Connect with Katie.10.07.2022.Issue10

Connect with Katie

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LOVEJOY

PARTNERS

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Lovejoy Community,

Custodians are a vital and valued part of Team Lovejoy. October 2nd was custodian appreciation day. It was an important day to pause and recognize the significant contributions of our custodians. I want to extend a deep heartfelt thank you to each Lovejoy ISD custodian. Lovejoy ISD schools are clean and inviting places for our students and staff to learn and work because of their hard work and dedication.

We currently have 27 custodians and over the last 15 months they have shouldered an extra workload due to labor shortages. Like many school districts and businesses, we have custodial position openings. We currently have 6 vacancies. The Lovejoy Custodial Team is led by Rigo Valdivia. Mr. Valdivia is a servant leader who rolls up his sleeves on a daily basis to fill in the gaps. He consistently models an attitude of caring and commitment.

Custodial workers often operate behind the scenes and they can be underappreciated for the hard work they do each day. This is not the case at Sloan Creek Intermediate School. Each Friday, two homeroom classes of students stay after school and bag the trash and recycling in order to support the custodial staff. These amazing students started a trend that is spreading and a few staff members have also been spotted bagging trash, wiping down restrooms and going the extra mile to ensure our custodians know how much we appreciate them. We also have students that have started helping to clean up the cafeteria after they finish their lunch.

Superintendent's Message Continued

Mrs. Halpin, Sloan Creek Principal, shared "We want our custodians to know that we value them and appreciate the work that they do. Jose, our main custodian is the first to arrive at school and the last to leave and giving him a little time back on Fridays is the least we can do."

When you ask Sloan Creek students their thoughts, they are equally happy to help. Bronson Bowcutt, SCIS 5th grader, stated, "It was fun and I liked helping." Another 5th grader, Gabriel Shriver, said, "It was really cool because you got to go on a tour of the school like it was the first day of school and you get to help. It was also fun."

I am tremendously proud of our Sloan Creek Intermediate School students for living our core value of One Heart One Lovejoy. Lovejoy ISD has a proud legacy of excellence in academics, athletics, and fine arts. I am extremely proud that we are also building a legacy of service and kindness.

There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we ar

VOTER-APPROVED TAX RATE ELECTION

VATRE Weekly Fast Fact: Over 65 Exemption

DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Parent and Community Engagement

Lovejoy ISD is proud to offer senior citizens the opportunity to be a part of our school district. The Silver Leopard Club engages senior community members through school district events, performances, and district updates!

Applications for our 2022 2023 Silver Leopard program have been extended until Wednesday, October 12th.

Courageous Principals

This past weekend, LISD campus and district leadership attended the Deloitte's Courageous Principals Training in Westlake. The award winning, global school leadership development program equips K 12 leaders with the necessary skills to become more effective and ensure that students can reach their full potential.

Principal Appreciation Month

Throughout the month of October Lovejoy will be in celebrating our amazing principals and their commitment to every student and staff member's success! Principals drive the culture, expectations, and priorities on their campus aligning them with Lovejoy's graduate profile, district priorities and core values. Furthermore, our Lovejoy principals place a strong emphasis on building and maintaining positive relationships with every student, parent, and staff member on their campus.

Faith Leaders

The Lovejoy ISD Superintendent's Office enjoyed hosting a breakfast this week for faith leaders in out community. The morning was filled with fellowship and partnership.

Snack Cart

Snack Cart Deliveries Continued

DISTRICT CALENDAR

October 2022

Month of October October 7 October 10 October 11 October 12 October 13 October 17 October 21 October 24

Principal Appreciation Month

Fall Break - No School

Fall Break - No School

Columbus Day & Indigenous Peoples' Day

Board of Trustees Workshop - LCDC Library

(Tuesday Due to Holiday) Closed Session @ 5:30PM in D100

Open Session is expected to begin at approximately 6:00PM

Texas Education Human Resources Day

VATRE Community Presentation

Zoom Link: Click HERE Passcode: 873072

National Boss's Day

Early Release - Leopard Friday!

