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Fami-Lee,
I've been looking at the calendar of events for the next two months and wow there is a lot going on... Be sure to check out the Lee Calendar so you don't miss a thing... (like the return of Celebrations!)!
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.
Ms. Day @ Texas Book Festival!
If you're looking for a fun FREE event, check out the Texas Book Festival this weekend. There are tones of free author talks going on plus our very own Librarian, Mrs. Day and a few 5th graders will be introducing one of the authors!
WHEN: Saturday, November 11 at 11:15am
WHERE: The Read Me A Story tent on 11th Street and Congress
WHAT: Ms. Day + 5th grade Roadrunners will introduce Kaz Windness author of Bitsy Bat School Star
Enroll in 2024-2025 School Year!
Save your seat in the 2023-2024 academic year! The new Enroll Austin is up and running so please log in to to register your child for the 2024-2025 school year!
Registering helps the school begin to plan for staffing and facilities needs and is mandatory for all students every year so don't delay! Register Today!
Square 1 Art Order Deadline extended to Mon 11/13
I have worked with Square 1 Art to extend our school’s order deadline to Monday 11/13.
Please get those holiday order in by then to ensure your order is in by December holidays!
If we reach 45% participation, we get a massive bump in the overall percentage of profits as well, small orders help more than you think!
We thank you in advance for your participation! Get those personalized holiday gifts in early for the grandparents! 🎁 💝
Save the date! Family Night at Bookpeople on Nov 29.
Join us at Bookpeople from 5-7pm on November 29th, for a special Lee Elementary x Bookpeople event! Some of our favorite teachers will be reading books and you'll have the opportunity to shop teacher wishlists + stock up your own holiday wishlists. 20% of proceeds will be donated back to Lee Elementary! And if you can't make it to the event, the give-back program lasts all week long too or you can purchase online too.
Clothing Swap!
Save your clean and quality hand me downs! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Bring your gently loved hand me downs to school throughout the month of November.
On Friday, December 1st before the movie night, we will have tables laid out in different sizes so people can take what they need to outfit their kiddos for the upcoming colder weather.
Bring or Make a Pie for Thanksgiving!
Lee PTA and staff are putting together Thanksgiving food boxes to make sure all of our staff and families are able to enjoy a yummy Thanksgiving meal and food over the break. We have collected turkeys and other food donations from H-E-B and other community donations, but we are missing one thing to make this a complete meal – pies!
If you are able, please sign up to donate a pie and drop off to the school the morning of Friday, November 17.
Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/QanHTav
Thank you! Lindsey PTA Community Cares Chair
The yearbook wants YOU!!
Help us capture those special moments at Lee by submitting your photos!
Send photos via Treering or email directly to historian@russellleepta.org
Lost & Found Reminders
Consider this your reminder to check Lost and Found in the 2nd grade hallway for any missing items. With sporadic colder temperatures out there, our Roadrunners are misplacing items at a record pace and the Lost and Found area is getting unwieldy.
REMEMBER to always label your Roadrunner's personal items
If something is lost:
Remind your Roadrunner to check Lost and Found during the school day,
Alert your classroom teacher in case they've seen it
Email Lost & Found and ask about the lost item
Check in with a photo ID at the front office so you can browse Lost and Found
Check the Russell Lee Elementary PTA Facebook Group for weekly Lost & Found posts
Lee Appreciation - Restock the Teachers Lounge
In the spirit of appreciation and November being a month dedicated to expressing gratitude.. At Lee we have a staff of 58 amazing folks who foster the safe and nurturing environment that our Roadrunners learn and thrive every day.
So if you are able we're putting out a call for donations to the teacher lounge desperately needs: tea - all varieties, either in k-pods or bags; canned sodas (favorites include: Dr. Pepper, Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero), topo chico, paper plates, paper bowls, napkins, disposable utensils, paper coffee cups, lots of individually packed snacks.
No donation is too small! Everything is welcome from leftover halloween candy to a homemade treat or an item from the list above!!
Questions about Lee Appreciation? Email Stephanie, School-Wide Appreciation Chair at appreciation@russellleepta.org.
Middle School Info Sessions
It's that time of year!! There are lots of great info sessions coming up so be sure to keep an eye on Parent Square for these announcements from Lee Administration.
Coats for Kids Drive happening NOW!
Lee Elementary is participating in the Coats for Kids coat drive!
There are multiple ways to donate to our Coats for Kids Coat Drive. Between now and Dec. 2, you can:
drop off a new or lightly used coat in a collection box located in the school entryway
purchase a coat from the Coats for Kids Gift Registry
donate via text (text GIVEATX to 243725)
or donate online by visiting jlaustin.org/coats and clicking “DONATE.”
Note that just $20 buys a new coat!
Note, we will be offering coats in the donation bin to families at Lee. Please reach out to Mr. Peckham if your child needs a coat!
