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Table of Contents
Welcome back Fami-Lee!!
And welcome to the 11 new Roadrunners who joined Lee this month! We hope you all had a great winter break and an awesome start to the Spring 2024 semester. The PTA is excited for all the upcoming events.
This week in your Friday folder's you'll find a flyer for the upcoming Russell Lee Photography Exhibit Family and Community Day as well as the January Calendar. If you keep reading you'll get a first look at those in the Rundown as well.
There are some great volunteer opportunities in this issue of the Rundown and a mini recap of today's Principal's Coffee. In addition to there being actual free coffee made by our very own Library, Jenny Day these are a great time to meet other caregivers and learn directly from campus leadership all about the latest events and programs that are going on. And like today, there is always a lot of great caregiver questions and discussion among the group.
Russell Lee Photography Exhibit
Did you know that there are several Russell Lee photographs on permanent display at Lee? Well, in addition to those, an additional 36 photographs were installed on the 2nd floor as part of a temporary exhibit on loan from Humanities Texas from Jan 9-Feb 8.
Russell Lee photography Exhibit Fami-Lee & Community Day
January 20 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This exhibit will feature dozens of Russell Lee photographs from 1935-1977 on loan from Humanities Texas.
Webinar: Russell Lee Photography
February 1 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Author Mary Jane Appel will present a free webinar for the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission titled “One of the Best States of All: Russell Lee’s Photographs of Texas, 1939-1959.” Please register in advance. The webinar will be recorded and all are invited to attend.
This program is supported by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Thank you to Emily Hermans, Lee Parent for taking the initiative to propose this amazing opportunity and then making all the necessary arrangements for us to host this timeless collection!
Interested in helping the day of the exhibit? Sign up here: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/28013242 or email Emily Hermans at emilyphermans@gmail.com
Enrichment After School Clubs
PTA Enrichment after school clubs begin the week of January 22nd!
Club schedules viewable here: www.russellleepta.org/enrichment-1
$50 per semester donation for each non-vendor club
Please also remember we are asking for a $50 per semester donation for each non-vendor club enrollment, along with the option to sponsor another student. CLICK HERE These clubs are offered despite your ability to donate so please don't let cost deter you from signing up. This donation will allow us to continue to offer a sustainable and robust enrichment program for our community.
Enroll in 2024-2025 School Year!
Every student must be registered for the 2024-2025 school year! There is a new system, Enroll Austin, which can be found in your Parent Portal Account.
Registering early also helps the school begin to plan for staffing and facilities needs.
QUESTIONS about the process? Email Kerry Hull Kerry.Hull@austinisd.org
Lost & Found updates
Lost & Found is VERY FULL right now so PLEASE scan the photos here and if possible, stop by inside the building to check out the racks and reclaim your Roadrunner's lost items!
The new L&F Policy states that the L&F team will donate any items left at Lost and Found for 2 weeks!
Email lostandfound@russellleepta.org. with questions.
REMINDER: L&F items are posted in the Lee Facebook group frequently
Call for Volunteers! We Need your help!
Jan 20: Russell Lee Photography Exhibit
We're looking for a few caregivers to help ensure the event runs smoothly. Sign up on parent square or email Emily Hermans at emilyphermans@gmail.com
Lee Live Art Projects for Auction
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us create the stunning class and grade-level Lee Live Art that we will auction as part of our annual fundraiser. We need a grade-level lead for K, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 -- and helpers at every grade level. K-2 will create similar pieces for each class and grades 3-6 will create one piece per grade level.
Time commitments on this can be as little as an hour (more for the lead, though the level of effort/complexity of the project is up to you!). We have a small budget for each class/grade for supplies and framing. Lee Live will be March 2nd this year and it would be wonderful to have all of the art ready for the auction by February 23rd. If you're interested, please contact Emma Woelk at arts@russellleepta.org. Thank you!
Seeking volunteers to support our Lee Live committee solicit donations from the community. We will provide you with all of the resources you will need- we just need your time and willingness to reach out behalf of our Lee community! email leelive@russellleepta.org.
CopyCats - Did you know that parent volunteers copy all class materials for teachers? Let us know if you'd liek to join the awesome group of caregivers already helping keep our teachers up to date.
Lost & Found - Volunteer and be everyone's favorite person when you post pictures of exactly what they've been looking for!
If interested in any of these roles, please contact Jessica at president@russellleepta.org.
Lee Live: A Clue-Inspired Night of Elegance and Enigma
Lee Live 2024 is around the corner. We know you guys do so much already, but if you have it in you to donate a grade-level, teacher, PTA, caregiver, or staff experience, we would be incredibly appreciative. Our goal this year is to raise 70K (yikes!) so anything goes a long way. If you are inclined to donate an experience (e.g., mini-field trip, Airbnb weekend, etc.), please fill out the survey below so we can put it on the auction website and get this party started. Auction bidding begins Saturday, March 2nd for Lee Live 2024 (Austin Public Library). The theme is vintage Clue (no murders, though; just the mystery of whether or not we will raise the funds – which we will, in the library, as a group!).
Also, other info in case you like having info in advance ;) Lee Live 2024 website for tickets and auction website.
Grade-Level Clue Colors:
Kindergarten: Noir
1st Grade: Peacock Blue
2nd Grade: Mustard Yellow
3rd Grade: Scarlet Red
4th Grade: Verde
5th Grade: Plum Purple
Seeking photos from Lee events
If you have photos from Lee events that can be shared with the Lee community and/or that the Historian can use in the Lee Yearbook -- WE WANT THEM!
