Week of March 30, 2020

Happy Sunday, ya'll!  I am so grateful for all you have done to keep learning a priority for our learners and their FamiLEEs.  You made it through week 1 of distance learning beautifully,  and I PROMISE, week 2 is going to go even better!  I'm so proud of your positive attitudes- we couldn't have had a better school theme this year!!

Thank you for sharing your trivia questions and for those that were able to participate.  It was GREAT FUN!  We will host another Trivia Night in a couple of weeks.  This week, we are asking for people to upload a video of yourself as a Masked Singer (thanks Beth and Susie for the idea) to our Flipgrid.  I will give directions later in the week for what we do next.  For now, just upload your video.  Don't know what Masked Singer is?  Check out this trailer.  Don't tell your friends it is YOU!

Welcome to sweet Hayes Massey who was born this week.  He is home with Melissa, Evan, and the pups! 

DID YOU KNOW:

• Leigh Ann will send out a Parent Link, today, so that parents know how they can view report cards in Home Access Center?
• we are able to hire for positions for the 2020-2021 school year?  If you are planning on leaving CISD or Lee next year, please let Chantel know, this week, so that we can start scheduling interviews.
• APEX has some at-home work learners can participate in if you choose to share?
• The TELPAS Online training center http://texasassessment.gov/telpastrainingcenter will close for scheduled maintenance on July 1? At this point, we don't know how long Pearson will be down for maintenance.  Pearson is advising that all educators print certificates prior to that date as an extra measure of ensuring all have their certificates for next year. 
• we have new grading guidelines for the fourth nine weeks?
• Kindergarten registration will begin this week?  If you have learners with siblings that will be kindergarteners next year, please have them read this information.
• we are going to share MAP reports with parents?  PLEASE WAIT TO DO THIS UNTIL AFTER I HAVE PRINCIPAL'S MEETING ON TUESDAY.
• Thursday is Convocation t-shirt at home day?  Tweet out a picture of you in this year's convocation shirt with #CISDTogetherAtHome
• that we will host a PTO Meeting next Tuesday Night through ZOOM?  Look for the link on Twitter to attend virtually.

WEEKLY ZOOM MTGS WITH ADMIN

We will continue to meet virtually during your scheduled time.  We will attempt to keep these as brief as possible, but want some time to check in face-to-face, with our groups each week.  Feel free to add any content to the agendas that have been shared with you.  *Specials- your time is 8:30 this week due to an ARD*

BLURB FOR LEARNERS IN NEED 
If you have a learner that shares they are in distress, you must contact Chantel and Angela.  In addition, we need to contact the parent.  Here is a sample of what you can say:  I'm reaching out to you about something your child shared with me (or posted on Schoology or on social media).  They are sharing that ...  (exactly what the student wrote or said).


BLURB FOR PARENTS/LEARNERS RE @SCHOOLOGY
You may have some learners that did not connect on Schoology with you last week.  We need to keep in mind that there may be family issues that have created a speedbump for this.  If a learner has not connected by tomorrow, I suggest you use Skype for Business on your Mac or iPad and phone home.  Here is a suggested blurb to use when you call (parents are on email overload):   I hope this phone call finds you doing well in this stressful time. We’re now in week 2 of Coppell ISD distance learning and I haven’t been able to connect with your child virtually through Schoology.  Is there is a way that I can support distance learning for your family.  

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEXT WEEK

MENTOR/MENTEES

It is still the district expectation that mentors are meeting with mentees, weekly, and documenting on the Communication Log to be eligible to receive the Mentor stipend. All requirements that were in place prior to our school closure are still intact, they just need to be completed virtually. Now, more than ever, our mentees need guidance, support and a thought partner. The Communication Logs can be turned in digitally here.

BRAINPOP and DATABASES
All BrainPOP databases should now be good to go through MackinVIA! Please let Natalie know if you come across any more issues.  Some suggestions you may give learners/parents should they have any future trouble accessing databases that are working on our end: 

1. Try to access it on the web (mackinVIA.com) if the app isn't working / the app if the web isn't working.
2. Clear your cookies. 
3. Make sure you're logged in under your iStation username and password + have RJL selected as the school (not the guest log in).

FIELD TRIPS
Leadership, if you haven't already, please make sure you have made contact and cancelled your scheduled field trips so that we can process refunds.  Please email Chantel and Shanna once you have done so.  I already have documentation from 4th grade and Red House.


