Connect with Katie.04.25.2025.Issue35 by Lovejoy ISD

Connect with Katie

APRIL

25, 2025

Lovejoy Lovejoy Leopards Leopards

LovejoyCommunity,

LovejoyISDhasreceivedan“A”intheTexasEducation Agency’s (TEA) 2023 accountability ratings. All six of ourschoolswerealsoratedan“A”.

The release of 2023 ratings was delayed because of a legal challenge claiming the Texas Education Agency (TEA)changedtheratingssystemunfairlyandwithout propernotification.Earlierthismonth,theTexas15th Court of Appeals decided the TEA could release the 2023ratings.

According to the 2023 TEA Accountability Rating System, Lovejoy ISD ranked#4forTraditionalPublicSchoolDistrictsintheStateofTexas,andis theonlyschooldistrictinthetop5withastudentenrollmentofmorethan 302students.(LovejoyISDhad4,246studentsin2023.)

Accordingtothe2023TEAAccountabilityRatingSystem,LovejoyISDisthe topratedTraditionalSchoolDistrictinRegion10.

Thisdatareflectstheunwaveringdedicationandstrategicfocusofourentireschool community. This accomplishment is a direct result of the commitment and perseverance of our students, the exceptional teaching and care provided by our educators, and the strong leadership demonstrated by our campus and district administrators. We are also deeply grateful to our Board of Trustees for their steadfast support in championing Lovejoy ISD’s mission. The active engagement and support of you, our parents and community, is integral. Together, we have created an environment where Lovejoy ISD’s Legacy of Excellence thrives, and we thankyouforyourcollectivecommitmenttoourcontinuedsuccess.

Standardizedtestingandaccountabilitysystemsofferalimitedsnapshotofstudent achievementandschoolperformance representingjustonemeasureofouroverall success. In Lovejoy ISD, we are extraordinarily proud of the many meaningful and uniquequalitiesthatarenotcapturedbythesesystems.

From dynamic learning experiences, high extracurricular participation and strong school spirit to outstanding student leadership, community service, and a positive school climate and culture, our school district shines in countless ways. There are so manyreasonstobeproudtobeaLovejoyLeopard!

2025BondElectionInformation

TheproposedprojectsintheLovejoyISD2025Bondwillimpacteverystudentandevery school. We have created a website with information that can be accessed here: https://www.lovejoyisd.net/o/bond2025.Wealsoencourageyoutovisitour2025Bond FrequentlyAskedQuestionsfoundatthislink.

EarlyVoting

Saturday,April26thfrom8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Sunday,April27thClosed

Monday,April28thfrom7:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

Tuesday,April29thfrom7:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

ElectionDay

Saturday,May3rdfrom7:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

NearestVotingLocation

LovejoyISDAdministration-Portable#1TrainingRoom 259CountryClubRd.

Allen,TX75002

LovejoyHighSchoolStudent-SuperintendentConnectionCouncil

This week, in collaboration with the City of Lucas, the Lovejoy High School StudentSuperintendent Connection Council engaged in an immersive City Council Meeting simulation.LovejoyHighSchoolstudentssteppedconfidentlyintokeymunicipalroles from Mayor and Council Members to City Secretary, City Manager, Fire Chief, and TrafficStudyConsultants bringingbothrealismandrigortotheexperience.Theynot only embraced their responsibilities with professionalism and insight, but also demonstrated a remarkable commitment to understanding the workings of local government. Whether it was learning the protocols of public meeting notices, conductingtrafficimpactanalysis,orfacilitatingdialogueamong"electedofficials"and "citizens,"ourstudentsbroughtthissimulationtolifeinpowerfulandthoughtfulways. To Mayor Kuykendall, Mr. Whitsell, and the dedicated staff of the City of Lucas your unwavering support, time, and wholehearted investment in our students' learning journeysmeanmorethanwordscanexpress.Youhavehelpedopendoorstoreal-world learning that will leave a lasting impact on these future leaders. Thank you for your support of our students and for helping them learn the vital role they can play in shapingtheircommunity.

The Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) has recognized Lovejoy High School's Student Council as a Sweepstakes Council for outstanding leadership, serviceandcommunity!

Congratulations to our Boys and Girls Track and Field state qualifiers and to our GirlsTrackTeamforplacing3rdatRegionalsandtheBoysTrackTeamforfinishing astheRegionII5ARunnerUp!

GoodlucktoSoftballinthe1stroundoftheplayoffsastheytakeonWhitehouseina bestof3series!

