Connect with Katie
OCTOBER 10, 2025
Lovejoy Leopards Lovejoy Leopards
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
LovejoyCommunity,
Homecoming week has been full of connection, communityandLeopardSpirit! Aheartfeltthank youtoHeritageRanchforgraciouslyhostingour Inaugural Homecoming Parade. Their beautiful community provided the perfect backdrop for this special celebration, and their hospitality made the event truly memorable. We also want toextendoursinceregratitudetoourcommunity members for the incredible support and spirit you showed our students by coming out to celebratewithus.Yourenthusiasmandpresence madethisfirstparadeanunforgettablesuccess!
AsweheadintoFridayNightLightsandtonight’shomecomingfootballgame,we encourage everyone to come out and fill Leopard Stadium with excitement and energy. Tonight’s Homecoming Game will be an opportunity to honor Lovejoy alumni! We are especially excited to welcome members of the very first graduatingclassof2010astheycelebratetheir15-yearreunion.Welcomehome, alumni.OnceaLeopard,alwaysaLeopard!
The next edition of Connect with Katie will be a special Homecoming edition, featuringphotosandhighlightsfromallofthisweek’sfestivities.Welookforward tosharingthosejoyfulmomentswithourentirecommunity.
LeadershipLovejoy
This week, we kicked off our first session with the Leadership Lovejoy Class of 2026.Itwaswonderfulgettingtoknowparentsfromacrossthedistrictandgiving them a behind the scenes experience. During our time together, we had the opportunity to share information about our School Marshal Program. As part of the presentation, our Chief Drone Operator and School Marshal, Jorge Jacquez, providedademonstrationofourDroneasFirstResponderProgram.
As we approach Fall Break next week, I hope each of you take time to recharge, andenjoymomentswithfamilyandfriends.Whetheryouaretraveling,attending local events, or simply resting at home, this time away offers a valuable opportunitytoreflectandrefreshaswepreparefortheexcitingmonthsahead.
ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportofLovejoyISD,ourstudents,andourstaff. Together,wecontinuetomakeLovejoynotjustanexceptionalschooldistrict,but auniquelyspecialcommunity.
WishingallofourLeopardsafallbreakfilledwithloveandjoy.
LovejoyProud,
KatieKordel Superintendent
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 Shannon Acosta, Principal of Hart Elementary School, and Chrissy Wagner, Principal of Puster Elementary School! Their leadership and commitment to building strong, supportive elementary school communitiesmakesalastingimpacteveryday!
NATIONAL COACHES DAY
October 6 was National Coaches Day, and Lovejoy ISD proudly celebrated the remarkable coaches who lead, mentor, and inspire our student-athletes each day. From early practices to late-night games, ourcoachesgoaboveandbeyond instilling values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance that extendfarbeyondthefieldorcourt. Their dedication shapes not only skilled athletes but also confident, resilient young leaders. Thank you to all our Leopard coaches for the lastingimpactyoumakeinthelives of our students and in our community!
FALL BREAK NEXT WEEK
ANNUAL LOVEJOY LETTER CAMPAIGN
LovejoyFamiliesandCommunityMembers:
TheAnnualLovejoyLetterCampaignisalmosthere!Parentsandstudentsareinvitedto participate in this beloved tradition by writing appreciation letters for each of our teachers 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’sawonderfulopportunity to let each staff member know they are valued and to recognize the difference they make every day. This year’s campaign will run from Monday October 20th through MondayNovember10th.
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). TherewillbecollectionboxesavailableatallcampusesintheDistrict.Thefinaldayfor dropoffisMondayNovember10th.
TheletterwritingcampaignhasbecomeabelovedtraditionintheDistrict.ThePTOis gratefulforthecommunity’stimeandeffortinhelpingexpressappreciationforallthat theteachersandstaffdo!Communitymembersareencouragedtosharethismessage and help spread the word about the campaign. Let’s come together to show Lovejoy teachersandstaffhowmuchtheyaretrulyappreciated!
