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OCTOBER 3, 2025
Lovejoy Leopards Lovejoy Leopards
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
LovejoyCommunity,
I am thrilled to share some INCREDIBLE news, LovejoyISDisnowhometothree U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts! Alumni Caroline Matthews ('25)andVeronicaYe('25)havebeennamed2025 Presidential Scholars in the arts. This is the first time our District has ever had two Presidential Scholars in the same year! Out of thousands of candidates nationwide, only 20 students were honored across disciplines, including visual arts, design, dance, classical music, jazz, film, and theater.CarolinewastheonlyDesignerselectedin the entire country, and Veronica was one of just four
VisualArtists.EllaReaugh(‘22)beganthelegacyasourfirstU.S.Presidential
Scholar in the Arts in 2022. More information can be found on page six of the newsletter. Words cannot express how Lovejoy Proud we are of our visual arts students,educators,andprogram.
TheTraditionBegins:InauguralLovejoyHighSchoolHomecomingParade
We are excited to invite you to Lovejoy ISD’s first-ever Homecoming Parade on Monday,October6,2025,beginningat6:00p.m.atHeritageRanch.Welook forwardtocelebratingthisnewspecialtraditionwithourstudents,families,and community!
NationalMeritBreakfast
On Wednesday morning, I had the privilege of joining our National Merit commended and finalists students for breakfast. These students have worked tirelessly to earn this prestigious recognition. Our National Merit Scholarship ProgramSemifinalistsareinagroupoflessthan1%ofU.S.highschoolseniors! Weareextraordinarilyproudofthewaythesestudentscholarshavecontributed toLovejoyISD’slegacyofacademicexcellence.
CommunityEngagementOpportunities:
Lovejoy2030StrategicPlanningCommittee
Applications are now open for Lovejoy ISD parents and community members interested in serving on the Lovejoy 2030 Strategic Planning Committee. The purpose of the committee is to provide feedback, guidance, and community perspective as we update and execute the district’s long-range strategic plan. TheapplicationwillcloseonOctober31st.Clickheretoapplytoday.
BondImplementationCommittee
TheBoardalsoapprovedtheformationofaBondImplementationCommitteeto provide feedback and guidance on bond-funded projects. The first meeting is anticipatedinNovember2025.ApplicationswillcloseonMonday,October13th at8:00am.Clickheretoapplytoday.
NationalPrincipalAppreciationMonth
OctoberisPrincipalAppreciationMonth.Weareextraordinarilygratefulforeach of our Lovejoy ISD Principals They carry the responsibility of leading their schoolswithprofessiona t, fostersgrowth,andinsp
ToourincredibleLovejo nd unwaveringcommitmen
Wishingyouaweekendf
LovejoyProud,
KatieKordel Superintendent
LOVEJOY VISUAL ARTS PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
Lovejoy Visual Arts is ecstatic to announce that Caroline Matthews ('25) and VeronicaYe('25)havebeennamed2025U.S.PresidentialScholarsintheArts!
Out of thousands of candidates nationwide, only 20 young artists were honored thisyearacrossdisciplines,includingvisualarts(4),design(1),dance(3),classical music(7),jazz(1),film(1)andtheater(3).CarolinewastheonlyDesignerselected intheentirecountry,andVeronicawasoneofjustfourVisualArtistschosenfor thisincomparablyprestigiousaward.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars award is one of the highest honors a high school studentcanachieve.Eachyear,upto161seniorsarecelebratedfortheiracademic excellence,leadership,creativity,andservicetotheircommunities.Beingnameda Presidential Scholar in the Arts places Caroline and Veronica among the 5 most accomplishedandinspiringyoungvisualartistsintheUnitedStates.
Clive Chang, President and CEO of YoungArts, said, “The 2025 class of U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts inspires us to think creatively and critically about the world around us. It is a thrill to have these young change-makers in the YoungArts community, and we look forward to supporting these artists throughout their careers.”
LJVA and Lovejoy ISD could not be prouder of Caroline and Veronica for this incredible honor. Both embody the selflessness, work personalvision,anddedicationtocommunitythatourpr allofourartists.Congratulations,CarolineandVeronica!B
NATIONAL PRINCIPALS APPRECIATION MONTH
October is National Principal Appreciation Month! Join us in celebrating our outstanding principals in Lovejoy ISD! We are deeply grateful for their leadershipandcommitmenttoeverystudentandstaffmember'ssuccess.
