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DECEMBER 18 2025 JANUARY 16, 2026

Lovejoy Leopards Lovejoy Leopards

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

LovejoyCommunity,

HappyFriday,LovejoyISD!Ithasbeenanexciting week filled with learning, accomplishments, and Leopardprideacrossourdistrict.

Lovejoy High School Earns Platinum Achievement on College Board’s 2025 AP HonorRoll

We are proud to share that Lovejoy High School has earned Platinum Achievement on the CollegeBoard’s2025APHonorRoll.Thisisthe highest distinction awarded by the College Board.Thisprestigiousdistinctionreflectsan

exceptional level of student participation and performance on Advanced Placement(AP)examsandunderscoresourstudents’strongacademicpreparation and college readiness. The Platinum designation highlights Lovejoy High School’s continued commitment to high expectations, academic excellence, and preparing students for postsecondary success. Congratulations to our remarkable students andincredibleAPteachersonthissignificantaccomplishment!Youcanfindmore detailsonpage7ofthisnewsletter.

UILCheerStateCompetition

Let’scheeronourLeopardsasloudlyastheycheerforus!TheLovejoyHighSchool Cheer Team competes this evening at 7:45 p.m. at the Fort Worth Convention Center for the UIL 5A State Spirit Competition. We wish our cheerleaders the very best.GoLeopards!

RoboticsCompetition

BestoflucktoourLovejoyHighSchoolRoboticsTeamastheycompetetomorrow intheirSignatureTournament,RobotRodeo,inIrving.Openingceremoniesbegin at10:15a.m.Weareproudofourstudentsfortheirgrit,teamwork,andproblemsolvingskills.Innovationinmotion…let’sgoLovejoyRobotics!

BumpUpDay

SloanCreekIntermediate,WillowSpringsMiddleSchool,andLovejoyHighSchool willhostcurrent4th,6th,and8thgradestudentsonFriday,February6,2026,for Lovejoy ISD’s Annual Bump Up Day. This special day supports students in their transition to their next school while building excitement for the year ahead. Studentswilltourtheirfutureschool,learnaboutopportunities,andenjoylunch astheyprepareforthe2026-2027schoolyear.Moreinformationcanbefoundon page12ofthisnewsletter.

HolidayWeekendReminder

Asareminder,LovejoyISDwillobserveathree-dayholidayweekendandwehope everyoneenjoystheextendedbreak.

We are grateful for the amazing students, remarkable educators and supportive communitythatmakeLovejoyISDsuchaspecialplace.

ThereisonlyONELovejoy,andweareALLLeopards! LovejoyProud,

Congratulations to Avery on graduating from the Lovejoy ISD Transition Program! We wish her all the best as she begins this exciting new journey. Once a Leopard, always a Leopard!

Alumni Alert: Superintendent Kordel serves on the Fairview Rotary Club and was excited to welcome the newest member, Jelanie Rainey, Lovejoy High School Class of 2012

o ejoy S sp oudtos a et at o ejoy g Sc ool asbee a edtot e Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction. This national recognition reflects the dedication of Lovejoy High Schoolstudents,teachers,andcampusleaderstoastrongcultureofacademic rigorandexcellence.

LovejoyHighSchoolClassof2025 exceeded APSchoolHonorRollcriteria: 85%ofgraduatestookatleast1APexam 67%ofstudentsearnedascoreof3orhigher 44%took5+APexams,includingonein9 or10 grade th th

Lovejoy High School’s AP® courses enable students to pursue college-level studies – with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both – while still in high school. AP® courses challenge students to think critically,constructsolidarguments,andseemanysidesofantopic,skillsthat prepare them for college and beyond. Additionally, taking AP® courses may demonstratetocollegeadmissionsofficersthatstudentshavesoughtthemost challengingcurriculumavailabletothem.

LovejoyHighSchoolResults

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 LovejoyISD’sAnnualBumpUpDay.

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 20262027schoolyearandhavetheopportunitytotourthecampus,askquestions, andeatlunch.

Student Nutrition will adjust account permissions, allowing students to purchaselunchatthecampustheyarevisiting.Studentsin4thand6thwillbe charged$4.25foraregularmeal,$5.00forapremiummealandwillneedtopay forany“alacarte”or“extras”.8thGraderswhowilleatatLovejoyHIghSchool willbechargedeither$4.75foraregularmealor$5.50forapremiummealas wellasany“alacarte”or“extras”theychoose.