SUMMATIVES
Here is a link to this week's scheduled EOY summatives.  We will assign your time this year and start with our employees who have been here longer, first.  Do the best that you can to upload documentation of your goals in Strive.  We know you cannot complete your final SLO.  Samira and Kristina, if this is not enough time to pull things together, please just let us know.  We realize this is VERY SHORT NOTICE!

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

ESL THIS WEEK

Embrace and lift up cultural differences- We all have culture. Let’s just get that out there. The thing is that when there are differences in culture we have the choice to ignore them, embrace them or ridicule them. Many people think that ignoring cultural differences is just fine. Actually, it’s not. Cultural blindness is “acting as if cultural differences do not matter” and thinking that everyone learns the same. Our job is to embrace differences and create opportunities to learn from one another. Recognizing that each student brings with him/her unique and valuable assets that can enrich the classroom and tapping into those resources will lift up students.

REMINDERS:

• contact those who have not been on Schoology
• make sure you assign and encourage time for iStation, DreamBox, Reflex each day
• ensure weekly schedules are uploaded and ready to go by 8:00 Monday morning
• morning greeting videos are live by 8:00 each morning
• make sure you signed up for teacher video chat consent
• make sure you reviewed video chat guidelines
• see which learners have/have not signed up to video chat (updated 10:50 AM on 4/3)
• tweet pic of self in covo shirt on Thursday
• complete school supply lists for 2020-2021 (week of March 16 Blog)

DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 3- 2020-2021 Grade Level School Supply Lists Due

Week of March 23, 2020

DID YOU KNOW:

• that you are the most amazing, incredible, and resilient staff I know?
• report cards will go home electronically on Friday?  THANK YOU for getting these done and to Leigh Ann for all of her behind the scenes efforts.
• that our Goosechase game is still open for you to join in and our LOL file is growing in Schoology.  THANKS for your participation.
• we will try to follow this virtual meeting schedule this week.  Please know that if you have appointments, are working with a learner, or have another meeting or ARD, that is understandable.  We also will keep these as BRIEF as needed, but want to be able to check in on a routine basis.

TRIVIA NIGHT

On Thursday Night we will have our first ever Virtual Lee Trivia Night.  It is completely optional to attend.  To play you will need two devices.  One to connect and see the questions on and one to vote with.  I request (for our first Trivia Night) that each of you (whether you are going to play or not) please email Chantel a question with four answers (and tell me the right answer).  The topic of this trivia session is FamiLEE.  So the question should be about YOU.  For example:  My submission is going to be: What is Chantel's MOST FAVORITE reality TV show ever?  A:Naked and Afraid  B: Real World  C: The Real Housewives of OC D: Teen Mom. To learn the answer, you will have to join us on Thursday Night.  Please submit your questions by Wednesday.  A zoom invite will come your way for 7:00 on Thursday.

ESL THIS WEEK

Offer wait time- So S.I.M.P.L.E. you don’t even have to plan for it. But you have to remember to do it. Offering wait time means that you ask a question. And then you WAIT before you call on anyone to answer. Wait. Wait. Wait. It can be awkward and someone will try to talk. Rather than calling on 1 person to answer…have them share their answers with a partner. This way EVERYONE answers rather than 1 single person. This way ELs get practice talking and listening. Win, WIN! Why wait? Well, many reasons…but to begin with some of our ELs are processing and translating English into their native language. Wait time gives them a chance to do the hard work and then build the courage to answer in English too!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
March 23- Lessons live in Schoology at 8:00 am
March 25- Leadership Zoom Mtg. 11:00 am (Reflect on Chapter 10 Play and Create)
March 26- Lee Trivia Night 7:00pm
March 27- Digital Report Cards go home

Week of March 16, 2020

THANK YOU for pumping up our Fun Run and for sending the daily emails to your parents.  Learners are doing an awesome job of securing pledges!  Our success is because of YOU, your encouragement, and your communication with our FamiLEEs.

We appreciate your flexibility (and Claudia, Stormy, Leigh Ann, Stephanie, and Priscilla) for helping to ensure TELPAS testing went well this week.  Great job putting your folders together and getting them to our facilitators.

We had another incredible Open House and THANK YOU for showcasing your children and their learning in such creative ways!  Our parents are always SO COMPLIMENTARY of you and our school.  These extra efforts give me a HUGE attitude of gratitude!

Have a wonderful Spring Break!  Be safe as you make memories with your loved ones and friends.  You are loved!

