Connect with Katie WEEKLY NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
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TABLE OF Contents M E S S A G E F R O M T H E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RETURNS................................. PTO N E W FA M I LY W E LCO M E CO F F E E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DISTRICT REMINDERS.............................................. FOUNDATION ANNUAL APPEAL................................... REPORT AN ABSENCE.............................................. DISTRICT CALENDAR............................................... P R E - K 3 O F F T O A G R E A T S T A R T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . READING WITH THE LEOPARDS................................... W S M S X C R A C E S T O T H E T O P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LEOPARDS DOMINATE REEDY .................................... LOVEJOY VOLLEYBALL............................................. LEOPARD LIFE.......................................................
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24 DISTRICT & CAMPUS NEWSLETTERS.............................
MESSAGE FROM THE Lovejoy Community,
Superintendent
One of the best parts of Lovejoy ISD is seeing our uniquely special community come to life in so many different ways. From our youngest Leopards discovering the joy of learning, to older students investing in the next generation, to traditions that bring thousands of us together, there is a strong sense of connection across our district. This week offered so many reminders that the Lovejoy experience is shaped not only by what happens in our classrooms, but also by the relationships, traditions, and shared pride that make this community so special. One of those reminders came with one of our first Reading with the Leopards of the school year. This is a much loved and highly impactful Lovejoy tradition. Football and cheer athletes, Ready, Set, Teach students, and members of our Swim and Dive team visited Puster Elementary to read with our young Leopards. There were plenty of books and smiles, but what makes this tradition so special goes far beyond reading. Our younger students get to see what it means to be a Leopard through the example of students they look up to, while our older students have the opportunity to lead, encourage, and inspire. It is a simple but powerful example of what makes Lovejoy, Lovejoy. The Lovejoy ISD journey begins early! At the Lovejoy Child Development Center, our Pre-K 3 students are already learning names, making friends, practicing fine motor skills, reading, counting, and discovering the joy of learning together. There is something pretty incredible about watching our youngest Leopards take those first steps in a journey that will eventually lead them across the stage at graduation. Every new friendship, every new skill, and every moment of confidence becomes part of their Lovejoy story. Speaking of Lovejoy traditions, one of our biggest is almost here! Next Friday, September 11, I hope you will join us for Leopard Friday from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the Lovejoy High School courtyard.
This longstanding tradition brings together students, staff, families, alumni, and neighbors for an evening filled with food trucks, student and community vendor booths, performances, and plenty of Lovejoy Leopard spirit! There will be plenty of games and activities for our young Leopards. At 6:15 p.m., our Community Pep Rally will feature the Majestics, Color Guard, Band, and Cheer as we celebrate our students and get ready for Friday Night Lights. Leopard Friday festivities will wrap up at 7:00 p.m., and then we hope you will make your way to Leopard Stadium with us to pack the stands, cheer on our Leopards, and create an incredible atmosphere for our students. Whether you have been part of Lovejoy for decades or are experiencing your very first Leopard Friday, I hope you will join us. Traditions like these are about so much more than an event or a football game. They connect us as a community and remind us that while our schools are places of learning, they are also places of belonging and connection. Wishing you a long weekend filled with love and joy. On Tuesday, our amazing teachers will spend the day engaged in professional learning and preparing for the weeks ahead, while our students enjoy a holiday. We look forward to seeing you back on Wednesday, Leopards!
There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS! Lovejoy Proud,
Katie Kordel Superintendent
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Returns
Friday Night Lights are officially back at Lovejoy, and the Leopards kicked off the season with a night to remember! Lovejoy Football opened the year with an impressive 56–17 victory over Frisco Reedy, giving Leopard fans plenty to celebrate. The evening showcased so many of the people and traditions that make Friday nights at Lovejoy special. Jessica Markovich and Jason Earhart were recognized as our first Teachers of the Week, while the Lovejoy Band and Color Guard and Majestics Dance Team delivered outstanding performances throughout the night. Leopard Stadium also came together for the first fourth-quarter sing-along of the season, this time celebrating the music of Dolly Parton. From a big win on the field to incredible performances, celebrations, and traditions throughout the stadium, it was the perfect way to welcome back Friday Night Lights and another exciting season at Lovejoy!
PTO NEW FAMILY
Welcome Coffee
Last week, Lovejoy’s newest Leopards came together for the PTO New Family Welcome Coffee, an opportunity for new families to connect, meet fellow members of the Lovejoy community, and learn more about getting involved. The morning was filled with excitement as families began building new connections and discovering ways to become part of the traditions and community that make Lovejoy so special. A big thank you to our PTO for hosting and helping give our new Leopards such a warm welcome! It’s not too late to get involved! If you’d still like to join the PTO, click here to learn more and become a member.
DISTRICT Reminders
FOUNDATION ANNUAL
Appeal
SEASON PARKING Pass LOVEJOY FOOTBALL
SEASON
PARKING PASS 2026
Get ready for Friday Night Lights! 2026 Lovejoy Football Season Parking Passes are now available. Secure your parking for the season and cheer on the Leopards all season long! Go Leopards! Get Your Passes Here.
