings. CISD employees are nominated by their peers, and two times per school year, as many as 30 are recognized before the Board of Trustees. Their names are also added to the Superintendent’s District Highlights at the applicable School Board Meeting.  We have so many incredibly talented folks and people that go above and beyond at our school. Please take time to nominate someone:

How do I submit a GEM nomination? – It’s easy…

• Open “Eduphoria,” select “Formspace”
• Then, at the lower lefthand corner, click on “Submit New Form”
• Click on the “Student & Staff Services” link
• Select “GEM”
• The GEM Nomination Form will “pop-up” and must be filled out completely.  (Please check spelling of nominee’s name, position, and campus.)
• Date your nomination/submission (use calendar icon)
• Once complete, hit the “Submit Form” button in the lower lefthand corner. (Repeat process for additional nominations; teams should be submitted as a group, with each individual name, etc. listed all on the same form

DESTINATION IMAGINATION

Please send this DI info home to your parents:

DESTINATION IMAGINATION CHALLENGE ENROLLMENT  Does your child love to paint?  Crazy about puzzles?  Loves to build stuff? Makes up amazing stories?  Thinks up whimsical words? Loves to experiment?  If your child answered yes to any of these, then you have a Destination Imagination Child!   Each year Destination Imagination offers STEAM challenges that teams from schools across the globe participate in.   What happens in the program?  Learners form a team of 2-7 members, work on their challenges for 2-4 months and showcase their Challenge solutions at the tournament. Each team appoints a Team Manager and Appraiser (usually parents and family members volunteer). Team Manager and Appraiser attend a fun 4 hour training. Each Team spends 1-2 hours per week to work together on the challenge.  The team decides the time and place to meet.  At DI, every solution is a good solution! Goal is to foster creativity, collaboration and help the team discover hidden ideas and talent.  What is the cost?  Registration Fee for a team - $95 Regional Tournament Fee for a team - $60 Project Budget- up to $150 max Approx. cost per person varies ($30 - $50) depending on the project budget and size of the team.    When is the tournament?  Regional Tournament:   Feb 23rd @ Flower Mound Global Finals:  May 22-23 @ Kansas City Whom can I contact for questions?   RJL DI Coordinator -  Neeti Nautiyal    Phone : 972 467 4117   Email:   neeti.nautiyal@gmail.com  /  coppelldi@gmail.com Links:  sign up:  http://signup.com/go/zJRyWNJ

https://www.destinationimagination.org/ 

https://sites.google.com/view/coppelldi/ 

COPPELL GIFTED ASSOCIATION

The Coppell Gifted Association is committed to supporting Coppell ISD and its educators in their efforts to meet the needs of gifted students. Please register for your FREE CGA educator membership, here, by Sept 23rd.

WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Our focused walkthroughs for the next week is in Domain 3 Dimension 1: Learning Environment.  We are looking for evidence of effective routines, transitions, and procedures that are implemented effortlessly.  We are looking for learners to be in charge of managing materials and that your room is safe, inviting, and orderly.  We are enjoying watching evidence of learning as it is showing up on the walls in your spaces.


LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Encourage: to inspire with courage and hope

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

If someone in the class wins a game or does something well, congratulate that person.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"When someone does something good, applaud.  You make two people happy."

DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 15- International Dot Day
September 17- Progress Report Grades Due
September 18- Ed Foundation Shirt w/ Jeans
September 19- School Shirt w/ Jeans
     Leadership Meeting (3:35-5:00 Megan's Space)
     CMSW Grand Opening (5:30-6:30)
September 20- GT Curriculum Night (Lee 6:30pm)
September 21- Send 4/5 Progress Reports Home
September 22- Carla's Birthday
     Shari's Birthday

Week of September 10, 2018

What a delightful week participating in beginning of the year goal setting with ALL of our staff this year.  Ashley, Leigh Ann, Jacque, and I are impressed with the thoughtful reflection and goal setting ideas you each have, and we look forward to supporting you on your journey.  THANK YOU for having the growth mindsets that you do and for continuing to stretch yourselves as professionals and designers.  This week was a reminder that our school famiLEE is so talented and that you are so supportive of one another.  So many of you included visiting one another in your action steps!  Please give yourself 60 seconds on Friday to STOP what you are doing, look around your space, and celebrate what you are doing.  We could not be more pleased with the first three weeks of school and what you are part of creating at Lee!!!  Have an incredible weekend- you deserve it!

