Connect with Katie WEEKLY NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
JANUARY 5, 2024
y o j e v o L s d r a p o e L
CONTENTS 04 MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
05 MID-YEAR CONVOCATION
08 PERSONNEL UPDATES 08 SAVE THE DATE: BUMP UP DAY 10 STEM FESTIVAL DESIGN CONTEST 11 DISTRICT CALENDAR
12 LOVEJOY ROBOTICS
13
UIL CHEER SEND-OFF
15 BOARD OF TRUSTEES INVITATION 16 LOVEJOY LINKS 21 DISTRICT AND CAMPUS NEWSLETTERS 21 COMMUNITY NEWS
MESSAGE from the Superintendent Lovejoy Community, Happy New Year! We were excited to welcome your children back to school yesterday and to hear about their break. I was grateful to spend precious family time with Jeff, Claire, and Jacob over the last couple of weeks. We met my parents in New Mexico for some snow skiing which is my absolute favorite family activity. The snow wasn’t great, but I consider any day on the slopes a great day. Teachers and staff returned to work on Tuesday and spent two days engaged in professional learning and preparation to support a strong second half of the school year. We thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of our teachers and staff learning and laughing together at our Team Lovejoy Mid-Year Convocation. We spent time deepening our capacity to operate as a professional learning community and to live our culture commitments of relationships, learning, collaboration, results, and fun. Speaking of fun, Team Lovejoy brought the spirit of fun to our annual campus lip-sync battle. Their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity was contagious. Many of our extra curricular programs were busy over the break. In next week’s issue of Connect with Katie we look forward to sharing updates on those programs as well as the Majestic’s Trip to Rome and UIL Cheer. Our Varsity High School Cheerleaders compete in the UIL State Spirit Competition in Fort Worth this evening and tomorrow morning. They spend countless hours lifting up so many other students and programs and their dedication to this is beyond the standard. I have attended numerous games and meets where our teams are the only one with cheerleaders there to support them. I look forward to being in Fort Worth to “cheer” them on in this competition where they are the central focus. We are looking forward to a strong second semester and to all of the opportunities our students will have to learn and grow. I have no doubt that we will work together to make 2024 Lovejoy ISD’s best year yet. There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS! Lovejoy Proud,
Katie Kordel Superintendent
MID-YEAR
CONVOCATION
Team Lovejoy kicked off 2024 with a fun and inspiring mid-year convocation today! Our campus lip-sync battle was 90’s themed this year and did not disappoint!
LIP-SYNC BATTLE VIDEO VIDEO BATTLE
WINNER scis
PERSONNEL UPDATES Kevin Parker, Executive Director of Student Services Kevin Parker has accepted a development position with one of our District partners, PracticePlan. PracticePlan has increased the effectiveness, efficiency, and profitability of Lovejoy’s facilities rentals. We were the new company’s first school district partner. This opportunity will provide Mr. Parker with a new professional challenge as well as more time with his family. Mr. Parker has served and impacted Lovejoy for 17 years as a teacher, campus administrator, and district leader. His smile and warm, engaging demeanor will be missed. We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Parker in his new capacity with PracticePlan. He will be with the district until February 2. Chris Ross, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach On Tuesday we shared that Chris Ross, Lovejoy ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, accepted a position with Stephen F. Austin State University. He will be taking on the role of SFA Football’s Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. This is an exciting opportunity for Coach Ross to lead and impact at the collegiate level. Coach Ross’s leadership has deeply impacted Lovejoy ISD Athletics and Lovejoy Football. We wish him much success as he takes on new challenges in this next chapter. SFA Football is remarkably fortunate to have Coach Ross’s leadership.
SAVE THE DATE BUMP UP DAY District-wide Bump Up Day will be Friday, February 16th. Bump-up Day is a Lovejoy tradition in which rising students visit the campus they will attend next year. Bump Up day is designed to build excitement and ease the transition between campuses. It is a student favorite, and a day they will not want to miss!
STEM FESTIVAL DESIGN CONTEST
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.
CHAMPIONS & TRIPLE CROWN X 2 Lovejoy Robotics competed with 7 teams on Saturday, December 16th at the Burkburnett VRC Tournament and we're so proud to share that 1082J [ Jumbo Shrimp ] and 1082R [ Robot Go Vroom Vroom ] worked together as alliance partners to win the Tournament Championship for the second tournament in a row! 1082J had a fantastic day full of wins and ended 2nd in skills in addition to Tournament Champion! 1082R was determined to repeat their success and they not only won Tournament Champ with 1082J, but they also won Skills Champion (1082R is now ranked 14th in the World), and the highest honor- the Excellence Award! These 3 awards make up what we refer to as the "Triple Crown" and no team in Lovejoy history has ever won the Triple Crown 2 tournaments in a row.. so we are once again making history. What an incredible accomplishment! We also want to congratulate 1082G for their highest skills score yet at 263 and because of that they are now qualified for the State Championship! We're equally as proud of 1082G for ending as tournament Finalists, 1082E and F were Semifinalists, and 1082X ended as Quarterfinalists and won the Amaze Award. It was a fantastic tournament and we're thrilled with the accomplishments of these incredible students and teams.
