Roadrunner Rundown | 4/17

21 minutes ago
6 min read

Welcome
AISD Budget Discussions and Feedback
Teacher Appreciation Week
Library Lines
Art Show + Maker Faire
Torchy's Receipt Share
Last Spots for Summer Camp
High School Graduation Walk
Order your Yearbook by May 1!
Lost and Found
Shop with Lee
Join the PTA
Lee Calendar + Upcoming Events
Thank You to Our Sponsors

Welcome

Welcome to this weeks rundown! A huge thank you to Ms. Day and the staff for putting together the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch today - it was great getting to visit with other parents and staff!

2026-2027 PTA Executive Board

At this week's PTA meeting, members voted on the 26-27 PTA Executive Board - congratulations to our new board and thank you for taking on these roles next year!

President: Jillian DeLaTorre Copeland

Vice President: Jessie Doloresco

VP Membership: Susana Prince

VP Fundraising: Tanya Embers

VP Communication: Kelly Griswold

VP Enrichment: Kimberly Trott

Secretary: Allison Spagnolo

Treasurer: Alisa Viedma

Roadie Workday this Weekend!

Join us for a Roadie Work day this Sunday, April 19 starting at 8 am for an Earth Day cleanup! We will provide trash pick up tools and gloves but PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE and wear work appropriate clothing.

AISD Budget Discussions and Feedback

Potential Cuts Coming in 26-27 School Year

On April 7th, 2026, AISD Superintendent Segura sent an email outlining the district’s current budget crisis. The district is currently facing a potential $181 million budget deficit as we enter the 26–27 school year. Administration and Trustees are in discussion around how to lower this deficit — which will likely include significant impacts to our campus.

This means: They’re currently assessing potential cuts to all non-mandated spending.

Why does this matter? Non-Mandated positions (deemed by the state) include: Librarian, Essential Areas instructors (Art, Music and PE), Assistant Principal, Counselor, Nurse, and Support Teaching Staff. This means that these positions could be in question for our campus.

AISD is seeking your perspective to help prioritize the programs and services that matter most to our students.

This is where we need to get loud. Here are the steps!

Complete our 2026–27 Budget Feedback Survey no later than April 30.
Join us April 21st at the CAC Meeting to discuss and learn more with Mrs. Sileo.
Pay attention to the preliminary budget set to be announced April 23rd.
Meet us at Torchy’s in Mueller at 4PM on April 28th before we head to Austin High for AISD’s In-Person happening from 6-7PM.

You can also learn more about this situation and the proposed impacts through the following discussions:

Campus Advisory Council (CAC) Discussions (led by Ms. Sileo)

Tuesday April 21st: April CAC Meeting: 3:30PM, Library

District Level Discussions

Virtual Sessions: April 25 (Zoom) and May 9 (Zoom), (11 a.m.–12 p.m.)
In-Person Session: Austin High School on April 28 (6–7 p.m.)

You can find more details on last week's board budget discussion, including the potential impacts to our campus, here.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Sign up to decorate doors today!

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 - 8 - our teachers LOVE the Monday morning reveal to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, and we need your help to make the magic happen.

Library Lines

by our fantastic Librarian Ms. Jenny Day

We're 2/3 of the way through STAAR testing - here are the changes to the library schedule for next week:

Monday - Campbell, Jones/Rolling, Haddad, 6th Grade

Tuesday - STAAR Testing, no library classes

Wednesday - Grant/Abeyta, Townsend/Clinchard, Sands, Hull/Draughn, Ms. K, Yom/Thomas

Thursday + Friday - STAAR Testing, no library classes

And please mark your calendars for Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 29! We've been reading and exploring poetry in library classes and this is a fun way to wrap things up!

Art Show and Maker Faire

Coming up next Friday, April 24

Lee's Art Show and Maker Faire is next Friday, April 24th!

Come see your student's framed self portraits on display -- and for sale by Artome -- in the gym gallery from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Framed originals and framed reproductions are available to purchase in advance of the show here for $30. You may also buy in person on Friday. Purchasing your child's artwork is not required, and you will get all artwork back at the end of the year - but this is a wonderful fundraiser for our Art program.

Don't forget to stop by the Maker Faire from 5:00-7:00 pm, hosted by Lee upperclassmen and Ms. Day. Be sure to arrive at 4:00 if your child is also participating in the Maker Faire so that you can do both with ease.

There are still a few volunteer slots open on both Thursday and Friday - sign up today!

Torchy's Receipt Share

Tuesday, April 28, 4 - 8 pm

Mark your calendars for our next spirit night at Torchy’s Tacos in Mueller on April 28th from 4–8 PM! Come enjoy some chips + queso, tacos, and margs while supporting Lee. With a big, beautiful, shady patio, it’s the perfect spot to relax, let the kids play, and connect with our community over dinner—we hope to see you there!

Let the cashier know you’re with Lee for Spirit Night! If you order online for pickup, just make sure the cashier or bartender prints off the ticket so your purchase can be included!

Grab the Last Summer Camp Spots!

Roadrunner Summer Camp is almost full!

Spots are still available in select themed sessions. Browse the options below to see what’s still open and find the perfect fit! Registration closes April 23.

Session 1 (June 1-5) Register Here

Session 2 (June 8-12) Register Here

Senior Graduation Walk

Join us for the Russell Lee Elementary Alumni Senior Walk as we celebrate the Class of 2026 coming back where it all began!

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/SeniorWalk2026RSVP

Last weeks to order your Yearbook!

We're in the last few weeks to order your yearbook - order by 5/1! Head over to https://account.treering.com/validate and type in code 1015066231443557 to order today.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found will be outside by the cafeteria on Thursdays during pickup (weather permitting). If its raining, your student can always grab their items during school hours, or you can stop by via the front desk.

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 15% 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.