Connect with Katie.09.13.2024.Issue08 by Lovejoy ISD

Connect with Katie

SEPTEMBER

13, 2024

Lovejoy Lovejoy Leopards Leopards

from the Superintendent MESSAGE

LovejoyCommunity,

Lovejoy ISD is proud to announce that 33 Lovejoy High School students have been recognized in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. 12 of these students have been named National Merit ScholarshipProgramSemifinalists.Lessthan1%of U.S. high school seniors are named semifinalists. We are extraordinarily proud of these student scholars and their commitment to pursuing excellenceinacademics.

LovejoyISDwaswellrepresentedthismorningattheStateBoardofEducation meetinginAustin.KaseyHavens,LovejoyISDparentvolunteerandLovejoyPTO CouncilPresident,receivedthe2024HeroesforChildrenAwardforStateBoard ofEducation(SBOE)District12.Kaseywasoneofonly15awardeesstatewideto receive this recognition for the outstanding service and valuable support she hasofferedherschoolcommunity,thestaff,andmostnotably,thestudentsof Texas. It was an honor to be present when Mrs. Pam Little, Vice Chair of the SBOE, presented Kasey with this significant recognition. Kasey has been an active participant in various district clubs and committees, including Leadership Lovejoy, Lovejoy Strategic Planning Committee, Lovejoy Special Education Advisory Committee, District Improvement Team, Lovejoy Capital Planning Committee, Lovejoy Fine Arts Incorporated, Lovejoy Band Booster Club, and the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Kasey’s continuous, selfless involvementandsupporthavehadaprofoundlypositiveimpactonLovejoyISD students,educators,programs,andschools.Kaseyandherhusband,Brad,are the proud parents of two graduates of Lovejoy High School, Katie and Jacob, anda6thgradeLovejoyLeopard,Luke.

Ourcommunity-basedCapitalPlanningCommitteeishardatwork.OnTuesday evening, they met to discuss the important connection between our physical spaces and the learning experiences of our students. In alignment with the Lovejoy2030StrategicPlan,thecommitteediscussedpossibilitiesforcreating co

collaborative learning spaces within our existing schools. The purpose of the CapitalPlanningCommitteeistodevelopaclearvisionforLovejoyISD’sphysical learning environments and capital asset needs. The Capital Planning Committee’snextmeetingwilltakeplaceonSeptember24th.

It’sabusynightinLovejoy!At5:00p.m.,LovejoyHighSchoolVarsityVolleyball plays Anna High School at home. Then at 7:30 p.m., we will kick off our homecoming football game against Frisco Liberty. I am especially looking forward to halftime, when our marching band will showcase the next stage of progress on their show, Locked Away. We look forward to featuring all of our homecomingactivitiesfromthisweekinnextweek’snewsletter.

WishingyouaweekendfilledwithLoveandJoy.

ThereisonlyONELOVEJOY,andweareALLLEOPARDS!

LovejoyProud, KatieKordel

Superintendent

NATIONAL MERIT

RECOGNITIONS

LovejoyISDisproudtoannounce33studentshavebeenrecognizedinthe2025 NationalMeritScholarshipProgram.

Over 1.3 million students took the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and met requirements to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Each of these students have a Selection Index score of 208 or above (out of a possible 228). The NMSC identifies the 50,000 highest scores nationwide who arethenrecognizedaseitherSemifinalistsorCommendedStudentseachfall.

CongratulationstotheseCommendedLovejoyHighSchoolStudentstStudents:

Ali Ahmad, Alicia Bemis, Caleb Born, Camden Bratz, Victoria Burchett, Luca Campbell, Saanvi Cheruku, Andy Choy, Riley Constant, Emily Dillon, Luke Doyle, Liam Dunleavy, Neola Edwin, Noah George, Nathan Kinser, Jackson LaTorre, Sophia Li, Lucas Liu, Gavin Micheletto, Paari Palani, Garrett Payne, Cavan Porter, Jackson Reid, Emersyn Runions, Robert Schnurr, Kugu Scott, Megha Siripurapu, Anishka Vellanki, Marissa Waldrop, Christopher Wang, David Wang, Auburnae Williams, and Kevin Zhang

Fromthe50,000highscorersnationwide,about16,000willbenamedNational Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists, representing the top scorers in each state.Semifinalistswillhaveanopportunitytocontinueinthecompetitionfor around6,870MeritScholarship®awardstobeofferedin2025.