Campuses will be sharing additional information with parents, guardians, and studentsthroughemailandnewslettersastheeventgetscloser.

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 inviteourcommunitytoseethismindsetinactionatSTEMFest,adistrict-wide celebrationofcuriosity,creativity,andinnovation.

FindYourselfinSTEM

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

Science&Inquiry:Diveintobiologyandchemistrybyusingmicropipettes with MiniPCR, extracting DNA from berries, or witnessing "Mad Scientist" demonstrationsthat"wow"thecrowdwithliveexperiments.

Technology & Robotics: Navigate the digital world by piloting a drone, drivingacustomrobot,ormatchingdatagraphswithPASCOtechnology.

Engineering&Design:Challengeyourproblem-solvingskillsbyexploring the Engineering Design Process, testing "high-flying" concepts with Rohr Balloons, or designing and simulating roller coasters with our 6th-grade innovators.

CommunityConnection:EngagewithSTEMSupportersliketheBlackland Prairie Raptor Center and Snapology, and even explore the specialized STEMskillsinthefieldusedbyHansonOrthodontics

StudentVoices&Leadership

The heart of STEM Fest is our students. The event provides a platform for our PreK–5thgradelearnerstotakecenterstage,presentingtheSTEMdesignsand 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, theseolderstudentsleadexperiments,sharetechnicalinformation,andguide youngerlearnersthroughinteractiveexhibits.Thismentorshipallowsthemto confidently apply their STEM knowledge in a real-world setting, directly buildingthefuture-readyskills,likeleadership,communication,andcomplex problem-solving,thatwillempowerthemlongaftergraduation.

JoinUs!

STEMFestisatestamenttothepowerofourSTEMSupportersNetworkand our commitment to excellence. Together, we create meaningful experiences thathighlightthepower,possibility,andreal-worldimpactofSTEM.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL

LovejoyFineArtscordiallyinvitesYOUto attend, Matilda! This Lovejoy Theatre production, with live orchestra, will be a truly magical experience and fun for the wholefamily!

Clickheretogetyourticketstoday!

Performancedates:

Thursday,January22ndat7:00p.m. Friday,January23rdat7:00p.m. Saturday,January24that7:00p.m. Sunday,January25 at2:00p.m. th

LovejoyHighSchoolAuditorium (2350EstatesPkwy)

ATTENDANCE UPDATE

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

DISTRICT CALENDAR

CELEBRATING READING AT PUSTER

Puster Elementary loves their Book Vending Machine! It is one of several positive reward systems designed to recognize students for their hard work, good choices, and commitment to learning. By earning books of their own, students are encouraged to build a lifelong love of reading while being recognizedfortheireffortsbothinandoutoftheclassroom.

PUSTER THIRD GRADERS

WRITE WITH PURPOSE

Pens are moving and ideas are flowing in Puster Elementary’s third-grade classrooms! Students are writing opinion essays focused on how to make Puster an even better place. They selected their topics, identified their audience,andarethoughtfullyexplainingwhytheirideasmatter.Mrs.Wagner maywanttokeepaneyeonherinbox,somegreatideasareheadedherway!

LUNCH BUNCH AT SLOAN CREEK

Lunch Bunch at Sloan Creek has resumed after winter break. Students were invitedtosignuptoenjoylunchinthelibrarywhileparticipatinginfun,weekly activities. This week, students played board games and worked on the TinkercadchallengeinpreparationforSTEMFest.

WSMS WRESTLING DELIVERS BIG WINS

WillowSpringsWrestlingcompetedattheCoppellKOInvitationalTournament thispastweekendanddeliveredanoutstandingperformance.Sixteenofthe22 wrestlersplaced,including11first-placefinishesandfivethird-placefinishes!

ThefutureisbrightfortheLovejoyWrestlingprogram,asthesemiddleschool athletescontinuetoworkhard,leadbyexample,andupholdhighstandardsin both the classroom and the practice room. Congratulations to the Willow Springs wrestlers and thank you to Coach Ledford and Coach Schuh for their leadershipanddedicationtogrowingtheLovejoyWrestlingprogram.

