Connect with Katie.11.08.2024.Issue15 by Lovejoy ISD

Connect with Katie

NOVEMBER

08, 2024

Lovejoy Lovejoy Leopards Leopards

from the Superintendent MESSAGE

LovejoyCommunity,

We are thrilled to share that Lovejoy ISD is the proud home of the 2024-2025 Boys Cross Country BacktoBackStateChampions!Congratulationsto Coach Logan Kelly and his team on this truly remarkableaccomplishment.

Wearealsoincrediblyproudofthe2024-2025Girls CrossCountryteam,whoearnedtheStateRunnerUp title! Congratulations to Coach Carly Littlefield and andherdedicatedathletes.CoachLittlefieldwasalsohonoredatthestatemeet astheNationalFederationofStateHighSchoolAssociationsCoachoftheYear.

I had the privilege of attending the UIL 5A State Cross Country Meet in Round Rocklastweek,whereIwatchedourteamsgiveexceptionalperformancesand receive their well-deserved medals. While we celebrate their impressive accomplishments, what stands out most is the strong culture of the program and the outstanding character of these athletes. Coach Kelly and Coach Littlefieldhavebuiltaprogramthatnotonlyachievesexcellenceonthecourse butalsoprioritizescharacterandapositiveteamculture.Wearegratefultothe coaches,athletes,andparentswhohavecollaboratedtocreatethisexemplary program.

Today,weheldmanyofourVeteransDayrecognitionevents,astherewillbeno school on Monday. I was deeply moved by the care and respect our students, staff,andparentsshowedinhonoringthesacrificesourveteranshavemadeto protectourfreedom.Ihopethatthebraveryandvalorofthemenandwomen whoserveinourmilitaryremindusallofboththecostandvalueofourliberty. Inthisnewsletter,youwillfindalistofourdedicatedLovejoyISDstaffmembers whoaremilitaryveterans.Pleasejoinmeinexpressingourheartfeltgratitude fortheirserviceandsacrifice.

Eachmonth,wecelebrateateacherandasupportstaffmemberateachofour schools through our Heart of the Teacher and Heart of Support recognition program.Thismorning,wehadthejoyofsurprisingourincredibleteachersand staff with this special recognition. We hope you enjoy their photos and take a momenttoreadabouttheamazingimpacttheyaremaking.Aspecialthankyou to Tonya Walker, Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, for generously sponsoring the giftcardsthataccompanythisrecognition.

This week Lovejoy ISD hosted a Special Olympics Bocce Ball tournament at Willow Springs Middle School. Our Lovejoy athletes, PALS, and Special Education department delivered a phenomenal event. We are excited to share moreinformationandpictureswithyounextweek.

Wishingyouaweekendfilledwithloveandjoy.

ThereisonlyONELOVEJOY,andweareALLLEOPARDS!

LovejoyProud, KatieKordel

Superintendent

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS!

LovejoyISDisproudtocelebrateourLeopardCrossCountryteamswhocompetedat StatelastweekendwithBOTHteamsearningaplaceonthepodiumonceagain!

Theboysteamisthe5ABACKTOBACKSTATECHAMPIONS!!

Thegirlsteamisthe5ASTATERUNNER-UP!!

Lovejoy Cross Country is thankful for their teammates and families who came to supportthem!LovejoyISDisbeyondproudofourstudentathletesandthewaythey competed to achieve this goal! Congratulations to Coach Logan Kelly, Coach Carly Littlefield, and our Boys and Girls Cross Country Athletes on their truly incredible achievements!

Lovejoy Boys Cross Country Team

5A BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPIONS

Lovejoy Girls Cross Country Team

5A STATE RUNNER-UP

SENIOR NIGHT

At the football game Friday, November 1st Lovejoy ISD recognized seniors in Football, Band, Majestics, Color Guard, Cheer, Cross Country, Fall Tennis, Fall Golf,andAthleticTrainers.Th t d t h h wnexemplarydedicationto their training and teams. ud of these well rounded talented, and hardworkin pa

LovejoyHighSchoolSenior

LOVEJOY K-12

ART FAIR

Join us for the 1st Annual K-12 LJVA Holiday Art Fair on December 7th from 8 AM - 2 PM, where the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship of Lovejoyartistswillbeonfulldisplay!