Baseballisheadedtotheplayoffs!

WearecheeringonourUILAcademicsRegionalQualifiersthisweekend!

Congratulations to the Lovejoy HS Band on earning the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall earlier this month. Both performances were superb and received positivefeedbackfromallthejudges!

Wehopeyourweekendisfilledwithmuchlove,joy,andfamily.

ThereisonlyONELOVEJOYandweareALLLEOPARDS!

LovejoyProud,

KatieKordel Superintendent

Lovejoywon2ndplaceSweepstakes!!

3rdplaceSpeechteam

3rdplaceJournalismteam

*IndividualRegionalQualifiers

CalculatorApplications

CoachJosephRasca

*CharltonKim-2nd

*JamesBognot-3rd

SaayonMahapatra-6th

1stPlaceTeam:

CharltonKim

JamesBognot

SaayonMahapatra

ClaireWu

ComputerScience

CoachNithyaSithuraj

*ShilohkNavaneethakrishnan-1st

*JustenMao-2nd

*NolanFinnigan-3rd

CarsonDykstra-5th

1stPlaceTeam:

ShilohkNavaneethakrishnan

JustenMao

NolanFinnigan

CarsonDykstra

Editorial

CoachParkman

ZoeReed-4th

NewsWriting

CoachParkman

JacksonLaTorre-5th

LiteraryCriticism

CoachJasenEairheart

*CarolineWilkins-2nd

JuliannaGarcia-4th

AnnaFrost-6th

1stPlaceTeam:

CarolineWilkins

JuliannaGarcia

AnnaFrost

OliviaLong

CurrentIssues&Events

CoachCherylAnderson

*AndyChoy-2nd

1stPlaceTeam:

AndyChoy

VictorGold

LilyBednar Mathematics

CoachJosephRasca

*JamesBognot-1st

*ClaireWu-3rd

1stPlaceTeam:

JamesBognot ClaireWu

JustenMao

CharltonKim NumberSense

CoachJosephRasca

*JamesBognot-1st

*CharltonKim-2nd

ClaireWu-4th

1stPlaceTeam:

JamesBognot

CharltonKim ClaireWu

ProseInterpretation

SophiaOgle-Garza-4th

HarumiKameo-6th

ReadyWriting

CoachCherylAnderson

EmilyJames-5th

JennaLi-6th

Science

CoachCherylAnderson

*ClaireWu-1st

AmeenaChowdhury-6th

*AmeenaChowdhury-1st Biology

ClaireWu-2nd Chemistry (Alternate)

ClaireWu-1st Physics

1stPlaceTeam: ClaireWu

AmeenaChowdhury

JennaLi

AliceLee SocialStudies

CoachDavidMullerand DeborahAdams

*BryceBrezette-1st

AnnaFrost-5th

LucasOspina-6th

1stPlaceTeam: BryceBrezette AnnaFrost

CarolineWilkins LucasOspina

Spelling

CoachCyndiAnderson

OliviaLee-6th

3rdPlaceTeam: OliviaLee

AnchyutAnsa

AndyChoy

ElliePeters

TheLovejoyHighSchoolBandstraveledtoNewYorkCityfromApril16-19.They auditionedforandwereselectedtoperformintheWorldStridesNationalWind BandFestivalandperformedatCarnegieHallonApril18th.Bothperformances weresuperbandreceivedpositivefeedbackfromallthejudges.Itwastrulya transcendent moment shared by the students, directors and audience, which includedmanyparentswhomadethetrip!TheLovejoyBandDirectorsareso gratefulfortheamazingbandstudentsandparentswhohelpedmakethistrip possible.Itwassuchamemorableexperienceforourstudents.

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 engagesin opendialogue/discussionwithourcommunity.

April29,2025 9:00a.m.-10:00a.m.

TheTexasAssociationofStudentCouncils(TASC)hasrecognizedLovejoyHigh School's Student Council as a Sweepstakes Council for outstanding leadership,serviceandcommunity.Toearnthisdesignation,councilsmustfirst berecognizedasanOutstandingStudentCouncilbymeetingandexceeding all criteria in the domains of Drugs, Alcohol, Safety, and Health (DASH); Pride and Patriotism; and Energy and Environment; as well as contributing via CommunityServiceprojects.

TASC has over 1200 member schools. Of those, Lovejoy High School is one of only238StudentCouncilsstatewidetoreceivethishighly-esteemedhonor.

CongratulationstoourStudentCouncilstudents,Ms.BillieJeanKelsey,Advisor, andMs.TheresaDollinger,Co-Advisor!

