AUGUST 12, 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
Table of Contents Student Recognitions Staff Recognitions Board of Trustees Superintendent's Message03 Lovejoy Life Links 21 23 28 30 Community News District Updates13 31 District Calendar 33 Featured Job Openings33 Health and Safety34
the start of the school year with our annual teacher and staff convocation. Our district theme this year is Team Lovejoy. This theme represents our priority on collaboration, connection, and community. Our students’ success depends on Team Lovejoy; the precious and powerful partnership of teachers, staff, parents, and community members. In Lovejoy ISD, we believe in a team approach to supporting students. I want to extend a sincere thank you for your active engagement in your child’s education. This commitment was evident in your attendance at so many of our back to school events.
Katie Kordel Superintendent On Monday morning, we will open our doors to welcome more than 4260 students to the 2022 2023 school year. Whether it is the first day of kindergarten, the first day of senior year, or a first day of school that falls along that journey, it is a special milestone for each student. I have missed having our schools and classrooms filled with learning and laughter. Our teachers and staff have been hard at work making preparations for an outstanding start to the school year. This past Monday morning, we celebrated Lovejoy Community, SUPERINTENDENT'S
MESSAGE
A special thank you to orchestra, band, a capella, theater, cheer, and Majestics for putting on an amazing show at district convocation. The caliber of our fine arts programs is a point of pride for Lovejoy ISD and we are grateful that they honored us with their gifts and talents. Together, Team Lovejoy, we will make 2022 2023 the best school year yet! There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS!
Page 4 2022-2023 Staff Convocation Convocation Photos By: Emma Blair, LHS Senior
Page 5 2022-2023 Staff Convocation Convocation Photos By: Emma Blair, LHS Senior
Page 6 2022-2023 Staff Convocation Convocation Photos By: Emma Blair, LHS Senior
Page 7 Convocation Photos By: Emma Blair, LHS Senior
Tuesday, August 16 at Sloan Creek Intermediate School Wednesday, August 17 at Lovejoy Child Development Center
Safety is top priority. Lovejoy ISD applies a safety and security approach that prioritizes proactive mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. We have a school marshal program with 6 armed school marshals. The 6th school marshal was added this school year. LISD implements a layered approach that includes physical security, emergency preparedness, and training. As part of our partnership with local agencies, this summer, we hosted on site drills in our schools with local law enforcement, fire, and rescue teams.
Safety
and Security
As a part of these meetings, Casey Littlefield, Head of Safety and Security, discusses our safety and security approach as well as the role of our school marshals in the event of a crisis.
There are two more optional parent meetings that you can attend. Both meetings are from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Over the past week, the Lovejoy ISD School Marshal Team and campus and district leadership have engaged parents in school safety meetings.
Page 9 2022 Meet the Teacher Lovejoy Child Development Center Puster Elementary
Page 10 2022 Meet the Teacher Continued Hart Elementary Sloan Creek Intermediate School Walk the Creek
Page 11 2022 Meet the Teacher Continued Willow Springs Middle School Walk the Springs
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Freshman
Founder's Day On Thursday, Lovejoy High School hosted Freshman Founder’s Day. It was heartwarming to see how teachers, staff, and upperclassmen invested in our 9th graders by getting them connected. We are excited for the Class of 2026 to start high school off strong and to make their mark!
District Profile and Legacy of Excellence DISTRICT UPDATES
Financial Outlook and Sustainability
At Monday night’s Board Workshop, the District’s finances, projections, and proposed tax rate were presented. Current financial projections show a $44,527 deficit in FY24 with 100 days of fund balance, $1,045,556 deficit in FY25 with 86 days of fund balance, and $2,137,508 in FY26 with 65 days of fund balance. The Board discussed the baseline of 90 days and target of 120 days of fund balance to address cash flow needs. The financial sustainability measures taken in the last year, including the work of the stakeholder based Financial Sustainability Committee, were reviewed and are found below.
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On Monday night, the Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees called for a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) for November 8, 2022 to increase the M&O portion of the 2022 ISD tax rate by 3.17 cents. Due to tax compression, the tax rate will decrease with or without the passing of the VATRE. The passing of the VATRE would generate approximately $640,000 in additional funding for Lovejoy ISD.