DID YOU KNOW:

• we will clean out the refrigerator tomorrow at 1:30?  Please have your items out of there so they don't spoil over the week off.  Please make sure you have plans for class pets, too.
• you might want to consider changing your password before leaving for Spring Break?  
• you should be adding evidence of your professional goals in Strive? Don't wait until End of Year summatives to have to curate your evidence.   Thank you for working on your final SLO trackers!  We will be scheduling end of year summatives after Spring Break.
• RTI Meetings will take place on Monday?  Please check the schedule and make sure you have uploaded your documents for your learners.

ART SHOW
Thank you for making sure your learners visited the cafe and gym for the Art Show tonight.  There was a small glitch with the credit card machine, so you may have some learners coming with cash or check to bring to the office to pick up their artwork.  Please send them down after Spirit Rally.  Designers, if you will include a small note in your newsletters to parents letting them know that they can still purchase their artwork, at no additional fee, they can email jlfloyd@coppellisd.com.


GRADES AND REPORT CARDS
Please get your grades in by 8:00 on Tuesday morning.  Report cards will go home on the Friday we return from Spring Break. Thank you!


FUN RUN
Our run is on Thursday.  I will share the schedule once I get it from the Jedi Josh.  Remember it is a GLOW run so help your learners come dressed for the event.

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

It is important that we revisit our school supply lists for PTO for next year so that PTO can secure the best pricing from EPI.  Please review, as a grade level, and make any adjustments.  Once your adjustments are made, change the date on your tab to "Your Grade 2020-2021" so we know you are done.  PLEASE do not increase items without taking other items off and also visit lists that are already completed to make sure you are not duplicating house supplies.  The total should be as close to $50 as you can get it.  Please have this done by April 3.

Register now for CEF Run to Fund on May 9th

CEF's Run to Fund registration is now open.  It's a great way to get some exercise, have some fun and connect with the Coppell community! Registering before April 2nd will get you the best prices, and we have discounts for CISD staff and students, too. Don't miss out - register today!  For more information about the run and to register, click here.

FLEX TIME

Please enter your requests for flex time so that it may be approved for you.  Chantel will be going in to approve over Spring Break.   

Hungry to learn? Want personalized PL? Your Coppell DLCs can help! Beginning Saturday, March 7 through Thursday, April 23, choose to participate in 4 different Virtual Professional Learning opportunities designed to be completed at your own pace, in your own way, outside of the school day. 

 

Location: The Spring 2020 Virtual Professional Learning Folder within our DLC Professional Learning course. Not a member? Use this code to gain access: 72Q87-RDGM5

 

Choose from offerings such as:

• Apple Teacher iPad Challenge
• Camp Schoology
• Bulb Picnic 
• “Chat Crashers” Twitter Experience

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

ESL THIS WEEK
Embed speaking opportunities:  Talk is CRUCIAL for ELs.  We must provide opportunities for them to discuss with a group or partner so they can negotiate for meaning, hear another's point of view, process thinking, dig deeper, learn new vocabulary, and practice language in a low stress setting.  Model what you want to see and hear EXPLICITLY, give them sentence frames and vocabulary and post the question that they will discuss so they can go back to it if they forgot.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
March 9-13- Spring Break
March 15- Linda's Birthday
March 17- Report Card Grades Due (8:00 am)
     BEAM Learning Walks
     Education Foundation Shirt and Jeans
March 18- Convocation Shirt and Jeans
     Claudia's Birthday
     Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00)
     4th Grade Austin Chaperone Meeting (6:00 pm)
March 19- Hannah H's Birthday
     Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40)
     Fun Run (See Schedule)
March 20- #internationaldayofhappiness
     LEEdership Council Meeting (8:00)
     LEEdership Council Lemonade Sale (Recess Time)

Week of March 2, 2020

THANK YOU for your design work this week.  It has been such a productive and uplifting time together exploring TEKS for the last nine weeks and coming up with Big Ideas and Challenges for your houses.  I am so proud to lead each of you!  Your ideas and creation are going to engage your learners until the last day of school and that has me so excited!

There are LOTS of important dates and events this week, so please pay extra close attention to the Dates to Remember.

DID YOU KNOW:

• safety blinds will be installed in your spaces over Spring Break?
• that the 2020-2021 Work Schedule is published?  You got an email from the district about it this week.
• competencies for report cards have been loaded, so you can start entering 3rd 9 week grades, now?
• you can upload pictures for yearbook, here?  PTO REALLY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
• we will be hosting CISD Special Olympics at Lee on Tuesday?  Red House will follow the Green house lunch, recess, and specials schedule this day. 