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!
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:
DISTRICT CALENDAR
FIRE DEPARTMENT VISITS LOVEJOY CDC
LCDCstudentshadanexcitingvisitfromtheFairviewFireDepartment!Ourlittlest learnerslovedmeetingthefirefighters,exploringthefiretruck,andlearningmore abouthowthesecommunityhelperskeepussafe.
THIRD ANNUAL WSMS COLOR RUN
OnFriday,September26th,WillowSpringsMiddleSchoolhosteditsthirdannual Color Run, with approximately 150 students participating in the colorful and energetic event. Students had a blast running the course and ended the day by racing through vibrant clouds of color powder, creating lasting memories with friends.
Theeventkickedoffduringtheschooldaywithaspiritedpeprally,whereWSMS’s talented fine arts groups performed and brought incredible energy to the crowd. LovejoyLeopardpridewasonfulldisplayasstudentscheeredfortheirclassmates andshowedtheirschoolspirit.
Willow Springs is especially grateful to their PTO for providing dedicated volunteers to help make this day possible. PTO’s support, along with Willow Springs’amazingstaff,helpedensureafunandsafeeventforeveryoneinvolved.
The Color Run is a wonderful tradition that brings students together each year, remindingusofallofthestrength,creativity,andLeopardschoolspiritthatmake WillowSpringsafunplacetolearnandgrow
FRESHMAN ENGLISH ENGAGED IN LITERACY
Freshmen English students participated in a literacy activity designed to prepare them for reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Working collaboratively, the students explored key vocabulary from the novel, using visuals to help connect the words with their meanings. They also made predictions about the story based on the vocabulary and accompanying images. The activity served to build background knowledge and spark curiosity prior to beginning the classic text. Students’ participationandenthusiasmsetthestageforthoughtfulreadinganddiscussion intheweeksahead.
LOVEJOY BAND SHINES AT MCKINNEY INVITATIONAL
The Lovejoy Band delivered a strong and expressive performance at this weekend’s McKinney Marching Invitational, earning praise from judges for their musical excellence and visual clarity. The band narrowly missed advancing to finalsbyjustthreepoints.
Throughoutthelongday,studentsdemonstratedprofessionalism,teamwork,and Lovejoypride.Oneparentfromanotherschoolevenwrotetosharehowimpressed they were by the students’ enthusiasm and kindness in the stands, cheering for everybandwithgenuinespirit.
Theirperformancehighlightedthecharacter,class,andheartofLovejoystudents as leaders who represent the district with excellence both on and off the field. LovejoyBandisdeeplyappreciativetothededicatedstaff,parentvolunteers,and chaperonesformakingthedaypossible.
The band now looks forward to continuing its momentum at the Celina competitionthisSaturday,takinganothersteptowarditsUILgoals.
LOVEJOY TENNIS SWEEPS WHITEHOUSE
YourLovejoyTennisTeamwontheir1stroundBi-Districtmatchthisweekinthe5A TeamTennisPlayoffs10-0overWhitehouseHighSchool!Theteamnowadvances to the Area round this Thursday versus the winner of Highland Park and Frisco Emerson.GoLeopardTennis!
BOYS GOLF SETS A NEW RECORD
The Lovejoy Boys Golf team had an excellent performance this weekend in Cleburne, finishing 2nd out of 17 teams. The Leopards set a new program record for a two-day total score, shooting 293 on day one and 301 on day two for an impressive594total.
SeniorDavidRuggeritiedtheschoolrecordforasingle-dayperformancewitha6under-par 66 and followed it up with an even-par 72 on day two to finish 2nd overall.
SophomoreKalebOrshalickpostedastrongshowingaswell,shooting74onday oneandfollowingwitha1-under-par71ondaytwo.Histwo-daytotalof145(+1) earnedhima7thplaceoverallfinishforthetournament.
LEOPARD FISHING
LeopardFishingrepresentedatthe2 THSBATournamentoftheseasonwith17 boatsonLakeLewisvillecompetingagainst210NorthTexasDivisionteams.
