AUGUST 5, 2022 Connect with Katie W E E K L Y N E W S A N D I N F O R M A T I O N F R O M T H E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T Welcome Back!
Table of Contents Student Recognitions Staff Recognitions Board of Trustees Superintendent's Message03 Lovejoy Life Links 18 20 24 27 28 Community News District Updates09 29 District Calendar 30 Alumni Recognitions Featured Job Openings30 Health and Safety31
We were excited to welcome our new to Lovejoy teachers on Monday with a breakfast, presentation on the history of Lovejoy ISD, district bus tour, and PTO sponsored lunch. On Tuesday, we welcomed back our returning teachers by kicking off Learning in Lovejoy. Learning in Lovejoy is an opportunity for our teachers, administrators, and staff to learn and grow as professionals and as a team. Our theme was "Team Lovejoy" and our focus was building a culture that prioritizes relationships, learning, collaboration, results, and fun. I am proud to share these action shots of our team getting ready to provide each Lovejoy ISD student with an outstanding educational experience. The coming school year brings hope and new opportunities. We look forward to an outstanding first day of school on Monday, August 15th. There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS! Lovejoy Proud, Katie Kordel Superintendent This newsletter means that the start of the school year is fast approaching. I hope that you made time this summer to do the things you love with the people you love. I cannot wait to see how much our students have grown and hear about their summer adventures. My family and I enjoyed time on the beach celebrating my parent's 50th anniversary. Jacob and Claire had a blast playing with their little cousins and experiencing our family beach traditions with their grandparents.
SUPERINTDENT'S MESSAGE
Lovejoy Community,
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Page 5 LHS Majestics and Cheerleaders brought the ENGERY!!! Thank you! We'd like to give a HUGE shout out to our amazing student panel members: Nabilla Abdalla, David David, Avery Fuller, Kaitlyn Helfand, Sydney Legg, and Ryder Whitlock! Their insight and opinions are always incredibly valuable, encouraging, and wise beyond their years!
Page 6 Lovejoy ISD is extraordinarily grateful to our Business and Professional Panel members: Peter Balyta, Ph.D., Shari Childers, Ph.D., Larry Konecny, MacKenzie Miller, Karen Musa, Andrea Stewart Smith, and Michael Todryk, for their insight into creating "future ready students" today!! This panel of entrepreneurial, business, and higher education leaders shared their unique perspective, engaging dialogue, and expertise with our Lovejoy Team! THANK YOU!
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Thursday's keynote speaker, Lovejoy Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Chris Ross, perfectly captured our HOPE for the 2022 2023 school year. His passion for our community and authentic leadership, inspired the perfect conclusion to our week together!
Page 9 Regular Hours 7:55 AM 3:10 PM 7:40 AM 2:55 PM 8:45 AM 4:05 PM 8:45 AM 4:20 PM Early Release Hours 7:55 AM 12:00 PM 7:40 AM 11:45 AM 8:45 AM 12:45 PM 8:45 AM 1:00 PM Only 10 more wake ups until the 2022 2023 school year begins!! Please note the updated Middle and High School times include five (5) additional minutes/day (Approved by the Board of Trustees on 7/18/22). 2022 2023 School Times Hart and Puster Elementary Sloan Creek Intermediate Willow Springs Middle Lovejoy High 2022-2023 School Times DISTRICT UPDATES LHS & WSMS add 5 minutes per day
5:30PM
Tuesday, August 9th 4:45PM 5:30PM Kinder Meet the Teacher 5:30PM 6:15PM Grades 1 4: Alpha A M 6:30PM 7:15PM Grades 1 4: Alpha N Z
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Hart Elementary Puster Elementary Meet the Teacher Dates & Times
Tuesday, August 9th 4:30PM 5:15PM Kinder Meet the Teacher (not come and go) 6:30PM Grades 1 4: All Alphas (come and go)
Willow Springs Middle School Lovejoy High School
7:00PM 8:00PM Grade 5: All Alphas
Monday, September 19th: Open House 6:30PM 8:00PM
Sloan Creek Intermediate
Meet the Teacher Dates & Times
Continued
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Friday, August 5th: PTO Kona Ice at Celebration Park
Thursday, August 11th: Freshman Founder's Day 1:00PM 3:15PM Grade 9 and New Students 6:30PM 7:30PM Grade 9 and New Parents (LHS Auditorium)
Monday, August 8th: Walk the Creek 3:30PM 4:30PM Grade 5: Alpha A L 4:45PM 5:45PM Grade 5: Alpha M Z
Friday, August 12th: Walk the Springs 9:00AM 11:00AM (Doors open at 8:30AM) Wednesday, Sept 7th: Open House 5:00PM 7:00PM
Thursday, August 11th: Walk the Creek 3:30PM 4:30PM Grade 6: Alpha A L 4:45PM 5:45PM Grade 6: Alpha M Z
Page 12 Leopard Time
Leopard Time is an exciting new program we are implementing at Sloan Creek, Willow Springs, and Lovejoy High School. In Lovejoy, Kids Come First. This means that we are continually seeking opportunities to enhance the educational experience of our students.