(L-R first row): Chase Hammett, Lex Dardano, Ella Claborn, Kaili Harp, Sutton Constant, Kennedie Hummel,SemajSlaughter,KateRoberts,EmmaBallard,GenieJones,HannahMise,KatePeabody,Jackson Licker

(L-R second row): Kate Hobbs, Madeline Lynch, Kaylee Martin, Maria Faoro (behind her: Addy Green), AnnaliseLevin,GracePeay,KathrynHannah

Not pictured: Izzy Joyner, Frank Burns, Anil Dandekar, Cooper Dollinger, Cooper Owens, Carsten Dunn, GabbyPeay,AlecTurnbow,EthanTopchik

The officers and their committees are: Maria Faoro (President and Outstanding Student Council), Izzy Joyner (Vice President and Pride & Patriotism), Kathryn Hannah (Energy & Environment), Annalise Levin (DASH),GracePeay(CommunityService)

On April 18th, Heritage Ranch hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt, filled with festivefunforfamiliesandkids.Theeventfeaturedcookiedecorating,atrain ride, face painting, and, of course, the egg hunt all made possible with the help of amazing student volunteers from Willow Springs Middle School and LovejoyHighSchool.

Lovejoystudentsbroughtenergyandenthusiasmastheyhelpedkidsdecorate cookies, enjoy train rides, get their faces painted, and hunt for eggs. Their involvement was key to the event’s success and a great example of Lovejoy’s communityspiritinaction.

Lovejoy ISD is proud to share our second annual edition of Living Lovejoy: Who We Are! We invite you to learn more about Lovejoy ISD and help us celebrate our LegacyofExcellence!

2025 SUMMER ACTIVITIES

April 22 was National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Please join us in celebrating our amazing Lovejoy Bus Driverswhoarededicatedtomakingsure our Leopards are safely transported to andfromschooleachday!Weappreciate theirpatience,commitmenttosafety,and prideinthedistrict!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our incredibly knowledgeable and hardworking administrative professionals across Lovejoy ISD! You keep our campuses and departments running efficiently and effectively while prioritizing students. The dedicationandsupportyouprovideto our Lovejoy students, teachers, staff parents and community is deeply appreciated!Thankyou!

Strong school attendance is correlated with higher academic performance. Additionally,averageDailyAttendance(ADA)isametricthattheStateofTexas usestodeterminefundingforpublicschools.Eachweek,thisattendancedata willbeupdatedsoourcommunityisawareofourmostrecentADA.

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.

LovejoyHighSchoolstudentshadanamazingtimereadingwiththeLeopards at Hart Elementary! It was a great opportunity for students to engage with differentgroupsfromourschool.Wehadmembersfromvarsityswimanddive, wrestling and Majestics all present and to join in the fun. The kids loved interactingwiththeathletesandstudentgroups,anditwasamemorableday ofsharingthejoyofreadingandlearningwiththenextgenerationofLeopards!

On Tuesday, Puster Elementary celebrated Earth Day by exploring the importance of caring for our planet. A big thank you to Mrs. Delarosa, School Counselor,andJordanPettit,OwnerofParamountTreeCare.DuetoMr.Pettit's generosityandcommitmenttoourcommunity,everystudentreceivedapacket of wildflower seeds to plant at home, and our teachers were treated to Starbucksgiftcards!

Thankyou,Mr.Pettit,forhelpingusGROWintothebestversionsofourselves.

Lovejoy2ndgradestudentsbuiltlastingmemoriesontheirexcitingfieldtripsto theDallasZoo!Astheyexploredthedifferentanimalexhibits,studentshadthe opportunity to learn about a wide variety of creatures from towering giraffes toplayfulpenguins.

Throughout the day, they discovered fascinating facts about animal habitats, survival skills, and unique adaptations that help each species thrive in its environment. The trip combined hands-on learning with the joy of spending timewithclassmates,makingitbotheducationalandunforgettable.

This adventure brought classroom lessons to life and inspired curiosity about theanimalkingdom allwhilehavingtonsoffun! Weareincrediblygratefulto allourparentchaperoneswhomadethetripsahugesuccess!

CONGRATULTIONS

TO THE LEOPARD TRACK AND FIELD TEAM THAT FINISHED 3RD IN THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! This hard-working, dedicated group of young women showed grit and resilience over the 2 day meetwithadverseweatherconditionsandschedulechanges.Wecouldnotbe more proud of them for their results, but even more for who they are as teammatesandpeople.WaytogoLeopards!

