Lovejoy Independent School District

Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence in Education

Centennial Logo Designed by Hudson Samuels, LHS Student

A Message from the Superintendent



Dear Lovejoy Community:
 
We continually receive great news about your students excelling in a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. This past weekend was no exception, as we celebrated numerous successes.

As we move through the playoff season, our Volleyball team has advanced to the Regional Tournament and our Football team will clinch a playoff spot with a win on Friday over Royce City. Our Football team is riding a 4 game winning streak after a slow start to this season with several key injuries.

Today is National Senior Signing Day. Look for photos and details in the November 15th edition of Email Express.


Lovejoy Boys Cross Country
State Champions


The Lovejoy Boys Cross Country Team won the 5A Boys State Cross Country Championship. This is the first time in program history for the boys' team to win back-to-back state championships and is the third state championship for the boys program. The team finished its 2017 UIL season undefeated beating 99 total teams in regular season, district, regional, and state competitions.
 
The Boys team scored a total of 69 points to win the title. The State Runner-Up and Region I Champion, Grapevine, scored 91 points. Finishing third overall was the Region III Champion, Cedar Park, with 112 points.
 
Leading the way for the boys' team was Brady Laboret, with a time of 15:47 and placing 13th overall. Next was William Muirhead, with a time of 15:52 and placing 17th overall. Coming in third was, Bradley "Sunny D" Davis, finishing 23rd overall with a time of 15:58. Laboret, Muirhead, and Davis were all named to the CCCAT All State 5A Boys team with their respective finishes. Other members of the State Championship team include Brett Pedersen, Ryan Spruell, Ryan Brands, and Whitson Bedell.
 



MileSplitTX published a great article about the Lovejoy Cross Country program which highlights the successes since the program's inception in 2008. The Cross Country program and Volleyball program are two of our most successful programs since we opened Lovejoy High School. The one thing both programs instill in their athletes is that "Hard Work Pays Off."


The State Championship team shared their experiences with the Willow Springs Middle School runners this week. Their dedication and leadership skills are a great example to which our young runners aspire.



Lovejoy Volleyball to Compete in
the Regional Tournament


The Lovejoy Leopards Volleyball team beat Frisco Liberty in a 5 set thriller on Monday night. The girls were ready to play. Madison Waters and Cecily Bramschreiber led the first set with an explosive offense. Liberty fought back at the end to make it a close 25-23. In set 2, Liberty's offense brought a powerful force in combination with Lovejoy's errors, which contributed to a 14-25 loss. The next set, Lovejoy took charge right away to lead the Redhawks 20-13. A few key errors at the end and a final push gave Liberty the set at 26-24. Down 1 set to 2, Lovejoy had no option but to fight back in the 4th set. Newcomer Emma Johnson stepped up to provide solid defense with Libero Shanel Bramschreiber and DS Grace Broussard. The Leopards took the set and momentum into the 5th set, running up the score with aggressive serving. Liberty didn't back down, responding with a few heavy swings and solid blocks. In the end, the Leopards made a final uncontested sprint to snag the win over the Redhawks 15-12.
 
The Lady Leopards will take on Waxahachie this Friday at Richardson Berkner High School Gym in the 2017 Regional Tournament.  The match is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.

 

 

LHS Students Make
All State Symphony Orchestra



Congratulations to Senior violinist, Anthony Tang and Junior violinist, Andrew Chang for being named as members of the All State Symphony Orchestra. This is the highest level of individual success which may be obtained in the State of Texas for orchestra students. Anthony finished 7th overall and Andrew finished 36th overall. There were over 330 violinists who qualified to audition for the all state orchestras. 



NASA High School Aerospace Scholar


Andy Pottinger , a junior at Lovejoy High School, was accepted into NASA's Texas High School Aerospace Scholars program. The application process included an essay, a nomination from a state Representative/ Senator, and recommendations from teachers. The program consists of an an online curriculum for the school year and an onsite summer program at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Additional information may be found here . Congratulations to Andy on this exciting opportunity.


Educators Going Above and Beyond


We are fortunate to have exceptional educators in Lovejoy ISD who go above and beyond every day to meet the individual needs of our students. This week, I received communication from a parent who was very complimentary of Puster teacher, Anna Smith, who makes it a practice to attend her students' extracurricular activities. Thank you to Ms. Smith and all of our educators who set the bar high in ensuring the success of all of our students.


