Connect with Katie WEEKLY NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
AUGUST 21, 2026
y o j e v o L s d r a p o e L
TABLE OF Contents M E S S A G E F R O M T H E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANOTHER A FOR LOVEJOY ........................................ A L U M N I S P O T L I G H T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ABSENCES & ATTENDANCE........................................ COMMUNICATION ENHANCEMENTS.............................. SHAC.................................................................. DISTRICT CALENDAR............................................... A TASTE FOR READING AT PUSTER.............................. LEOPARD VOLLEYBALL............................................. ROUGHRIDERS HONOR LOVEJOY BASEBALL.................... G I R L S C R O S S C O U N T R Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B O Y S C R O S S C O L U N T R Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOVEJOY TENNIS....................................................
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21 S U M M E R B A N D C A M P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 DECALS WITH DADS................................................ 23 ALUMNI TAKE DCI STAGE.......................................... 24 BOARD MEETING INVITATION..................................... 25 LEOPARD LIFE.......................................................
MESSAGE FROM THE Lovejoy Community,
Superintendent
It’s another A for Lovejoy! Lovejoy ISD has earned an “A” rating through the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This recognition reflects the thoughtful stewardship and hard work of our staff and Board of Trustees. We are grateful for the dedicated work behind this rating. Can you believe the fall athletics season is already here? Our Tennis, Cross Country, and Volleyball teams are off to a strong start! We invite you to join us for our first Friday Night Lights of the season on Friday, August 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Leopard Stadium. Friday nights in Lovejoy are about so much more than football. They are a celebration of the grit, passion, talent, and commitment of our football team, band, color guard, athletic trainers, Majestics, and cheerleaders. These students have invested countless hours preparing to represent Lovejoy and create an incredible experience for our community. There is something special about watching our students compete and perform, families fill the stands, and our community comes together under the lights. I have a feeling this is going to be a memorable season! Tickets can be purchased here. District leadership had the privilege of serving breakfast to Hart Elementary School teachers and staff this morning as they claimed their well-earned prize for bringing the most energy to our annual Staff Convocation. Their enthusiasm was contagious and a wonderful reminder that the spirit of Lovejoy starts with the people who show up every day for our students. As we settle into the rhythm of a new school year and establish routines, I also want to emphasize something incredibly important: attendance matters. Every school day is an opportunity to learn, connect, create, and grow. Our educators are committed to providing high levels of learning in an environment where every student feels known, supported, and challenged. Being present each day gives
students the greatest opportunity to experience all that Lovejoy has to offer. Thank you for making regular attendance a priority and for partnering with us in your child’s success. Tomorrow, we get to take the Lovejoy ISD spirit beyond our schools! We look forward to seeing many of you at the City of Lucas Farmers Market Back-to-School Celebration on Saturday, August 22. Our Lovejoy High School Drum Line will bring plenty of music, energy, and fun to the celebration. And yes…some of us may even make a special appearance in the dunk tank! Event details are linked here.
Have a wonderful weekend, Lovejoy. We are just getting started! There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS! Lovejoy Proud,
Katie Kordel Superintendent
ANOTHER A FOR
Lovejoy ISD
Lovejoy ISD has once again earned an A rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for its FIRST financial accountability rating! The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) evaluates how well school districts manage their financial resources and demonstrate responsible fiscal stewardship. Earning an A rating reflects Lovejoy ISD’s continued commitment to responsible budgeting, financial transparency, and strong fiscal management—ensuring taxpayer dollars are managed wisely while supporting our students, staff, and schools. We are proud to once again receive this distinction and grateful to our staff, Board of Trustees, and community for their continued commitment to excellence. Learn more about the FIRST financial accountability rating: https://tea.texas.gov/data-reports/financial-compliance/financial-integrity-ratingsystem-texas-first
Lovejoy Alum Andrew James Earns Prestigious Cornell Honor Lovejoy ISD is proud to celebrate Andrew James, Lovejoy High School Class of 2022, who recently graduated from Cornell University and was named a 2026 Merrill Presidential Scholar, one of Cornell’s highest honors for graduating seniors. The recognition celebrates outstanding academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to making a positive impact. As part of the honor, Andrew selected Nathan Lewis, his percussion teacher throughout his years at Sloan Creek, Willow Springs and Lovejoy High School, as an educator who played a significant role in his journey. Andrew was also the first Lovejoy ISD percussion student selected as a Texas All-State Band member in 2021. Through the Merrill Presidential Scholars program, a STAR (Special Teachers Are Recognized) Scholarship is established in honor of the selected teacher to support Cornell students with financial need from the scholar’s high school or hometown. Andrew also recently earned the Grand Prize in the 2026 Farm Robotics Challenge, where his team developed an autonomous robot that eliminates weeds using electricity. The win included a $50,000 investment from Reservoir Farms. Andrew is now the Founder and CEO of Rootline Robotics and has been selected for a fellowship and additional investment through Entrepreneurs First. Congratulations to Andrew and Mr. Lewis on this outstanding recognition!