Sincerely, Lindsey Community Cares Chair
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
November 10, 2023 <-- NEW
Library Lines
PE Newsletter
Studio Times
Lee Calendar
November 10 | Native American Program
November 29 | Family Night @ Book People
December 9 | Kendra Scott (receipt share)
December 12 | PTA General Meeting (voting on a few things!)
December 18 | Celebrations (1:45 PM)
December 19 | Celebrations (9:00 AM & 6:00 PM)
December 20 | Grade Level Parties!
Dec 21-Jan 5 | Winter Break
March 2 | Lee Live - Mark your calendar!!
November | Native American Heritage Month
National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers, and settlers of the United States.
See how AISD is celebrating Native American Heritage Month online here.
November | 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"
November 10 | Veterans Day Ceremony
Veterans Day Ceremony
Honoring all who served
November 10 @ 8:30 AM at the Lee flagpole
Caregivers and veterans are welcome to attend.
November 10 | Native American Program
The PTA has arranged for a special in school assembly for our students called Red Voices. The program aims to be culturally authentic, informative, and entertaining.
Caregivers welcome to attend.
November 13-17 | Teaching Assistants Week
Next week (November 13-17) is Teacher Assistant Appreciation Week! Please help us celebrate and show our gratitude for Porsha Shores, Dani Monahan, Kim Penson, and Monet Stancil! Take a look at their About Me forms and consider surprising them with some of their favorites things. Let's show them all the love!
November 13 | No School / Staff Dev / Diwali
November 14 | CAC Meeting @ 3:30 PM
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/application
Questions can be sent to Principal Sileo caitlin.sileo@austinisd.org
November 16 | AISD Thanksgiving Lunch
We are excited to welcome visitors for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch menu served through at the Cafeteria! The special lunch menu will be served Thursday November 16th.
Fami-Lee please see Principal Sileo's message including lunch schedule and RSVP here: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/25938783
November 17 | Fun Run
Come cheer on the kids as we pump them up for physical exercise and moving their bodies before the fall break. The kids will be having fun during their regular PE time with Tug-O-War, track running, exercise circuits and face painting. Parents are invited to attend and volunteer in making the day a success.
November 20-24 | Fall Break
November 27-December 1 | Book People Receipt Share
20% of proceeds (in-person)
15% of proceeds (online)
November 28 | Make-up day for Individual Pictures
November 29 | Family Night @ Book People
Want to go book-shopping? In-store school event
Help fulfill our teachers' book wish-lists and stock up for the holiday season.
We're having an in-store book fair, with a special Spirit Night for the school on November 29. Ms. Day and other special guest-stars will be reading books for the community!
November 30 | Support MACares
Shop and dine with a purpose. Support MACares. Mention McCallum when ordering in-person, online, or curbside.
Thursday, November 30:
Ten Thousand Villages
4803 Burnet Rd. 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Phil's Icehouse
5620 Burnet Rd. 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Amy's Ice Creams
5624 Burnet Rd.
11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Funds directly support McCallum HS Vertical Team Families in need
Kealing Choir
4:00 PM @ TTV
5:00 PM @ Amy's/Phil's
Lamar Scottie Singers
7:00 PM @ Amy's/Phil's
December 1 | 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
December 1 | Family Movie Night & Clothing Swap
We're still working out some of these details but this is going to be a fun family friendly event! Please mark your calendar and start saving those clean quality hand me downs!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Bring your gently loved hand me downs to school throughout the month of November.
December 9 | Kendra Scott (receipt share)
Details to come!
December 12 | PTA General Meeting
This meeting will feature votes on a few key items.
As a reminder only PTA members can participate in voting.
Join the PTA here: https://txpta.my.salesforce-sites.com/JoinPTA/
March 2 | Lee Live
Lee Live is in it's "Clue" era so whether you're a Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock or some other character... you're invited to Lee Live 2024.
Mark your calendar!!
DATE: March 2, 2024!
LOCATION: Austin Public Library downtown location!
Want to Volunteer?
Want to donate to the silent or live auction?
have a question?
EMAIL: leelive@russellleepta.org
We're starting outreach for silent and live auction donation items so keep us in mind when you're thinking of regifting something quirky or something awesome!
We're also looking for a caterer, a band, and a few other things... all suggestions welcome.
Veterans Day Ceremony
The entire school community participated in a touching ceremony honoring all veterans.
Our local Girl Scout troop presented and raised the flag, 6th graders came to the microphone to say a few words and the entire school
In a touching show of community, the entire school came together to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flags and sing both The National Anthem and Let There Be Peace On Earth.
Finally a few 6th graders were invited to the microphone to say a few words before Principal Sileo again recognized all veterans including our very own Ms. Stancil, PE Teaching Assistant.
Thank you to all who served!
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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