Connect with Katie.1.09.2026.Issue21

Connect with Katie WEEKLY NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

DECEMBER JANUARY 09, 18,2026 2025

y o j e v o L s d r a p o e L

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT 19 DISTRICT CALENDAR

06

MID YEAR CONVOCATION

20 PUSTER AND STEM

10

SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION

12 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION 13 ANNUAL BUMP UP DAY 14 LEOPARD EXCELLENCE AWARD 16 STEM FEST 2026 18 ATTENDANCE UPDATE

22 LOVEJOY WRESTLERS IMPRESS 24 GIRLS SOCCER 25 LEOPARD LIFE WEBSITE 27 DISTRICT & CAMPUS NEWSLETTERS

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Lovejoy Community, Happy New Year, Lovejoy! We hope this message finds you refreshed, renewed, and ready for an exciting second semester. While winter break offered time for rest and rejuvenation, our schools are once again filled with energy, purpose, and the joy of learning.

School Board Appreciation Month January is School Board Appreciation Month, and I would like to take a moment to express deep gratitude for our Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees.

Our Board members volunteer their time to champion public education, make student-centered decisions, and support our teachers and staff. We are grateful for their dedication and leadership, which help ensure Lovejoy ISD continues to thrive as a district of excellence. Please join me in thanking our outstanding Board of Trustees!

Professional Development and Mid-Year Staff Convocation Our teachers and staff kicked off the semester strong this week, beginning with two days of professional development. We value ongoing professional learning because it strengthens our practice and deepens our capacity to serve students at the highest levels.

Mid-Year Convocation brought our team together at an important moment for Texas public education. As we navigate new legislation, state funding challenges, and declining enrollment across Texas public schools, this time together allowed us to reflect on the broader landscape while reaffirming what remains constant: our unwavering commitment to students. We also celebrated the powerful impact of Lovejoy educators, whose dedication, expertise, and care make a difference every day. In the midst of change, Lovejoy ISD, and our Leopard pride, remain strong.

Mark Your Calendar and Join Us for the Following Family Events!

Lovejoy ISD Annual STEM Fest Saturday, January 24, 2026 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Lovejoy High School Join us for a fun, hands-on celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math at our annual STEM Fest! This family-friendly event is designed for children of all ages and offers engaging activities that spark curiosity, creativity, and learning. STEM Fest is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore, discover, and learn together while celebrating innovation within our Lovejoy community.

Matilda the Musical Make it a memorable family outing with Matilda the Musical, a delightful production that will captivate audiences of all ages. Featuring a live orchestra and an incredibly talented cast, this show promises laughter, heart, and a touch of magic for the entire family. The show runs from January 22 to January 25. Tickets are available for purchase here.

As we begin the second semester, we do so with high expectations, renewed focus, and a shared belief in what our students can achieve. Thank you for your continued support of Lovejoy ISD. We look forward to all that the second half of the school year will bring.

There is only ONE Lovejoy, and we are ALL Leopards!

Lovejoy Proud,

Katie Kordel Superintendent

LOVEJOY MID-YEAR CONVOCATION Lovejoy ISD teachers and staff kicked off the spring semester by coming together for Mid-Year Convocation on Tuesday. This annual gathering is a meaningful opportunity to reconnect as a district, reflect on our goals and culture commitments, and enjoy time together celebrating the heart of Lovejoy ISD. This year’s Lip-Sync Battle featured the theme “One Hit Wonders.”

Superintendent Kordel opened the show and set the tone for a morning full of energy and laughter. For the fourth year in a row, Sloan Creek claimed the top spot in the lip-sync showdown!

Lovejoy ISD extends sincere thanks to Linebarger, Attorneys at Law, for generously sponsoring our Mid-Year Convocation door prizes. Their continued support of both convocations this year is truly appreciated. Thank you for investing in our staff and our district!

ANNUAL LIP-SYNC BATTLE!

AND THE WINNER IS...