Board of Trustees Workshop - LCDC Library

(Tuesday Due to Holiday) Closed Session @ 5:30PM in D100

Open Session is expected to begin at approximately 6:00PM

Student Calendar Link

Athletics Calendar Link

District & Campus Calendars Link

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

STUDENT ACTIVITIES & RECOGNITIONS

Celebrating Differences

This week Ms. Harper's class did a very cool STEM activity to celebrate being "Different" by creating pumpkins of all colors, shapes, and sizes! They also created a graphic organizer on all the interesting ways we are different and then wrote about why it's "cool" to be different.

"We love to be different, just like Spookley!"

VFW Gifts Book about Veterans to Hart Elementary

VFW Post 2195 Allen member

Larry Nordgaard presented Hart Elementary School librarian Kristin Dawson with a signed copy of Tori Meyer’s book “Journey Home: A Thank You to American Veterans”. A young girl talks to an American soldier in the park. After asking her mother what war and freedom are, through the eyes of a finch she takes an imaginary journey around the world where she sees him protecting our freedoms.

Mr. Nordgaard also shared information regarding the VFW's youth scholarship opportunities: Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy. To learn more: CLICK HERE.

LHS

All in the Timing

Lovejoy High School Theatre presented their production of All in The Timing, by David Ives on September 30 and October 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm.

Wit, intellect, satire and just plain fun! This production featured nine diverse and interesting one act comedies. They ranged from the sentimental to the absurd, but were all equally hysterical. Every scene focused on the way that people utilize language, and deconstructed the perspectives people have on life and meaning.

All in the Timing used inspired language and word play to examine various attempts at relationships and communication with comical results. It was an evening filled with laughter. Bravo Theatre!

All

the

Wylie Marching Invitational

The Lovejoy Band Competed in the Wylie Marching Invitational this past Saturday. This is a yearly contest featuring some of the best 5A and 6A bands from DFW fighting it out in open class competition. The Lovejoy Band finished 3rd in their class and 6th overall after securing one of the 10 spots in finals that evening. Go band!

Next stop, Region 25 UIL on October 15th, at Kimbrough Stadium in Murphy at 2:15pm. Check it out!

Sprint Invitational: Swim and Dive

The Varsity Swim Team competed at the Frisco Sprint Invitational September 24. Overall the girls came in 4th place and the boys came in 5th place. What a great way to start the season!

Top finishers include:

Maria Faoro Diving 1st place

Kyra Chagarlamudi, Julia Stall, Grace Hu, Isabella Iannarelli 50 Medley Relay 6th place

Austin Stone, Chris Pages, Sam Reagan, Beau Rice Boys 50 Medley Relay 3rd place

Austin Stone 25 Free 6th place

Chris Pages 50 Free 6th place

Camryn Sperling, Heidi Porter, Devon Karras, Julia Stall 100 Free Relay 4th place

Julia Stall, Camryn Sperling, Grace Hu, Heidi Porter 200 Free Relay 6th place

Austin Stone, Beau Rice, Sean Easley, Chris Pages 200 Free Relay 5th place

Girls Cross Country Wins BIG

The girls Cross Country team traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas last weekend where they got to face off with teams from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. We raced in two divisions, and we WON both divisions! This was a big day for our girls as we also defeated the #4 ranked team in the Nation, Southlake Carroll. The Cross Country team will be racing in the District Championship at Myers Park in McKinney starting at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, October 11th. Come out and watch these amazing kids dominate the District!!

Reading with the Leopards

football, fishing and baseball have all enjoyed

*Reading with the Leopards photo credit: Becky Dugan Hand

Reading with the Leopards Continued

*Reading with the Leopards photo credit: Becky Dugan Hand

School Custodian Appreciation Week!

School custodians are the first to arrive each day and they keep our schools clean and healthy. Lovejoy's custodians make lasting positive impressions on our students, staff and visitors through big and small acts of kindness! They hold a very special place in #TeamLovejoy!