Feel free to send anything to communications@russellleepta.org
Lee Calendar
Swipe for the calendar back page!
January 12 | Principal's Coffee
Scheduled for the first Friday of the month, these are informal opportunities to discuss current campus topics with Campus Leadership.
All guests are required to check in with a photo ID at the front office to participate
January 13 | Science Fair Saturday w/Ms Day
(all grades) - 12-2pm @Lee Library
Check out books with project ideas or research information.
January 15 | NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 20 | Russell Lee photography Exhibit Family & Community Day
On Saturday, January 20, Lee Elementary families, friends, and community members are invited to the Russell Lee Photography Fami-Lee Day, which will include activities for engaging directly with Lee’s photographs. The photos are on display around the school, with most of the Lee collection downstairs and most of the Humanities Texas exhibit upstairs.
January 20 | Science Fair Saturday w/Ms. Price
(3rd-6th) - 12-2pm @Ms. Price's Class
***updated time***
You've done your project, but want someone to look it over to see if you've missed anything? Bring your boards for final review!
January 23 | CAC Meeting
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM @ Lee Library
January 23 | Celebration of Science
4-6PM @ Lee Gym - all are welcome!
Families are encouraged to attend even if your Roadrunner is not participating so that they can get an idea of what the typical expectations are for this type of event!
February 1 | 5th Grade Program
Percussion based ensemble show
February 1 | Webinar Russell Lee Photography
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Author Mary Jane Appel will present a free webinar for the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission titled “One of the Best States of All: Russell Lee’s Photographs of Texas, 1939-1959.” Please register in advance. The webinar will be recorded and all are invited to attend.
February 2 | Black History Laser Tribute
This event is sponsored by the PTA in honor of Black history month
9:00 - 9:40 AM (K-2)
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM (3-6)
Caregivers welcome to attend! More details to come!
February 2 | Dragon Dance for Lunar New year
Students only
February 9 | NO SCHOOL - Spring Conference Date
Teachers will begin sending information about this soon.
March 2 | Lee Live
Lee Live: A Clue-Inspired Night of Elegance and Enigma
Saturday, March 2, 2024 @ the Austin Public Library (Central Branch)
Step into a world of vintage glamour based on the classic board game and film Clue. Our annual spring fundraiser, Lee Live, invites you to delve into a night filled with thrilling twists and turns as you engage in a live auction, sway to live music that echoes through the library walls, and savor sumptuous food that would delight even the most discerning guests of Mr. Boddy.
As a member of our esteemed Lee community—current, future, and past caregivers, and ardent supporters—you are key to helping us meet our fundraising goals. The mystery lies in whether or not we will collaboratively succeed. Which we will! In the library as a group!
So join us! Let’s mingle and conspire over cocktails, ponder over silent auction items, and engage in spirited bidding. Funds raised are instrumental in providing our students with the essentials for academic success—classroom supplies, instructional materials, classroom enhancements, and enriching programs that foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. So, don your detective hats, choose your favorite Clue character to emulate, dress in a grade-level color, or simply come as you are.
Local Community Events
Jan 15 | MLK Community March
The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. All businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals are invited to march and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.
The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Due to Extreme Weather Conditions and in interest of protecting the public from extended outdoor exposure, Monday’s march will start at the MLK Statue and end at the Capitol.
Details: https://mlkcelebration.com/
Jan 20 | Free 5k, Kids Mile, & Walk
Date: Saturday, Jan. 20th
Location:
Texas Children's Hospital North Austin Campus
9835 North Lake Creek Parkway
Austin, TX US 78717
Event Schedule:
10:15 am: Health & Wellness Village Opens11:00 am: 5K Run/Walk Begins 12:45 pm: Kids K Begins1:15 pm: Kids Bike Ride Begins 2:00 pm: Event Concludes
Race website and sign up: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Austin/TexasChildrensFamilyRunWalk2024
Feb 1-Feb 3 | High School Musical Jr. by Lamar Middle School
Show location: McCallum Arts Center
Disney's smash hit movie musical comes to life on the Lamar Middle School's stage. Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East Elm High must deal with issues of first love, friends and family while balancing the classes & extracurricular activities.
Event Recap: Principal's Coffee
Thank you to all the caregivers who took the time to visit the library this morning for the monthly Principal's Coffee. We had a great turnout and had to expand our group from one table to several once it was all said and done. These monthly meetings are a great opportunity for caregivers to ask questions directly leadership in a forum that enrouages discourse.
At today's Meeting Principal Sileo did a quick review of the previous semester's events including Celebrations where we discussed successes and areas where things can be improved going forward. There was some video taken at the final dress rehearsal so at some point the school will find a way to share that with the community as appropriate. She also shared that Lee had a 98% opt in rate for HSR in December.
Principal Sileo also did a run through of upcoming January and February events and touched on upcoming STAAR testing season and how the school is working to prepare our students. As the dates approach, teachers and leadership will work to ensure parents and Roadrunners are well informed and prepared.
She also talked about the AISD Cold Weather Guidelines which you can review online.
Thank you!
Sending out a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the Staff & Teacher Giftcrowd. As usual, the community came out in to show our love and respect for our school.
Thanks for reading this week's Roadrunner Rundown. As always feel free to share your comments or feature suggestions with Clarissa at communications@russellleepta.org.
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