FABULOUS FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY

Are you ready for the FUN on Friday?  If you want to play... come to Chantel's Office, at the beginning of your conference time (you may have to get me from Design Time).  Blue, I will come to your Design Studio at 1:30 because I have my goal setting with Dr. Hunt until 1:30 and Specials I will see you at 2:00 in Priscilla's room.

GTI LETTERS
Kindergarten, Third, and Fifth Grade Designers, GTi letters will be going home on Friday.  These letters must go home on this day. They will either be in your mailbox or Ayesha will come around and hand deliver them to you, depending on when she gets them!  Thank you for your cooperation.

TELPAS UPDATE

TELPAS online testing will continue this week.  Claudia and Stormy will be coming to your class to get your learners.  Here is the schedule if you need a reminder of the days that your learners are testing.  We will be doing the online testing in the Design and Create rooms.  Stephanie and Priscilla will be pushing into your houses for those classes.  We will only be testing in the mornings. 

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY
Monday is Dr. Seuss' birthday.  Please share with your families so they can participate on Monday.  

FUN RUN UPDATE
Get ready for orange, blue, and excitement to start working its way through the building.  This group does a great job of teaching citizenship and being present on campus.  Monday's pep rally in the gym will get the kids excited and learners will go home with their pledge packs.  We will have a modified schedule, on Monday, so PLEASE communicate this to your parents (see 2020 Fun Run Pep Rally Schedule tab).  We still have Team Time, and it is Day 6A.  Thanks Julie and Aparna for letting the company set up early in your gym! Specials, you do not have to stay for the Pep Rally, so you get a full conference time.  The classroom lesson schedule is here.  Let me know if you see any conflicts, it was designed by the company.

FED EX
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.  Please complete this form at the conclusion of your learning session on Wednesday.  The form will open at 4:30.  Our DLCs will be hosting a session on Reality Composer.  If you are planning on attending, you will want to make sure to download Reality Composer from Manager and have your iPad updated to the latest iOS.

OPEN HOUSE
THANK YOU for the work that is already being put up for next week.  We can't wait to walk the building before Open House to take it all in!  If any windows or carpets need extra attention, please let custodians know NOW!  Please dress professionally for this evening. Also, encourage parents to stop by the cafeteria and gym to view/purchase their child's artwork. Encourage them to tweet out what they like to #rjlyear6.  Lastly, have a system in place for how you will manage the check in of technology before heading home at the conclusion of Open House.  All devices must be back in the iPad carts before you leave.

SPIRIT RALLY
Friday morning we will recognize this 9 week's accomplishments.  We will also recognize Red and Black Superstars.  Please let parents know that we would love them to attend Friday's event!  There is an alternate schedule this day, so please communicate that to your parents, as well.

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

ESL THIS WEEK
Intentionally plan for writing- Keeping in mind that writing is not just something students do in writing class or language arts, we must intentionally plan for writing in all content areas.  Why?  Students need to be able to use the language of science, math, and history in their writing and their speaking.  One way to plan for writing in content areas is to first begin with open ended speaking activities.  Having students hold academic conversations over hot topics using domain specific vocabulary can prepare them for writing.  When we let them talk with several partners, they begin to hear multiple responses and can use their peers' ideas when they begin writing.  Some students will need sentence starters to help them begin their writing.  Beginner ELs may need paragraph frames, picture supports and a vocabulary word bank.  The point is, don't skip the writing in content area classrooms!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
iStation ISIP this week
March 2- Fun Run Pep Rally (8:00-8:30ish Gym)
     Read Across America Day
     Architect Tour (11:00-12:00) Walnut Hill Elementary
     Fun Run Teacher Huddle 3:15 Flex Space
March 3- Makenzie’s Birthday

     Education Foundation t-shirt and jeans
     Green House Field Trip (Kidzania)
     Special Olympics at Lee
     PTO Meeting (6:30 pm Cafe)  please have learners prepared to present
March 4- College Shirt and jeans
     Fun Run Lessons Begin
     CMSW Counselors visit 5th Grade (8:15 Cafe)
     Fed Ex (3:30-4:30)
March 5- Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40)
     Laura's Birthday
     Flood Control Judging for 2nd Grade (9:00)
     Ponytail Club Cut (3:15)
     Open House and Art Show (5:30-7:00)
March 6- NO Formal TTESS
     Spirit Rally (8:00-9:00 Gym)
     LEEdership Council Popcorn Sale (Recess Time)
     5th Grade Growth and Development (2:00)
March 9-13- SPRING BREAK!!