Report an Absence The District has implemented a process to streamline absence reporting. To notify your campus attendance office about your student’s absence, complete your campuses "Report an Absence" form which can be found: Campus Website (top right corner) Click Report an Absence Lovejoy ISD Mobile App Click More Select Campus Click Report an Absence Linked in Principal Newsletters
26-27 ATTENDANCE
Information
Lovejoy ISD has enjoyed welcoming our students back and we are looking forward to a successful 2026-2027 school year. Lovejoy ISD is committed to high levels of learning and our educators are committed to creating a positive environment for each of our students. In order to maximize your child’s academic opportunities, it is critical that they be in attendance at school every day. For information on district procedures, polices, and state laws please click here!
COMMUNICATIONS
Enhancements 98900 - IMPORTANT District and Campus communications, including safety and security, school closures, and more! Parents are strongly encouraged to NOT opt out of these text messages 27806 - Lovejoy ISD mobile app notifications, including classroom announcements and teacher messages. Parents may opt out of these text messages if desired. REMINDER: Make sure you opt in to receive text messages so that you can receive your verification codes. To opt in, text START to both numbers.
Parent Instructions: 1.Download and open the Lovejoy ISD Mobile App 2.Click “Rooms” or “Messages” buttons along the bottom of the app 3.Click “Continue to sign in” - Apptegy’s browser will open 4.Enter your phone number or email on file in PowerSchool Tip: Phone number is generally the easiest 5.Enter the authentication code sent to your phone or email address
📌
Step 1. Download the Lovejoy ISD App on your Mobile Phone
Step 3. Click “Continue to sign in” - Apptegy’s browser will open
Step 4. Parents: Enter your phone number on file in PowerSchool Step 5. Enter the authentication code
Step 2. Click “Rooms” or “Messages” buttons along the bottom of the app
STUDENT HEALTH Advisory Council Do you work in the health industry? Are you a parent or community member who is interested in supporting the health and wellness of students in Lovejoy? Lovejoy ISD is seeking individuals who would like to serve on our School Health Advisory Council, otherwise known as SHAC. What is SHAC? A SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) is a school board-appointed advisory group of individuals who represent different segments of the community. By law, a majority of the members must be persons who are parents of students enrolled in the district and who are not employed by the district. The LISD SHAC is made up of parents, community members, students, and school staff working together to improve the health of all students and families through coordinated school health programs What is the time commitment? Our committee meets 4 to 6 times a year from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. We ask that members be willing to serve for two years, if possible, to support continuity. How do I let someone know I am interested? Please send a letter of interest to shac@lovejoyisd.net detailing your connection to Lovejoy ISD, including any information about your connections to health and wellness and the schools your students attend (if applicable). This information allows us to develop a committee that is representative of our district.
CONNECTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE LOVEJOY COMMUNITY WHILE SUPPORTING LOVEJOY ISD THROUGH REVENUE GENERATION The Lovejoy ISD Community Partner program is a new way for local businesses to support Lovejoy ISD and connect with the Lovejoy Community! Community Partner advertisements are featured in our weekly District newsletter, Connect with Katie, Living Lovejoy videos, and District Social Media. Interested in becoming a Community Partner? Click HERE to learn more!
