Connect with Katie.01.10.2025.Issue21 by Lovejoy ISD

Connect with Katie

JANUARY 10, 2025

Lovejoy Lovejoy Leopards Leopards

from the Superintendent MESSAGE

LovejoyCommunity,

Happy New Year, Lovejoy! We hope everyone hadawonderfulwinterbreak.Aswewelcomein the new year, we are excited to kick off the springsemesterwithenergy,enthusiasm,anda relentless commitment to providing an outstanding experience for our students. Our students returned to school for just one day afterthewinterbreakbeforewinterweatherled tonotone,buttwosnowdays!

We want to extend a sincere thank you for your flexibility and understanding during the recent snow days. We know that unexpected closures can be challenging, and we truly appreciate your support as we worked to keep the safetyandwell-beingofourstudentsandstaffatoppriority.

AppreciationforOurSchoolBoard

JanuaryisSchoolBoardAppreciationMonth,andwewanttotakeamomentto expressourdeepgratitudeforourschoolboardmembersfortheirunwavering supportofourstudents,staff,andcommunity.Theirdedicationandleadership helpguideourschooltowardsuccess,andwearetrulyfortunatetohavesucha passionategroupofindividualsworkingonbehalfofourschools.Thankyoufor allyoudo!

TeachersandStaffReturnforProfessio

DevelopmentandConvocation

Ourdedicatedteachersandstaffreturned Monday to prepare for the spring semes with professional development. They hav passion and commitment to continu learning, which ensures they provide exceptional educational experience for ev student.

Ourmid-yearstaffconvocationwasfilledwithfun,laughter,andteamspirit!One of the highlights of the day was our lip sync contest, which featured a major motion soundtrack theme. The creativity and energy displayed was absolutely incredible,anditwasawonderfulwaytostartthesemesteronahighnote.

As a part of the message at the staff convocation, we shared the story of the pennylocatedinthefrontwalkwayoftheLovejoyISDAdministrationBuilding.In thisedition,weareexcitedtosharethisveryspecialandsignificantstorythatis an integral part of Lovejoy ISD’s history. This story not only highlights our rich heritagebutalsohasshapedwhowearetoday.Weinviteyoutotakeastepback in time with us to celebrate one of the many things that makes Lovejoy ISD uniquely special. We also invite you to stop by our very own little red schoolhousetoseethefamouspennyforyourself.

OrchestraTriptoLondon

TheLovejoyHighSchoolOrchestrahadtheopportunitytoparticipateinthe2025 London New Year’s Day Parade and Festival. Our students were outstanding performers and ambassadors for Lovejoy ISD. We are deeply grateful to Ms. SarahPoe,Ms.MartyBall,andMr.FernandoOcampofortheirstrongleadership in making this trip possible. We are blessed to have educators that dedicate additional time and effort to provide our students with exceptional opportunities.Thankyoutoalloftheparents,grandparents,andchaperonesfor yoursupportandhelpinmovinginstrumentsaroundLondon.

IhopeyouhadasmuchfuninthebeautifulsnowasIdidwithmyfamily.Weare looking forward to a wonderful spring semester full of growth, learning, and success.Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport!

ThereisonlyONELOVEJOY,andweareALLLEOPARDS!

LovejoyProud,

KatieKordel

Superintendent

Lovejoy ISD teachers and staff kicked off the semester with Mid-Year ConvocationonTuesday. Mid-YearConvocationisanincredibleopportunityto gatherasaDistrict,reconnect,reflectonourgoalsandculturecommitments, andhaveFUN!!

ThisyearsLip-SyncBattlethemewas“ReelRhythms:SoundtrackShowdown” and the Ghost Busters (aka Lovejoy Cabinet) started the show. Spoiler alert: SloanCreekwonthelip-syncbattleforthethirdyearinarow!!!

Lovejoy ISD would like extend our heartfelt gratitude to Linebarger, Attorneys at Law for sponsoring our mid-year convocation door prizes! They have very generouslysponsoredbothconvocationsthisyear. Thankyou!

Robert L. Puster, LISD's first superintend retells the story of sitting in his office looking out his window and seeing a man his son looking at the sidewalk. He w outsideandtheysharedthefollowingstory

One morning in 1961, a father gave his s brandnewpenny.Thatday,duringrecess boywasridingontheoldmerry-go-round. l littleboywouldstickhispennyinthedirt,swingaround,andthenpickitback upwhenhecamearound.Butonetimewhenhecamehackaroundtopickthe pennyupoutofthedirt,hesawthatitwasn'tthere!Helookedupandsawthat oneofhisso-calledfriendshadpickedthepennyupandwasexaminingit.