Week of February 24, 2020

Happy Friday! Have an incredible weekend and STAY HEALTHY!  We need ALL staff to attend Wednesday's Staff Meeting, so please adjust your calendars.  We have STAAR Security Training embedded in this meeting so that we do not have to host it on another day after school.  If you have not turned in your two grade level character names, please get those to Chantel before you go home on Friday.  Please leave once all learners are safely dismissed!

DID YOU KNOW:

• that Specials is also putting work in Bulb for Open House, too?  Please make sure your new learners have their Bulb accounts set up so that items can be easily uploaded in their next Specials rotation.  Reach out to your DLCs for help if you need it!
• Copppell's Earthfest is scheduled for April 18 from 10:00-12:00 pm.  If you are interested in hosting a booth, the registration form is here.  
• Coppell ISD has two pop-up parties planned?  One is on Feb 27, from 6:00-7:00 at JC's Burger Bar, and April 30 is one, at the Sound, from 6:00-8:00?  Mark your calendars if you want to attend.
• Laura will be hosting a 4/5 running club after school starting March 17th?  Please share this flyer with your parents.  It is open to the first 8 runners.

FABULOUS FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY

All items in the lounge fridge on the right have been moved to the left fridge.  The fridge on the right is stocked (and ready for you) to snack on during the day on Friday.  Don't forget to check out the freezer, too!  Happy Fabulous Friday in February from your Admin Team!  

TELPAS UPDATE

TELPAS online testing will be starting on Monday.  We will start with reading.  Claudia and Stormy will be coming to your class to get your learners.  Here is the schedule if you need a reminder of the days that your learners are testing.  We will be doing the online testing in the Design and Create rooms.  Stephanie and Priscilla will be pushing into your houses for those classes.  We will only be testing in the mornings. 

DESIGN DAYS

Thank you, in advance, for your participation during your House design time. I prioritize funds  for this time together because I value great teaching and  group collaboration.  Please participate in your morning duty (if you have one) and be in the large conference room ready to work at 7:45.  DLCs will be present, as well as your Admin Team and Specialists.  Please come prepared by reviewing your Scope and Sequence for the last 9 weeks BEFORE your Design Day.  We are looking for lesson design that utilizes CBL and vertical collaboration.    

REMINDER

When you have a learner move, please bring the iPad to the LIBRARY with a note that has the learner's name and that it is being checked in.  Natalie will put in a ticket and have the device wiped.  Then we can push the device back out to a learner who is waiting for an iPad.  Thank you for your help!

ART SHOW ART
Parents can pre-order their art before the Art Showcase at Open House.  Please share this flyer with them.

POSITIVE PHONE CALLS
Part of Domain 4.4 in TTESS is "contacting parents regarding students' academic and social/emotional growth through various methods."  The difference between Proficient and Accomplished is Proficient = "regularly contacts," Accomplished = "systemically contacts."  It is a great time to consider documenting and making a positive call home to each learner in your class.  It will pay HUGE dividends with your parents AND learners!

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY

Please share with your famiLEEs so that they can plan ahead for Monday, March 2.

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

ESL THIS WEEK

Allow time for free reading:  Free reading is the best way for our students to become better readers.  Read more.  Read, read, read.  When we assign students what they must read, they usually don't want to read it and many of them don't read it.  But, if we give them choice in their reading, and the time to read, it becomes less constraining.  We can't rely on letting students read at home.  That won't always happen and we can't control what happens at home.  But what we can control is creating an environment where reading is pleasurable and inviting.  We can provide daily time for our students to read. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb 24- Go Red Shirt and Jeans
     Blue House Design Day (AM)
Feb 25- Stormi's Birthday
     Green House Day (AM)
Feb 26- House Shirt and Jeans
     Purple House Design Day (AM)
     Staff Mtg. (3:30-5:00 Green House- All Staff must attend until 5:00)
Feb 27- Red House Design Day (AM)
     Spurs Savings
     Lee Learning Walk (8:00)
     Kinder Coppell Kids Dentist Visit (8:30)
     Tour (9:00)
Feb 28- 3rd Grade Economics Fair
     Yellow House Design Day (AM)
     Tour (9:30-11:00)
March 2- Read Across America Day
     Fun Run Teacher Huddle at 3:30 (will try to move to 3:15)