Wearepleasedtoannouncethese12studentsfromLovejoyHighSchoolhave beennamedNationalMeritScholarshipProgramSemifinalists:

Ali Ahmad, Victoria Burchett, Luca Campbell, Andy Choy, Liam Dunleavy, Neola Edwin, Lucas Liu, Garrett Payne, Robert Schnurr, Marissa Waldrop, Auburnae Williams, and Kevin Zhang

CongratulationstoallofourLovejoyHighSchoolrecognizedstudents!

2024 HEROES FOR

CHILDREN AWARD

TheselflessdedicationofvolunteersinLovejoyISDhasauniquelyspecialand positive impact on our students, educators, schools, and community. Today, Kasey Havens, Lovejoy ISD parent volunteer, received the 2024 Heroes for Children Award from the State Board of Education (SBOE) District 12. Ms. Havens was one of only 15 awardees statewide to receive this recognition for theoutstandingservice.

Overthelast15yearsofsustainedvolunteerservice,Ms.Havenshasmodeled the importance of parental involvement and working collaboratively to find positive solutions. She serves selflessly and is willing to fill any need, big or small.Infact,itisnotuncommonforhertogostraightfromchairingaPTOor boosterclubmeetingtomakingcopiesorcuttingoutmaterialsforteachers.

KaseyiscurrentlyservingasPresidentofLovejoyPTSOCouncilandhasbeenan exemplary leader at every level of involvement, including PTOs at Lovejoy Elementary,HartElementary,SloanCreekIntermediateSchool,WillowSprings Middle School and Lovejoy High School. Additionally, she recently served as President of Lovejoy Fine Arts Incorporated and Lovejoy Band Booster Club. Kasey has also been an active participant of various district committees that include Leadership Lovejoy, Lovejoy Strategic Planning Committee, Lovejoy Special Education Advisory Committee, District Improvement Team, Lovejoy CapitalPlanningCommitteeandFoundationofLovejoySchools.

Ms.Haven’sleadershiphasalsobeeninstrumentalinbringingfirstresponders, community members, parents, educators, and students together to host Shattered Dreams for our high school students. Shattered Dreams is a high school-basedprogramthatpromotesresponsibledecision-makingamonghigh school students regarding intoxicated and distracted driving. This impactful programpoignantlyconveyshowirresponsiblechoicescanshatterdreams.

Kasey’s service has had an exponential impact through her ongoing influence onandmentorshipofotherparentvolunteers.Sheservesasaninspiringforce forcontinuedvolunteerismthroughouttheLovejoyISDcommunity.Kaseyand her husband, Brad, are the proud parents of two graduates of Lovejoy High School,KatieandJacob,anda6thgradeLovejoyLeopard,Luke.

NATIONAL FINE ARTS

IN EDUCATION WEEK

ThisweekwecelebratedNationalArtsinEducationWeek!Fromkindergartento high school, Lovejoy ISD students experience the transformative power of the arts in education. Lovejoy's exceptional musical, performance, and visual arts programsbuildconfidence,encouragecreativityandphysicalexpression,foster innovation,andempowerstudentstoachievesuccessinallareasoflife.Weare #LovejoyProud of our remarkable Fine Arts students and educators who are infinitelytalented,passionate,anddedicated.

CPR TRAINING WITH

LUCAS FIRE & RESCUE

CPR training is an important component when responding to emergency situations throughout our school district. Lovejoy ISD educators had the opportunity to receive CPR training from Lucas Fire & Rescue on August 30, 2024.JeffBlackwellandhisstaffdidanamazingjobofprovidingengagingand practical information to equip our team with critical safety knowledge and skills.Weappreciatethepartnershipwehavewithourlocalfirstresponders.