Theboysaid,"That'sMYpenny!"buttheotherboyjustsaid,“finder'skeepers, loser'sweepers."Soonafightbrokeoutbetweentheboys.Mrs.EstelleSpurgin, whowastheprincipalandateacheratLovejoy,sawthemoutthewindow.She stepped out on the porch and called for the boys to come to her. When they cametoher,shesawthatonehadablackeyeandtheotherhadabloodynose. Sheaskedtheboystoexplainwhytheyhadbeenfighting.Theytoldherabout thepennyandtheyexplainedwhytheyhadgottenintoafight.Shecalledthe wholeschooltocomeandgatheraroundtheporch.Shemadetheboyssaythat theyweresorryandmadethemmakeupinfrontofthewholeschool.

}Vhen the school got its concrete sidewalk, Mrs. Spurgin put the penny in the drying concrete, as a reminder that the students at Lovejoy are expected to followtheGoldenRuleandtreateachotherwithrespect.

Mr. Puster asked the man how he knew the story. His answer was, “I was the boywiththepenny."

Thepennycanstillhefoundtodayinfrontoftheredbuilding.

SNOW DAY PICTURE VIDEO

SCHOOL BOARD

RECOGNITION MONTH

JanuaryisSchoolBoardRecognitionMonth!SchoolBoardmembersvolunteer their time and expertise, creating a lasting impact on our students, staff and community. Lovejoy ISD is honored to celebrate our Board of Trustees' commitment and dedication to providing an outstanding educational experienceforallLovejoystudents.

Please join us expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Barrett Owens, Jeff Wood, AmySmith,MarvinBobo,JasonJaynes,JulieMcLaughlin,andMarkWheelisfor theirservice!Thankyou,LovejoyISDBoardofTrustees!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ELECTION - MAY 3, 2025

BoardofTrusteesFilingPeriod

ThefilingperiodfortheMay3,2025schoolboardelectionisJanuary15,2025February14,2025.

Board of Trustee Application Packets will be available for pick-up on Monday, January 13, 2025, from Rodricka Taylor, Coordinator for the Superintendent and Board Services, at the Lovejoy ISD Administration Building (259 Country ClubRd.,Allen,TX75002).AnElectronicApplicationPacketcanbedownloaded HERE.

ThefollowingpositionswillbeontheMay3,2025ballot:

Position1:JulieMcLaughlin

Position2:AmySmith

Position3:JeffWood May3,2025ElectionImportantDates

G/T REFERRAL WINDOW

The Lovejoy ISD G/T referral window is opening soon! Forms will be available in PowerSchool.

Kindergartenreferrals:January1-31 Grades1-11referrals:February1-28

Please email any questions to crystal gaddie@lovejoyisd.net.

Reality Check

As a valued stakeholder, we know how much our district matters to you. Therefore, we believe it is important that you have accurate and transparent informationaboutLovejoyISD.WiththeintroductionofRealityCheck,weare taking proactive steps to address misinformation and disinformation. It is our hope that this resource will serve as an informational tool for our community andfurtherLovejoyISD’scommitmenttocommunication.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

ORCHESTRA TAKES

ON LONDON

LovejoyOrchestra'smuchanticipatedtriptoLondonwasaresoundingsuccess! OurLovejoyHighSchoolOrchestrahadtheprivilegeofparticipatinginthe2025 London New Year’s Day Parade and Festival. Adventures throughout London included St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, cruise of the River Thames, The Tower of London (including the priceless Crown Jewels), Windsor Castle, Oxford,andbustoursaroundthecity.

The students marched (without instruments, of course) in the New Year’s Day Paradealongahistoricroutethroughouttheancientcity.Unfortunately,dueto theuntimelyhighwindsandrain,thestudentswerenotabletomarchwitha parade balloon as originally intended. The festive week concluded with studentsfromallthreehighschoolorchestrascombiningtoperformthefinale at an evening concert in St. John’s, Smith Square. The performance was recorded and is available on YouTube and will be broadcast later this year on “YoungMusiciansoftheWorld”onPBS.

A HUGE thank you to their fearless Lovejoy leaders, Ms. Sarah Poe, Ms. Marty Ball and Mr. Fernando Ocampo. Thank you to parents, grandparents, and chaperones for supporting our students and helping move tall string basses and cellos around London. It was a transformative experience and they’ll treasureallthememoriesmadeforyearstocome!

ANDIE STUDLEY

MEMORIAL SHOWCASE

Last weekend the varsity and junior varsity girls soccer teams started their seasonsattheAndieStudleyMemorialShowcaseinWylie.