WehadagreatshowingforLeopardFishingwith15outofour17teamsweighinginfish.Thetop3LeopardFishingteamsweightwas41.79lbs.,whichwasenough fortheoveralltournamentwinofthirdplaceforLovejoy.
Congratulationstoallofouranglers:
NickRoweandOwenQuinlan 5fish17.14lbs. 5thplace
LiamQuinlanandGavinQuinlan 5fish13.42lbs. 11thplace
EvanWyattandAndyTurnbow 4fish11.23lbs. 15thplace
SuttonWehking 3fish8.83lbs.
PatrickAhearnandCarsonDaniels 2fish6.87lbs.
AidanGoshert 2fish 5.90lbs.
TeddyTaylorandTannerWammack 1fish4.75lbs.
CutlerRalph 1fish4.41lbs.
PriceRigginsandSuttonGriffin 2fish3.30lbs.
DiegoNguyenandLandonDavis 1fish2.84lbs.
MacCurryandCohenMonda 1fish2.81lbs.
CooperLindseyandJacksonWorthy 1fish2.32lbs. CameronLopezandChristianLopez 1fish2.12lbs.
LowenStubbsandCadeCarter 1fish1.98lbs.
JoelKnightandEvanWheeler 1fish1.49lbs.
LOVEJOY ORCHESTRAS SHINE ACROSS THE DISTRICT!
TheLovejoyOrchestraprogramcelebratedawonderfulweekofmusicwiththree concerts across the district, showcasing the incredible talent and growth of its studentmusicians.
On Tuesday, September 30, the Sloan Creek Beginner Orchestra, under the directionofViriAshby,BrandiePhillips,andSarahMoffatt,performedforparents in a concert highlighting their journey from the very first day of unpacking their instruments to their impressive accomplishment of playing with both bow and fingers together. Their enthusiasm and progress in just eight short weeks were nothingshortofremarkable!
The celebration continued on Wednesday, October 1, as the four Willow Springs MiddleSchoolOrchestras,directedbyAshleyDickensandGabrielRamon,tookthe stage. All four ensembles performed with excitement and confidence, proudly demonstratingtheirgrowthandmusicality.
The week concluded on Thursday, October 2, when the Lovejoy High School Orchestras, under the direction of Brandie Phillips and Sarah Moffatt, dazzled audiences with performances that ranged from classical masterpieces to spooky seasonalselections theperfectwaytowelcomeOctober.
Acrossallcampuses,studentsperformedwithartistry,teamwork,andheart.The Lov heir ded
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY DOMINATES AT DISTRICT
The Lady Leopards Cross Country teams swept the District Championship! The Varsityteamscored18pointsandwillmoveontotheRegionalChampionshipon October20thinArlington.TheJVteamdominatedthecompetitionwithaperfect scoreof15pointsandfinishingwiththetop12runnersintherace!
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY QUALIFIES FOR REGIONALS
The Lovejoy Boys Cross Country team had an outstanding showing at the UIL District 9-5A Championship on Tuesday, October 7. The Varsity Boys placed 3rd overall,qualifyingfortheRegionII-5AChampionshipforthe19thconsecutiveyear.
TristanArceneauwasnamedDistrictMVP.Inaddition,TristanArceneauandJoey ReidearnedVarsityAll-DistrictHonorsfortheiroutstandingperformances.
TheJVBoysteamalsodeliveredanimpressiveperformance,finishing2ndoverall. Will Murphy (3rd), Kipton DuBois (8th), and Bryce Morales (10th) all placed in the top10oftheJVdivision.Inaddition,WillMurphy,KiptonDuBois,DeclanKeating, andHadenSnyderwerenamedtothe9-5AAll-FreshmanTeam.
Congratulationstoallourrunnersfortheirhardwork,dedication,andcontinued success!
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
Connect with Katie . October 10, 2025. Issue 12