Featuring artwork and bespoke goods from students across every campus, this exciting new tradition offers a unique opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts for the holiday season. Enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and light breakfast fare as you you explore an inspiring collection of art and handcrafted items, all while supportingtheincredibletalentwithinourLovejoycommunity.

Don’tmissthisfestivecelebrationofstudentartistry!Ifyouare a student artist interested in participating, use the QR code belowtoapplyforabooth!

DISTRICT

RECOGNITIONS

Last week, at Friday’s varsity football game, Lovejoy ISD honored three very importantcommunitymembers/groupsthateachhaveanincredibleimpacton Lovejoy’s students and programs. We are proud to share the following celebrations:

RyanDental,AnchorSponsor

LovejoyISDwasproudtointroduceourGame NightSponsor,RyanDentalGroup.Dr.Michael Ryan and Dr. Laura Ryan are accompanied at thegamebytheirthreechildren:CooperRyan, Junior at Lovejoy High School and Varsity Kicker,KaraRyan,8thgraderatWillowSprings, andRileyRyan,7thgraderatWillowSprings.

As an Anchor Sponsor, Ryan Dental, represents Lovejoy's highest level of advertising sponsor. We are deeply appreciative to the Ryan Dental team for theirsupportandcontributiontothecommunity.Wearehonoredtorecognize RyanDentalGroupwithacertificateofappreciationintheLovejoyPressBox.

LovejoyISDwasproudtorecognizeourbraveFirstResponders,City,Countyand LocalLeadersfortheirsacrificeandunwaveringsupportforourstudents,staff, parents and community. The following leaders and organizations were representedandrecognizedatthefootballgamelastFriday!

FromtheLucasFireDepartment:

EngineerSethDeckerandourLucasFireman

FromtheCollinCountySheriff'sOffice: SheriffJimSkinnerandourCollinCountySheriff’sDeputies

FromtheDepartmentofPublicSafety:

SergeantsBrittaniDarbyandChristianVicunaandourDPSTroopers

FromtheFederalBureauofInvestigation: SpecialAgentMikeLarrazoloandourFBIAgents

FromtheCityofAllen:

MayorBaineBrooks,CityCouncilmanBenTrahanandCityCouncilmanMichael Schaffer

FromtheCityofLucas: MayorDustyKuykendallandCityManagerJohnWhitsell

FromLovejoyIndependentSchoolDistrict:

DirectorofSafetyandSecurityCaseyLittlefieldandourownLovejoyISDSchool Marshals!

There are not enough words to truly thank our first responders for their dedication to keeping our students and community safe. On behalf of every parentandstudentinthiscommunity,wethankyouforeverythingyoudo!

Game Day Teachers of the Week:

Sarah Robertson, 3rd Grade Math & Science Teacher, Puster Elementary

Terri Roberts, 3rd Grade Reading & Language Arts Teacher, Puster Elementary

Wendy Hebert, Music Teacher, Hart Elementary

DJ Lopez, PE Coach, Hart Elementary (not pictured)

REMINDER:

NO SCHOOL NOV. 11

Leopard Reminder: No School Monday, November 11th for a StudentHoliday&TeacherPlanning Day. All campuses will be closed. Administration will be open 9am3pm.

LOVEJOY LETTER

CAMPAIGN

Lovejoy Families and CommunityMembers:

The Annual Lovejoy Letter Campaign for teachers and staff members is officially underway! Many of you are familiar with this beloved tradition,butforthoseofyou who are not, it is the time of year when we write appreciation letters for each of our teachers and staff membersacrosstheDistrict.

The letters do not have to be elaborate or lengthy. The goal is for people to writeanoteofthankstoshowappreciationtotheirteachers,thestaffandour administration. It is an opportunity for us to take the time to let each person whomakesadifferenceforusthroughouttheschoolyearknowhowmuchwe valuethem.

This year’s campaign started Monday, October 21st and runs through Friday, November15th.Pleaseplaceyourletterinaclearlylabeledenvelopeincluding thestaff/teacher’sname,thecampusandLLC(LovejoyLetterCampaign).There willbecollectionboxesavailableatallcampusesintheDistrict.Thelastdayfor dropoffisFridayNovember15th.

Let’sshowourLovejoyteachersandstaffjusthowmuchweappreciatethem!

