Purple House 5 2023-2024

MAP testing is complete, but the learning definitely doesn’t stop! We are so excited to see our end-of-year projects really taking shape—our learners are bringing creativity, innovation, and pride into all they do.

Next week, we will continue our learning while also enjoying some special events, including a Health Fair designed just for our fifth graders. We are especially looking forward to celebrating our hard work with a sweet treat—making and enjoying fresh strawberry ice cream on Friday with Mrs. Keiko. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the fruits of our learning together! Please consider bringing in supplies requested through Parent Square.

We are also looking forward to our upcoming Learner-Led Conferences, where students will have the opportunity to share their growth, reflect on their progress, and celebrate their learning with you. We can’t wait for you to see all they have accomplished this year!

I thank you all, with all my heart for a most wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week! I feel loved!

With gratitude,
Ms. Voltz

Our Reality Composer projects are really coming to life! Learners are creatively adding sounds, movements, and interactive effects to transform their American History projects into immersive experiences. It has been so exciting to watch their ideas evolve as they design with purpose—thinking about how to engage an audience and bring history to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

☀️It was a beautiful day for a Purple House outdoor picnic! Laughter filled the air as learners enjoyed time together, soaking up the sunshine and celebrating our strong Purple FamiLEE spirit. 💜

Owl pellet dissection and the reconstruction of food chains and skeletal systems began today! Our learners stepped into the role of scientists as they carefully observed, sorted, and identified tiny bones and other evidence found inside their owl pellets. This hands-on investigation helped us connect structure and function, predator-prey relationships, and the flow of energy through a food chain. It was a wonderfully engaging way to see how ecosystems tell a story—one bone at a time!

And this was just day one! We are excited for many more days of discovery ahead as we continue to piece together skeletons, identify organisms, and deepen our understanding of how living things are connected within an ecosystem.

Join the fun and make a difference by serving on the PTO Board for the 2026–27 school year! We have a variety of roles available to fit any schedule, whether you have a little time or a lot to give.

Click here to explore open positions, see what to expect, and submit your application. We’d love for you to be part of the team! Applications close May 1st.

“When you wear green but accidentally show up to a red carpet event.”

This green anole is striking a pose on a vibrant red banana plant, showing off its bright color. An awesome climber, it grips the smooth surface with ease using its tiny, sticky toes.

Photo Contest Weekend:

Let’s turn our backyards into places of discovery, creativity, and connection!

This week, invite your learner to participate in a Backyard Photo Contest. Using a phone or camera, students can explore their outdoor space (or a nearby park) and capture photos that showcase the world around them.

Here are a few fun categories to inspire their thinking:

• 🌱 Plant Life – flowers, leaves, gardens, or even weeds pushing through cracks
• 🐜 Living Organisms – insects, birds, pets, or other wildlife
• ☀️ Light & Shadows – reflections, patterns, or how light changes throughout the day
• 🌎 Earth Features – soil, rocks, water, or signs of weathering and erosion
• 🔍 Up Close & Detailed – zoom in and notice textures and patterns we might normally miss
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Encourage your child to observe closely, think like a scientist, and act like an artist. Ask them:

• What do you notice that you’ve never seen before?
• Why do you think this organism or feature is important?
• How does this connect to what we’ve been learning in science?
• 
  

Have your learner choose their best photo, give it a creative title, and write 2–3 sentences explaining what makes it special.

We can’t wait to see the world through their eyes—happy exploring! 🌼

Please start sharing with learners and families that Zoo Crew will be at Lee on May 15. This mobile truck will have stuffed animals that will be made with the learners during the school day. They will bring them home in a string backpack with a birth certificate. Here is the link to order one of the two packages online.

Join the fun and serve your community on the PTO Board for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! We have roles that will be a great fit for you, no matter how much or how little time you have to give. Click here for all the details on what to expect, the open positions, and the application form. We’d love you to join us! Applications close May 1st. Please feel free to email PTO, or join us at the virtual PTO meeting on April 14th to learn more and ask any questions!

Mark your calendar! Our next virtual PTO Meeting is coming up on Tuesday May 12, at 6:00 PM. Join us for exciting updates from your PTO and RJL Admin Team

• CISD Trustee Jonathan Powers will be here to give us a district update
• Link to post Questions : Submit questions for Principal or PTO anonymously before the meeting by visiting rjlpto.org/rjlspeaks
• Meeting Link : Will be emailed home closer to the date

MCLASS WINDOW CLOSES THIS WEEK

MAP WINDOW CLOSES THIS WEEK

ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

May 10 - Mother's Day

May 12 - 5th Grade Health Fair @ Lee

Virtual PTO Meeting (6:00)

May 13 - Choir Performance (2:00 PM & 6:30 PM)

RJL Senior Reception (4:30 PM)

May 14 - NRH20 Field Trip

Kindergarten Zoo (2:00 PM Cafe)

May 15 - Strawberry IceCream Day

Fifth-grade designer of learning experiences at RJ Lee Elementary a Net Zero school in Coppell, Texas.

Our Guiding Purpose: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk-taking, and collaboration in a flexible learning environment.

Apple Teacher

HEB Excellence in Education State Finalist 2018

Twitter X: @MayV1