Table of Contents
Week 8 is in the books! As always, Lee is a very active community and since last week we hosted Loteria Night, which was a massive success and we hit our Roadrunner Rally fundraising goal and celebrated the contributions that our Custodians make each and every day to ensure we have a beautiful and clean environment for our Roadrunners to learn!
Coming up, no school on Monday, 2nd Grade Mexico Program, Lee Sings at the Star's Hockey Game, and of course the Book Fair and Fall Carnival are on the horizon.
Lee Merch Survey!
Please help the PTA create new Russell Lee Merch! Please let us know if you are interested in any of the following LEE ROADRUNNER BRANDED merchandise for the '23-'24 school year! This is NOT a commitment to purchase. Designs in the examples are not indicative of actual designs/colors. This survey is to gauge interest for different merchandise items only. Thank you!
Lee Sings for the Stars Game!
Did you happen to see a 6-foot ringtail cat at school this week? He is Ringo, the mascot for the Texas Stars hockey team. Come cheer on Lee Sings as we perform the national anthem for Ringo and his team! October 14th, 7PM, HEB center at Cedar Park.
Discounted tickets are available through the link below. https://fevo-enterprise.com/supportleesings
Save the date for Fall Carnival!
Calling all ghouls and goblins...Carnival is coming on Oct 28 from 2-5pm in the school yard. This year we'll have all sorts of family fun: a band, haunted house, costume contest, inflatable slide + obstacle course, face painting, popcorn + cotton candy and so much more!
Look out for communication from your Room Reps on opportunities to volunteer at the Carnival. We absolutely cannot pull off this event without the active support from our parent community!
Hispanic Heritage Month: Community Spotlight
Hispanic Heritage Month - The remaining weeks of HHM we will be introducing you to Latino/Hispanic members of your Lee Community
The Peña Family
Q: What do you love most about your culture?
Clarissa: Most of the things I love about my culture are things my mother taught me and that I try to pass on. Her house was always filled with the sounds of Tejano or Mariachi music, she always prepared inordinate amounts of food for anyone that might stop by and no matter the hour, there was always a hot pot of cafecito ready for any guest. So I guess it's that feeling of community and tradition that I hold dearest.
Q: How do you keep your cultural traditions alive?
Clarissa: I think we do a lot of little things that add up throughout the year but there are few upcoming holidays that are especially important. This time of year one of the most important traditions for our family is Dia De Los Muertos. So, every year we take time to thoughtfully prepare an Ofrenda that we fill with photos and memories that help us both celebrate life and honor death. A few years ago I learned how to make my own Pan de Muerto which is a traditional feature of an Ofrenda, so I like to do that because for me it is another opportunity to reflect and honor my culture.
Q: What makes you feel most connected to Lee?
Clarissa: Honestly it's a combination of things. When we moved here, it was mid-year and we were worried about starting over in a new city and at a new school after leaving such an amazing community in New York City but Lee welcomed us in way we didn't expect. It was everyone from the principal and front office staff to Maggie's teacher and the PTA president who put themselves out there to make sure we were all ok with that mid-year cross country move. All these people helped us feel connected in the beginning and I hope that I can do that for others as they join the community.
Free after-school club openings
There are a few spaces left in the 3rd-6th grade Leap of Joy dance enrichment program that meets on Thursdays and runs year round. There are also two spots left in the Emergent Environmentalists Club for 1st-6th grade that meets on Fridays. Please email enrichment@russellleepta.org to apply.
Get ready for those holiday cards with this epic receipt share!
Planning ahead for holiday cards? We've got something for you!
From October 7-15, shop at TeaCollection.com for a 15% discount (with 15% of proceeds donated back to Lee!) Use code: SDF23RUSSELL
We also have a special discount for you at Minted.com! Make your holiday card & gift purchases count this year by shopping at Minted using Lee Elementary's unique code at checkout. You’ll get a 20% discount and Minted will donate 15% of your purchase back to the school at the end of the year. Use code: FUNDRAISERUSSELLLEE
Lost and Found Items
Please help the Lost & Found crew return your items to you by labeling all water bottles, lunch boxes and hoodies/coats. If you recognize anything here please email the Lost & Found team! lostandfound@russellleepta.org
Yearbooks on sale NOW!!