�� LCDCPieSign-UpGenius

�� HartPieSign-UpGenius �� PusterPieSign-UpGenius �� SCISPieSign-UpGenius

�� WSMSPieSign-UpGenius

�� LHSPieSign-UpGenius

LOVEJOY READS

SORA CHALLENGE

This November and December, we invite all Lovejoystudentsandteacherstodiveintothe world of reading with our exciting Sora challenge!

Thetop20readersfromeachcampuswillearn exclusive keychain designs crafted by your Lovejoylibrarians!

Butthat’snotall!Thecampuswiththehighest totalreadingminuteswillbecrowned

crownedtheTopWinner!Thestandoutreadersfromthatcampuswillreceiveaspecial prizedesignedbyourtalentedLovejoylibrarians.Learnmore--->t.ly/k6Gsc

Let’s soar through these pages together and make this a reading challenge to remember!Happyreading!

HONORING OUR VETERANS

Lovejoy ISD offers our deepest gratitude for our Lovejoy staff, parent, and communitymember’ssignificantserviceandsacrifice.Thankyou,Veterans.

Veterans Day events and recognitions have begun across Lovejoy ISD. Please check your campus newsletters for events dates and times of family and communityeventsatyourschool.

A very special thank you to our Lovejoy ISD Current and Former Service Members:

JulieBoyd,Army,Transportation

JoseCorrea,Army,Transportation

JasonFerrebee,Army,LovejoyHighSchool

JorgeJacquez,Army,LovejoyHighSchool

ElwoodNolan,Army,Administration

MikeRodriguez,Army,LovejoyHighSchool

ChrisSmith,Army,HartElementary

StephanieWood,AirForce,LovejoyHighSchool

Next week we are will continue honoring our Veterans with photos of events andrecognitionsfromaroundtheDistrict!

Jose Correa, Army, Transportation

Jorge Jacquez, Army, Lovejoy High School

Stephanie Wood, Air Force, Lovejoy High School

Jason Ferrebee, Army, Lovejoy High School

Mike Rodriguez, Army, Lovejoy High School

LOVEJOY ISD

Fine Arts Festival December 3rd

- 12th, 2024

Tuesday, Dec. 3, - Dance & Color Guard Showcase

6:30 pm, Lovejoy High School Auditorium

Thursday, Dec. 5th - Visual Arts K12 Evolution Gallery Opening

5:00 - 7:30 pm, Lovejoy High School Gallery

Dec. 6th - 12th - Visual Art K12 Evolution Gallery Exhibition

5:00 - 7:30 pm, Lovejoy High School Gallery

Dec. 5th, 6th, & 7th - LHS Theatre Charlotte’s Web

7:00 pm, Lovejoy High School Auditorium

Saturday, Dec. 7th - LJVA K12 Holiday Art Fair

8:00 am - 2:00 pm, Lovejoy High School Courtyard

Monday, Dec. 9 - Lovejoy Choir Program

Lovejoy High School Auditorium

5:30 pm Hart & Puster Elementary Combined Choirs

6:15 pm Sloan Creek Choir Concert

7:00 pm Willow Springs & Lovejoy HS Choir Concert

Tuesday, Dec. 10 - Lovejoy Orchestra Concert

Lovejoy High School Auditorium

5:30 pm Sloan Creek Orchestra

6:00 pm Willow Springs & LHS Orchestras

Thursday, Dec. 12 - Lovejoy Band Concert

Lovejoy High School Auditorium

6:00 pm SCIS Band

6:30 pm WSMS

7:30 pm LHS Band

PTO PARENT PROGRAMS

Join us for a candid discussion about the world of college admission. The program will include a presentation by current Lovejoy parent, Andrea Paz Frost, who will share her perspective from 20+ years of experience workingasacollegeadmissionofficer.Andrea will also share impressions as a parent who recentlynavigatedtheadmissionprocesswith aLovejoysenior. Wewilltalkopenlyabouttopicsincluding: -Thecurrentadmissionprocess -PlanningAhead -Howbesttomanagethestressoftheprocess

Join district staff as we review the suicide prevention program utilized in the district with students at WSMS and LHS.

We will review general information on suicide prevention as well as specific information on the program so you knowhowtosupportyourstudent.