Week of February 17, 2020

Thank you for a loveLEE Lunch and Learn yesterday.  I appreciate you sharing where you are with personalizing instruction and letting Rubin ask some thick questions. Enjoy feeling the love today from your learners and parents.  Don't forget we have an adjusted schedule today.  We hope you will enjoy your professional learning on Friday and  the LOOOONG weekend.  THANK YOU to the group of you that will help to present on Friday.  I'm so proud of the number of learner leaders that we have at Lee Elementary!

DID YOU KNOW:

• some of our building is STILL having issues with wireless connectivity?  Please let me know, HERE, if you are still having issues so we can get them fixed!
• that we have secured 1/2 day AM subs for House Design Days the last week of February? M- Blue, T- Green, W- Purple, TH- Red, and F- Yellow.
• that we need two names from each grade emailed to CK by next Thursday?  These learners will get to be honored as a student of character at the new ballpark on April 24.
• CISD has already planned June 24 and June 25 for summer professional learning days?  You will be able to earn flex credit for 2020-2021 by attending and content will be SEL and Technology.
• CISD has asked for a minimum of 2 artifacts per content area to included in each learner's digital portfolio for the Spring?  Art, Music, and PE also have a minimum of 2 artifacts per grade level per content area in each learner's digital portfolio. 

FABULOUS FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY
We will Fill the Fridge on Friday with healthy and unhealthy snacks (because CK eats like a teenager) and drinks.  Please stop by and help yourself to items in the fridge that is labeled.

RED AND BLACK SUPER STARS
Please nominate learners for our 3rd 9 weeks Education Foundation Super Star Awards.  We want to have at least one representtaive for each grade level.  Nominations are due by Feb 21.  Here is the nomination form.


YEARBOOKS
It is not too early to reserve this year's yearbook!  Don't miss out on all the events happening at Richard J. Lee Elementary.  Pre-order your yearbook today at ybpay.lifetouch.com using our school's Yearbook D Code 13015820.  Not sure if you have pre-ordered?  Click here to view your order history for the 2019-2020 school year.


PONYTAIL CLUB
Are you interested in making a difference by donating your hair?  Ponytails will be donated to Locks of Love.  Their mission is to return a sense of self confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children free of charge.  If you would like to make a difference, please complete this form to register.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
It is the time of the year when learners are needing to be reminded about digital citizenship.  Feel free to get set up in the CISD Empowered Citizens Schoology course.  The course has mini lessons and resources for you that can be used in your classroom and implemented into lesson design as you create lessons.  The course code is: ZMRFK-SQ3P3 and you can find the lessons in the Discovery Library under the "Let's Get Started" folder.

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we start a new focus for our walkthroughs.  We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

ESL THIS WEEK

Chunk academic reading materials- No matter what subject you teach, there are probably reading materials that students must read. When text is lengthy, this can pose a comprehension problem for some ELs who are still processing and translating the English language. One way to alleviate this is to chunk the reading material. This means break it down into smaller pieces. ELs will still read the same text, but in between you might give stopping points to talk or sketch meaning.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb 17- Bad Weather Day
Feb 18- Ed Foundation Shirt with Jeans
     TELPAS Calibration Retaks (3:30)
Feb 19- School Shirt and Jeans
     Leadership Meeting (3:30 Lounge)
Feb 20- Spurs Savings
Feb 21- Ed Foundation and Citizen Names Due
     LEEdership Mtg. (8:00)
     Tour (9:00)

Week of February 10, 2020

Happy Friday!  We are so grateful for each and every one of you and how you take care of one another.  Please have a lovely weekend and take time to take care of YOU!

DID YOU KNOW:

• if you sign the It's Time Texas teacher pledge and follow one of the three *'s, you can wear warm ups on Wednesday?
• that our sinks in the lounge do not have disposals?  Please be courteous and and leave a clean sink for those that come after you.
• we have recommended Deepa Devaiah to CISD as a permanent member of our FamiLEE?  She will be the new special education paraprofessional in Practical Academics!  YAY! 
• we will have house design days the last week in February?  Stay tuned as we secure subs for your assigned morning to design together!

TO DO

Please check in Strive and make sure that you have viewed all of your walkthroughs and electronically signed your 3 T-TESS documents.


