Roadrunner Rundown | 9/18
Table of Contents
Welcome
Thanks to everyone who came out our PTA first PTA meeting of the year - a huge thank you to Deputy Voter Registrar for Travis County Chris Wooster for coming out and helping staff and caregivers check their Voter Registration status. You can see your current voter registration status here. Deadline to register or correct information is Oct. 5.
Here are the events for next week - reminder there is no school on Monday, 9/21 for Yom Kippur.
9/21 No School, Yom Kippur/PLED Day
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
Save the Date for our Fall Carnival on 10/30
We're excited to announce the date for our Fall Carnival - mark your calendars for Friday, Oct. 30 from 5 - 7 pm. More details to come - but if you're interested in getting involved in planning, reach out to carnival@russellleepta.org.
Teaching Assistant Appreciation Week is next week!
Next week we're celebrating Teaching Assistant Appreciation Week - let your students know to give our amazing TAs - Dani Monahan, Leauana Sanchez and Porsha Shores - an extra 'thank you' for all of their amazing work.
Russell Lee Documentary Screening
The Briscoe Center is streaming a documentary about Russell Lee's life, teaching career and work next Wednesday, September 23 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. You can find out more about this event and RSVP here.
Roadrunner Rally Going Strong
Help us reach our goal by Sept 25!
We're heading into the last week of Roadrunner Rally - we're over 70% of the way to our $50,000 goal. If you still haven't contributed, head here to donate today!
Our suggested donation is $150 per student, but every family’s circumstances are different, so please give what works for yours. Every amount counts and helps us get closer to our goal. Don’t forget to check whether your employer will double your contribution to your kids.
Want to see what Roadrunner Rally dollars actually look like inside a Lee classroom?
Our own 5th grade teacher, Ms. Draughn, shared a quick video about how she uses the funds PTA provides her to support her students - check it out here.
Loteria Night + FinaLEE Friday
Join us next Friday, Sept 25
We have a full night of community and fun next Friday - join us for both Loteria Night and FinaLee Friday!
Lotería Night is kicking off the night in the cafeteria from 5:00–7:00 PM - come play, win prizes, enjoy tasty snacks, and connect with fellow Roadrunner families. Want to help out that night - we still have a few volunteer spots - sign up here.
Then head outside for FinaLEE Friday beginning at 7:00 PM! Enjoy live music from Luke Warm Poblanos, sweet treats from MilkMade , and relax, mingle, and celebrate our school community until 9:00 PM.
We can't wait to see you there!
Roadie Workday
Come help beautify our school Sunday, Sept 27
Our first Roadie Workday of the year is happening on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 8 am 10 am.
Come help us prep a big garden bed for planting and hang cork inside for student artwork display.
Everyone welcome - bring your garden gloves, tools and water!
After-School Clubs are Underway!
Fall enrichment is off to a great start, with 314 registrations, representing 211 Lee students across 24 clubs!
There’s still time to join. Clubs with space include Creative Action Drama, Think Forward STEM, Wicked Workshop Architecture, UK Soccer, Young Rembrandts, ATX Ballers, AYF Biking, Kula Karate, LEGO Robotics, D&D, and Spanish Club.
Check the Fall Enrichment Guide for club details and registration links. Some programs have limited spots remaining, so sign up soon if your student wants to join!
Library Lines
by our amazing Librarian, Ms. Jenny Day
We had a busy time in the library this week. Monday a representative from Texas Wildlife Association visited with our 5th graders and talked about the Water Cycle and Texas water and the Edward's Aquifer. Then the students got to make a model aquifer and brainstorm ways we use and conserve water.
K - 2nd graders read and talked about taking care of our library books and returning them every week.
3rd - 5th grade learned about our online catalog of the collection. Students can access My Library Account on the AISD Portal anywhere they can access the internet.
Just go to portal.austinisd.org, sign in with your student's S# and password. (If your student does not know their user name and password, feel free to contact me and I'll send it to you.) Then go to the My Library Account app to access our catalog. You can also see what books are checked out and if your student has a fine for losing a book or damaging one beyond repair.
With the movement of the Carnival to October 30, the Book Fair has also moved dates - Oct. 26-30th (we'll be open during the carnival.) More info on the online fair will be forthcoming soon.
We have partnered with BookPeople to bring author Angela DiTerlizzi, to visit with 2nd grade on Monday, Oct. 19th. The opportunity to purchase autographed books will be sent home the first week in October.
Finally, be on the lookout for information about our annual Halloween Costume Exchange. Bring your old costume and take home a new-to-you costume in exchange. Tentative dates for collection Oct. 5th-16th and exchange day Oct. 21.
Once again, your support of Reading and our library program is truly appreciated.
Advocacy Update
by our Advocacy Chair, Amanda Rohlich
Thanks to Chris Wooster for being onsite at Lee today to help check voter registration status at our PTA meeting and in the staff lounge. You can check your status here. The last day to register to vote in the November election is October 5th which is just over two weeks away.
AISD Board Meeting — ACPTA Recap (Sept. 10)
📚 Student achievement: 3rd-grade STAAR results improved in reading and math, but achievement gaps between student groups remain a concern.
💰 District finances: AISD is considering a $140–160M short-term loan to address cash-flow needs. A vote is expected Sept. 24.
🏫 Campus accountability: Webb and Burnet received their fifth consecutive “unacceptable” state rating; AISD has appealed the ratings. Staffing in core subjects was reported as complete.
🔨 Upcoming decisions & projects: The Sept. 24 agenda includes several major financial items, along with bond-funded campus projects at Hart, Patton, and Jordan Elementary.
Opportunities for Action
💻 TEA Takeover 101 with Dan Dawer. Still trying to wrap your head around what a TEA Takeover would mean for AISD? Check out this 24 minute primer from Daniel Dawer on YouTube.
✍️ Sign the Keep Austin Schools Independent petition. Join the over 2,000 community members who have signed the KASI petition if you haven't already. It takes 30 seconds.
🗣️ Share what you learned with a friend.
🗳️ Vote in November!
In the News
KXAN “AISD families push back against possible TEA takeover” (September 13)
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
9/21 No School, Yom Kippur
9/21 -25 TA Appreciation Week
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)
10/9 No School, Student/Staff Holiday
10/12 No School, Indigenous People's Day
10/14 2nd Grade Hispanic Heritage Program, 6 pm
10/16 PTA Meeting, 8 am
10/16 Campus Tour
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