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!
Report an Absence The District has implemented a process to streamline absence reporting. To notify your campus attendance office about your student’s absence, complete your campuses "Report an Absence" form which can be found: Campus Website (top right corner) Click Report an Absence Lovejoy ISD Mobile App Click More Select Campus Click Report an Absence Linked in Principal Newsletters
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.
PRE-K 3 OFF TO A GREAT
Start
Our Pre-K 3 students have been busy during their first few weeks of school! From learning each other’s names and making new friends to practicing fine motor skills, reading, and counting, our youngest Leopards are already learning and growing together. It has been an exciting start to the year as students settle into their classrooms, build new friendships, and discover all the fun that comes with learning at Lovejoy!
READING WITH THE
leopards
The first Reading with the Leopards of the school year was a great one! Our Lovejoy Football and Cheer athletes, Ready, Set, Teach students, and members of Swim and Dive visited Puster Elementary to spend time reading and connecting with our Little Leopards. Reading with the Leopards is one of our favorite Lovejoy traditions, giving our younger students the opportunity to build connections with the older Leopards they look up to while sharing a love of reading. What a great way to kick off another year of Leopards inspiring Leopards!
WSMS XC RACES TO
The Top
Willow Springs Middle School Cross Country brought the heat in Allen on Monday, turning in impressive performances despite the soaring temperatures. Our athletes have been putting in the work at early morning practices, and their dedication showed as both the 7th and 8th grade girls teams were crowned Team Champions! The 8th grade boys earned 3rd place, while the 7th grade boys finished 4th. Several Leopards also earned individual Top 10 finishes and medals: 7th Grade Girls: Hannah Beers – 3rd, Kennedy Grosholz – 5th, Ella Hansen – 6th, Addie Widtfeldt – 9th 7th Grade Boys: Nash Pierson – 4th 8th Grade Girls: Jacqueline Garnic – 2nd, Anna Johnson – 3rd, Camille Pettit – 5th, Harper Quigg – 6th, Hannah Roberts – 7th, Amelia Walters – 8th 8th Grade Boys: Mitchell Smith – Meet Champion The future of Lovejoy Cross Country is bright both on and off the course. Our high school girls recently joined the middle school team for a morning run, investing their time in the next generation of the program and continuing the championship tradition that makes Lovejoy Cross Country so special. Congratulations to all of our runners!
LEOPARDS DOMINATE
Reedy
The Lovejoy Leopards kicked off the 2026 football season in dominant fashion, earning an impressive 56–17 victory over the Frisco Reedy Lions on Friday night. Lovejoy entered the matchup facing a tough challenge, but the Leopards quickly took control. A high-powered offense, stifling defense, and steady special teams performance allowed Lovejoy to outmatch Reedy in all phases of the game and set the tone for the season ahead. The season-opening win gave Leopard fans plenty to celebrate and offered an exciting first look at what this team is capable of in 2026. Congratulations to our players and coaches on a great start to the season! Go Leopards!
LOVEJOY VOLLEBALL
Ready for District Play
Tournament season is wrapping up for Lovejoy Varsity Volleyball, and the Leopards are turning their attention toward continuing a strong run through district play. Friday, September 4, Lovejoy returns home to take on the Anna Coyotes at Lovejoy High School. Varsity will take the court at 5:00 p.m., followed by Sub-Varsity at approximately 6:30 p.m. Our Sub-Varsity teams will also compete in tournament play this weekend. Best of luck to our Leopards as they represent Lovejoy and continue growing together throughout the season. Beat the heat and join us inside Lovejoy High School Friday night to fill the stands and cheer on the Leopards! Friday, September 4 | Lovejoy High School Varsity – 5:00 p.m. | Sub-Varsity – approximately 6:30 p.m.
LEOPARD LIFE Website Lovejoy ISD has an unparalleled sense of community and connection centered on student opportunity. In support of this collective commitment, the Leopard Life website showcases a wide range of events, activities, and fundraisers organized by booster clubs, PTOs, athletics, fine arts, individual campuses, and more! Leopard Life is prominently featured across campus and district websites, highlighted in all newsletters, and easily accessible through the Lovejoy ISD mobile app. This week's featured flyers are: Middle School Leopard Fishing Club (Sept. 1) Pumpkin Porch Packages - Swim & Dive (Sept. 20) Homecoming Mums (Oct.1) Homecoming Red Out Shirts (Oct.2) Future Leopard Association Community News Please note: the information featured in the "Community News" section is submitted by local community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizations and does not claim to endorse them.
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
LOVEJOY CHILD DEVELOPMENT Campus Newsletter HART ELEMENTARY Principal Newsletter PUSTER ELEMENTARY Principal Newsletter SLOAN CREEK INTERMEDIATE Principal Newsletter WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE Principal Newsletter LOVEJOY HIGH SCHOOL Principal Newsletter
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Connect with Katie. September 4, 2026. Issue 06