DISTRICT Calendar
CALENDAR EVENT LINKS
STUDENT CALENDAR
DISTRICT CALENDAR
CAMPUS CALENDARS
ATHLETICS CALENDAR
FINE ARTS CALENDAR
Campus, District, and Athletics Calendars are linked above for the convenience of our community. *Please note event dates, times and locations are subject to change and should be verified by participants.
to purchase football tickets
A TASTE FOR READING
At Puster
Fourth grade teachers and the school librarian teamed up to create a lively Book Tasting experience that helped students discover their next great read. Students moved from table to table exploring books by genre and format, from mystery and fantasy to nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels. At each stop, they took a B.I.T.E.: browse the cover, inspect the summary, try a few pages, and evaluate their first impression. The room was filled with book talk as students shared discoveries, recommended titles to classmates, and added new choices to their personal reading lists. By making reading social, engaging, and full of choice, the event encouraged students to step outside their usual selections and grow as confident, independent readers. It also highlighted how classroom teachers and the school library program work together to build a strong culture of reading at Puster.
LEOPARDS SPIKE INTO
The Season
Lovejoy Volleyball is officially back, and the Leopards have wasted no time getting to work. The 2026 season began August 1, and from the first day in the gym, the program has hit the ground running. With all three teams, Freshman, JV and Varsity, back in action, the opening weeks have already brought plenty of competition, growth and exciting wins for the Leopards. Lovejoy opened its official match schedule with an impressive program sweep over the Wakeland Wolverines, meaning all three Lovejoy teams earned victories on the same night. It was a great way to begin the season and a strong reminder of the depth and tradition that runs throughout the Lovejoy Volleyball program. The Leopards carried that momentum into a busy weekend of competition. Varsity traveled to the Grapevine Volleyfest Tournament, facing strong competition and gaining valuable early-season experience. Meanwhile, the sub-varsity teams continued their success at home Friday night against Plano, with both JV and Freshman earning wins. With the opening weeks of non-district competition behind them, the Leopards turned their attention to district play, beginning Tuesday night against the Sherman Bearcats. Varsity will continue its busy early-season schedule this weekend at the Northwest ISD Tournament, where the Leopards will have another opportunity to compete against quality programs from across the area. We are excited for what lies ahead and grateful for the continued support of the Lovejoy community. Go Leopards!
ROUGHRIDERS HONOR
Lovejoy State Champions
The 2026 5A Division II State Champion Lovejoy Baseball team received a special recognition from the Frisco RoughRiders! During Friday night’s game, the Leopards were recognized on the field during the first inning in celebration of their incredible state championship season. Several members of the Lovejoy Baseball team and their families were in attendance to enjoy the special moment and celebrate this outstanding accomplishment once again. Congratulations, Leopards! State Champions forever!
LOVEJOY GIRLS XC
Races to Victory
The Lovejoy Girls Cross Country team is off and running! The Varsity girls earned their first win of the season Friday, taking home the top spot at the Rock Hill Invitational. Sophomore Emily Armstrong led the way from the start and never looked back, earning the title of Meet Individual Champion after an impressive performance against strong 6A competition! The Leopards are starting the season strong as they set their sights on defending their state championship title. Congratulations to our runners on an outstanding start to the season!
LOVEJOY BOYS XC
Races to a Strong Start
The Lovejoy Boys Cross Country team kicked off the 2026 season with a strong showing at the Rock Hill XC Opener on Friday, August 14. The Leopards’ Varsity Elite boys placed 3rd overall, showcasing the team’s depth and competitiveness early in the season. Several Leopards earned impressive individual finishes, including Kipton DuBois, who placed 9th in Elite Boys; Tom Goeders, who finished 8th in Varsity Open; and Jackson Sheek, who took 3rd in JV Boys. Lovejoy entered the season ranked No. 6 in the state in the preseason CCCAT boys cross country rankings and will look to continue building momentum throughout the season. The Leopards will race next at the Marcus Coach T Invitational on September 5. Good luck, Leopards!