Foundation for Lovejoy Schools


Kendra Scott Gives Back This Thursday
 
Kendra Scott is hosting a "give back" event, with 20% of the sales going to the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Kendra Scott will provide snacks and beverages. We hope you will join us for this special event.
 
Thursday, November 9
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Kendra Scott in Watters Creek
888 Watters Creek Boulevard
 
If you are unable to attend the event, you may call in your phone order from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Thursday and mention the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. The phone number for Kendra Scott is 469.795.0988.
 



Give to the Foundation via AmazonSmile

If you plan on purchasing items from Amazon.com, please consider visiting Amazon Smile. Amazon established AmazonSmile to give back 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. When you are ready to shop, log in to your Amazon account by visiting the AmazonSmile website for the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Once logged in, you will have access to the same products, prices and service you find at amazon.com. Thank you for your support of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.

Curriculum Express
News from the Deputy Superintendent


AP Scholars
 

Dear Lovejoy Community:
 
It is very hard to believe we have only seven school days until Thanksgiving break.  I truly hope your child is experiencing successful learning in Lovejoy.
 
We recently received the press release from the College Board about our 2017 Advanced Placement Scholars.  The College Board identifies students who have performed well on Advanced Placement (AP) exams while in high school.  In addition to seeing the complete list of students who earned recognition as an AP Scholar, you will note Lovejoy had 838 students who completed AP exams last year, and collectively, these students took 1,606 exams.  Of the 838 students, 274 students achieved recognition as one of the various levels of AP Scholar from the College Board.
 
The levels of recognition as an AP Scholar include:
 
AP Scholar-These 116 Lovejoy students have taken at least three AP exams while in high school and earned scores of 3 or higher on each test.
 
AP Scholar with Honor-These 48 Lovejoy students have taken at least four AP exams while in high school and have a cumulative test average of 3.25 on all exams.
 
AP Scholar with Distinction-These 110 Lovejoy students have taken at least five AP exams while in high school and have a cumulative test average of 3.5 on all exams.
 
National AP Scholar-These 22 Lovejoy students have taken at least eight AP exams while in high school and have a cumulative test average of at least 4.0 on all exams.
  
Additional academic recognitions highlighted in the press release from the College Board are students who have earned an AP Capstone Diploma.  These twelve Lovejoy students earned a 3 or better in the AP Seminar and Research courses, as well as at least four other AP exams of their choosing. The final group identified for advanced academics honors were the four Lovejoy students who received an AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning a 3 or higher in these two rigorous courses.
 
For a complete listing of the students who earned these tremendous academic accolades, and to read the full press, please click here.
 
As a district, in conjunction with the generous financial support of our Foundation for Lovejoy Schools, we honor the AP Scholars at our annual Advanced Academic Banquet.  This year, our banquet will be held on the evening of January 7, 2018.    
 
We hope you continue to love where you learn.  If you have feedback to help us improve, please do not hesitate to contact me on my cell at 214.385.1967.
 
Respectfully,
Dennis Muizers


Athletics


Lovejoy Boys Basketball

This past Monday the Varsity and JV Boys Basketball teams travelled to Hebron for their first scrimmage. The Leopards are scheduled to scrimmage The Colony Cougars Friday, November 10th at The Colony High School at 5:00 PM.



Lovejoy Girls Basketball

The Lady Leopards Basketball team defeated Hebron 32-31 and Prestonwood 27-25 in the final scrimmage of the year. Lovejoy was led in scoring by Kim Lyne with 13 points. Other scorers for the Leopards included Taylor Meixelsperger (12), Carsen McFadden (10), Kaylee Rekieta (6), Meredith Ehlmann (6), Tori Hanson (4), Bethany Smith (4), Autumn Purcell (2), and Ireland Miller (2). Other statistical leaders were Carsen McFadden with 10 rebounds, Taylor Meixelsperger with 8 assists, Kaylee Rekieta with 6 steals, and Kim Lyne and Kaylee Rekieta with one charge each. 




Girls JV Black Basketball
The JV Black team wrapped up scrimmages this past Thursday at home against 6A Hebron High School.  The Leopards' tight defense led the way as the ladies came out on top against an athletic and aggressive Hawk team. Leading the way in scoring for the Leopards were Grace Bennett with 14, Alexis Russell with 6, and Julia Brochu and Carly Ludlow with 5 each.  As always, the paint was well-protected by Carly Ludlow, Lauryn Fuller and Sarah Collins.
 