This week we are celebrating Jamie Flemmer, Coordinator of the Lovejoy ChildhoodDevelopmentCenter!
THANK YOU LOVEJOY CUSTODIANS
On National Custodian Day, we proudly celebratedtheunsungheroeswhokeepLovejoy ISD’s campuses shining! Our custodians’ hard work ensures every classroom and hallway is safe, clean, and welcoming for students and staff.
To show our appreciation, custodians were surprisedwithgoodiebags,anewOperationstshirt, and special lunches across several campuses.
Thank you, custodians, for making Lovejoy a clean,safe,andhappyplacetolearnandgrow!
LOVEJOY THEATRE PRESENTS: DIVINERS
Get your tickets!! Lovejoy Theatre Company invites you to their upcoming performance,TheDiviners! Recommendedforages14+duetomaturethemes.
SetinsouthernIndianaduringtheearly1930s,thestoryfollowsyoungBuddyand his unlikely friendship with C.C. Showers, a disenchanted traveling preacher who takes a job with the boy’s father. The town has been without a church for more thanadecade,andhispresencestirsbothhopeandsuspicionamongitspeople.As Showers bonds with Buddy, a young boy longing for guidance, the community learns he has abandoned preaching, shattering their expectations and setting the stageforthetragiceventsthatfollow.
DISTRICT REMINDERS
ParadeSafety&Rules
We are very excited for Lovejoy ISD’s Inaugural Homecoming Parade on Monday, October 6, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at HeritageRanch.
This exciting new tradition will showcase colorfulfloats,fineartsperformances,athletic teams, and school sponsored student groups from Lovejoy High School. We can’t wait to celebrate together and encourage our entire Lovejoy community to join us in cheering on ourLeopards!
To help ensure a safe and enjoyable event, pleasereviewthefollowingimportantdetails:
Spectatorsshouldremainonthesidewalks,outoftheparaderoute,andclosely superviseyoungchildren.
Lawnchairsandblanketsmaybeset-uponsidewalksalongtheparadepath. Candywillbehandedouttospectatorsratherthanthrown. Non-alcoholicbeveragesonly.
Arrival&Parking
IMPORTANT:Spectatorsmustarrivebetween4:00p.m.-5:30p.m.
ScenicRanchCircle(theparaderoute)willcloseat5:30p.m.totrafficforstaging. Carpoolingisencouragedtoensureadequateparkingforall. Parkingzoneshavebeenestablishedforsafetyandtrafficflow.
Spectators are encouraged to park in the northwest and northeast parking zonesfirst(seeparaderouteandparkingmapbelow).
Pleaseparkonthesamesideasoddnumberedhouses. Donotparkonorblocktheparaderoute.
CourtesyReminder
Weaskallattendeestoberespectfulofyards,homes,andpropertyatHeritageRanch whileenjoyingtheparade.
We are beyond excited to celebrate Homecoming with our Lovejoy community and lookforwardtoseeingyouonOctober6!GoLeopards!
DISTRICT REMINDERS
LovejoyFamiliesandCommunityMembers:
The Annual Lovejoy Letter Campaign is almost here! Parents and students are invited to participateinthisbelovedtraditionbywritingappreciationlettersforeachofourteachers and staff members across the District. These letters are collected at each campus, sorted, andsharedjustbeforeThanksgivingbreak.
The letters do not have to be elaborate or lengthy. The purpose is simply to express gratitudeforLovejoy’steachers,staff,andadministration.It’sawonderfulopportunitytolet eachstaffmemberknowtheyarevaluedandtorecognizethedifferencetheymakeevery day.Thisyear’scampaignwillrunfromMondayOctober20ththroughMondayNovember 10th.
After Fall Break, please place your letter in a clearly labeled envelope including the staff/teacher’s first and last name, the campus and LLC (Lovejoy Letter Campaign). There willbecollectionboxesavailableatallcampusesintheDistrict.Thefinaldayfordropoffis MondayNovember10th.
