Connect with Katie.12.02.2022.Issue17

Connect with Katie

W E E K L Y N E W S A N D I N F O R M A T I O N F R O M T H E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T

DECEMBER 2, 2022

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Lovejoy Community,

In anticipation of the Texas Legislature’s 88th regular session beginning in January, the Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees Legislative Subcommittee developed draft Legislative Priorities. The Board will consider formal adoption of these Legislative Priorities at their December 12th meeting.

Support for our students, teachers, and schools has never been more important. I encourage you to review the draft Legislative Priorities on the following pages. In the coming weeks, a resource for community reference including templates for communicating with our state level representatives, district fact sheet, and legislative talking points will be shared.

I invite you to attend our annual Lovejoy Independent School District Fine Arts Festival. Our annual Fine Arts Festival takes place today, December 2nd from 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m., and tomorrow, Saturday, December 3rd, from 10 a.m. 9 p.m. at Lovejoy High School.

You can come for one or two performances or stay and enjoy more of the festivities. In addition to concerts and performances, K 12 student visual art will be on display in our student run art gallery as well as throughout the high school. If you want to be a more active participant, our high school AP art students will be giving workshops from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

I can assure you that you will be both delighted and impressed. The annual Fine Arts Festival is one of my very favorite Lovejoy ISD traditions. There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS!

Katie Kordel Superintendent

DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

LHS Celebration of Learning

Lovejoy High School Precalculus teacher team presented the process they are using to differentiate instruction for students based on data sources at Monday's Board Meeting. LHS student representatives shared the impact of the targeted instruction that is occurring during Leopard Time.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES & RECOGNITIONS

Senior Majestics Perform at Macy's Day Parade

Five seniors from our Lovejoy Majestics Dance team will performed with the Spirit of America dancers during the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. The performance aired nationwide on Thanksgiving morning!

Spirit of America Internship

Kynan Lowrance was an intern with Spirit of America to research a career in producing parade performances for her senior project, and she got to shoot confetti at the Macy's Day parade as part of her internship!

We are #LovejoyProud of Kynan for her initiative and exploration of this unique career path!

Simi Fadel - National YoungArts Finalist

Join us in celebrating Simi Fadel, Lovejoy High School senior, for being selected as a national YoungArts finalist! This national competition is one of the most esteemed visual arts organizations and contests for high school artists and is recognized as one of the highest accomplishments possible as an emerging artist.

As a finalist, Simi has been invited to travel to Miami for National YoungArts week (January 8 15, 2023) for an all expense paid week long intensive with 150 peers to work with a faculty of professional artists, participate in interdisciplinary and media specific master classes, develop her current processes, and be eligible for a nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts ('22 LHS alum Ella Reaugh won this award last year).

We could not be more proud of Simi and are so excited for her to represent Lovejoy on the national stage! Read Simi's Author Statement HERE.

STAFF RECOGNITIONS

November 2022 Heart of Lovejoy

November 2022 Heart of Lovejoy

November 2022 Heart of Lovejoy

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Alex Roman Maintenance Supervisor

Professional Background

Began career in the Operations Department at Twin Creek Hospital 15 years with Lovejoy ISD in the Operations Department

HVAC Certificate Technician

Personal Highlights:

I have four amazing kids, Alex, Mathew, Sylvia, and Michael. They always make sure to keep me busy, even after work.

We have one dog named Elvis, he is a very loud yorkie who is never quiet at night, but we love him regardless. We love watching good movies together and playing sports, especially soccer.

Roles and Responsibilities

Plans and supervises the daily maintenance and grounds services for the District to ensure that all the facilities, equipment, and mechanical systems are properly functioning and operating. Manages facilities construction and remodeling projects. Operates and maintains District's energy management systems. Ensures compliance with Federal, State and local building codes.

Collaboration, Connection, Community

In the fifteen years that I have been in this school district, I have learned that the Lovejoy community is vital to success. From staff to students, everyone makes a commitment to ensure the school environment is in proper condition. Collaborating with many wonderful people in Lovejoy has shown me that maintaining a proper environment and neat facility conditions can truly help students have a safe and successful education.

Contact Information

Email: alex roman@lovejoyisd.net Work Phone: 469.742.8000

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Lovejoy ISD is committed to providing consistent, transparent communication with our community and employees. We hope this meeting summary will support you in staying connected and informed.

November 28, 2022 Board Meeting Summary

Additionally, Regular Board Meetings and Workshops are now recorded and archived on the Lovejoy ISD website. You can access recordings by clicking the picture to the right. Passwords are noted below the recording links.

Board Meeting Continued

Elijah Saenz, kindergartener at Puster Elementary School led the pledges.

State Board of Education Member, Pam Little, was recognized for her support of Lovejoy ISD. Ms. Little provided the opportunity for our A cappella choir students to perform at the State Board of Education Meeting in Austin. Additionally Ms. Little personally hosted the students for dinner the night before and paid for their lodging. We are extremely grateful for her support.

Board Meeting Continued

The Board and Administration recognized Kate Duncan, Puster fourth grade math teacher for being named a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching.

Ms. Duncan was recently recognized for this distinguished honor at the November State Board of Education meeting in Austin.

The Girls Cross Country Team was recognized for their State Championship and the Boys Cross Country Team were celebrated for State Runner Up. We are extremely proud of Coach Littlefield, Coach Kelly, and these incredible athletes.

Leopard Life

COMMUNITY NEWS

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!

TheTexasDepartmentofStateHealthServicesreleasednewguidance forthe2022 2023schoolyearregardingCovid 19andschools.

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