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Say goodbye to the year of the rabbit and say hello to the year of the dragon!Â
By Jennifer Yom
First Grade ESL Teacher
Lunar New Year is one of the biggest holidays in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. Millions of people celebrate the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar.Â
The lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon, so the dates of the Lunar New Year vary slightly from year to year. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Lunar New Year occurs on the new moon that falls typically between January 21st and February 20th. This year, Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 10th.Â
Ways of celebrating the Lunar New Year vary based on region. Commonly, families celebrate the Lunar New Year by gathering together and having a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as Mandu (man·doo) or dumpling that bring good luck and fortune.
The Chinese zodiac is a classification scheme based on the lunar calendar and repeats every 12 years. Each animal is associated with its characteristics, and there are strong belief that everyone and every animal has a role to play in the community. The 12 animals in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Even though it is called as Chinese zodiac, this system is also used in South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The name of the zodiac and some representing animals in the zodiac may differ by country.
We are entering the year of the dragon! In East Asian countries, the dragon represents bravery, strength, and honesty. We hope the sun shines down on your families with warmth and happiness in the Year of the Dragon!
FINAL DAY: Nominate Lee Staff until Feb 9th!
Submit your Salute Awards Nominations today!
We have the opportunity to highlight our amazing staff through the district's Salute Award. This award is designed to recognize some of the district’s outstanding team members for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement in our schools.
Your nominees will have the option to continue in the award process! The winners will be celebrated at our Salute Awards ceremony on May 8th, where we will also honor Teachers of Promise and Teachers of the Year.
Nominations will close Friday, February 9 at 5pm.See below for the members of our Lee Community and feel free to nominate anyone who has particularly touched your family and honor them for their outstanding dedication.Â
Campus Clerical/Office Staff of the Year- Erica Sanchez, Kerry Hull,Â
Teaching Assistant of the Year- Dani Monahan, Porsha Shores, Kim Penson
Custodian of the Year- Veronica Ramirez, David Morales, Enrique Salazar
Food Service Staff of the Year- Loren Wyatt, Claudia Valencia
Librarian of the Year- Jenny Day
Counselor of the Year- Aaron Peckham
Assistant Principal of the Year- Chandria Ridgeway
Principal of the Year- Caitlin Sileo
Nominations will close Friday, February 9 at 5pm.
School Counselor Appreciation Week
February 5-9, 2024 | This week and every week, we're honored to have Mr. Peckham working with and supporting our Roadrunners at Lee.
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Countdown to Lee live!
Lee Live: A Clue-Inspired Night of Elegance and Enigma
Ticket sales now open! Purchase here before they sell out.
Saturday, March 2, 2024 @ the Austin Public Library (Central Branch)
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Step into a world of vintage glamour inspired by 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 from Eagle Eye Williamson and the Talking Heads cover band HeartByrne, and savor sumptuous Vik and Al’s cajun cuisine 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 (but leave your weapons at home), choose your favorite Clue character to emulate, dress in a grade-level color, add a single piece of colorful flair to your regular attire, or simply come as you are.Â
Grade-level colors: Kindergarten: Noir; 1st Grade: Peacock Blue; 2nd Grade: Mustard Yellow; 3rd Grade: Scarlet Red; 4th Grade: Verde; 5th Grade: Plum Purple; 6th Grade: Blanc
Lost & Found Weekly Photos
The lost and found is very full again, please label your kiddos outerwear. Valuables turned into the lost and found can be claimed at the front office.
Lost & Found will donate any unclaimed items every 2 weeks!
Email lostandfound@russellleepta.org. with questions.
REMINDER: L&F items are posted in the Lee Facebook group frequently.
STAAR Practice Test Schedule
See upcoming STAAR testing information below. Details and updates will be provided by the Lee Administration & Teachers as needed.