Employee compensation Restore fund balance
Financial Priorities:
Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election
Page 16 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 3 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 LHS & WSMS add 5 minutes per day
Campus Car Lines Map Links As your children return to our campuses, keep in mind there will be new arrival and dismissal routines and procedures that students and parents will learning. Please leave early, allowing for extra time to drive slowly and cautiously in and around school areas. Watch for campus administrators and school marshals who will be directing traffic. Lastly, please be mindful of traffic laws that keep students safe while entering and exiting buses. If a bus extends it's stop sign, traffic on both sides of the street must stop. Patience with School Traffic Arrival Map Dismissal Map Arrival Procedures Kinder Dismissal 1 4 Grade Dismissal Hart Elementary School Puster Elementary School Arrival Map Dismissal Map Arrival and Dismissal Arrival Map Dismissal Map Sloan Creek Intermediate Willow Springs Middle Lovejoy High School
Page 18 Back to School Resources Click each picture to locate Back to School resources and information. BUSROUTES BUSROUTES POSTED POSTED LunchMenus
Page 19 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.
Campus & District Newsletter Preferences The beginning of the year is a great time to update your family newsletter preferences in Constant Contact. At the bottom of this email you will see an option to "Update Profile." Click this link. On the next screen you will want to ensure you are updating the correct email address and click "Submit." An email will be sent for security purposes and from there you can click to "Update Your Profile." On the last screen, please review your contact information and update your campus/district newsletter preferences to match your kiddo's current campus(es).
Page 21 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 with open session expected to begin at approximately 7:00 PM) Walk the Creek (SCIS 6th Grade) First Day of School August 12, 2022 August 15, 2022 August 29, 2022 Page 22 Walk the Springs (WSMS) August District Calendar Updates
The Lovejoy Lady Leopards Volleyball team opened up their season against Prosper High School on August 9. They are looking to defend their 2022 State Championship and add to their 9 titles.
Page 23 Volleyball Scrimmages & Pre-Season STUDENT ACTIVITIES & RECOGNITIONS
Lovejoy Volleyball is ready to start their pre season games following their scrimmages Friday and Saturday. The program kicked off the start of their season with two a days on August 1st and has learned how to think like a warrior (#TLAW). All four teams were successful in their scrimmages on Friday/ Saturday and celebrated with pizza parties and team sleepovers.
Page 24 LHS Volleyball Schedules Click the schedule below to be redirected to athletics website with all Lovejoy volleyball team schedules.
LOJO Football #ROLLPARDS #WAR Saturday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. Tom Landry Classic College Station vs Lovejoy EAGLE STADIUM IN ALLEN Tickets may be purchased through each school's athletic department the week prior to the game or at the stadium box office 90 minutes prior to kickoff. First Game of the Season
LOJO Football Schedule
Lovejoy High School Color Guard and Marching Band have been practicing hard! We can't wait for their first half time performance.
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Aiden Smith Represents Lovejoy Baseball on the 2022 Texas Rangers Area Code Team
Lovejoy High School Senior, Aidan Smith, was selected to play for the Texas Rangers Area Code team at the 2022 Area Code Baseball games in August. Aidan is the first player to represent Lovejoy Baseball at this prestigious event which is comprised of the top high school baseball players in the country. He plays centerfield for the Leopards and will attend Mississippi State to play baseball after he graduates in May.
Color Guard & Band Camp
On Wednesday, August 10th the Transportation, Grounds, Maintenance and Custodial Departments spent the morning completing their yearly staff compliance training with the HR and Payroll Staff. It ended over a wonderful lunch and great conversation! We are so grateful for what they do for our students and staff. We want to thank them for their service.
Auxillary Staff Luncheon
STAFF RECOGNITIONS Page 28
Two Hart Elementary new teachers, Nicole Copeland (Kindergarten) and Emilee Gant (Kindergarten), were recognized Monday night at the LISD Board meeting as Silver Stars. Silver Stars are Lovejoy High School alumni that return to Lovejoy ISD as teachers.
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LHS Students Return as Silver Star Teachers
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lovejoy ISD is committed to providing consistent, transparent communication with our community and employees. We hope this meeting summary will support you in staying connected and informed. August 8, 2022 Board Workshop Summary Additionally, Regular Board Meetings and Workshops are now recorded and archived on the Lovejoy ISD website. You can access recordings by clicking the picture to the right. Passwords are noted below the recording links.
Middle School Leopard Club Fishing Join the Green Team LOVEJOY LIFE LINKS Page 31
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 33 COMMUNITY NEWS FEATURED JOB OPENINGS
Lovejoy recently received guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding Covid 19 and schools.
Page 34 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Key Take Aways
Students and/or staff who have tested positive for COVID 19 may return in 5 days if they have been fever and symptom free for 24 hours. (Change from 10 days for students)
Students with a COVID-19 household member who has tested positive are no longer required to quarantine.
The district will not maintain a local “dashboard”, reporting positive cases. The district is required to report positive cases to the state. A link will be provided on the website that reflects this information for the district.
The health screener QR code will remain in place at each campus for volunteers and visitors to complete.
Page 35 Health and Safety Continued
Connect with Katie . August 12, 2022 . Issue 2