The junior varsity team beat Braswell 8-0 on Thursday. Goals were scored by MorganSuder(4),ClaireBeveridge(2),MeganKinser,andBerkleyBeal.Assists were by Morgan Suder, Claire Beveridge (5), and Megan Kinser. Emma Jarboe was in goal for the clean sheet with help from defenders Madison Simpson, SophieBustillo,KitanBalogun,LexieLavender,andDrewChevalier.

Friday, the junior varsity team beat Plano East 1-0. Morgan Suder scored the lone goal with an assist from Alexa Davis. Emma Jarboe and Kirsten Yoakum were in goal for the clean sheet with help from defenders Madison Simpson, Sophie Bustillo, Kitan Balogun, Lexie Lavender, Morgan Suder, and Drew Chevalier.OnSaturday,theJVteamtiedHeath2-2.Bothgoalswerescoredby ClaireBeveridgeandassistedbyMorganSuder.

Unfortunately,thevarsityteamlosttoSachse1-0inatightmatchupagainsta topopponentonThursday.

On Friday, the varsity beat Rowlett 9-0. Goals were scored by Chloe Reyna (2), KinleyShort(4),KatieManders,BaileeNeatherlin,andEllaYork.Assistswereby Ella York (2), Riley Pulley, Emma Nelson (2), Katie Mitchell (2), and Kenlea Swadener. Kenlea Swadener was in goal for the clean sheet with help from defendersKatieManders,MargoChester,BrennaWallace,JosselynSchuler,and CamNewhouse.

On Saturday, the varsity battled back to beat Heath 3-1. Goals were scored by ChloeReyna,EmmaNelson,andKinleyShort,withanassistbyLaineyPierce.

GOVENOR’S CUP

SHOWCASE

Thispastweekend,thankstothesupportofouradministrationandourUpper 90 Booster Club, boys soccer traveled to Georgetown to participate in the Governor'sCupShowcase.Theboysplayed3gamesandcameawaywith1win and2ties.

In game 1 Lovejoy defeated Kingwood Park 2-1. The goals were credited to Maddox Bailey and Josh Barkley with the assist credited to Luke Doyle and MaddoxBailey.Ingame2theLeopardsplayedwellagainsttheAustinWestlake team and came out with a hard fought draw 0-0. In game 3 against Waco the Leopardsagaintied1-1withthegoalcreditedtoMaddoxBailey.

A big thanks to the parents who provided snacks and made the trek to Georgetown.Wethankyouforthesupport!

ALL REGION

ORCHESTRA

The29LovejoyOrchestrastudentsfromSCIS,WSMS,andLHSand3LHSBand students who placed in the TMEA Region 25 All Region Orchestras had their Clinic and Concert on December 13th and 14th at the Allen High School Performing Arts Center. Students rehearsed with their ensemble for a total of 8.5hoursandthenperformedaconcertforaveryfullaudience!Thankyouto the Lovejoy Orchestra Booster Club for providing lunch on Saturday for our students. The students represented Lovejoy ISD very well with their behavior, rehearsaltechniques,andperformances!

LEOPARD LIFE

This is a community wide program presented by LISD’s Director of Safety and Security, Casey Littlefield. We hope that you will join us on Wednesday, January15thattheLHSAuditoriumat6 pm as Casey shares the Standard ResponseProtocolsusedwithinschools as well as CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event). CRASE provides strategiesandguidanceforsurvivingan active shooter event. If you have ever asked yourself, what should I do if confrontedwithanactiveshooterevent, come learn the strategies of Avoid, Deny,Defend(ADD).

Lovejoy SAT Prep classes are open for registration. Click here to learn more and register!

ExtendedDayLeopardAcademyisan opportunity for your child to participate in enrichment activities onhisorhercampusbeforeandafter 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 personalinterests.

Registrationisopenforthefollowing academies for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Choose from one of the links below formoreinformation.

BoardandCardGameAcademy YoYoAcademy

Thisisanopportunityforparentsandcommunitymemberstoconnectwith LovejoyISDTrusteesandSuperintendentKatieKordelinaninformalsetting. During Community Coffee Talks, Lovejoy ISD leadership listens, shares and engagesin opendialogue/discussionwithourcommunity.

February26,2024

6:00p.m.-7:00p.m. WillowSpringsMiddle(Cafeteria)

DISTRICT & CAMPUS

NEWSLETTERS

Lovejoy ISD is committed to creating strong connections and providing clear communicationwithourLovejoyparentsandfamilies.Belowyouwillfindlinksto the most recent newsletters from each campus. Sign up for weekly Principal Newslettersheretostayinformed!