In honor of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we pay tribute to the heroes and victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001andwerecommitourselvestothe spirit of unity, patriotism, and service that carried our Nation through in the daysthatfollowed.

Lovejoy ISD extends our deepest gratitude to all First Responders who worktirelesslytoprotectandserveour communitieseachday.

EARLY LITERACY

PARENT MEETINGS

LovejoyISDisofferingparentinformationsessionsaboutearlyliteracy.Campus and district leaders will present an overview of early literacy learning. The sessionwillincludeanoverviewoftheScienceofReadingandimplementation inK-3classrooms.Examplesoflessonsandstrategiesforteachingreadingand writingwillbepresented.

Weaskthatyoupre-registersothatourpreparationssupportacomfortableand meaningfulexperienceforallthatattend.

RSVPHere:https://forms.gle/L8reeHBbYyhQN92v9

Location:CarrieL.LovejoyChildDevelopmentCenterLibrary 256CountryClubRoad Allen,TX75002

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.

NORTH TEXAS

North Texas Giving Day is the most generous day in North Texas, it's an 18 hour online giving event where you can support your community! Donations to the Foundation champion educational initiatives andprograms,including:

SafetyMarshals

InnovativeClassroomGrants

HolidayBonuses

ProfessionalDevelopment

NewTeacherClassroom

Support

THREEEASYWAYSTOGIVE:

1.NorthTexasgivingdaywebsite:Updatesummaryandpictures

2.Ourwebsite:www.foundationforlovejoyschools.org

3. Check made out to the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools brought to the Administrationbuilding

POWERSCHOOL

PowerSchool will be performing database maintenance on PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS), during which the application will be unavailable for the majority ofthemaintenancewindow.

RegularlyScheduledMaintenanceWindow:

Saturday,September14,2024at8:00AMto Sunday,September15,2024at3:00PM

ATTENDANCE

MAINTENANCE UPDATE

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

LEADERSHIP

LOVEJOY

Leadership Lovejoy is designed to provide community participants with a comprehensive overviewoftheschooldistrictbydepartmentand district leadership. The objective is to provide information as well as an opportunity to ask questionsinaninteractiveformat.Thestructureof Leadership Lovejoy is in-person, full-day, workshops. All meetings will take place from 8:30 a.m.to2:00p.m.Thereisacostof$90.00tocover the cost of the program. Applications are now openthroughTuesday,October1stat9:00a.m.

*Meeting Dates Listed on Application

BOARD ACADEMY

REGISTRATION

The Lovejoy ISD Board Academy is designed for anyone considering public service on the Board of Trustees as those that would like to learn more about local school district governance. School Board Members will explain the roles and responsibilities of serving on the Board, review the state-

state-required training requirements, and discuss the difference between Boardoversightandday-to-dayoperationsofthedistrict.Informationwillalso be shared on the guidance, logistics, and timelines to run for a Board of Trustees seat. The Board Academy will be on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from1:00p.m.to3:00p.m.

DISTRICT & CAMPUS

LEVEL COMMITTEES

District-levelandcampus-levelcommitteesareinplacetoadvisetheBoardor its designee in establishing and reviewing the District and campus improvements plan as well as the District and campus educational goals, performance objectives, and major District-wide classroom instructional programs. Composition of the committees represent campus-based professionalstaff,District-levelprofessionalstaff,parents,businesses,andthe community.

Currently there are open positions for the District Improvement Team. Interestedparents,businessandcommunitymembersmayreachouttoLaurie Tinsley, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at laurie tinsley@lovejoyisd.net

DISTRICT CALENDAR

LUCAS MAYOR VISITS

HART & PUSTER

2ndGradeGifted&Talented(GT)studentshavebeenworkingonProjectBased LearninginSocialStudies. Aspartoftheirlearning,theystudiedcitizenshipand jobsinthecommunities.Studentsdraftedafriendlyletterofinvitation,aswell as questions to ask him. Mayor Dusty Kuykendall visited and spoke about his job, professional skills and education. He also spoke about current and future city projects. We are greatful for Mayor Kuykendall’s time and thoughtful engagementwithourlittleleopards!

