Week of September 9, 2024

What a fabulous week it's been, participating in beginning-of-the-year goal setting with so many of you! Angel, Kat, and I are incredibly impressed with the thoughtful reflection and goal-setting ideas you've each brought to the table. We look forward to supporting you on your journey. THANK YOU for embracing a growth mindset and continually pushing yourselves as professionals.  As a token of my appreciation for all your hard work, I am having pizza delivered after school for those who want something to eat before Curriculum Night. Enjoy, and love to you all!

DID YOU KNOW:

• you should always wear your badge/ID and close doors and turn off lights when you leave spaces?  CISD Safety Audits will begin, soon.   
• if a student needs to be in the library during recess, that you need to contact Holly to let her know?  They should check in with her when they arrive.  She is not in the media center between 11:30 and 12:00, so if you have a learner during that time, please send them to the office or clinic for supervision.

BOOK FAIR IS NEXT WEEK

Your child will be previewing the book fair and will be coming home with a “wish list” of books they would like to purchase.  Please consider helping your child participate if you are able and sending money or filling up their Scholastic E-Wallet.  If you’re new to the Book Fair, we created this FAQ document to provide more info! 

PTO MEETING

Our first Virtual PTO Meeting of the year is coming up Tuesday, September 10, at 6pm. A Zoom link will be sent through Parent Square on Tuesday. Please come join us for important updates from your PTO Team and Principal about the year ahead! We are looking forward to seeing you all there!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT AT SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY ON THURSDAY

We invite you to stop by and have lunch with your learner on Thursday, September 12.  After having lunch, you are welcome to shop at our Scholastic Book Fair in our media center.  Please sign up here to help us prepare for this special day.  We will have name tags prepared for you ahead of time so you can quickly check in and avoid waiting in a long line.  

TECHNNOLOGY REMINDERS FOR STAFF AND LEARNERS

• ALL LEARNERS should have their picture as their background on their home screen so we can easily identify the owner of the iPad.  They should not create their own designs or put pictures of anything else as their home screen. 
• Learners should only take pictures and videos as instructed to do so in class.  The iPad is not a personal photo album for them, and we should not see pictures and videos from home on their iPad that do not relate to a school assignment.  
• Learners should be reminded that there is a filter on the iPad and that whatever they do can be re-traced and reported.  School digital citizenship expectations apply, at all times, when learners are using their school iPads.  Learners should not erase their history and we will do random history checks to hold them accountable. 
• If learners damage their iPad, their case, headphones, or charger, they will be financially responsible for the damage.  
• Learners must carry iPads with two hands and "hug them to their chest" when they are walking with them.
• Learners should never leave an iPad on the floor.
• Learners should not be eating their snacks and using sticky or dirty fingers to work on their iPad. (I am seeing a great deal of this)  
• iPads are not permitted to be used on the bus.  They should remain in learner backpacks.
• Learners leaving for extended travel are to leave their iPad and charger at school for when they return. 
• Any parent/guardian that would prefer that their learner iPad and charger remain at school, should communicate with the Designer.  We are happy to keep it safe and charged for your child. (remind this at Curriculum Night)

ATTENDANCE (Share in your newsletters)

Pro Parenting Tip: Schedule dentist and doctor appointments outside of school hours or choose afternoon slots so your child doesn't have to miss school. Every day counts! Thank you for supporting your child's education and helping us maintain strong attendance. Together, we can make a difference!

 

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

Campaign week: September 16-20th, 2024 (Depending on how many candidates you have, you could pick one day or multiple days.)

Election Day: September 19th, 2024

Deadline to submit Google Form with the information about Class Leader: September 20th, 2024

Please send the following information to your parents and learners through the weekly newsletter:

Our class will be electing a LEEdership Council representative on Thursday, September 19th, 2024.  This learner will meet with Mrs. Samira Khan throughout the school year during normal hours to develop their leadership skills and voice on campus. 