REGIONALRESULTS

CamrynBenson-2ndinthemile,3rdinthe2mile-STATEQUALIFIER

BridgetBernal-2ndinthe2mile-STATEQUALIFIER

4x400 Relay - 3rd - Cailyn Newhouse, Talia Orshalick, Cailee Horinek, Mia Reaugh(alt.CampbellLesterwhoranintheprelims!)-STATEQUALIFIERS

CaileeHorinek-3rdinthe800

CampbellLester-4thin2mile

SophieBrooks-4thin2mile

4x200 Relay (Cailyn Newhouse, Brenna Wallace, Camryn Newhouse, Mia Reaugh)-5th

CarsonFox-5thinthePoleVault

TeniSegun-6thintheDiscus

MichaelaMartin-6thinthe100hurdles

TaliaOrshalick-7thinthe300hurdles

HarperJaynes-8thinthemile

KatieMitchell-9thinthePoleVault

TheLovejoyBoysTrack&FieldTeamfinishedastheRegionII5ARunnerUpthis past weekend! We also have three athletes who qualified for the State Championshipnextweek!

RegionalResultsHERE

StateQualifiers:

TylerMorefield–2ndin3200M

CadenGary–1stin800M(NewRegionRecord–1:51.37!)&1stin1600M

JohnMichaelMartin–3rdinDiscus(WildCardAdvancer)

OtherHighlights:

JoeyReid–4thin3200M,5thin1600M

4x400MRelay–3rdoverall

StrongeffortsinShotPut,TripleJump&more!

LeopardsBaseball:PlayoffBound!

Greatnews,LeopardNation!OurLovejoyLeopardBaseballteamhasofficially wrapped up their district season and secured a spot in the playoffs!

Congratulations to our talented players and dedicated coaching staff on this fantasticachievement.

Your unwavering support throughout the season has been incredible, and we thankyouforcheeringthemoneverystepoftheway!

The excitement continues as the first round of playoffs begins next week. Baseball is currently awaiting the official game schedule and opponent, so pleasekeepaneyeontheirsocialmediachannelsandschoolannouncements forupdates.

Let'srallytogetherandshowourLeopardswhathome-fieldadvantagemeans astheyembarkontheirplayoffjourney!Baseballwantseveryonetohelpthem finishstrong!

LovejoySoftballisbeginningtheirplayoffrunthisweek!TheLeopardssecured the3rdplacerankforDistrict9-5Aandwillentertheplayoffbracketasthe#1 seed for Division 2! The Leopards beat Whitehouse Thursday 6-0 after a lightningdelay!Tonight’sgamewillbeahomegamewithfirstpitchat6:30pm and a Saturday game will be played at Forney High School at 12:00pm if needed.ThegirlswouldlovetoseeourstandsPACKEDforonelasthomegame onFridaynight!They'vechosenthefanthemeof"crazypants"andcannotwait toseeyouatthegame!MakesuretotagthemonInstagram&Xinyourcrazy pants@SoftballLovejoy!!

DearLovejoyCommunity,

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 andfullyaware,sowecancometogetherasacommunityforourchildren.

April28th,2025PublicNoticeWebsite (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 BoardBookPremierwebsiteHERE.

Sincerely,

Barrett Owens, President

Jeff Wood, Vice-President

Amy Smith, Secretary

Marvin Bobo, Trustee

Jason Jaynes, Trustee

Julie McLaughlin, Trustee

Mark Wheelis, Trustee

Can't remember where you saw a flyer? Not a problem! Leopard Life is connected to all campus newsletters, Connect with Katie, campus websites, ANDLovejoyISDmobileapp!

Are you ready to build, innovate, and compete with a team of passionate roboticsenthusiasts?OurhighschoolVEXRoboticsprogramisrecruitingnew& existing members,andwewantyoutobepartoftheexcitement!

This year, we are proud to have five teams traveling to the VEX World Tournament May 6 through the 8 , showcasing our talent on a global stage. Whetheryou'reinterestedincoding,building,strategy,driving,notebooking,or projectmanagementthere'saplaceforyouonourteam.

WhyJoinUs?

Hands-onSTEMlearning

Teamworkandleadershipdevelopment

Competeatstate,national,andgloballevels

Scholarshipandnetworkingopportunities

Ifyouareinterested,scantheQRcodeandfillouttheinformation.Bepartof somethingamazing.Build,compete,andsucceedwithus!

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!