Lovejoy will begin the regular season at Mesquite Horn on Tuesday with both JV teams playing at 5:30 PM, followed by the Varsity at 7:00 PM. We hope to see you at the games in support of the Lady Leopards.
 

Lovejoy Football

Pictured below, Lovejoy's Landon McDermott (#37) celebrates with teammate Chase Van Wagoner (#6) and the rest of the squad after McDermott's interception in the end zone during the final quarter of Lovejoy's 48-35 win over Mesquite Poteet this past Friday. The Leopards conclude the regular season portion of their schedule this Friday at the Senior Night game to be played at Leopard Stadium against the Royse City Bulldogs.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.  With a win, the Leopards will be headed to the 2017 UIL State Football Playoffs.



Lovejoy Golf

The Varsity Golf teams competed in the RHS Firewheel Fall Invitational. The girls finished 4th out of 7 teams. It is great to see their weekly improvement. The Varsity guys finished 4th and 6th out of 10 teams, and have seen major improvements in their games. Both teams continue to push toward April and the District Tournament.
 
The Varsity "Black" Boys team set new school records.  The previous best single day total was 322, and two day total was 654, both set last year. Saturday, the Boys shot 316 to set a new single day best for Lovejoy Golf. The boys also shot 642 over Friday/Saturday for the new school best two-day total.  Jay Pabin was low for the Leopards with 80-72 for a total 152, which placed Jay in 4th overall.
 
Allie Bianchi set a Lovejoy individual school record for a two-day total.  Allie shot 76-75 for a 151 total, and was also the tournament champion, winning by 8 shots.  The girls' teams had their best totals this year, scoring 412 and 416, which is 20 better than the previous tournament.



Lovejoy Swim and Dive
 
The Leopards combined for a total of 21 new lifetime best performances Tuesday night against McKinney High School. These bring the team to over 100 lifetime bests through the early part of the season. The meet came down to the wire with the Lady Leopards falling short 97-76, while the boys rolled to their first win of the season 103-70.
 
The team had great performances overall, winning 6 of the 18 individual events and 3 of the 6 relay events. Sophomore Jakob Feldman, Freshman Alex Rowe and Sophomore Ross Walenciak stole the evening, placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 500 freestyle.  Junior Co-Captain James Vaughn led the Leopards winning 2 events, with Freshman Alex Rowe, Sophomores Jackie Carroll, Kelsey Carroll, and Jakob Feldman also claiming victories.
 
The Lovejoy Swim program is continuing to take huge steps as they stay focused on peaking in late January at the District Championships.



Lovejoy Wrestling
 
The Leopard Wrestling team will host its first ever outdoor dual in Fairview as their first event of the season. The Leopards will be participating in the dual with Rockwall.  This is a charity match with proceeds benefiting "Pin Cancer".  The event will be held in the "fountain" area behind Gloria's in the Fairview Town Center, Villages of Fairview. Information regarding how you can help with this charity event will be coming soon. If you would like to donate, please visit the following page:
 
 
The Wrestling programs goal is to raise $250 per individual. 100% of the proceeds go directly to Pin Cancer, and all donations are tax deductible.
 
In addition to the high school men's varsity and women's matches, the WSMS wrestlers will wrestle five middle school matches and five youth matches. The matches are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 11th. The event will last until 4:00 PM.  We hope to see you at the event in support of our Leopards.  



Fine Arts


Lovejoy ISD Fine Arts Festival

The Lovejoy ISD Fine Arts Festival will be held December 1st and 2nd at Lovejoy High School. There will be band, choir, and orchestra concerts. You may attend plays and short productions by our middle school and high school theatre programs. Our dance department will perform two concerts. Every student enrolled in a visual art course will have one or more works on display. In addition, volunteers from the High School Fine Arts Booster Clubs and district fine arts parents will provide homemade baked goods and beverages for purchase, as well as the infamous Fine Arts Festival Chili luncheon. This event is truly a wonderful showcase of the incredible fine arts programs in Lovejoy ISD. Please click here for additional information to include schedules, maps, and details.


A New Tradition
Cheer of the Week

The Lovejoy High Cheer Team is pleased to announce the new tradition of "Chant of the Week." 
 
