Roadrunner Rundown | 9/11
Table of Contents
Welcome
Thanks to everyone for coming out to our first receipt share of the year at Nando's - it was so great to see families and faculty grabbing dinner and supporting our school!
Coming up next week - we hope you'll join us for the first PTA Membership Meeting on Friday, 9/18 at 8 am. You don't have to be a member to come to the meeting - but we'd love if you'd join!
Parking Lot Fundraiser Update
A huge thank you to our 4th Grade families for stepping up to run the parking lots this weekend!
It's a big one as the Longhorns take on Ohio State, and your time and energy help make this important fundraiser a success. Every car parked helps support programs and opportunities for our Roadrunners. Good luck, 4th Grade—and Hook 'em!
3rd Grade Families - we still need parents to sign up for next weekend, 9/19 from 5 - 7 pm - you can do that here.
Roadrunner Rally Going Strong
Help us reach our goal by Sept 25!
The Rally is ramping up - we are 40% of our way to our $50,000 goal. We only have two weeks to go until we wrap up this fundraising push - so donate today!
Our suggested donation is $150 per student, but every family’s circumstances are different, so please give what works for yours.
If you’re able to give above the suggested amount, your generosity helps ensure we can fully fund our programming for every Lee student - from free field trips to school events like Loteria Night and Fall carival, and everything in between!
If you haven’t donated yet, this is a great week to join the Rally—and don’t forget to check whether your employer will double your contribution to your kids.
Loteria Night + FinaLEE Friday
Save the date for Friday, Sept 25
Mark your calendars for an evening of community, traditions (old and new), and Lee spirit!
Start the night at Lotería Night in the cafeteria from 5:00–7:00 PM, where you can play, win prizes, enjoy tasty snacks, and connect with fellow Roadrunner families. Want to help out that night? Volunteer with us here.
Then head outside for FinaLEE Friday! Beginning at 7:00 PM, enjoy live music from Luke Warm Poblanos—featuring two of our very own Lee dads—and stick around to relax, mingle, and celebrate our school community until 9:00 PM.
Need a sweet treat? MilkMade will be on site serving up delicious ice cream to help us beat the heat.
We can't wait to see you there!
Library Lines
by our amazing Librarian, Ms. Jenny Day
This week we started in on library stuff - going over Library Expectations for Behavior, including how to take care of our books.
Please help your child remember to return their library books on their library day - you can find the library schedule here.
3rd-5th students are invited to start on the Bluebonnet Challenge - read at least 10 Bluebonnet books by March 29th to come to the Bluebonnet party in April.
You can find a list of 2026 -27 Texas Bluebonnet books here.
Thank you for your support of our Library Programming.
Advocacy Update
by our Advocacy Chair, Amanda Rohlich
Here’s your weekly reminder to check your voter registration status here. The last day to register to vote in the November election is October 5th which is less than a month away!
More than 1.2 million Texas voters, or about 6.6%, are on the “suspense list.” This means they have been flagged as possibly no longer living at the address listed on their registration and, while they can still vote, may face an extra hurdle at the polls.
Want to better understand how school funding works in Texas? Check out this document drafted by ACPTA that gives a basic overview of how school funding works in Texas, how recent legislation has affected districts, and the current status of AISD’s budget.
Also recently updated, this one-pager answers basic questions about what a takeover is, why it happens, and how takeovers have looked in other districts. For more information on TEA takeovers, visit Keep Austin Schools Independent.
From KASI: We anticipate Austin ISD will appeal the "F" ratings assigned to Webb and Burnet by the Sept. 11 deadline. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will then have until Dec. 11 to notify AISD about the results of the appeal, although it could notify the district earlier.
If TEA does not grant an appeal, Webb and Burnet's five consecutive years of unacceptable grades become final and a takeover notice could be issued. Fort Worth ISD received its takeover letter from TEA on Oct. 23, 2025.
Opportunities for Action
✍️ Sign the Keep Austin Schools Independent petition. Join the 1,522 community members who have signed the KASI petition if you haven't already. It takes 30 seconds.
🚪 Block walk on Sunday, September 13 at 10 a.m. Join KASI at Ridgetop Elementary Playground to walk and talk with North Loop neighbors about the state takeover and how they can get involved. No experience needed - sign up here!
Join AISD for an Open House to review proposed updates to school attendance areas and share input with district staff. Learn more here.
In the News
The Texas Tribune, “Austin mayor releases plan to prevent Texas from taking over the school district.” (Sept. 9)
KUT News, “Parents say they won't support closing failing Austin ISD schools to avoid state takeover.” (Sept. 9)
The Texas Tribune, "At least 14 Texas districts at risk of school takeovers next year." (Sept. 1)
Axios Austin, "What to know as AISD edges closer to a state takeover." (Aug. 17)
Austin American-Statesman, "Doggett: Don't take Austin's schools away from Austin." (Aug. 27)
The Austin Chronicle, "What Could State Takeover Mean for Austin? Ask Fort Worth ISD." (Aug. 6)
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.
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!
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!
We're off to a great start - we have at least 85% of our previous year's membership, earning your PTA the Head Start Award!
Haven't join yet? Head here and sign up - it only take a minute and makes a huge impact!
Lee Calendar
9/18 PTA Membership Meeting, 8 am
9/18 Campus Tour, 9 am
9/21 No School, Yom Kippur
9/22 CAC Meeting, 3:30 pm
9/25 Principal's Coffee, 8 am
9/25 Loteria Night, 5 pm
9/27 Roadie Workday, 8 - 11 am
9/29 Fall Pictures (Individual)
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.
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