What is Leopard Time?
Leopard Time gives teachers more time with students that need additional support or opportunities for extension activities (intervention & enrichment opportunities).
Leopard Time is a block of time during the school day when students have flexibility to spend time on what they need. It will look a little different at each of our campuses based on the student needs and developmental appropriateness. Leopard Time options will include tutoring, test makeups, project collaboration, clubs, computer lab, open gym, outside, flexible eating spaces (Willow Springs) and time to work on homework.
Leopard Time provides students access to opportunities they otherwise would not have without staying after school (student choice). Leopard Time gives students the opportunity and time management skills. Leopard Time supports students in balancing Sloan Creek Intermediate School Willow Springs Middle School Lovejoy High School
Why are we implementing Leopard Time? Links to more information about Leopard Time
August 16 Sloan Creek Intermediate School We would like to invite parents to attend an optional campus based safety and security meeting. These meetings will provide information about the processes and procedures the district is taking to support safety and security on our campuses. Each campus will host a meeting. The agenda for each meeting will include a portion that is campus specific and a portion that is general to the district as a whole. If you are not able to attend your child’s campus meeting, please feel free to attend another campus meeting. Campus, district, and security personnel will be in attendance at each of the meetings. All meetings will be from 5:00 PM 6:00 PM. The dates are as follows: Thank you for being a partner in the safety of our students and staff, Kevin Parker Executive Director of Student Services and Security Meeting
August 10 Lovejoy High School
August 9 Willow Springs Middle School
August 11 Hart Elementary School
Safety
Invitation Page 13
August 4 Puster Elementary School
Lovejoy ISD is pleased to share that we have upgraded our primary mass communication system from SchoolMessenger to BrightArrow for the 2022 2023 school year. For now, newsletters will continue to be sent from Constant Contact. Click the email below to read more about how to ensure you continue receiving campus and district communications in the attached email sent Wednesday, July 27th. Page 14 BrightArrow Parent Communications
Funding for state and federal programs and services for our schools Discounted rates on internet services Free or reduced registration fees for AP, SAT, and/or ACT test Discounted rates associated with college applications Free or discounted fees to participate school activities Important Change in 2022 2023 School Lunch Program The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) waiver that allowed Lovejoy ISD to offer free meals to all students at our schools (K 6) who participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has expired. Congress did not fund the waiver program for the 2022 2023 school year. Due to this change in federal policy, Lovejoy ISD families will return to submitting an application to qualify for free/reduced priced lunches. Submitting an application can do more than just provide access to free and reduced price meals. Some of the additional benefits may include: Families that do not qualify for free and reduced lunch please remember to add money for lunch/extra's on MySchoolBucks before school begins. School Lunch Program
Page 16 Back to School Resources Click each picture to locate Back to School resources and information.
Page 17 than five million dollars in the past 16 years. Please help us continue our legacy of excellence by donating today! Learn more at: www.foundationforlovejoyschools.org The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools is a 501c(3) non profit that raises money to support the students and staff of Lovejoy by enhancing educational opportunities in every classroom. Through the donations of our supportive community we have been able to grant more Click each picture to locate Back to School resources and information.
Page 18 DISTRICT CALENDAR
District & Campus Calendars Link Athletics Calendar Link 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. Board of Trustees Meeting (LCDC Library @ 6:00 PM) Walk the Creek (SCIS 6th Grade) First Day of School Freshman Founder's Day & Parent Meeting Board of Trustees Workshop (LCDC Library @ 5:30 PM) August 08, 2022 August 09, 2022 August 11, 2022 August 12, 2022 August 15, 2022 August 29, 2022 Walk the Creek (SCIS 5th Grade) Page 19 Walk the Springs (WSMS) August District Calendar Updates Meet the Teacher (PES & HES)
Naomi Pearson represented our country and Lovejoy High School on the Finnish National Softball Team this summer. After playing in the European Softball Championship in Barcelona in July, Pearson was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP)! Page 20 Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Team Finland STUDENT RECOGNITIONS
Page 21 All-American Diving Team & Academic All-American
Rising sophomore Maria Faoro, 2022 Diving State Champion, has been selected for the All American Diving team. Maria also made the High School Academic All American. We are so proud of you, Maria!