SLOAN CREEK INTERMEDIATE

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH January is School Board Recognition Month! Lovejoy ISD proudly recognizes the dedicated members of our Board of Trustees who generously volunteer their time, leadership, and expertise in service of our students, staff, and community. Their commitment plays a vital role in shaping a strong educational foundation and ensuring continued excellence across the district.

Please join us in expressing our sincere appreciation to Julie McLaughlin, Jeff Wood, Marvin Bobo, Aubrey Stock, Mark Wheelis, Jason Jaynes, and Barrett Owens for their steadfast leadership and service.

Thank you, Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees, for your continued dedication to our students and our community.

Intended audience: Willow Springs and Lovejoy HS parents Presenters: Stephani Kranz and Carrie Robbins

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION - MAY 2, 2026 Board of Trustees Filing Period The filing period for the May 2, 2026 school board election is January 14, 2026 February 13, 2026.

Board of Trustee Application Packets will be available for pick-up from Rodricka Taylor, Coordinator for the Superintendent and Board Services, at the Lovejoy ISD Administration Building (259 Country Club Rd., Allen, TX 75002) beginning Monday, January 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM . An Electronic Application Packet can be downloaded HERE. The following positions will be on the May 2, 2026 ballot Place 4 - Mark Wheelis Place 5 - Marvin Bobo May 2, 2026 Election Important Dates First day to file for a place on the General Election Ballot - Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Last day to file for a Place on the General Election Ballot - Friday, February 13, 2026 Last Day to Register to Vote - Thursday, April 2, 2026 Early voting - Monday, April 20, 2026 - Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Election Day - Saturday, May 2, 2026

ANNUAL LOVEJOY BUMP UP DAY Sloan Creek Intermediate, Willow Springs Middle School, and Lovejoy High School will host 4th, 6th, and 8th graders on Friday, February 6, 2026 for Lovejoy ISD’s Annual Bump Up Day. Bump Up Day was created to assist students with transitioning to a new campus and to help generate excitement for the new experiences they will have. Students will travel to the campus they will be attending for the 20262027 school year and have the opportunity to tour the campus, ask questions, and eat lunch.

Student Nutrition will adjust account permissions, allowing students to purchase lunch at the campus they are visiting. Students in 4th and 6th will be charged $4.25 for a regular meal, $5.00 for a premium meal and will need to pay for any “a la carte” or “extras”. 8th Graders who will eat at Lovejoy HIgh School will be charged either $4.75 for a regular meal or $5.50 for a premium meal as well as any “a la carte” or “extras” they choose.

Campuses will be sharing additional information with parents, guardians, and students through email and newsletters as the event gets closer.

Lovejoy ISD has implemented a new Leopard Excellence Team Award this year to recognize grade-level and department teams that exemplify excellence in achieving high levels of student learning. These teams are recognized for their collective commitment to: Planning rigorous, standards-aligned instruction Consistently facilitating active and engaged student learning Using assessment to drive instruction and assess proficiency We are pleased to recognize three outstanding teams that have exemplified excellence through their collaborative focus on supporting students academically.

Willow Spring Middle School Social Studies Team

Hart Elementary Fourth Grade Math Team

Sloan Creek Intermediate Sixth Grade Reading Language Arts Team

STEM FEST2026!

STEM isn’t a program—it’s a way of thinking and doing. In Lovejoy ISD, our vision is that STEM is integrated across the curriculum through intentional, inquiry-driven learning. It empowers students to think critically, collaborate productively, and apply knowledge creatively to real-world challenges. We invite our community to see this mindset in action at STEM Fest, a district-wide celebration of curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

Find Yourself in STEM STEM Fest is designed to be a fully immersive experience where students explore the diverse pathways of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Participants will move through interactive exhibits that bring these disciplines to life off the screen and beyond the classroom: Science & Inquiry: Dive into biology and chemistry by using micropipettes with MiniPCR, extracting DNA from berries, or witnessing "Mad Scientist" demonstrations that "wow" the crowd with live experiments.

Technology & Robotics: Navigate the digital world by piloting a drone, driving a custom robot, or matching data graphs with PASCO technology.