This person must be a strong communicator, confident about sharing their thoughts and ideas, respected by their peers, and be elected. Please discuss this role with your learner to see if they have an interest in campaigning.  If your child does want to run, we’ll refer to him/her as a candidate.  As they "run" for this position, please abide by these guidelines:

1. Candidates may create a campaign video or prepare a speech to speak in front of the class. Make sure you:

1. Introduce yourself

2. Share why you would be the best candidate for this position

3. Share what you will do to make Lee Elementary a better place

4. Speak for 2 minutes or less. 

2. OPTIONAL: Campaign poster 

3. If your child is in 5th grade and was elected in grades Kinder through 2nd, they may run to be a class representative again this year. 

Good luck! 

May the best candidate win.

SUPPORT HOUSE FUNDS- CONTRIBUTE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10

Here at Lee we use House Funds, what other schools often call “classroom funds”. However, instead of collecting money in each class, we share the love throughout the entire school allowing celebrations to be experienced equally by everyone. Throughout the year, we use this fund to support our Winter and Valentine parties, and show our appreciation to the Designers and Staff on their birthdays, during the holidays, and for Teacher Appreciation week.  Each year our celebration expenses are about $13,000, and currently we have raised only about 50%. If you have not yet made a contribution, we ask that you please consider donating today. We are beyond grateful for your support of our incredible school FamiLEE. bit.ly/RJLHouseFund

SAVE THE DATE

We will offer CPR class on September 18 during Flex Learning.  Please let Annah know if you plan to attend.

WALKTHROUGHS THROUGH SEPT

We will be in your spaces to give you feedback regarding Domain 3.1 Learning Environment (Classroom Routines and Procedures) We will be looking for:

• • Current character trait posted

  • Daily Schedule 

  • What is on your magnet wall 

  • “I Can” statements posted

  • Anchor Charts in all subject areas

  • Math and Science manipulatives and supplies accessible to learners

  • Each learner has a designated place for their supplies

  • Respect Agreement visible

  • Digital Citizenship Contract signed and displayed

  • Learner Work displayed

  • Guiding Purpose hung

  • Effective Routines, transitions, and procedures in place

  • How you manage learner groups and supplies

 

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. Panorama is the PERFECT PLACE to document parent communication.  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.

COACH'S CORNER

Thank you for allowing us to crash your House Time today. I just wanted to share what we talked about. We were informed of a few changes to the mClass Intervention system on Friday. Here are the changes:

1. When recommending learners for MTSS, we should consider all data points such as: mClass, MAP, DRA or F&P levels, struggles with writing, general academic/behavioral performance in class.

2. You have two options when it come to learners who are showing up as RED OR YELLOW:

• Option 1: Group below or well below students using mCLASS Intervention. Generate the lesson sets. Do the lesson sets with fidelity. Progress Monitor every 8-10 lessons. Generate the next lesson set. 

• Option 2: Group below or well below students using mCLASS Intervention. Note the focus skill(s) of the group. Use the lessons from the Instruction tab aligned with that focus skill(s). Progress monitor every week or every other week.

3. Progress monitoring for learners who are showing up as Red or Yellow MUST BE completed in mClass Amplify. All progress monitoring resources are in our mClass Schoology Course.

Please reach out to your learning coaches if you have further questions.

ESL UPDATES

Did you know that Adult ESL classes for our learner’s families start this week?  Your very own Lee LAS will be co-teaching Adult ESL at Wilson Elementary on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 PM.  A second class is offered on Thursday evenings at CMS East from 5:30-7:00PM.  Please share this with any of our families that might be interested and benefit from adult English classes.  Let me know if you would like a brochure to send communication with more details. 

LESSONS IN LEEDERSHIP

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• BOY GOAL SETTING WINDOW
• BOY MAP AND MCLASS WINDOW
• CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK
• FALL BOOK FAIR WEEK

Sept 10- Virtual PTO Meeting (6:00)

Sept 11- Susie's Birthday

     TX First Responders Day

     Cub Scouts visit during lunch times

     Leadership Meeting (3:15 Yellow House)

     Cub Scout Recruitment Night (7:00)

Sept 12- Special Friends Day

Sept 13- Digital Citizenship Lessons Due 

Week of September 2, 2024

I have enjoyed this first round of Team Time.  Thank you for your efforts to write meaningful and measurable goals for this school year.  Being in so many classrooms this week reminds me of what an incredible staff we have.  The environment you create for our learners is OZsome (see what I did there?).  I hope in the next couple of days you give yourself 60 seconds to stop what you are doing, pause, and look around to celebrate what you have accomplished so far.  YOU ARE AMAZING AND CARED FOR SO VERY MUCH!  We could not be more pleased with the first two and a half weeks of school and what you are part of creating at Lee!!!  Have an incredible L-O-N-G weekend!