Page 22 All American Honors New Balance Nationals Congratulations to Kailey Littlefield, State Champion and Record Holder, for earning All American Honors this summer at the New Balance Nationals held in Philadelphia. Kailey ran 2:07 to conclude an outstanding Sophomore Track season!
Page 23 Congressional Youth
Lovejoy High School students Humzah Ahmad and Keeten Levin are 2 of 37 students recently honored as graduates of the 2021 2022 Congressional Youth Advisory Program (CYAC). During the 2021 2022 academy year, these Lovejoy students met leaders in Congress, the Federal Reserve, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They also participated in a roundtable, learned about defense programs, and the Ukraine Russia war among many activities. The CYAC program was formed in 2005 as a way to encourage high school students to interact directly with their member of Congress while learning about government, policy, and how to become engaged members of their community. Over the course of the seventeen year CYAC program, more than 700 students have successfully completed the leadership initiative. Advisor
Program Graduates
2018 Lovejoy ISD Graduate, Patrick O'Brien, performed "Taps" at the International D Day Ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, France.
ALUMNI RECOGNITIONS
In addition, O'Brien, and the SMU Mustang Band, represented the United States at the D Day Memorial Parade in Sainte Mère Église, and at ceremonies in the American Cemetery at Brittany and Omaha Beach.
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2018 LHS Graduate, Patrick O'Brien, playing "Taps" in Normandy, France on the 78th Anniversary of D Day.
"Taps" at D-Day Ceremony in Normandy, France
Gatorade Player of the Year and 2022 LHS Graduate, Averi Carlson, recently traveled to Los Angeles, California to attend the Gatorade Athlete of the Year Ceremony, as well as, the ESPYs. At the ESPY's her Gatorade video was played on the big screen and broadcast on TV. Averi had an incredible experience in L.A. Gatorade hosted the athletes and their families, who were able to attend both ceremonies and partake in all of the fun!
Averi Carlson Gatoratde Player of the Year Ceremony Carlson
Kolby Branch - THSBCA Baseball
Gatorade Athlete of the Year Ceremony & ESPY Awards
Kolby Branch, 2022 LHS Graduate, wore a Leopard uniform one more time as he represented Lovejoy High School Baseball in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) All Star Game in Round Rock on June 19th.
2022 Graduate Averi
ESPY Awards
Averi Carlson Gatoratde Player of the Year Ceremony 2022 LHS Graduate and National Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, Averi Carlson, at the ESPY Awards.
From left, Courtney Halpin, SCIS Principal; Katie Kordel, Superintendent; Amy Matteucci, Lovejoy ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year; Jennifer Waters, Lovejoy ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year; Anna Koenig, Executive Director of Human Resources and Communications; Dr. Laurie Tinsley, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
STAFF RECOGNITIONS
Region 10 Teacher of the Year Luncheon
Lovejoy ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, Amy Matteucci, and Secondary Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Waters, were celebrated at the Region 10 Teacher of the Year Luncheon on Tuesday, July 28. This is a very well deserved honor for two incredible teachers. We are SO PROUD of Ms. Matteuci and Ms. Waters and grateful that they are part of Team Lovejoy!
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 8, 2022 Board Workshop Public Notice You may find the full agenda with supporting documentation on our district's BoardBook Premier website HERE. Sincerely, The Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees Barrett Owens, President * Amy Smith, Vice President * Anne Smith, Secretary *Julie McLaughlin, Trustee * Jeff Wood, Trustee * Marvin Bobo, Trustee * Jason Jaynes, Trustee BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lovejoy Council of PTOs New to Lovejoy Ladies Coffee New Lovejoy Parent Foundation Breakfast Lovejoy Red-Out 2022 Band Booster Evening with the Majestics LOVEJOY LIFE LINKS
Click Here Page 30 COMMUNITY NEWS FEATURED JOB OPENINGS
Lovejoy recently received guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding Covid 19 and schools. We are working to update our 2023 2023 Health and Safety website with this information. Page 31 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Connect with Katie . August 5, 2022 . Issue 1