ThisisaBrownBagsession,soconnectfromyourPCviathelinkbelow. JoinZoomMeeting https://lovejoyisd.zoom.us/j/97497632290? pwd=CUW5Wake3dvlJcAleMcnGipywPoBcJ.1

MeetingID:97497632290 Passcode:711916

DAY

Happy National STEM/STEAM Day! Today we recognize our Lovejoy students, educators, and community members dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering in education!

The future ready skills learned in STEM equips students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills that are crucial for success. STEM programssparkaloveforlearninganda passionthatcouldchangetheworld.

ATTENDANCE

STEM/STEAM UPDATE

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

DISTRICT CALENDAR

PUSTER SMALL

GROUP LEARNING

Small group instruction is where the magic happens! At Puster Elementary, Miss Nunnenkamp’s kids read independently while working to find the central idea and detailstonoteinreadingresponsejournals.Mrs.Price'sstudentsrefertoalearning targetandsuccesscriteriaspecifictoeachsmallgroup'sneeds.

ThereislotsoflearninggoingoninkinderatPustertoo.Justcheckoutthesehappy littlelearners!

VOLLEYBALL

BI-DISTRICT CHAMPS!

Lovejoy Volleyball secured the bi-district round Tuesday night with a three set sweep against the Hallsville Bobcats. Tonight they will take on the Lone Star RangersatWalnutGroveHighSchoolfortheirareaplayoffgame!Gametimeis 6:30pmandwehopetoseeyouthereinRED!#OnAMission

LEOPARD LIFE

TheLeopardLifewebsiteisanewadditiontoLovejoy’swaystostayengaged. SchoolrelatedflyersandcommunitynewswillbesharedontheLeopardLife.

Thisweek'sfeaturedflyersare:

LHSCheerAnnualHolidayGreenerySale(DeadlineNov.12)

MajesticsSpiritNightatBuffCitySoap(Nov.14th)

LovejoyBandSpiritwearSale(DeadlineNov.15th)

LovejoySoccerUpper90BoosterClub(Nov.20th)

CommunityNews

Can't remember where you saw a flyer? Not a problem! Leopard Life is connected to all campus newsletters, Connect with Katie, campus websites, ANDLovejoyISDmobileapp!

Tryout Information for the 2025-2026 Majestics!!!

Attention all LHS 9th-11th graders. Have you ever been interested in being a member of the Majestics Dance Team? Dance Team Tryouts for next year’s team are coming up. Audition packets are now availabletoparentsandstudents.Formore information, or to pick up a packet please see Ms. Simone in the dance gym, room E130 OR email your request to jacklyn simone@lovejoyisd.net.

Additionally, an IMPORTANT parent & candidate information meeting is next Tuesday,November12th at7:00pmintheLHSLectureHall.Bothstudentsanda parentorguardianwillwanttoattendthismeetingtoobtainanauditionpacket and receive important information and requirements for the upcoming Tryouts. Wehopetoseeyouthere!

Visitourwebsitewww.majesticsdance.org

Lovejoy Theatre would like to invite you to an enchanting evening featuring a beautiful, knowing play about friendship, "Charlotte's Web."

Lovejoy Theatre will perform "Charlotte's Web" on Dec. 5th, 6th, and7that7:00pmintheLovejoyHigh School auditorium. Bring the whole family! Tickets are $5.00 for students, seniors,andstaffand$10.00foradults and will be available starting November13thhere.

ExtendedDayLeopardAcademyisan opportunity for your child to participate in enrichment activities onhisorhercampusbeforeandafter school. Our goal is that these enrichment opportunities will allow our Lovejoy Leopards to develop creativity and critical thinking skills through activities related to their personalinterests.

Registrationisopenforthefollowing academies for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Choose from one of the links below formoreinformation.

Lovejoy SAT Prep classes are openforregistration.Clickhere tolearnmoreandregister!

BOARD ACADEMY

REGISTRATION

The Lovejoy ISD Board Academy is designed for anyone considering public service on the Board of Trustees as those that would like to learn more about local school district governance. School Board Members will explain the roles and responsibilities of serving on the Board, review the statestate-required training requirements, and discuss the difference between Boardoversightandday-to-dayoperationsofthedistrict.Informationwillalso be shared on the guidance, logistics, and timelines to run for a Board of Trustees seat. The Board Academy will be on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from1:00p.m.to3:00p.m.

This is 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.

September4,2024

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!