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Table of Contents
March is here!!
Not sure how it happened but we are now just 3 months away from the end of the school year. Our Roadrunners and teachers have put so much into the first 6+ months but there are still some critical months to come. I'm reposting the beautiful flower bar that the PTA provided teachers in February because our teachers are true heroes and deserve to be thanked every day!
As we enter the last few months of the semester remember to volunteer when you can. Below you'll find reminders of ope PTA Exec board positions, Roadie workday is coming up in a few weeks (4/5) and a few standing committees could use your help to end the year strong. As always, please visit the lost & found - the rack is over-full and as you know items not claimed within 2 weeks are donated so act fast!!!
Geography Day was a success
A huge shout-out to Lauren Ross, the incredible Chair of the Geography Day Committee! She did an outstanding job bringing Chile to life for the students—without them ever having to leave campus! 🇨🇱
Every student participated in various events throughout the morning highlighting Chile.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event such a success!!
Don't Miss Out! Summer Camp Sign-Up Extended – First Come, First Serve!
We’re excited to extend registration for our summer camps, and there are still spots available! Registration is now on a first-come, first-served basis, not through a lottery. If a camp is missing from the Google form, it’s already full. If your student was enrolled in one of those camps, you’ll get a confirmation starting Friday. The only camp with a lottery is Session 1 Explore Austin.
Funds from these camps help teachers earn extra income, with the rest supporting Lee. Thanks for your support!
Sign up here for Session 1 (6/2-6/6): bit.ly/RRCampSession1
Sign up here for Session 2 (6/9-6/13): bit.ly/RRCampSession2
More information & club descriptions can be found on Konstella here.
Advocacy Update
By Kelly Griswold, Lee Advocacy Chair
Rally Day was this past Monday - it was so inspiring to see public school advocates from across the state come and rally for Texas public education. We had a nice crew from Lee - thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to come out and support our schools!
Check out the new Advocacy Page on the PTA website - here you’ll find a recap of all of the bills that are currently filed in the Texas House and Senate regarding public education.
If you’re looking for more than the weekly update and some more in-depth information, join our Konstella group. (scroll down for step by step instructions for how to join) I’ll also post up to the minute calls to action in this group.
Rep. Hinajosa’s team has a slack channel for those who want to stay up to date on vouchers. There is great information on how to help mobilize for public education: https://bit.ly/43bqgib
House Committee on Public Education Schedules Hearings
The Texas House Committee on Public Education has scheduled three days of hearings to take place in March. If you aren’t able to make the testimony, you can still reach out to your reps and the members of the House Committee on Public Education (link) to voice your opinions on these matters. Reach out to me if you have any questions on who to contact or how to go about it - advocacy@russellleepta.org.
The first day will be invited testimony on HB 2 by Rep. Buckley related to school funding, the second day will be public testimony on HB 2, and the third day will be invited and public testimony on HB 3 by Rep. Buckley related to Education Savings Accounts (vouchers).
Tuesday, March 4, at 8:00 a.m. on HB 2 by Rep. Buckley (invited testimony only)
Thursday, March 6, at 8:00 a.m. on HB 2 by Rep. Buckley (public testimony)
Tuesday, March 11, at 8:00 a.m. on HB 3 by Rep. Buckley (invited and public testimony)
HB 2 would increase the basic allotment from $6,160 per student to $6,380 per student, an increase of just $220. Our schools need closer to a $1,350 increase per student to the basic allotment.
HB 3 is the largest and most expensive private school voucher bill ever proposed in the Texas House.This bill announced 75 co-sponsors this week - co-sponsorship does not necessarily equal a vote. Voucher opponents still hope that some of these sponsors will be swayed by an outpouring of anti-voucher sentiment from their constituents.
Did you know we have an Advocacy group on Konstella?
From your mobile device click on Messages and scroll all the way to the bottom until you see "Join Committees"
Click on Join Committees to see available committees at Lee.
Next select "Lee Advocacy" and then click on Sign up. This will give you access to more Advocacy information and updates from the Lee Advocacy Chair, Kelly Griswold.
PTA Exec Board Recruitment 2025-2026
This is your chance to make a big impact on Lee. We're recruiting for the 2025-2026 PTA Executive Board. You can put yourself forward for any position but the highest need is for those that are about to be vacated.
Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest so far! We still need interested parties for two key positions (VP Communications & VP Fundraising) so please reach out today! Both positions are essential for the operation of the Lee PTA. The right person can assemble a team to help support their role... many hands make light work!
President
Vice President
VP of Communications ⭐️
VP of Fundraising ⭐️
VP of Educational Enrichment
Secretary
Historian
Parliamentarian
Send any questions to Kristy Orr, Lee Parliamentarian at parliamentarian@russellleepta.org.