10% off on all orders before Oct 31st!
Cost $27.80 + tax
Help stock the teacher's lounge!
We're looking for a few donations to help re-stock the Teacher's Lounge so if you are able, please check out the Amazon Wishlist here. Or you can drop items off in person if you prefer! Some of the most popular/requested items include: Sodas (Dr Pepper, Coke Zero, etc), Sweet Tea, Skinny Pop, Trail Mix, Yogurt, Cheese, Fresh Fruit (this is a big request), or even homemade items!
NEW IDEAS
We're also looking for new ideas on how we can show our teachers how much we appreciate them each month! If you have any ideas for our monthly appreciation genstures then let us know! If you, your business, or a business you know might be interested in helping sponsor a monthly appreciation gesture please reach out to appreciation@russellleepta.org.
Lee Community News
We've collected links to some of the school-wide newsletters that you may have missed in the last few weeks:
Principal Sileo's Campus Based Updates
Library Lines
PE Newsletter
Studio Times
Library Lines October 6, 2023
Tech News The Chromebooks and iPads have been dispersed and we've talked about the "Care and Feeding of Your Device." We are still waiting on exact directions from the district, but the general consensus is that we, as a district, cannot afford to repeatedly replace broken devices due to negligence or intention. The general policy is that we will allow one "accidental" breakage, but after that there will be a charge for repair or replacement. Since the devices stay at school, we have significantly fewer accidents than other schools.
Book Fair October 23-28 Book Fair is a fund raiser for the library. With the funds, I purchase prizes for reading incentives and books for our collection. We will have our Literati Book Fair the week of October 24 - 28. Book Fair will be open from 7:00am to 5pm Monday -Friday. Thursday is our late night and we'll be open until 7pm. Finally, Book Fair will be open during the Lee Carnival on October 28. Students can shop during their library class time, as they will still come to library that week. If you are not able to come or want to send a link to relatives to order books online for your student, you can use this link. https://efairs.literati.com/?school=russell-lee-elementary-school-austin-tx The books ordered will be shipped to the school and I will deliver to your student in class. Don't forget - gift cards, too! Thank you for your support.
Annular Solar Eclipse on Sat., Oct. 14th - FYI Next Saturday Austin will be at 80 - 90% totality for the Annular Solar Eclipse (Ring of Fire). The event will take place from 10:23am - 1:33pm, with maximum eclipse at 11:54. I saw Eclipse glasses at HEB. Get a set for Saturday and then hang on to them until April 8 when Austin will, again, be in the path for totality for the Solar Eclipse - you can send them to school with your student that day. Have you seen this website? It's out of this world! https://storytimefromspace.com/
Lee Calendar
Here's a preview of the Lee October Calendar which should show up in your Friday folders soon...
September 15 - October 15 | Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize, honor and celebrate Hispanic Americans’ contributions to our history and culture.
October 1-31 | Minted (receipt share)
y'all check out this amazing deal!!
Get an early start on those holiday cards!
Receive 20% OFF Minted cards and gifts, and 15% of the proceeds will be given back to the school.
Use code "FUNDRAISERUSSELLLEE"
October 6 | Gifted & Talented deadline
The Austin ISD Gifted and Talented Referral window for the 2023-2024 school year is September 18 - October 6, 2023. Nomination Link. Learn about the G&T program on the AISD website or by contacting Mr. Peckham directly. You can also access a recorded information session and other materials online here.
October 8 | Principal Appreciation Week
Want to celebrate Caitlin? Check out her About Me here!
October 7-15 | Tea Collection (receipt share)
Get yourself something cute!
Shop at the Tea Collection during this time with a special code and you'll get 15% off of your purchase and 15% of proceeds will be given back to the school.