LOVEJOY BAND EARNS ALL-STATE HONORS

Lovejoy ISD is proud to recognize the following Lovejoy Band students for earningaplaceintheTexasAll-StateBand,oneofthehighesthonorsinstudent music:

•SarahGable–BbClarinet,Senior

•IanMarshall–BassClarinet,Junior

•NolanHummel–Trombone,Senior

•DevinGoins–Percussion,Junior

•MaxRattleff–Percussion,Senior four-timeAll-Statemember

Selected through a highly competitive audition process, these students demonstrated outstanding musicianship and dedication. Congratulations on representingLovejoyISDwithexcellence!

STRONG START FOR BOYS SOCCER

The Lovejoy Boys Varsity Soccer team opened the season with a perfect 3–0 weekend,earningvictoriesoverNorthForney(2–1),NewmanSmith(3–2),and Garland High (4–0). The Leopards will kick off district play on January 20 againstAnnaatLovejoyHighSchool.

TRANSITION ACADEMY

VISITS ALLEN LIBRARY

Transition Academy students enjoyed a meaningful learning experience this morning as they toured the Allen Public Library alongside their high school PALS.Thevisitprovidedstudentswithanopportunitytoexploreacommunity resourceandlearnmoreaboutthecommunityinwhichtheylive.

PERFECT WEEKEND FOR GIRLS SOCCER

ThevarsitygirlssoccerteamwentundefeatedattheAllisonHornTournament, finishing3–0andimprovingtheirseasonrecordto6–0.TheLeopardsopened with a 2–0 win over Lone Star, followed by a 1–0 victory against Midland Legacy, and closed the weekend with a 3–0 win over HSAA. Brenna Wallace, Kinley Short, Morgan Suder, Claire Beveridge, and Ella York all found the net during the tournament. Goalkeepers Emma Jarboe and Mickey Wideman recorded three clean sheets with strong defensive support, helping the team carrymomentumintotheGeorgetownTournamentthisweekend.

BOARD MEETING INVITATION

DearLovejoyCommunity,

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 andfullyaware,sowecancometogetherasacommunityforourchildren.

January20,2026PublicNoticeWebsite

You may find the full agenda with supporting documentation on our district's BoardBookPremierwebsiteHERE.

Sincerely,

Julie McLaughlin, President

Jeff

Wood, Vice President

Marvin Bobo, Secretary

TheLovejoyISDBoardofTrustees

Aubrey Stock, Trustee

Mark

Wheelis, Trustee

Jason Jaynes, Trustee

Barrett Owens, Trustee

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ELECTION - MAY 2, 2026

BoardofTrusteesFilingPeriod

ThefilingperiodfortheMay2,2026schoolboardelectionisJanuary14,2026February13,2026.

BoardofTrusteeApplicationPacketswillbeavailableforpick-upfromRodricka Taylor,CoordinatorfortheSuperintendentandBoardServices,attheLovejoy ISD Administration Building (259 Country Club Rd., Allen, TX 75002) beginning Monday,January12,2026at8:00AM.AnElectronicApplicationPacketcanbe downloadedHERE.

ThefollowingpositionswillbeontheMay2,2026ballot

Place4-MarkWheelis

Place5-MarvinBobo

May2,2026ElectionImportantDates

First day to file for a place on the General Election Ballot - Wednesday, January14,2026

LastdaytofileforaPlaceontheGeneralElectionBallot-Friday,February 13,2026

LastDaytoRegistertoVote-Thursday,April2,2026

Earlyvoting-Monday,April20,2026-Tuesday,April28,2026

ElectionDay-Saturday,May2,2026

LEOPARD LIFE WEBSITE

LovejoyISDhasanunparalleledsenseofcommunityandconnectioncenteredon student opportunity. In support of this collective commitment, the Leopard Life websiteshowcasesawiderangeofevents,activities,andfundraisersorganizedby boosterclubs,PTOs,athletics,finearts,individualcampuses,andmore! Leopard Lifeisprominentlyfeaturedacrosscampusanddistrictwebsites,highlightedinall newsletters,andeasilyaccessiblethroughtheLovejoyISDmobileapp.

Please note: the information featured in the "Community News" section is submitted by local community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizationsanddoesnotclaimtoendorsethem.

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!