Please watch our Lovejoy Varsity cheerleaders' video and be ready to cheer our Leopards to victory at this Friday night's home game against Royse City at 7:30 PM. We hope everyone will join us for Senior Night, as we show our support for the Seniors at their last home game.



Lovejoy Majestics Dance Team

Want to be on the Lovejoy Majestics Dance Team? Tryouts will be December 4th - 7th.  All paperwork is due Tuesday, November 28th by 9 AM to Mrs. Morrow or Mrs. Willis. For additional information regarding tryouts, please click here


In Case You Missed It


Leopards in the News

This section of Email Express highlights news reports/articles featuring Lovejoy over the previous week.
 

District-Wide News


 
Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Referrels

Referrals for kindergarten Gifted and Talented services will be available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal from December 1, 2017 - January 12, 2018.
 
An information session for the parents of kindergarten students will review the referral process, as well as the G/T services offered in Lovejoy.
 
Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
Board Room
December 4 or 15, 2017
9:00 AM or 4:30 PM (Session information repeats)
 
If you are unable to attend and would like more information, a slideshow presentation will be available on the Gifted and Talented webpage after the December 4th presentations.
 
All kindergarten students will be tested at their home campuses in January. Additional testing for referred students is scheduled for both Saturday, February 10th and 24th. Services for identified kindergarten students begin March 1, 2018.
 
For questions regarding referrals, please contact Kari Lockhart (469.742.8015) or Brie Smith (469.742.8032) .
 

 
School Bus Safety Practices

We would like to remind everyone of the following school bus safety practices:
 
*When you see a school bus, assume children will be in the area, and take extra care. Leave lots of space around the bus.
 
*When the bus turns on its flashing yellow lights, the bus is either preparing to stop at a railroad crossing or preparing to stop to pick up or drop off children.  Please slow down and prepare to stop. 
 
*When the bus turns on its flashing red lights, traffic must stop in both directions.  Never pass a school bus with flashing red lights. 
 
Thank you for your assistance in helping to keep our students safe.



Lovejoy ISD Pre-Kindergarten
Space Available

Our district has offered a Pre-K program as a part of our employee daycare program for the past 11 years. On the suggestion of parents, we decided to expand that program and offer a tuition-based program open to our community. We currently have two Pre-K classrooms open at Puster Elementary. This program offers enhancements in music, fitness, art, library, science, technology, engineering, and math. We are enthusiastic about providing a Lovejoy education for community members looking for a rich learning experience which will provide a firm foundation for kindergarten and beyond.  The first week of school we received an email from a parent with a child in the program and this is what she said:
 
"My daughter loves her new school and runs to get dressed every morning (used to throw a fit). Her teachers are great."
 
If you are interested in applying, please click here .  To schedule a tour of the Pre-Kindergarten program, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003.



 
The Lovejoy Running Club

The Lovejoy Running Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6:00 PM near the Duck Pond at Celebration Park. All ages and ability levels are welcome to attend, from novice walkers looking to shed a few pounds, to elite runners gearing up for the next race. If you have questions regarding the running program, you may contact:  greg_christensen@lovejoyisd.net . P.S. Dogs are welcome. 


Bus Drivers

Lovejoy ISD is currently accepting applications for full-time and part-time school bus drivers.  Click here for additional information.


Upcoming Events


Senior Project: Tonight
Treasured Vessels Foundation

Lovejoy High School Senior Gabriella DiLiegro will present her Senior project tonight and share a documentary on Human Trafficking. She is partnering with Treasured Vessels, a charity whose mission is to build a community to house, rehabilitate and shape successful futures for rescued girls. This presentation will be held tonight from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM in the Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall.
 
The documentary film "Not My Life" addresses many forms of slavery, including the military use of children in Uganda, involuntary servitude in the United States, forced begging and garbage picking in India, sex trafficking in Europe and Southeast Asia, and other forms of child abuse. The film also focuses on the people and organizations engaged in working against human trafficking. This is age appropriate for high school students, and all adults, especially parents.


Lovejoy High School Theatre Presents Almost, Maine: November 9 and 11


The Lovejoy High School Theatre program will present Almost, Maine on November 9th and 11th at 7:00 PM in the new LHS Black Box Theatre. We hope you will join us for this inaugural performance in this beautiful space.  Tickets will be on sale beginning Sunday, November 5th through the Fine Arts Box Office .