LOVEJOY TENNIS Starts Strong! Lovejoy Tennis is off to a strong start this fall! The Leopards opened district play with an impressive 19–0 victory over Sherman and currently hold a 3–2 season record, with additional wins over Plano East and Plano. The varsity team is represented by an outstanding group of student-athletes: Boys: Adnan Dohadwala (SR), Vish Bathini (SR), Brendan Peters (SR), Heaton Allen (SO), Nolan Kowalski (JR), Davin Pacio (SO), James Zych (SR), and Josh Peterson (SR) Girls: Mady Chi (JR), Lyra Johnson (JR), Morgan Hignite (SR), Natalia Vizcaino (SR), Bella Carroll (JR), Meera Chawla (FR), Pia Chawla (FR), and Taegan Harris (JR) Congratulations to our Leopards on a great start to the Fall Team Tennis season. We look forward to cheering them on throughout district play!
THATS A WRAP ON Summer Band Camp The Lovejoy Band wrapped up two incredible weeks of Summer Band Camp with its Parent Preview Performance Friday night! Students showcased the hard work, growth and dedication they poured into camp while giving families a glimpse of the exciting season ahead. A special thank you goes to our incredible band parents and Band Booster Board, whose support makes so much possible, from lighting up the practice lot during evening rehearsals to hosting the most successful Band Registration Day yet. Most of all, we are proud of our talented and hardworking students who continue to represent Lovejoy with dedication and excellence. Summer Band Camp may be over, but VALOR is just getting started! One band. One family. One incredible season ahead.
DECALS WITH Dads Before the start of each football season, our varsity players take part in a special Lovejoy tradition: Helmet Striping. Players receive their helmets for the upcoming season, and dads join their sons to help place the Lovejoy decals and stripes on their helmets, creating a special moment they can share before the season begins. This tradition is about more than preparing for Friday nights. It celebrates the bond between our players and their families and the pride, tradition and community that stand behind Lovejoy Football each fall. We can’t wait to see our Leopards take the field this season!
LOVEJOY ALUMNI TAKE DCI Stage Drum Corps International (DCI) is an incredible experience that challenges young people to push themselves far beyond what they thought possible. These dedicated musicians and performers spend their summers rehearsing for hours every day, traveling across the country, and demanding excellence from themselves in every note, step, and movement. DCI builds discipline, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and lifelong friendships, and we love seeing our Lovejoy ISD graduates take those skills and excel at the highest levels. This summer, four Lovejoy graduates marched in the 2026 DCI season with some of the country’s top corps! Emma Ball and Ashton Scott marched with the Boston Crusaders, Nolan Hummel performed with the Troopers, and Emily Marshall marched with the Blue Devils, who finished 2nd place in the 2026 DCI World Class Finals. Emma and Emily are both 2023 Lovejoy graduates, while Ashton and Nolan are members of the Class of 2026. We are incredibly proud of these four young people and the countless hours of hard work, dedication, and perseverance they have demonstrated. Lovejoy ISD loves watching our graduates take what they learned here and use it to achieve great things wherever their passions take them!
BOARD MEETING Invitation
Dear Lovejoy Community, As a Board, we are committed to strong and proactive communication with our community. Part of this commitment is sending an email invitation to our community prior to Board Meetings with a sincere desire for you to be involved and fully aware, so we can come together as a community for our children. August 24, 2026 Public Notice Website You may find the full agenda with supporting documentation on our district's BoardBook Premier website HERE. Sincerely, Julie McLaughlin, President Mark Wheelis, Vice President Marvin Bobo, Secretary The Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees
Aubrey Stock, Trustee Jessica Perroni, Trustee Jason Jaynes, Trustee Barrett Owens, Trustee
LEOPARD LIFE Website Lovejoy ISD has an unparalleled sense of community and connection centered on student opportunity. In support of this collective commitment, the Leopard Life website showcases a wide range of events, activities, and fundraisers organized by booster clubs, PTOs, athletics, fine arts, individual campuses, and more! Leopard Life is prominently featured across campus and district websites, highlighted in all newsletters, and easily accessible through the Lovejoy ISD mobile app. This week's featured flyers are: Leopard Mini Cheer Camp (Aug. 29) Middle School Leopard Fishing Club (Sept. 1) Homecoming Mums (Oct.1) Evening with the Majestics: Mini Majestics (Oct.2) Future Leopard Association Community News Please note: the information featured in the "Community News" section is submitted by local community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizations and does not claim to endorse them.
Connect with Katie . August 21, 2026. Issue 04