Engineering & Design: Challenge your problem-solving skills by exploring the Engineering Design Process, testing "high-flying" concepts with Rohr Balloons, or designing and simulating roller coasters with our 6th-grade innovators.

Community Connection: Engage with STEM Supporters like the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center and Snapology, and even explore the specialized STEM skills in the field used by Hanson Orthodontics Student Voices & Leadership The heart of STEM Fest is our students. The event provides a platform for our PreK–5th grade learners to take center stage, presenting the STEM designs and activities they have built in class. As you walk through the showcases, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with these young innovators, ask questions about their research and designs, and high-five a student showcasing their work.

While our younger students present, our secondary students will play an integral role in the event. Volunteering their time as mentors and coaches, these older students lead experiments, share technical information, and guide younger learners through interactive exhibits. This mentorship allows them to confidently apply their STEM knowledge in a real-world setting, directly building the future-ready skills, like leadership, communication, and complex problem-solving, that will empower them long after graduation.

Join Us! STEM Fest is a testament to the power of our STEM Supporters Network and our commitment to excellence. Together, we create meaningful experiences that highlight the power, possibility, and real-world impact of STEM.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL Lovejoy Fine Arts cordially invites YOU to attend, Matilda! This Lovejoy Theatre production, with live orchestra, will be a truly magical experience and fun for the whole family!

Click here to get your tickets today!

Performance dates: Thursday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24th at 7:00 p.m. th Sunday, January 25 at 2:00p.m.

Lovejoy High School Auditorium (2350 Estates Pkwy)

ATTENDANCE UPDATE Strong school attendance is correlated with higher academic performance.

Additionally, average Daily Attendance (ADA) is a metric that the State of Texas uses to determine funding for public schools. Each week, this attendance data will be updated so our community is aware of our most recent ADA.

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.

PUSTER STUDENTS KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH STEM As students returned to campus after Winter Break, classrooms at Puster Elementary were once again buzzing with curiosity and creativity. Students jumped right back into learning, especially in STEM, where hands-on experiences bring concepts to life.

From building homemade wigglebots to calculating the area of their “word of the year,” students are engaged, creative, and strengthening critical-thinking skills. It has been wonderful to see our Puster students reconnect with their teachers and peers and begin the spring semester with enthusiasm and a love of learning.

LOVEJOY WRESTLERS IMPRESS AT TEXAS OUTLAW Lovejoy Wrestling competed at the Texas Outlaw Tournament this past weekend in Allen, turning in strong performances against tough competition.

Congratulations to Aro Ogle-Garza, who earned a 2nd-place finish, highlighted by a first-period pin over a Fargo All-American in the semifinals to secure her spot in the finals. Landon Davis also delivered an impressive showing in a highly competitive 144-pound bracket, wrestling back to place 6th after defeating multiple challenging opponents.

Lovejoy Wrestling has been putting in the work over winter break and looks ahead with excitement to the next opportunity to compete. Keep up the great work!

STRONG START FOR GIRLS SOCCER Congratulations to the varsity girls soccer team who opened the season with a perfect 3–0 start at the Andie Studley Memorial Showcase. The Leopards earned wins over Rockwall (3–0), Rowlett (9–0), and Vandegrift (1–0). Scoring leaders included Kinley Short, Ella York, Kenzie Lavender, Annsley Dercks, Lainey Pierce, Claire Beveridge, and Kylee Dziubinski. Goalkeepers Emma Jarboe and Mickey Wideman secured three clean sheets with strong defensive support from the back line.

The JV girls soccer team also started the season 3–0 at the showcase, defeating Allen (1–0), Sachse (1–0), and Rockwall (3–0). Goals were scored by Lily De Luna, Ava Lowe, and Emily Armstrong. Goalkeeper Rachel Walsh and the JV defense earned three clean sheets to complete a strong opening weekend for Lovejoy soccer.

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: Last Chance to be a Homerun Hero! (Jan 9) Junior Leopard Mini Cheer Camp (Jan 31st) 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

Connect with Katie. January 09, 2026. Issue 21