GRANDPARENTS

DAY AT HART

HartElementarycelebratedgrandparentsbyhostingagrandparentsdaylunch. Grandparents came from all over to have a special lunch with their grandkid. Hart Elementary partnered with Hart PTO and Sign Gypsies in Allen to give grandparentsseveralphotoopportunitiestocapturethisspecialday.

SLOAN CREEK

FINE ARTS

TheSloanCreekVisualArtStudioisrootedinexploringmultifacetedprocesses through hands-on practice. Students have been practicing with watercolor, printmaking,drawing,andevenalittlesculptureinthefirstweeksofschool!All techniquespracticedbuildskill,confidence,andultimatelystudentvoiceinour studentartists.

SloanCreekOrchestrastudentshavebeenfocusedonlearningcorrectposture for their instrument and the fundamentals of reading music. Each instrument has specific characteristics that make it unique from the other instruments in thestringfamily studentsarecurrentlyworkingonholdingtheirbowscorrectly andcreatingbeautifulsoundsontheirspecificinstrument!

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONORS SOCIETY

Willow Springs held their National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) induction ceremonythispastMonday.SeventhgradestudentswhohavebeenatWillow SpringsMiddleSchoolforatleastonefullsemester,haveattainedacumulative averageofatleast94.0%,andexhibitgoodcitizenshipareallowedtoapplyfor membership. We are proud to announce WSMS had 147 new NJHS members jointhisprestigiousgroup.Thesestudentswillstrivetoupholdthefivecardinal principles that form the framework of the Junior Honor Society: Scholarship, Leadership,Service,Character,andCitizenship. Congratulations!

24-25WillowSpringsMiddleSchoolNationalJuniorHonorSocietyMembers.

LOVEJOY THEATRE IMPROV SHOW

Lovejoy High School theatre had a nearly sold out Improv performance on Saturday, Sept. 7th. Students from Theatre Production and Theatre 1 helped performacompetitionstyleImprovshow-think"WhoseLineisItAnyway." The students asked for suggestions from the audience and came up with a scene right off the cuff. The actors and the audience had a great time. It was suchasuccessthatthereareplansformoreImprovshowslaterintheyear!

LJVA NASHER SUMMER INSTITUTE

Thissummer,LJVAseniorsVeronicaYeandHannahGappattendedtheNasher SummerInstituteforTeens.Thisincredibleopportunityallowedthemtomeet and hear from current artists in the field, gallerists, and museum educators aboutthewidearrayofcareersincuration,gallerymanagement,andmuseum education. As part of this select institute, Veronica and Hannah were able to tour Dallas’ top galleries and museums such as the Rachofsky Warehouse, the DallasMuseumofArt,andtheNasherSculptureCenterforabehind-the-scenes peekatthisbranchoffineartmanagement.Togethertheywereaskedtodesign a virtual exhibition and collaborate with a visiting artist to create a group installation at the Nasher Sculpture Center. This constant and deliberate learning to equip their future career path and work as artists is a wonderful representation of what it means to be an Lovejoy artist and leader in LJVA! CongratsHannahandVeronica!

LHS VOLLEYBALL

PROGRAM SWEEP!

LovejoyVolleyballtookonFlowerMoundlastFridaynightandsecuredtheirfirst programsweepofthe2024season!TuesdaynighttheyplayedtheArgyleEagles for their last pre-season game, Varsity and JV were able to secure another victory! Thank you to the K-6 Leopards for coming out Tuesday! Tonight your Leopards kick-off their district season at home against the Anna Coyotes! We hope to see you there, remember it’s RED OUT for homecoming!! Please wish our sub-varsity teams luck on Saturday as they compete in the Frisco ISD Tournament!

BAND IS ON FIRE!