The letter writing campaign has become a beloved tradition in the District. The PTO is gratefulforthecommunity’stimeandeffortinhelpingexpressappreciationforallthatthe teachersandstaffdo!Communitymembersareencouragedtosharethismessageandhelp spread the word about the campaign. Let’s come together to show Lovejoy teachers and staffhowmuchtheyaretrulyappreciated!
DISTRICT REMINDERS
Lovejoy ISD is excited to launch the Lovejoy x ALL SZNS Spirit Wear Collection!
Pre-order by Sunday, October 5 to guarantee pickup at Leopard Friday on October 24. Orders placed after October 5 will be contacted when theiritemsarereadyforpick-up.
ClickHeretoOrder
Thiscollaborationnotonlyshowsoff your Leopard pride, but also generates revenue to support teachers, classrooms, and programs acrossLovejoyISD.
This October, all Lovejoy ISD libraries are excited to host a creative new project: Book Character or Nonfiction Tissue Boxes!
Students are invited to transform a new, unopened tissue box into eitherafavoritebookcharacterora fascinating nonfiction subject completewithfunfacts.
This project is designed to be imaginative, family-friendly, and a funwayforstudentstobringbooks tolifewhilecelebratingreadingand creativity across the district. We can’twaittoseewhattheycreate!
DISTRICT REMINDERS
CallingallLovejoyparentsandcommunity members: We’re looking for community members to serve on this important advisory group, helping guide the planning, progress, and use of bondfundedprojects.
Committeememberswill:
Review project plans, timelines, and progress
Monitor that expenditures match the approvedbondscope
Share input and updates with the community
Supporttransparencyandpublictrust
The committee will include 12-15 members, meet at least once every 9 weeks,andbegininNovember.
Apply by: Monday, October 13, 2025, at 9:00am
Notifications: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Lovejoy ISD parents and community members, your voice matters in shaping the future of ourdistrict.
Weareseekingvolunteerstoserve on the Lovejoy 2030 Strategic Planning Committee. This group will review progress on goals, provide feedback, and help guide ourlong-rangevision.
The deadline to apply is October 31.ApplyHere!
SCHOOL LIBRARY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees approved establishing a School Library Advisory Council (SLAC) during the August 25, 2025 board meeting. Texas Education Code 33.025 allows a District to establish a School Library Advisory Council(SLAC)toassisttheDistrictinensuringthatlocalcommunityvaluesare reflectedineachschoollibrarycatalogintheDistrict.
ThedutiesoftheSLACincluderecommendingtotheBoardofTrustees:policies and procedures for the acquisition of library materials; recommending library materials appropriate at each grade level and campus; joint agreements for partnershipswithlocalpubliclibrariesandcommunityorganizations;removalof library materials the SLAC determines to be harmful or materials containing indecentcontentorprofanecontentthatisinconsistentwithcommunityvalues or age appropriateness; processes and procedures for library materials challenges;andactiontakenbytheBoardinresponsetothechallenge.
TheSLACmustconsistofatleastfivemembers,witheachmemberappointedby the Board of Trustees, and each Trustee appointing an equal number of members. A majority of the voting members of the SLAC must be persons who areparentsofstudentsenrolledintheDistrictandwhoarenotemployedbythe District.OneofthosemembersoftheSLACshallserveaschairofthecouncil.The BoardofTrusteesmayalsoappointoneormorepersonstoserveasnonvoting membersoftheSLACfromthefollowinggroups:classroomteachersemployed bytheDistrict;librariansemployedbytheDistrict;schoolcounselorsemployed by the District; school administrators employed by the District; business community;andclergy.
TheSLACshallmeetatleasttwotimesperyearandatothertimesasnecessary tofulfillthecouncil’sduties.
Pleasecompletetheattachedformtoexpressinterestinbeingconsideredasa member of the Lovejoy iSD School Library Advisory Council. Please contact Dr. LaurieTinsleylaurie_tinsley@lovejoyisd.netforquestions.
ATTENDANCE UPDATE
Strong school attendance is correlated with higher academic performance. Additionally,averageDailyAttendance(ADA)isametricthattheStateofTexas usestodeterminefundingforpublicschools.Eachweek,thisattendancedata willbeupdatedsoourcommunityisawareofourmostrecentADA.