Thank TYou hank You

FORMAKINGEVERYDAY

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Wendy Craft Principal, Hart Elementary

Professional Background

During my 25 years in education, I have had the privilege to serve as a 3rd 5th grade teacher, GT Teacher, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal. I have had the honor of serving our district since 2009.

This is my 14th year at Lovejoy ISD. I have served as principal at Sloan Creek Intermediate, Lovejoy Elementary, and Hart Elementary. Bachelor’s Degree Texas A&M University Master’s Degree Concordia University Participant in the Principals’ Center at Harvard Graduate School of Education, sponsored by Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation

Personal Highlights: Roles and Responsibilities

My husband, Darryll, is the Head Basketball coach at McKinney North, and we have been married for 24 years. We often joke that we are a house divided.

We are incredibly proud of our two sons, JD, a financial analyst at Kroll, and Will, a freshman at Texas A&M University. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, shopping, and spending time with the people that I love.

Drive student success by defining and leading the culture, expectations, and priorities of a campus in alignment with Lovejoy's graduate profile, district priorities and core values Building and maintaining positive relationships with students, parents, and staff members.

Collaboration, Connection, Community

As both a Lovejoy parent and principal, I have had the opportunity to experience Lovejoy's most unique and special characteristic, the profoundly deep relationships and partnerships that exist between parents, teachers, students and our community. Collaboration, Connection, and Community are guiding principles, as well as actions, that strengthen the educational experience of every student in Lovejoy.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Holly Haynes

Principal, Puster Elementary

Professional Background

23rd year in Education

11th year in Lovejoy ISD

Graduated from University of Central MO with Bachelors in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Graduated from University of MO with Masters in Curriculum and Instruction

Principal Certificate from Lamar University

Taught Kinder, First, Second and Third Grades

Reading/Language Arts Instructional Coach for Grades Pre K 5

RtI Facilitator grades K 5

Assistant Principal at Puster for 3 years

Serving 4th year as Principal at Puster

Personal Highlights:

I was born and raised in Sedalia, Missouri. I did not visit Texas until I moved here with my husband, Chad, in 2006. Chad and I have one son, Graham, who is an 8th grader at Willow Springs. I love to cook especially all of the savory fall foods. College game day is a big deal with lots of food in our house!

Roles and Responsibilities

Drive student success by defining and leading the culture, expectations, and priorities of a campus in alignment with Lovejoy's graduate profile, district priorities and core values.

Building and maintaining positive relationships with students, parents, and staff members.

Collaboration, Connection, Community

Collaboration, Connection and Community these are the foundation to student success at Puster! We strive to involve all stakeholders in making Puster Elementary the best place to be for students, staff and our community. Amazing things happen for kids when we are all working in the same direction!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Lovejoy Community,

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 and fully aware, so we can come together as a community for our children.

Tuesday October 11, 2022 Board Workshop Public Notice

You may find the full agenda

our district's BoardBook

The Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees

Barrett Owens, President

Amy Smith, Vice President

Anne Smith, Secretary

Julie McLaughlin, Trustee Jeff Wood, Trustee

Marvin Bobo, Trustee Jason Jaynes, Trustee

Leopard Life

Leopard Life

The Lovejoy ISD Community News website is intended to facilitate connections and raise awareness of local events, activities, fundraisers and organizations that might interest Lovejoy families. The information featured on the Community News website is submitted by community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizations and does not claim to endorse them. Check out the new Community News format!

U E S T E D U C A T O R S

HEALTH

Key Take Aways

Students and/or staff who have tested positive for COVID 19 may return in 5 days if they have been fever and symptom free for 24 hours. (Change from 10 days for students)

Students with a COVID-19 household member who has tested positive are no longer required to quarantine. The district will not maintain a local “dashboard”, reporting positive cases. The district is required to report positive cases to the state. A link will be provided on the website that reflects this information for the district.

health screener QR code will remain in place at each campus for volunteers and visitors to complete.