DID YOU KNOW:

• Kasey has a message for you?  Please take a look. 
• you can use the ClassLink app on learner iPads to be able to make signing in to different platforms one step easier?
• iStation and CISD passwords are connected.  If you try to change a learner's iStation password to something different than their CISD password, it will automatically overnight change back to their CISD password.
• SeeSaw offers free online professional development?  Here are ways to register for September PD in your PJs:  
• PreK-2nd grades, register here.  
• 3rd-5th grades, register here. 

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

Please complete this Google Form to communicate who your members are before you leave tomorrow.

RTI MEETINGS

RtI meetings will begin on Monday, September 10th.  Please use this spreadsheet to sign up for a meeting if you have a learner who was on RtI last year, if a learner did not pass STAAR, or if you have a learner who is not performing on BOY screeners.      


CHOIR
4th and 5th Grades, please share this communication with your parents in this week's newsletter.  THANK YOU!


SUNSHINE CREW
Please talk up this leadership opportunity to your learners and share with their parents if your learners are in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.

SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

We are super excited to have an event where our Special Friends can come to our school on September 27. In order to disrupt the least amount of learning, we are inviting guests to attend the Book Fair (during the learner's recess) and have lunch (from school or home) during your lunch time. We will also have a photo opportunity for your guests. Please put this invitation in your newsletters inviting guests to Lee on Thursday. We kindly request that they sign up that they are attending, in advance, so that we can prepare accordingly. This form will ensure our cafeteria has enough food and seating, and so that the office can be ready for all of our guests.  Please include information about this event in your next two newsletters.


BUDGET
We are excited that we now have our 2018-2019 budget dollars to order what you need to work with your learners.  Part of my role is to make sure you have the supplies you need to do your job.  Please try to plan ahead so that you do not have to spend personal funds on supplies.  Also, be thinking about items we need to add to house storage closets (like manipulatives, science tools, etc.) and write up a PO and put it in my box.  Remember that it will take a couple of weeks to process, get quotes, and ship.  You also must use approved vendors ONLY.

COPPELL GIFTED ASSOCIATION
The Coppell Gifted Association is committed to supporting Coppell ISD and its educators in their efforts to meet the needs of gifted students. Please register for your FREE CGA educator membership, here, by Sept 23rd.


DISCIPLINE
As stated in our Lee Staff Handbook: Only after all efforts by the designer have been exhausted should a learner be sent to the office with a referral.  Repeated or serious misbehavior should be communicated to the learner’s parents as soon as possible. Here is the district discipline referral form.  Please send your referral to the office and an administrator will support you as quickly as possible.  Please watch this short video created by Courtney to review our discipline practices at Lee.  After we have a coaching session with your learner, we will bring them back and give you a copy of the discipline referral for your records.


WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Our focused walkthroughs for the next two weeks are in Domain 3 Dimension 1: Learning Environment.  We are looking for evidence of effective routines, transitions, and procedures that are implemented effortlessly.  We are looking for learners to be in charge of managing materials and that your room is safe, inviting, and orderly.  We are enjoying watching evidence of learning as it is showing up on the walls in your spaces.  WHAT A BEAUTY TO WITNESS!

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:
Patriotism- Love for or devotion to one’s country

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:
Stand up for what you believe in.  You shouldn’t take no for an answer if your heart and mind are leading you in a direction that you feel strongly about.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country”- Nathan Hale

DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 9:  RtI Meetings
September 11:  Susie's Birthday
September 12:  Convocation tshirt with Jeans
     Scout Night at Lee (7:00 pm Café)
September 13:  Lucy Calkins Cohort (3:30 Blue House)
     Sonnamaker Curriculum Night (5:30)
September 14:  CISD Staff Handbook Signature Due in Talent Ed
     LEEdership Council Meeting (8:15 Café)
     Pet Partner Visit (1:00-3:00)
     CISD Tailgate Event

Week of September 3, 2018

What a beautiful week of learning with the children.  I have enjoyed being in so many classrooms this week giving feedback as we investigate the learning environments at Lee.  KUDOS to each of you for the incredible job you have done posting to Twitter these first two weeks.  Remember if we don't tell the story, who will?  We have more parents than ever responding and posting to our #rjlyear5 hashtag.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

DID YOU KNOW:

• we have a new engagement on campus?  CONGRATS to Shelby on her recent engagement!  We are SO EXCITED FOR YOU!
• Ayesha is having a baby GIRL!!!!!
• we have been approved to add an additional paraprofessional to assist our inclusion learners and an additional paraprofessional to assist our ESL learners?  We are excited to welcome Kristi Howard and Delorise Foster to our our permanent teaching FamiLEE!  Shari, Misty, and Claudia will be working closely with our Admin team to use them in ALL areas of the building.
• you will want to register your Lucy Calkins kit online for extra resources? Thank you, Jacque, for the "how to" video.  Please register them so you have access!  We WANT YOU TO USE the anchor chart post its in your kits.  We will reorder a set for next year, so please use them so our learners see common language and images across grades.
• CISD Teacher of the Year, Mel Mollick, will be hosting an online session for combining organization, rules, and procedures that help embrace a 1:1 learning environment?  The event will be on September 4 from 7:30-8:30 pm and you can register here for one hour of flex credit.
• the 2018-19 CISD District Improvement Plan was approved at Monday Night's Board Meeting?   Remember that this plan drives our campus plan.  You will want to review it and be familiar with it. 
• that there are only TWO Red and Black Superstar nomination periods this year? Two learners per grade level and three staff members will be recognized in November and May.  Links will be sent out closer to the deadline.
• that we NO LONGER have to send home permission slips for field trips?  That's right!  We only need to send home information about the event because a general permission slip is already signed for your learners through the enrollment process.  YAY!

PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR NEWSLETTERS THIS WEEK

1. Room Parents:  If you have parents interested in serving as a Room Parents, please have them email manjusharatna@yahoo.com They should include their name, learner name, house, grade, and designer's name.  
2. Destination Imagination: We need a coordinator for our campus.  To learn more about Destination Imagination click here.  Our Coppell DI Coordinator is Tejas Purani and he can be emailed at coppelldi@gmail.com with questions. 
3. Sunshine Crew:  This website will give parents and learners information about this club opportunity before school.  THANK YOU, Kristen, for designing the site and heading up this group.  We appreciate you!

BOY GOAL SETTING MEETINGS
Please sign up here for your BOY meeting- they start on TUESDAY.   We are excited to review your goals for the year and how we can support you.  We will include Jacque in these meetings so she can support you as our IC.  SHE IS NOT EVALUATING YOU, only getting familiar with your goals.  Please make sure your personal and campus goals are uploaded and that you have multiple action steps along the way.  Bring your laptop to the PLC room for your meeting.  All campus employees must sign up.


PTO MEETING
On Tuesday, we have our first PTO Meeting.  Don't forget to bring a house learner to share out what your house is doing with CBL.


COLLEGE SHIRT DAY
College Shirt Day is the first Wednesday of every month.  Please promote this to your learners and their famiLEEs through your newsletters.  We want to represent as many different colleges as possible on Wednesday.

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

Please complete this Google Form to communicate who your members are before you leave on Friday.

GO MATH

GoMath is out of adoption, and the district collected the textbook materials this summer.  We were given a set of workbooks to keep for each grade level for each house.  Ashley delivered these to your storage rooms in case you need them to make copies for homework or for questions for an assessment.  We will not be getting any more of these, so copies are your best option.  

PET PARTNERS

We are so excited about the wonderful opportunity we have this year to work with Pet Partners, an animal therapy program. One of the specific benefits to having a therapy dog visit our campus is to provide an engaging, non-judgmental, creative opportunity for learners to get excited about building their literacy skills.  Dogs make the perfect reading partners for our learners!   We have the opportunity for a few learners to read to a therapy dog on September 14th and September 28th from 1:00 - 1:45 in 15 minute time slots.  We would love for you to nominate a learner who you think might benefit from this experience using this google form!  We will choose as many as we can, and hopefully we will have the opportunity several more visits throughout the year.  

WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Our focused walkthroughs for the next three weeks are in Domain 3 Dimension 1: Learning Environment.  We are looking for evidence of effective routines, transitions, and procedures that are implemented effortlessly.  We are looking for learners to be in charge of managing materials and that your room is safe, inviting, and orderly.

RTI MEETINGS

RtI meetings will begin on Monday, September 10th.  Please use this spreadsheet to sign up for a meeting if you have a learner who was on RtI last year, if a learner did not pass STAAR, or if you have a learner who is not performing on BOY screeners.      

