Roadrunner Rundown | 10/23
Table of Contents
Welcome
Welcome to this week's Rundown - kicking off this week with a call for volunteers!
Calling all accountants! We are looking for a parent who would be willing to volunteer their time and expertise to file the PTA's yearly IRS Form 990. If you are interested in helping us with this, please email treasurer@russellleepta.org.
We also still need an official Volunteer Coordinator & Activity Coordinator for the Fall Carnival. Email carnival@russellleepta.org if you’re interested.
Lee Community Wishlist
Not every team or shared space at Lee has a classroom wishlist, but they still have needs.
The Lee Community Wishlist helps support campus-wide programs, specialists, shared spaces, and student initiatives that benefit our entire school community.
It's a simple way for families and community members to make a direct impact. The wishlist will be updated throughout the year as new needs arise.
You can find the wishlist here.
Pre-Order Your Yearbook Today!
We're in the last few weeks of yearbook pre-orders. Orders placed before 10/31 get 10% off!
Head over to https://account.treering.com/validate and type in code 1015066231443557.
Roadrunner Rally 3rd Grade Popsicle Party
You may have thought we'd be done with Roadrunner Rally News - but not yet! 3rd Grade had the highest number of participants in Roadrunner Rally - this week they celebrated with a Popsicle Party!
A huge thank you to 3rd grade and the entire school community for Rallying for our kids! Here are some pretty impressive stats that were shared at our PTA meeting today.
Roadie Workday this Sunday
Oct. 25 from 8 - 11 am
We have our next Roadie Workday coming up this Sunday, Oct. 25 from 8 am - 11 am. This is a great opportunity for kids and parents alike to get outdoors and take care of our campus.
We have a lot of exciting projects that will positively impact students, teachers/staff and families coming up this year - you can sign up for one of the tasks below here or just show up and help out!
SUNDAY SIGN UP:
spray painting outdoor furniture
weeding, prepping new garden beds, & planting
watering
propagating
power washing
some Haunted House action
Hopdoddy Receipt Share
Join us this Tuesday, Oct. 20
Join us for our next receipt share on Tuesday, Oct. 20 all day at Hopdoddy Triangle all day from 11 am to 10 pm. Lee PTA will get 25% of proceeds - let's see if we can beat our Nando's receipt share total!
Use code DODDYGIVES when ordering online or at the counter - and 25% of sales goes back to Lee. The receipt share is not supported by 3rd party delivery services.
Fall Clubs - Session 2 Enrollments
Registration is still open for all afterschool clubs that have Session 2 enrollments - sign up today! Registration links and full club details can be found in the Fall Enrichment Guide.
Biking Club (Austin Youth Fitness) - October 20 to December 8
FUN Basketball Class! (ATX Ballers) - October 21 to December 2
Fantastic Magic Camp NEW - November 9 to December 14
Our Enrichment Chair is currently developing the Spring 2027 Enrichment Guide. If you have comments or suggestions on clubs you would like to see at Lee, please reach out to enrichment@russellleepta.org.
Lee PTA Presents: Dia de Los Muertos Carnival
Friday, Oct. 30, 5-8 pm
Dust off your capes and polish your pumpkin carvers - Carnival is almost here!
Costume Contest 👑
Haunted House 👻
Pumpkin Carving Contest 🎃
Lee Sings! Performance 🎵
Professional Face Painter & Balloon Artist 🎈
Pizza, Popcorn, & Kona Ice 🍕
Dia de los Muertos Craft & Decorations 💀
Games & Raffle 🎟️
And more!
Look for volunteer sign-ups coming next week. It’s a fun and easy way for grandparents to be involved!
We still need an official Volunteer Coordinator & Activity Coordinator. Email carnival@russellleepta.org if you’re interested.
Library Lines
by our amazing Librarian, Ms. Jenny Day
We are partnering with BookPeople to bring 2nd grade an Author Visit with Angela DiTerlizza on Oct. 19. Folks are welcome purchase an autographed copy of her new book, A Very Scary Book. You can place an order through Bookpeople here.
Our Halloween Costume Exchange is next week on Wednesday, Oct 21! You still have the weekend to clean out and bring in old costumes (or pieces of).
Stop by the library on 10/21 from 3:15 - 5:30. Leftover costumes will be put out at the carnival, then donated.
And don't forget about our Bookfair, which runs from 10/26 - 30.
Preview Day - Monday
Tuesday-Thursday 7am-5pm
Friday 7am - 8pm
Get your child a gift card or order books online, too. Online Book Fair
Thank you for your support!!
Advocacy Update
by our PTA Advocacy Chair, Amanda Rohlich
✅ Lee PTA Passed ACPTA Resolution on Potential TEA Intervention
At the October 14 virtual voting meeting, Lee PTA members passed the resolution put forward by the Austin Council of PTAs (ACPTA) regarding potential Texas Education Agency (TEA) intervention in Austin ISD.
The resolution aims to provide greater alignment and visibility across our school communities about what the TEA has implemented in other districts and to ensure our community is prepared to engage in the process if a state takeover moves forward.
You can review the full resolution or view slides shared at the October 16th Lee PTA meeting. here.
📋 Burnet and Webb Families Meet Petition Requirements to Vote on Elective School Closures
Families at Burnet and Webb middle schools have met the minimum signature requirements for petitions requesting the elective closure of their schools.
According to Austin Current's October 16 reporting, families at both campuses reached the required threshold ahead of the October 15 deadline.