TEA Required Stand-Alone Field Test:
Monday February 5th: 4th and 6th grade only, ELA
STAAR Interim Assessments: Practice Test OpportunitiesÂ
Wednesday: February 7th 5th/6th ELA
Thursday: February 8th 3rd/4th ELA
Tuesday: February 13th 3rd/4th Math, 5th Science
Tuesday: February 20th 5th/6th MathÂ
Make-Up: dates as neededÂ
Call for Volunteers! We Need your help!
Lee Live Donations Committee
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!Â
email leelive@russellleepta.org.
CAREER WEEK 2024
Seeking speakers for Lee Career Week! Mr. Peckham will work with you regarding your availability and interest in speaking to one or multiple classes to suit your preferences. All careers are welcome! Please spread the word among your community.
Questions?  aaron.peckham@austinisd.org
Yearbooks for Sale! + Call for Art!
Place your order for this year’s Lee Elementary Yearbook here! Yearbooks will arrive to Lee in May. If you’d like your child’s artwork to be a part of this year’s book, please submit a high res image to our historian’s email. historian@russellleepta.org
Lee Calendar
Swipe for February Calendar! (Note, there are two versions for folks who do or do not want to see the STAAR practice dates on the monthly calendar)
Feb 1-Mar1 | Black History Month
Feb 9 | NO SCHOOL - Spring Conference Date
Feb 19 | NO SCHOOL
Feb 26-Mar1 | Food Service Appreciation Wk
Feb 27 | Symphony Day (4th & 5th)
Spring 2024 PTA MeetingsÂ
Mar 19 | PTA Membership Meeting (Nomination Committee Formation)
Apr 16 | PTA Membership Meeting (Elections PTA Exec Board)
May 14 | PTA Membership Meeting (PTA 24-25 Budget Vote)
Feb 1-Mar1 | Black History Month
Learn more about Black History month:
Feb 5-9 | School Counselor Appreciation Wk
School Counselor Appreciation week
February 5-9, 2024
February 9 | NO SCHOOL - Spring Conference Date
Feb 14 | Valentine's Day Parties
Keep an eye out for communication from Room Reps about Valentine's Day Parties. Caregivers will be asked to help contribute by bringing in snacks or volunteering at the event.
Feb 20 | CAC Meeting
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
@ Lee Library
A total of eight meetings held throughout year, on a variety of topics including school improvement goals and planning. Members may apply to serve on council and all meetings are open to the public.
Membership applications can be found here: https://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/cac/applicationÂ
Questions can be sent to Principal Sileo caitlin.sileo@austinisd.orgÂ
Feb 22Â | 1st Grade Program
A program on social and emotional learning (SEL)
March 2 | Lee Live
Lee Live: A Clue-Inspired Night of Elegance and Enigma
Saturday, March 2, 2024 @ the Austin Public Library (Central Branch)
Mar 7Â | 4th Grade Program
A program on Texas History
Local Community Events / Opportunities
Feb 10 | Refugee Arts & Crafts Valentine's Bazaar
One of our own, Margie Yankeelov was on KXAN to promote this Saturday's Refugee Arts & Crafts Bazaar which includes women from The Sewing Collective.
See the full video online here & be sure to check out the Refugee Arts & Crafts Valentine's Bazaar on Saturday. 100% of sales benefit refugees from Ukraine & Afghanistan
Feb 10 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Refugee Arts & Crafts Valentine's Bazaar
North Austin YMCA
1000 W. Rundberg Ln.
Learn more about this incredible event and the Global Impact Initiative here: https://www.austinymca.org/refugee-arts-bazaar/
Feb 24 | STEM Girl Day At UT Austin
Elementary and middle school students, families, and educators are invited to join us for FREE hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fun on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. CT on The University of Texas at Austin campus.
K-8 Participant Registration is now OPEN!
All participants must be registered and must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event. Registration remains open throughout the event date.
AISD is holding auditions for the 2024 Summer Theater Series!
Calling all actors, singers, dancers, musicians and technicians! The Austin ISD 2024 Summer Theatre Series auditions are open Feb. 1 through March 18.Â
Students can join the STS Blend Course to register and submit audition videos.
Here are just a couple of fun photos from this week's events.
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 or online here. Join or caregiver Facebook group!
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