DID YOU KNOW: 

• that there is a calendar for learning coaches?  Here it is.  Also check out the visual on the fridge in the lounge to let you know who is here.
• that it is better to call 911 on your cell phone if there is an emergency?  This will route your call to the correct service providers.  You have a better chance of quick response time when NOT using Teams.
• if you are having any trouble with Raptor and you have AT&T, see Angel?  

COLLEGE SHIRT DAY

The first Wednesday of every month we celebrate higher education.  We encourage our learners and staff to wear college shirts on these days.  See you in your college gear on Wednesday.

CURRICULUM NIGHT

Thank you for welcoming our FamiLEEs to your spaces and to Specials and Support Staff for directing parents where to go.  This is your second impression with your FamiLEEs, so make sure your space is tidy, learner work is displayed and there is evidence of the great teaching that has occurred these first few weeks.  Grade leaders, please share your FAQ documents with me.  I will look over for approval and make sure there is a quick turnaround.   Don't forget to share your presentation (including speaker notes for those who don't attend) in the next week's newsletter.  We will open front doors at 5:15 on Thursday evening. You can dress casual for the school day, but please wear professional dress for Curriculum Night. Please send this to your parents:  We will open front and back doors at 5:15 so you are in  your seats ready for presentations promptly at 5:30.  This is not a come and go event,  you will want to be on time and attend the entire session to learn more about the upcoming year and campus/classroom procedures. This also gives you the opportunity to meet other parents.  See you there!

Could you PLEASE update your PTO slide in your slide decks?  I just got this from PTO Wednesday night.  I apologize for the late notice after some of you have completed your presentations.

SUPPORT HOUSE FUNDS TODAY

For those who are wondering what House Funds are - these are what other schools often call “classroom funds”. However, instead of collecting money in each class, we share the love throughout the entire school allowing celebrations to be experienced equally by everyone. Throughout the year, we use this fund to support our Winter and Valentine parties, and show our appreciation to the Designers and Staff on their birthdays, during the holidays, and for Teacher Appreciation week. Each year our celebration expenses are about $13,000, and currently we have raised less than 50% of that. If you have not yet made a contribution, we ask that you please consider donating today. We are beyond grateful for your support of our incredible school FamiLEE. bit.ly/RJLHouseFund

MAKE OUR SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR THE BEST EVER BY VOLUNTEERING

Can you spare a couple of hours away from the office or your other commitments? We need a few more folks to jump in and help foster young readers while raising money for the library!! Please sign up here if you can: bit.ly/RJLBookFair

ROOM PARENTS FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS CLASS FAMILIES AND STAFF

We still have a few final slots open for Room Parent in some classes; please consider signing up or encouraging your network to do so if they are in these classes! This role can be tailored to what works for you and your class. The classes that still need at least one parent to volunteer are below. Find out more, and sign up here! bit.ly/RJLRoomParent

• Green K, 1, 3A, & 5

• Red K & 1

• Yellow K & 1

ATTENDANCE (Share in your newsletters)

Keep your child up-to-date on scheduled vaccinations and regular medical checkups! Healthy kids support healthy classrooms! Let's all do our part to Start Strong.

BUDGET

We are excited that we now have our 2024-2025 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, approve, and ship.  Please do not turn in a PO unless you have verified that your order is from an approved vendor.  In addition, if you are ordering from Amazon, a copy of the links should be emailed to Tara.  For those of you that already put POs in my box for this year, they will be processed this week.  Reminder from our Lee Staff Handbook:  

When ordering from approved vendors like Amazon, Office Depot, Barnes and Noble, Really Good Stuff, Dick Blick, Staples, Michaels, School Specialty, and Lakeshore, copy the link of each item and email links to the Principal’s secretary along with submitting a paper copy of the Purchase Order form to the Principal. This will speed up the ordering process.