Use code "SDF23RUSSELL"
October 9 | No School (Indigenous People's Day)
Indigenous People's Day is observed to honors the lives and experiences of Indigenous people in the US and is usually celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October. Source: I.C.T. (2021, October 9). Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indian Country Today.
October 12 | 2nd Grade Mexico Program
Details to come!
October 14 | Lee Sings @ Texas Stars Hockey Game
You're invited to support the Lee Sings Choir as they perform the National Anthem at the Texas Stars hockey game on October 14th.
Texas Stars vs. Tucson Roadrunners
7:00 PM | October 14
Discounted tickets are available through the link below. https://fevo-enterprise.com/supportleesings
October 15 | Transportation Employees Appreciation Week
More details to come!
October 17 | Career Week
More details to come!
October 17-20 | PE Cosmic Week
Last year, the students had a blast during Cosmic Throwing, Catching, and Bowling Week. This year, the PE Coaches are also putting up black lights. The students can add to the fun by coming to school wearing white or neon clothes on their designated day in the gym! Below is a schedule of the day your child’s class will be in the gym that week.
I am excited to see everyone in their neon colors
October 18 | El Chile (receipt share)
Visit El Chile on all day on October 18 and 10% of the proceeds will be given back to the school! All you need to do is mention Lee Elementary.
This applies to dine-in, to-go and catering orders!
October 22 | Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign to bring awareness to the risks and dangers of substance abuse. Throughout this week, AISD will educate youth, staff, and the community about the effects of tobacco, alcohol, vaping, and other drugs on our bodies and brains.
We hope that all our students and community will feel the full potential of being healthy and drug free!
For more information, contact Jason Schafer at jason.schafer@austinisd.org or visit the Health and PE page: austinisd.org/pe-health/coordinated-school-health.
October 23-28 | Lee Book Fair
Book Fair will be open from 7:00am to 5pm Monday -Friday. Thursday is our late night and we'll be open until 7pm. Finally, Book Fair will be open during the Lee Carnival on October 28. Students can shop during their library class time, as they will still come to library that week. If you are not able to come or want to send a link to relatives to order books online for your student, you can use this link. https://efairs.literati.com/?school=russell-lee-elementary-school-austin-tx
October 28 | Lee Fall Carnival
Lee Fall Carnival | October 28 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
More details to come!
To volunteer or ask questions please send us an email or fill out our volunteer form! We'd love to have you join the team!
October 30 | Anti-Bullying Presentation
More details to come!
EVENT RECAPS
Roadrunner Rally - We did it!
A message from the PTA President:
Sincere thanks to all of you who were able to donate to Roadrunner Rally, our Fall Fundraising campaign. As of September 30th, we officially met and then exceeded our $30,000 goal with 170 families donating and a current total of $30,671 raised.
9/29 - Loteria Night
This was a huge success with over 200 people, fun prizes, delicious churros, a photo booth, DJ, and sweet aguas frescas!
Thank you to every single member of the community that came out to put on such a great event and who participated.
We want to give a special shoutout to event sponsors who contributed to making this such a great event.
10/4 - Texas Star's Mascot visit!
Here are a few photos from our recent visit from Ringo the Ringtail to help you get excited for the upcoming Stars Hockey game where the Lee Sings Choir will perform the national anthem!
Come cheer on Lee Sings as we perform the national anthem for Ringo and his team! October 14th, 7PM, HEB center at Cedar Park.
Discounted tickets are available through the link below. https://fevo-enterprise.com/supportleesings
10/6 - Principal's Coffee
We had a great group at the Principal's Coffee this morning where Principal Sileo shared some updates about the year so far including some fun photos of our students thriving and learning. She also gave some brief updates on upcoming testing, grade level programs, and the December Celebrations event which is still in the planning stages. More info on all of those will be sent out as it becomes available.
These meetings are always a great chance for parents and administration to engage in positive discourse, ask questions and connect with the community.
The next meeting will be on November 3rd and will focus on the scheduled AISD Human Sexuality and Responsibility Curriculum.
Thanks for reading this week's Roadrunner Rundown. As always feel free to share your comments or feature suggestions with us at communications@russellleepta.org.