SOUPER BOWL
We are excited to have a warm lunch tomorrow.  Please bring a soup ladle because we will not have enough for each crock pot.  There will be a place to label your soup is and slips to vote on.  HAVE FUN!

LEEDERSHIP COUNCIL SALE TOMORROW

BOOK FAIR

Did you know that all profits earned through the Book Fair go back to our campus library fund?  Please talk up this event to learners and parents so we can have the most successful fair YET!  I am requesting that you do not send more than two learners at a time (from each classroom) to shop.  We want to make sure it is manageable for our volunteers.  Sending all of your shoppers at the beginning/end of the day or all house shoppers at recess is not recommended.  Please create a sign up in your space and send them throughout the day.  Please let parents know that the Book Fair will be open from 6:00-8:00 on Tuesday evening for late shopping.  Dads Club will sponsor Breakfast with Books from 7:10-7:40 on Wednesday morning.  

LUNCH AND LEARN

We will be hosting a Lunch and Learn on Wednesday with some special guests from Apple in our Teacher's Lounge during your lunch time.  We will provide pizza and salad from iFratelli as our guests review the Personalized Learning Chapter from the Elements of Learning Book.  Please download the book on your iPad and bring it to the lounge for Lunch and Learn time.  

VALENTINES DAY

Please look at the Winter/Valentine Party tab for the Thursday's schedule and communicate any changes to your lunch time to your parents. Purple House- THANK YOU for eating lunch in your house so that the floor can be swept and ready for the campus to view the PTO program, in the cafe.  We will start calling you down at 1:00.  Also, please communicate to your parents that our busses and cars need to be able to pick up learners safely at dismissal, therefore, they should only park in parking spaces and along Chaparral Waters Way and Stampede.  

TELPAS 

To complete the TELPAS online basic course please go to the following site:

TELPAS Online Training Center

Security training modules:

Module 1: Active Monitoring

Module 2: Distribution of Materials

Module 3: Proper Handling of Secure Test Materials

If you are new to the district you must complete all 3.  If you were in CISD last year you only have to complete Module 1. ALL are due February 12 in order to be able to calibrate that afternoon.  

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY

ENJOY your social emotional professional learning day on Friday.  Thank you to Leigh Ann, Julie, April, Stormi, and Megan S for hosting learning sessions!

PONYTAIL CLUB

Are you interested in making a difference by donating your hair?  Ponytails will be donated to Locks of Love. Their mission is to return a sense of self confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children free of charge.  If you'd like to make a difference, please complete this form to register: tinyurl.com/RJLponytail

CISD FOCUSED WALKTHROUGH

This week we start a new focus for our walkthroughs.  We will give feedback on Domain 2 Dimension 1:  Achieving Expectations.  We will be looking for evidence that your learners have mastered content and are held to high levels of accountability for their learning.  This looks like self-assessing, reflecting on menu work or assignments, posting to Schoology or SeeSaw, etc. 

ESL THIS WEEK

Assess Understanding- Check to see if students understand the lesson or directions before it is too late.  Setting students up for success is key.  If we want them to do well, we have to prepare them and check along the way to see if they are on track.  Some call this incremental evaluation.  There are so many ways to do this.  It can be asking students to retell directions to a partner or having partners hold an academic conversation as you walk around and listen in.  When there is a written product, check in with ELs midway to see their progress.  This will help to catch problems or errors in advance or the product being turned in for a grade.  If done correctly, these meetings can also be wonderful ways to build relationships with ELs.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb 10-  GO RED Shirt and Jeans
     RtI Meetings
     Spring Book Fair
     Progress Report Grades Due
Feb 11- Green House Music Performance (8:10 and 6:30 Cafe)
     Mentor/Mentee Meeting (3:30)
     Book Fair Open Late (6:00-8:00)
Feb 12- Convocation Shirt and Jeans
     Breakfast and Books (7:10-7:40 Media Center)
     Apple Research Team visits Lee all day
     Lunch and Learn (10:00-1:00)
     Staff Meeting (3:30-Yellow Space) TELPAS CALIBRATION
Feb 13- Send home Progress Reports
     Spurs Savings (7:20-7:40 Cafe)
     PTO Performance (1:00 Cafe)
     Valentine Parties (2:00 Spaces)
Feb 14- Professional Learning
Feb 15- Ameira's Birthday
     Bethany's Birthday
Feb 17- NO SCHOOL