If you are ordering from another vendor (not online) a quote is required, so please request one before you complete a paper copy of the Purchase Order form and place it in the principal’s mailbox.

RESPECT AGREEMENTS
If you haven't done so already, please email a photo of your respect agreement to Kat and Angel so that they can put it in the office Discipline Binder.  We will refer to your respect agreements when learners have behavior reflections.  Remember that there should only be 3-4 bulleted expectations in each quadrant.  

COMMUNICATION FROM CISD ASSESSMENT DEPARTMENT

The CISD Assessment Department is in the process of adding user accounts and class rosters to Cambium for all teachers with courses that have students assigned to them in eSchool. This will allow teachers to see historical state assessment data including individual responses to the Extended Constructed Response questions.. On Tuesday, September 3rd, a file will be uploaded to the state testing system to create user accounts for teachers.


New teachers - When the staff upload file is submitted to Cambium all new teachers will receive an email from Cambium notifying them of steps needed to complete the account creation process. Please be advised that this email from Cambium is not phishing. Once you have finished the steps in the account creation email, then there is nothing else that you need to do at this time. You will not be able to see any data in CRS for your students until the roster upload process has been completed. A separate communication will be sent when rosters have been uploaded.


Returning Teachers - If you are a returning teacher, then you already have a user account for Cambium. When you login for the first time this school year, you will need to select the "Reset Password" link on the login screen. An email will be sent to reset your password. Be advised that this email may be caught up in the Mimecast filtering system. You may follow these step-by-step instructions to login and reset your password for this school year. Once you have reset your password, then there is nothing else that you need to do at this time. You will not be able to see any data in CRS for your students until the roster upload process has been completed. A separate communication will be sent when rosters have been uploaded.


After rosters have been uploaded, further communication will be sent with instructions for accessing state assessment data in the Central Reporting System for your students.

SUPPORT CISD SPECIAL OLYMPICS

If you would like to support Coppell Special Olympics, they are selling t-shirts to staff and community.  Scan the QR Code to order yours.

WALKTHROUGHS THROUGH SEPT

We will be in your spaces to give you feedback regarding Domain 3.1 Learning Environment (Classroom Routines and Procedures) We will be looking for:

• • Current character trait posted

  • Daily Schedule 

  • What is on your magnet wall 

  • “I Can” statements posted

  • Anchor Charts in all subject areas

  • Math and Science manipulatives and supplies accessible to learners

  • Each learner has a designated place for their supplies

  • Respect Agreement visible

  • Digital Citizenship Contract signed and displayed

  • Learner Work displayed

  • Guiding Purpose hung

  • Effective Routines, transitions, and procedures in place

  • How you manage learner groups and supplies

COACH'S CORNER

NWEA MAP:

Thank you so much for your flexibility in meeting with me on Monday instead of Thursday. I appreciate all of you for following the MAP schedule. Please know I am open to feedback now that you have lived it for BOY assessments. 

NWEA MAP has updated their linking studies. You will see changes in both Reading and Mathematics. NWEA MAP does not provide traditional "cut scores;” rather, they provide a nationally normed target mean score. NWEA MAP is to be used as one data point in concert with other data points to determine the best instruction for a child. Educators should respond with appropriate instruction. 

WHO IS ON CAMPUS?

In the lounge, on the middle refrigerator, you should see a page that looks like this. 

We will update it with a magnetic arrow so you know who is on campus that day.

ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK

A great tool for emergent bilingual learners is the ability to use text to speech on documents and articles on the iPad.  Check out the link for a tutorial showing how to utilize and easily set this up.   Click this link for a video tutorial.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• GOAL SETTING WINDOW OPEN
• BOY MAP & MCLASS WINDOW OPEN
• NATIONAL SUBSTITUTE APPRECIATION WEEK
• SOCIAL SPURS DUES SUBMITTED
• GREEN HOUSE TAKES OVER LOUNGE RESPONSIBILITIES

Sept 2- NO SCHOOL

     Charlene's Birthday

Sept 4- College Shirt Day

Sept 5- Curriculum Night (5:30-6:30)

Sept 6- Spirit Shirt Day