Have a question about responsibilities of open positions? email Kristy or any current board member. https://www.russellleepta.org/ptaboard
⭐️ VP of Communications ⭐️ This role works to streamline communication, improve technology use, and assist the PTA in supporting students, parents, and staff with clear, timely and concise communication. Weekly communication as well as answer questions or steer communication to proper executive board member from the community.
⭐️ VP of Fundraising ⭐️ Coordinate the PTA fundraising efforts among Lee families and corporate partners. Funds raised from the following efforts comprise Lee’s annual philanthropic success, including: Roadrunner Rally, Revenue sharing events/opportunities, Fall Carnival, Lee Live, merchandise sales, securing corporate/local business sponsors, football parking lot (see individual committee listings for roster).
Call for Volunteers
Fami-Lee, as we're through half of the academic year, we're making a call for your support. Several Lee PTA and School initiatives need your continued support.
Please consider offering an hour or more of your time to help make things a little easier for our teachers and students this semester:
COPY CATS
Would you like to help teachers directly by making copies and doing other tasks in the workroom? The commitment is 1hr/week. No experience necessary. Please email copycats@russellleepta.org if you are interested.
Lost & Found
Stop by campus once a week to sort, label, and organize L&F items and send a quick snapshot to me for posting... email president@russellleepta.org
Morning Traffic Monitor Volunteers
This is a 30 minute commitment that can be fun and easy with 2 or more people working together! VOLUNTEER HERE| Questions, email caitlin.sileo@austinisd.org
Lee Olympics Chair
Coordinate with the Lee PE Coaches to ensure we have a great event. email president@russellleepta.org
Lee Live Tickets
Lee Live is happening Saturday, March 29th from 6-10PM and we need you there. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
Your $50 ticket to Lee Live not only covers an open bar, full dinner (plus dessert!) and a private concert -- it gives back to Lee. Come hungry and leave with a full heart. Just by joining the fun, you’ll have helped us raise crucial funds for our small (but mighty!) elementary school.
We need your help! Please DONATE to the silent or live auction. Know someone with an Airbnb? Holding onto season tickets? Been meaning to sift through your old record collection? Ask your employer or favorite shop owner for a gift card! You’ll be surprised to learn how eager local companies are to help us raise funds and know that no donation is too small. Please email leelive@russellleepta.org to donate or talk through ideas.
In need of childcare? Ms. Day has you covered. We shared all of the details you’ll need in the Lee Live newsletter where you’ll find the form you need to sign up. Hurry! Only 30 spots available.
Call for photos
Reminder to send photos of any Lee event to photos@russellleepta.org for use in the Yearbook and/or Roadrunner Rundown. Thank you to everyone who has sent photos so far!
Get your Yearbook TODAY!!
24-25’ Yearbooks are on sale now!!
Custom pages are not due at time of order. You can go back and complete that step later.
Each book order includes 2 customized pages for your individual yearbook.
If you have any questions please reach out to Selena at historian@russellleepta.org
If you take photos at any Lee event that you think might look great in the yearbook, please send them to us at: photos@russellleepta.org
Lost & Found
Fami-Lee Lost & Found is overflowing! Please ask your Roadrunner to check for any lost items and if you can, please stop by to browse as well.
Lee Calendar
3/13 - 4th Grade Showcase
2/14 - NO SCHOOL
3/17 - 3/21 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
3/24 - 3/28 - AISD Pride Week
3/25 - CAC Meeting
3/28 - PTA Meeting
3/29 - Lee Live - tickets
3/31 - NO SCHOOL
4/5 - Roadie Work Day! - sign up here
coming up in April... STAAR testing dates:
Tues. April 8th: 5th/6th ELA
Thursday April 10th: 3rd/4th ELA
Friday April 11: ELA Make-Ups
Weds. April 16: 5th Grade Science
Thursday April 17th: 5th Grade Science Make-Ups
Tuesday April 22nd: 5th/6th Math
Thursday April 24th: 3rd/4th Math
Friday April 25: 5th Math Make-Ups
Vertical Team News: Summer Camp ! MCCallum
Come join us for 4 days of fun and dancing at our annual Kiddie Clinic Dance Camp sponsored by the McCallum Blue Brigade drill team!
The 2025 Kiddie Clinic Dance Camp is open for registration! Price is $150 per registrant. Please register and pay for each registrant separately.
July 28 - 31 from 1:00 – 5:00pm in the McCallum High School Cafeteria.
5600 Sunshine Dr Austin TX 78756
For Dance Camp questions contact Blue Brigade Director Nancy Honeycutt Searle at nancy.honeycutt@austinisd.org.
Thanks for reading this week's Roadrunner Rundown! Have something to add? Share your comments or feature suggestions with Clarissa at communications@russellleepta.org or online here.
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