Report an Absence
The District has implemented a new process to streamline absence reporting. To notify your campus attendance office about your student’s absence, complete yourcampuses"ReportanAbsence"form whichcanbefound:
CampusWebsite(toprightcorner)
DISTRICT CALENDAR
READING WITH THE LEOPARDS AT HART
Hart Elementary welcomed Lovejoy student-athletes and Ready-Set-Teach participantsforaspecialReadingwiththeLeopards.Studentsenjoyedstoriesand time with role models from baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling, football, and Ready-Set-Teach.Itwasagreatmorningoflearning,laughter,andLeopardpride!
SUPPORTING YOUNG READERS AT HART
During Leopard Time at Hart Elementary, Ms. Hicks, MTSS Specialist, teamed up withMs.Pateltosupportstudentsindevelopingtheirreadingskills.Tostrengthen both reading comprehension and practice, Ms. Hicks demonstrated effective readingstrategies,guidingstudentsonhowtofocusandreflectonwhattheylearn fromtexts.
Students applied these strategies by using sticky notes to track their thinking, sharinginsightswithpartners,andreadingindependently.Thisteachingstrategy encouragesameaningfulshiftfromteacher-ledtostudent-drivenlearning.Atthe same time, Ms. Hicks provided in-the-moment coaching, offering strategies tailoredtotheneedsofthegroup.
While this small group instruction was taking place, other Kindergarten students were engaged in personalized learning through Waggle, an HMH resource that supportsphonicsdevelopment,allowingalllearnerstogrowattheirownpace.
SLOAN CREEK VISITS DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART
OnTuesday,SloanCreek’s6thgradeartstudentsexploredtheDallasMuseumof Artonanexcitingacademicfieldtrip.Insmallgroups,studentstouredcollection highlightswithexpertdocents,connectingclassroomlearningtorealworksofart someover5,000yearsold!
The experience aligned directly with art TEKS, encouraging students to observe, analyze, and interpret while making cultural and historical connections. It also reflected Lovejoy ISD’s pillars by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration through meaningful dialogue around art. Students shared insights with peers and guides, strengthening communication skills and broadening their globalperspective.
Fieldtripslikethissparkcuriosity,deepenappreciationforthearts,andreinforce Lovejoy’s commitment to authentic, hands-on learning. As one student shared, “ThiswasthebestfieldtripI’veeverbeenon!”
LUCAS FARMERS MARKET WITH LOVEJOY ROBOTICS
Lovejoy Robotics Club students volunteered this past Saturday at the Lucas Farmer'sMarkettoshowhowtheypreparefortheVEXV5Competitions.Student volunteersspenttimewithallagesdiscussingthestagesoftheengineeringdesign process. We had notebooking, computer aided design or CAD, building, coding, anddrivingstationssetup.
PleasesavethedateofNovember1stfrom8am-5pmattheLovejoyHighSchool Gymforourfirstcompetitionoftheseason.Admissionisfreetoeveryone!Wehave 50teamsscheduledtoattendfromacrossTexasandOklahoma!
BAND TRIUMPHS AT WYLIE INVITATIONAL!
On Saturday, September 27, the Lovejoy High School Band delivered two outstandingperformancesattheWylieMarchingInvitational.Inthepreliminaries, thebandimpressedthejudgeswiththeirmusicalexcellence,receiving1stand3rd placerankingsfromtwoofthemusicjudgesandearning3rdplaceoverallinthe5A division.Thatevening,thebandreturnedtothefieldforthefinalsagainstahighly competitive lineup of programs from multiple classifications. In this round, they placed9thoverall.Judgespraisedthestudents’musicalityandprecision,andthe bandalsoadvancedinthevisualcategories,earning5thand7thplacerankings. These results reflect the hard work and dedication of both students and staff, showcasingLovejoy’sstrengthamongatalentedfieldofcompetitors.
BOARD MEETING 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 viewed by clickingtheimageontheleft.
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.
Community Coffee Talk
Community Coffee talks are 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.
February11,2025@8:00a.m.
LovejoyHighSchool Library
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!
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
Lovejoy Leopards Lovejoy Leopards