Under the state process, these petitions are part of the effort to determine how the TEA will respond to the campuses' consecutive failing accountability ratings.
What happens next?
Meeting the petition threshold is an important milestone, but it does not mean the schools are officially closing. The petitions must be verified, and the TEA commissioner will ultimately determine the intervention.
🗳️ Important Election Dates
Early voting starts Monday! October 19–30
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3
Vote at any Travis County polling location.
As we approach Election Day, take time to learn about the AISD trustee candidates and their positions on the issues affecting our schools.
Get to Know the AISD Trustee Candidates — Candidate responses to ACPTA's ten questions are available, including Spanish versions.
Upcoming AISD trustee candidate forums:
Oct. 18 - all candidates 3-5:30 p.m. in the LASA libraryHosted by LASA PTSA
Oct. 25 - for D4 and at-large candidates 5-7 p.m. at Anderson High School theaterHosted by Anderson Vertical Panel
🗓️UPCOMING EVENTS
Oct. 15 and 17 - Help AISD Enroll Families
This is a great way to connect with local families, share information about the district, and turn neighborly conversations into new enrollments. You must sign up via your AISD VOLY account.
6 p.m. at the Brewtorium, 6015 Dillard Cir.
Hear from Dan Dawer, Ph.D. candidate researching state takeovers
5:45-7:45 p.m., Hampton Branch Oak Hill Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.
Hosted by Odom PTA, open to the public
6-7:30 p.m., virtual
Hosted by Texas AFT
5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct, 21, at the Tribune's Studio 919.
Learn more and RSVP here.
Oct. 25, Nov. 8 - Organize with Neighbors to Keep Austin Schools Independent — Upcoming Block Walks!
Talk to neighbors about the potential state takeover and how they can get involved in the organizing effort. No experience necessary!
KASI is a districtwide, nonpartisan coalition of individuals and organizations working together to oppose state takeover of AISD and keep Austin schools independent. More opportunities to get involved are available through JoinKASI.org
📚 Learn More About Texas Public Education
TEA Takeover 101: What Can We Expect in Austin ISD?
A 25-minute presentation with Dan Dawer, a UT Austin PhD candidate researching the Houston ISD takeover. Watch the video here.
In the News
As lawmakers consider expanding TEFA funding, some public schools say they're losing money (Community Impact, Oct. 7)
(Austin American-Statesman, Oct. 5)
Texas senators discuss tightening school library book law (Houston Public Media, Oct. 8)
Report: Book Bans in Texas. One Year of SB 12 and SB 13 in School Libraries (Instagram post by Texas Freedom to Read, Oct. 10)
(Texas Tribune, Oct. 7)
A new federal voucher tax credit is coming in 2027. Here's what it means for Texas and other states. (Texas AFT, Oct. 8)
Yearbook Orders - 10% off
Order yours before 10/31 for a discount
Get ahead of your end of year to-do list and order your student's yearbook before 10/31 for a 10% discount! Head over to https://account.treering.com/validate and type in code 1015066231443557 to order today.
Lost and Found
Lost and Found is located inside the school so students can access it easily; parents must check in at the front office. Items may be donated within 2 weeks if Lost and Found is full.
Email lostandfound@russellleepta.org if you have any questions.
Shop + Support Lee All Year Round
Shop with Pride Socks - All Year
Shop this Lee family-owned lifestyle brand that empowers individuals to take pride in who they. Use promo code lee20 for 20% off and Pride Socks will donate 20% of sales back to Lee PTA! Visit https://pridesocks.com/ to shop.
Name Bubbles - All Year
Use this link to order personalized name labels—they're a simple way to keep track of your child's supplies all year long and avoid a trip to lost and found. When you use our purchase link, a portion of every order goes back to support our school!
Minted - All Year
Visit Minted.com and receive 20% off your purchase and Minted will donate 10% of your purchase to the school! Use code: FUNDRAISERUSSELLLEE
This is a great opportunity to get holiday cards and gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
Questions about Shop with Lee events and or interested in partnering with us on Shop with Lee initiatives at your business? Email fundraising@russellleepta.org.
Join the PTA Today!
It's never too late to join the PTA - parents, students, grandparents - anyone can join. Head here and sign up - it only takes a minute and makes a huge impact!
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors!
Interested in becoming a corporate sponsor? You can get your logo on this weekly rundown, on our printed calendar, and more! Check out our Sponsorship packages and reach out here!
Lee Calendar
10/18 Roadie Workday, 8 - 11 am
10/20 Hopdoddy Receipt Share, 11 am - 10 pm
10/20 CAC Meeting, 3:30 pm
10/26-30 PE Cosmic Week
10/26-30 Library Bookfair
10/30 Principal's Coffee, 8 am
10/30 Fall Carnival, 5 - 7 pm
11/2-3 Student/Staff Holiday
11/6 School Tour, 9 am
11/6 Lee PTA Movie Night, 5:30 pm
11/11 Mendocino Farms Receipt Share, 2 pm - 9 pm
11/12 3rd Grade Program, 6 pm
11/17 CAC Meeting, 3:30 pm
11/19 Thanksgiving Lunch
11/20 Turkey Trot
Download a PDF of this month's Calendar below.
Thanks for reading this week's Roadrunner Rundown! Have something to add?
Share your comments or feature suggestions at communications@russellleepta.org or online here.
Comments