1082J&R
1082X
1082G
UIL CHEER SEND-OFF Lovejoy Cheerleaders are competing at the UIL Spirit State Championship January 4th - January 6th in Fort Worth. We’ll be cheering for you! Good luck and have FUN!
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!
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 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. January 10, 2024 Public Notice Website (Public ntoice will be posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance) You may find the full agenda with supporting documentation on our district's BoardBook Premier website HERE. Sincerely, Barrett Owens, President Amy Smith, Vice-President Jeff Wood, Secretary The Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees
Marvin Bobo, Trustee Jason Jaynes, Trustee Julie McLaughlin, Trustee Mark Wheelis, Trustee
Leopard Life
LOVEJOY LINKS
PRE-K INFORMATIONAL MEETING
ORCHESTRA FUNDRAISER
LOVEJOY WRESTLING SPIRIT NIGHT
Leopard Life
LOVEJOY LINKS
CCMR PRESENTATION
KINDER G/T REFERRALS
PRE-K INFORMATIONAL MEETING Do you have a little leopard turning four years old by September 1, 2024? The Lovejoy Child Development Center is hosting an informational 2024-2025 Pre-K meeting on January 10, 2024. The event will include a program overview, curriculum, tuition, registration process, Pre-K eligibility, Q&A, and tour of the school!
Leopard Life
LOVEJOY LINKS
DESIGN CONTEST Card Size: 2-1/8 by 3-3/8
SAT TEST PREP
Scan the QR Code for Official Rules and additional details, or visit mccu.coop/lovejoy.
Lovejoy ISD recently entered into a partnership with My Community Credit Union. This partnership is intended to enhance student opportunities in the areas of financial literacy and provide hands-on learning experiences for future careers related to finance. An MCCU branch is scheduled to open at Lovejoy High School in the fall of 2024. On Friday, October 27th, MCCU kicked off their Debit Card Design Contest. The contest is open to all Lovejoy ISD students. Three debit card design winners will be selected representing grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The winners will have their designs on our Lovejoy Leopard MCCU Debit Cards and will receive a $100 gift card! Contest Rules: Must be an original image/design/artwork. Participants may submit up to 2 designs. Parent consent is required. Submissions are due to marketing@mccu.coop by midnight on January 26. Winners will be announced on March 1.
MINI CHEER CAMP
HOME RUN HEROS
Leopard Life
LOVEJOY LINKS
EXTENDED DAY LEOPARD ACADEMY Leopard Academy is an opportunity for your child to participate in enrichment activities on his or her campus before and after school. Our goal is that these enrichment opportunities will allow our Lovejoy Leopards to develop creativity and critical thinking skills through activities related to their personal interests. Registration is open for the following academies for students in first through 6th grade. Choose from one of the links below for more information. Board and Card Game Academy Yo Yo Academy
COMMUNITY COFFEE TALKS This is an opportunity for parents and community members to connect with Lovejoy ISD Trustees and Superintendent Katie Kordel in an informal setting. During Community Coffee Talks, Lovejoy ISD leadership listens, shares and engages in open dialogue/discussion with our community. August 29, 2023 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sloan Creek Intermediate
February 28, 2024 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Lovejoy High School
November 30, 2023 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Hart Elementary School
April 30, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Willow Springs Middle School
Leopard Life
LOVEJOY LINKS
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Calling all Lovejoy Alumni! The Lovejoy Independent School District is excited to engage former LISD students and our community through Alumni spotlights in the district newsletter, as well as LISD social media. Alumni spotlights are a fun way for the district to celebrate our students' educational, professional, and personal journeys after graduation. If you wish to participate, please complete this form for our LISD Communications Department.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT INTEREST FORM
Lovejoy ISD is proud to continue facilitating student opportunities through the Professional-to-Student Engagement Portal. Sign-up and share your talents! Lovejoy Community Professionals: Who are Lovejoy Community Professionals? Engage with students by sharing their Industry & Business Leaders expertise and knowledge Parents Mentor students through various Lovejoy Alumni career and college ready experiences Lovejoy Neighbors Strengthen students skills in the areas Senior Community Members of communication, collaboration, Heritage Ranch Community Members critical thinking and problem solving Family Members of Lovejoy Students Build leadership skills, develop self confidence
DISTRICT & CAMPUS NEWSLETTERS Lovejoy ISD is committed to creating strong connections and providing clear communication with our Lovejoy parents and families. Below you will find links to the most recent newsletters from each campus. Sign up for weekly Principal Newsletters here to stay informed! DISTRICT NEWSLETTER Connect with Katie
SLOAN CREEK INTERMEDIATE Principal Newsletter
HART ELEMENTARY Principal Newsletter
WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE Principal Newsletter
PUSTER ELEMENTARY Principal Newsletter
LOVEJOY HIGH SCHOOL Principal Newsletter
Leopard Life
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Lovejoy ISD Community News website is intended to facilitate connections and raise awareness of local events, activities, fundraisers and organizations that might interest Lovejoy families. The information featured on the Community News website is submitted by community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizations and does not claim to endorse them.
CLICK HERE
Connect with Katie . January 05, 2024. Issue 20