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Tolerance- respecting the differences of others

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

During discussions, respect other students’ comments, opinions, and ideas

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.” -Native American Proverb

DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 1- Green House takes care of Lounge for the month
September 2- Charlene's Birthday
     Nikki's Birthday
September 3- Leslie's Birthday
     NO SCHOOL
September 4- Education Foundation T-shirt and Jeans
     BOY Goal Setting Conferences (all day)
     PTO Meeting (6:30pm Cafe)
September 5- WELCOME BACK MEGAN SONNAMAKER!
     College Shirt and Jeans
     BOY Goal Setting Conferences (all day)
     Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00 Layne's space)
     Dad's Club Meeting (7:00pm Twin Peaks)
September 6- BOY Goal Setting Conferences (all day)
September 7- Julie's Birthday
     LEEdership Council Names Due
     Destination Imagination Parent Meeting (6:30pm)

Week of August 27, 2018

WOW!  You made it through the first FULL week of school.  It has brought our Admin Team much happiness to spend time with each of your classes.  We have such AWESOME kiddos and designers!!  THANK YOU for allowing your learners to visit the office as they strive to be ambassadors of happiness.  I have enjoyed delivering some personalized notes to learners, already.  You gals have done a fabulous job of watching morning broadcast on time and keeping those character lessons brief.  WE NOTICE!!  We also saw teams planning after school this week- THANK YOU for sticking to this!  Our kids are so lucky and deserve it!  I hope you are feeling the happiness vibe this year and in the spirit of happiness...hit the road as soon as you can on Friday.  ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

DID YOU KNOW:

• you need to sign the Lee Staff Handbook by August 31 and the CISD Employee Handbook by Sept 29?
• there are NEW writing prompts for the writing screeners?  Thanks for sharing these, Jacque!
• Kasey, our DLC, will be on campus on Friday?  Reach out if you want to collaborate with her. 
• that we need to have your correct cell phone number for emergencies?  Please check to make sure your phone number is listed and accurate on this document.
• we need your help with a few things?
• attendance MUST be turned turned in by 10:00.  THANKS to those who are getting attendance in and have alarms set.
• recycling and composting processes in the cafe need to be in place for all houses.  THANK YOU to those of you that already have older learners stationed at the four areas.  This needs to happen at each lunch time to help our little ones know how to do it properly.
• the peanut table at LUNCH must be monitored for the safety of all.  When I was in the cafe on Wednesday, there were ALMONDS on the table.  This table is to be a peanut free table without exception.  Our learners have to be kept safe.   THANK YOU!

DIGITAL SIGNAGE
I believe this is already done, but if not, please work to get updated images up on your digital signage by Thursday, August 30.  On this day, we have our first learning walk.  These images should showcase learner work, house announcements, CBL Big Ideas, etc.


BEFORE/AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS
Please fill out this form, by Wednesday, if you are/want to host an after school club at Lee.  New club ideas are welcome and encouraged, and we can pay extra duty pay of $25 an hour.   Please check out the list so you can update your Curriculum Night presentations before Thursday.


CURRICULUM NIGHT
Please request parents arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time on Thursday.  You should host your session in a closed classroom and leadership team must share your presentation with Chantel by end of day Monday.  Also, please post a PDF of your presentation on your campus websites. THANK YOU for your cooperation!


RTI
Ashley took the RtI quick glance from last year and copied it into a new google sheet for this year.  It would be great to take a look at this document together during your team time, and take some time to update and clean it up.  If there are any learners who have moved, you may delete them from the spreadsheet.  4th and 5th grade designers should also add updated STAAR information.  Thanks! 

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

It is time that we determine who your LEEdership Council member will be.  A K-5 learner from each classroom should be nominated and elected into this position.  Candidates will prepare a short speech and may not spend more than $5 on their campaign.  This is an excellent way to practice the democratic process, public speaking, and risk-taking.  Please remember that those who have already served on LEEdership Council before are tasked with seeing the leadership capacity in others and should not rerun for a position.  (They may need reminding.)  Please complete this Google Form to communicate who your members are by next Friday, September 7. 

BADGES
You are required, by the district, to wear your ID Badge at school. If you see visitors or adults in our building without a badge, you must escort them to the office.  Learners should wear their badges at ALL times.  If you have learners who did not get one, please add them to this list, so the office can have one made for you.  As soon as they are made, badges will be placed in your mailboxes.


#COPPELLISDEF
The Coppell Education Foundation grant application window is open.  It closes on October 12, at 4:30.  The timeline, application, and guidelines can be found here.

FED EX DAY
Enjoy your one hour on Wednesday where you learn about a topic of YOUR choice related to YOUR goals, and earn Flex credit for it.  This is a time for learning.  We ask that you update your goals in Strive during this first Fed Ex time and use the remainder of the time to dig into your Lucy Calkins Resources.  Before Wednesday, we will send out a separate email with our campus goal, for those of you that want to copy and paste it into Strive.


LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Respect- showing consideration for others

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

We will often have visitors in our school. When a visitor arrives, look them in the eyes, shake hands, tell them who you are, and welcome the person to our school

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society” -Confucius

DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 26- IBC Training for Mentors (12:00-1:00)
August 27- Curriculum Night Presentations Due to CK
     Discipline Plans Due to CK
     Sam's Birthday
     School Board Meeting (6:00pm)
August 28- Stephanie S's Birthday
August 29- Fire Drill
     Fed Ex Day (3:30-4:30)
August 30- Lee Learning Walk (8:00-9:00)
     Kinder, 1, 2 Curriculum Night (5:30-6:30)
     3, 4, 5 Curriculum Night (6:30-7:30)
August 31- Staff Handbook Signature Page Due
September 1- Green tackles the Lounge this month

Week of August 20, 2018

As I mentioned on this morning's email, you all have done an INCREDIBLE job these first two days.  THANK YOU for being flexible, patient, and understanding.  We appreciate it more than words can say!  Arrival and dismissal were INCREDIBLE!  Having everyone on campus help is a blessing, so thank you for giving your time.  We appreciate you making "happy calls" to each of your learners by the end of next week.  I am still working through calling each of you, but look forward to bragging on you before the weekend ends.  Since you have worked SO VERY HARD this week, please leave as soon as all learners are safely dismissed on Friday.  You deserve it!

DID YOU KNOW:

• there is a new appraisal calendar for T-TESS for 2018-19?
• discretionary personal leave days are listed on this document?  If you request personal time on one of these days, your pay will result in a deduction.
• your CISD employee handbook is in Talent Ed Records.  Make sure you read it and sign the electronic signature form by September 14.  There are a few points we are required to cover in our first staff meeting, and we promise to try and make it fun for you!
• Kasey, our new DLC, has a link to learn more about her?  We are #luckyatlee she is with us!
• we will be having Spur Savings every Thursday this year starting Sept 28.  Please send paper copies home that are placed in your teacher mailboxes.
• we will start Team Time on Monday as a Day 4.  Please make sure your learners are at their locations by 2:15 and that your spreadsheets for specials are accurate for how learners get home.  Team Time will take place in the large conference room.
• if you, or your parents, have any questions about school supplies, please reach out to Rinkal Patel: rinkal2u@gmail.com 

Look how precious you look!

 Best reactions- EVER!

CAR TAGS

Please remember to put your learner's Car Tag numbers on this document.  THANK YOU!


COLLABS
Please remember that collabs are not storage rooms.  By now, school supplies and bean bags should be out of these spaces and in areas where learners have access to them.  


BADGES
As we will mention on broadcast, ALL LEARNERS should wear their badges at ALL times on campus.  They should be clipped on their collar or chest for easy viewing.  We ask for 100% compliance with this request.  THANK YOU!

A "SPECIAL" NOTE
Would you and your learners like to learn a little more about your FamiLEE?  We would love to invite you to schedule a time to come and visit our classes. Sometimes learners have questions about learners with special needs and we have answers! Maybe you have heard, “What’s wrong with him/her?” “Why does he do that?” “That’s the room where they play all day.” We can help! We would love to work with you to create empathy within learners and hopefully build some lifelong friendships. We also love having helpers in our room at scheduled times during the week. The helpers may be learners who are very shy, maybe need a purpose, or may even need a little extra love and attention. We would love to work with you on this as well. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Karen Johnson and Wendy Pray. We welcome your questions and collaboration!


CAFETERIA NEWS
Please remind parents that learners will not go hungry during lunchtime at Lee.  While we always want them to have a positive balance in their lunch account, up to $10 can be charged on a learner's meal account.  If a negative balance goes over $10, then the learner will be offered a courtesy meal which will be charged to the learner's account. Negative balance notices will be sent from the cafeteria once a week. Parents can sign up for low balance alerts through MySchoolBucks.com.  Also, if parents have meal restrictions for their learner, they can call (214-496-7978), write a note, or let the cafeteria manager know in person.  THANK YOU!

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
We will practice emergency drills soon.  Be READY.  If you do not know where to go ASK a housemate, or Admin, so we can give you directions.  All spaces should have a map posted at your door and a red/green card clipped inside.  If you do not have a red/green card,  please see the office. You should also have a Standard Safety Protocol poster.

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Excellence- to stand out with valuable quality

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Quickly learn the names of other designers and learners in the school and greet them by name.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Excellence is never an accident.  It is always the result of High Intention, Sincere Effort, and Skillful Execution" -Aristotle

DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 20- 3rd Grade iPad Rollout 
     Admin Class Visits (all day)
     Team Time begins today with 4th Grade
August 21- 2018-19 Ed Foundation t-shirt with Jeans
     Misty's Birthday
August 22- House shirt w/ Jeans
     NO WEDNESDAY MEETING- ENJOY THE TIME!
August 23- Kristen's Birthday