The Lovejoy Band had a terrific performance at the game vs Highland Park. They LOVE supporting our Leopard Football players and coaches. Thebandisonfire!#RollPards

BOARD WORKSHOP

SUMMARY

BOARDOFTRUSTEES

Lovejoy ISD is committed to providing consistent, transparent communication with ourcommunityandemployees.Wehopethis meeting summary will support you in staying connected and informed. Click the image on thelefttoopenthesummaryinGoogleDocs.

Regular Board Meetings and Workshops are nowrecordedandarchivedontheLovejoyISD website. You can access Regular Board Meeting and Workshop recordings by clicking theimageontheright.

The full Regular Board Meeting agenda with supporting documents may be viewedbyclickingtheimageontheleft.

PledgesandRecognitionofPatriots’DayforSeptember11,2024

HartElementarySchool3rdgrader,TatumMitchell,ledthePledgeofAllegiance andtheTexasPledge.

Willow Springs Middle School 8th grader, Cole Manley, led the Patriots’ Day recognitionforSeptember11,2024:

“On September 11, 2001, ordinary Americans performed extraordinary acts of heroism. Firefighters and police officers rushed into crumbling buildings and raging fires to save others. EMTs, construction workers, colleagues, and strangers tended to the wounded. Passengers and crew members gave their livestothwartanotherattack.Andagenerationofwomenandmenanswered the call of duty by joining our Armed Forces to defend our freedom and our democracy.

These patriots people of undaunted courage, uncommon resolve, and unwavering perseverance are forever ingrained in our national character. Theyareremindersthatweareagreatcountrybecauseweareagoodpeople.

On this Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we pay tributetotheheroesandvictimswholosttheirlivesonSeptember11,andwe recommit ourselves to the spirit of unity, patriotism, and service that carried ourNationthroughinthedaysthatfollowed.”

LEOPARD LIFE

TheLeopardLifewebsiteisanewadditiontoLovejoy’swaystostayengaged. SchoolrelatedflyersandcommunitynewswillbesharedontheLeopardLife.

Thisweek'sfeaturedflyersare:

LovejoySwim&DiveFreshPumpkinDelivery(Orderby9/15/2024)

ChipotleFundraiserforSoccerBooster(9/18/2024)

LovejoyLeopards,Inc.16thAnnualGolfTournament-(9/23/2024)

LovejoyGiftedAssociationMembershipRegistration

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!

LJVA SUMMER ART

SHOW INVITATION

Lovejoy Visual Arts (LJVA) would like to invite you to our 3rd annual LJVA AP Studio Art Summer Assignment Show on September 24th, from 5-7! Every summerourAPStudioArtiststakeonavarietyofpromptstoexperimentwith new media, stay in constant practice, and to grow their personal voice in preparationforthecreationoftheirbodyofworkduringtheyear.Startingon thefirstdayofschool,APStudioclassesparticipateinaweek-longcritiqueto buildcommunity,praisecraftsmanship,growideation,practicefollowthrough, and to begin the revision process; helping grow each work into the artist’s personal best. These Summer Assignments are a testament to the artists’ grit and resolve as they build their artistic vocabulary and personal voice with a broadrangeofmaterialsandapproaches.

Please join us as we kick off another amazing year in the LJVA Studios and celebratetheseAPartists’summerworkandthejourneytheyareembarkingon todeveloptheirpersonalbodyofwork.Lightsnackswillbeserved.

*If you are unable to attend the opening on the 24th, please reach out to Brice McCasland@lovejoyisd.net to set up a time to come and tour the gallery 8am-5pm,Sept.24th-Oct.8th.

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 1st through 6th grade. Choose from one of the links below for more information.

Come meet and connect with other parents and district personnel to learn about our SAGE (Special and Gifted Education)programplansfortheyear! Coffee and light snacks will be provided.

September 24th 9:00am - 10:30am (PreK-6thGradeParents)

October 10th 9:00am - 10:30am (7th-12thGradeParents)

Location: Lovejoy Child Development CenterLibrary

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

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!