Running Over Depression 5K and 1K Fun Run: November 11

Bradley Davis, James Ayers, and Jonah Barton are organizing the second annual Running Over Depression 5K and 1K event for their Senior Projects. Last year, this event had over 360 participants, and raised over $8,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This year, the organizers are looking forward to increasing the number of participants and involvement from the Lovejoy Community. The event will be held on Saturday, November 11th. The entry fees are $20 for the 1K and $30 for the 5K, with all proceeds donated to the AFSP. You may register by clicking here .  Register early, as prices increase after November 3rd.
 


Girls Lacrosse Try-It Clinic: November 11

Lovejoy Lacrosse will host a free try-it clinic and introduction to lacrosse for all Lovejoy girls in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. The clinic will be held on Saturday, November 11th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Willow Springs Middle School Football Field. No lacrosse experience is necessary and there is no need to register. This will be a fun, no pressure environment where Lovejoy girls can try lacrosse, and parents can learn about the Lovejoy Lady Leopards Lacrosse program. Please click here for additional information.
 
Last year's inaugural season was a great success. Now, we're looking for more girls to join the fun. Come out and see why lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States and in North Texas.
 
Questions? Click here to email Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse.  



E-Waste Recycling Event: November 11


Lovejoy High School will host an e-waste recycling event this Saturday, November 11th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the front parking lot of LHS. Now is the perfect time to gather electronic items you would like to dispose of. Click here for additional information regarding the e-waste collection.



Community Food Drive: November 12


Lovejoy High School Honors Veterans:
November 13


On November 13th at 6:00 PM, Lovejoy High School will host its annual Veterans Day Banquet. The event, catered by Rudy's Barbecue, is open to all veterans and their families. Please share this information with friends and family members, and click here to RSVP.  



Lovejoy Gifted Association Parent Panel:
November 16


The Lovejoy Gifted Association invites you to join them for an evening of wit and wisdom shared by parents of recent Lovejoy GT graduates. This is an opportunity to receive answers to questions you may have. The Parent Panel members will share their stories and perspective on how to help you and your children get the most from the GT programs in LISD. It's a great opportunity for families who are new to GT to get a head start, as well as for families who have been with GT and are looking to reconnect as their children's interests continue to evolve and change. The event is sponsored by The Lovejoy Gifted Association and is open to all parents, teachers and students who are interested in learning more about the Gifted and Talented programs. You do not have to be a member to attend. Please contact Piritta van Rijn with questions. 


Thursday, November 16, 2017
Parent Panel: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Mix and Mingle: 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Lovejoy High School
Lecture Hall
 
You may click here for additional information.



Lovejoy Boys Basketball Fundraiser:
November 16

On Thursday, November 16th, the Lovejoy Boys Basketball team will host a fundraiser at the Chipotle located at 103 Central Expressway North in Allen.
 
You may  show this flyer  to the cashier on your smartphone, or simply tell the cashier you are supporting the Fastbreak Club. 50% of the proceeds will go to the Lovejoy Fastbreak Booster Club. This promotion is open from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The team hopes to see you, your family, and your friends for a great time of fellowship and support of the program.


Drop N Shop Fundraiser: December 8
Pajama Night with the LHS Cheerleaders

Kids, wear your pajamas and join the LHS Cheerleaders for a holiday fun-filled night while your parents shop or enjoy a night out. Play games, color, craft, and watch a holiday movie with the LHS Cheerleaders.  Click here for additional information and to register.
 
Friday, December 8
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Lovejoy High School Auxiliary Gym
$30 first child; $20 each additional child



Where Are They Now?



If you would like to provide us with accomplishments of a Lovejoy graduate, please click here.  We will share this information in the "Where Are They Now?" section of Email Express. It is a pleasure to report the successes of Lovejoy graduates during their college years and beyond.


Stay Connected


Lovejoy ISD App
The Lovejoy ISD App is available for download on both Apple and Android devices. To download the app for Apple devices, please  click here . To download the app for Android devices, please  click here .  



Twitter and Facebook
Are you following the district on Twitter ?  Have you liked us on Facebook ?  Join us on social media for news and announcements.

Love Where You Learn


As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. 
 
With Respect,
 
Ted Moore
Superintendent
Lovejoy ISD
972.415.8129 (mobile)
469.742.8011 (office)