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Lovejoy Independent School District
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence in Education
Centennial Logo Designed by Hudson Samuels, LHS Student
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A Message from the
Superintendent
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Considering the events that occurred last week at a Florida high school, safety and security continues to remain a high priority. The district contracted for a security audit, which was completed by a national expert in the field. We have specific plans at each campus in response to a security breach. We continue to consider additional measures to address both the perception of safety as well as the actual safety on every campus. As always, your questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding school security are welcome. Please email, text or call me with your thoughts. My cell number is 972.415.8129.
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We are saddened to share the news of the unexpected passing of a Lovejoy parent, Paula Peters. She is survived by her husband, James Peters, and their two children, Scott (Class of 2015), and Ellie (3rd/HES). We will send a special communication when details regarding services are available. We extend our deepest sympathy to the Peters family during this most difficult time.
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Saturday, March 3rd
The first annual Lovejoy STEM Festival will be held at Lovejoy High School on Saturday, March 3rd from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This will be a great opportunity to come see, do, and learn all about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in Lovejoy ISD. The STEM Council has planned various guest speakers, demonstrations, competitions, Makerspace opportunities, and robotics experiences for a fun, engaging day for students and adults of Lovejoy and beyond.
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Open House for Prospective Families
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Saturday, March 3rd
Do you have friends, family members or co-workers interested in Lovejoy ISD? Lovejoy ISD will host an Open House for prospective families in conjunction with the STEM Festival on Saturday, March 3rd at Lovejoy High School. The Open House event will begin at 12:00 PM in the Library. Interested families can:
- Learn about the Lovejoy K-12 academic, STEM, fine arts, and athletic programs.
- Visit with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
- Meet personally with elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school principals.
- Tour Lovejoy High School.
- Enjoy our STEM Festival with our award-winning STEM students and teachers.
We hope you will help us share this information. Any family interested in attending the Open House may email
Stacey Dillon
, Assistant to the Superintendent, for additional information or to register for the event. You may also contact Stacey by phone at 469.742.8003.
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We are proud to share the news that our 5 National Merit Semi-Finalists have met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing. Congratulations to the Lovejoy High School National Merit Finalists:
Grant Dennis
Noah Johnson
Bretton Laboret
Clay Parker
Brandon Su
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Swimmers Earn Gold & Silver at State
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The Lovejoy Swim Team competed in the 2018 UIL State Swim Meet in Austin this past weekend. Senior Raime Jones captured the gold medal in the Girls 500 Yard freestyle race in 4:52.88. Sophomore Jed Jones captured the silver medal in the Boys 200 Yard IM race with a time of 1:51.97. The Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay team finished in 5th place with a time of 3:39.00. Members of the team were Natalie Womack (winner of the consolation final in the 100-Yard Backstroke 59.32), Sydney Myers, Sloan Carevic, and Raime Jones. James Vaughn finished in 6th place in the 100 Yard Fly with a time of 50.82. The boys 400 and 200 Yard Free Relay team members were Jakob Feldman, Sam Veitch, James Vaughn, and Jed Jones.
The Boys Team finished 15th overall out of 60 teams. The Lady Leopards finished the meet in 13th place. Congratulations to the Wet Leopards on a most successful season.
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Wrestlers are State-Bound
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The Leopard Wrestling team traveled to Bryan High School to compete in the UIL Region III Wrestling Tournament. The Lady Leopards finished as Region III Runner-Up, the best result in team history. The Lady Leopards were led by
Lilly Musselman
,
Charis Vela
,
Katherine Heath
,
Alex LeFort
(Regional Champion), and
Morgan Elvin
(Regional Champion).
The Boys team finished in 10th out of 36 teams. The Boys were led by
Jakob Underwood
,
James Ayers
,
Ralph Rucker
(Bronze Medalist), and
Hunter Duncan
(Silver Medalist).
The Leopard Wrestlers will compete in the State Wrestling Championships this Friday and Saturday. The High School will "send off" the wrestlers in the commons area at approximately 10:30 tomorrow morning. Best wishes to all our State qualifiers.
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On Saturday February 3rd, the Willow Springs MathCounts team competed in a regional competition on the campus of UT Dallas. The MathCounts Competition Series is a national program which provides students the opportunity to compete in live, in-person contests against and alongside their peers. Created in 1983, it is the longest-running MathCounts program and is open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. Congratulations to Joshua Lass (27th), Eric Wang (39th), and Patrick Dunleavy (51st) who finished in the top 25%.
Currently, the Willow Springs MathCounts team is competing in The Math Video Challenge which empowers students to take their math and problem-solving skills to the next level with a creative video project. The MathCounts team, consisting of Kendall Carll, Eric Wang, Joshua Lass, and Jordan Day, created a video explaining the solution to a MathCounts problem and demonstrating a real-world application of the mathematics concept explored in the problem. Combining art, writing, math, acting, and technology, this program makes learning math interactive and fun for all students.
The MathCounts team needs your help.
Click here
to view and vote for the WSMS MathCounts video through mid-March. The top 100 videos, based on voting, will advance to the judging rounds. The Video Challenge website will only allow each person to vote for a video once per day. We hope you will vote each day until voting ends.
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Lovejoy Educator Recognized
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Paul Heuer, Band Director at Lovejoy High School, was elected to membership in Phi Beta Mu, an International School Bandmaster Fraternity. Phi Beta Mu is an honorary, non-political, nonprofit fraternity established in 1938. There are approximately 350 active members in Texas, with additional chapters in most of the 50 states, as well as Canada, Japan, and Europe.
Mr. Heuer was inducted at the annual new member's breakfast on February 17th in San Antonio. Dr. Brian Gibbs of Sam Houston State University served as his sponsor. Co- sponsors were Glenn Lambert from Wylie ISD, and Mr. Heuer's beginning trumpet teacher, Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt from Texas State University.
In order to be considered for membership in Phi Beta Mu, one must have at least ten years of successful teaching experience and must have produced and maintained an outstanding and consistent band program in the public schools.
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School Finance remains a top priority for our district.
Click here
to read a recent article by Ross Ramsey of The Texas Tribune. Property taxes and school finance are both front- burner issues important to taxpayers. This article does a good job of explaining both state and local spending.
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Early Voting - March Primaries
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The Texas Primaries are fast approaching as March 6th is Election Day. Early voting began yesterday.
You may
click here
to view a list of candidates running for office in Collin County. Our State Representative Seat is District 89 and our State Senate Seat is District 8.
I encourage you to research the choices and vote for the candidate you believe will best represent HD 89 and SD 8.
Additional information is available on the
votetexas.gov
website.
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The filing deadline for a place on the ballot for the May 5, 2018 Trustee election was Friday, February 16th. The candidate filings are as follows:
Lovejoy ISD Trustee Place 6 - Al Litchenburg
Lovejoy ISD Trustee Place 6 - Jennifer Kline
Lovejoy ISD Trustee Place 7 - Scott Christiansen
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
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Taste of Fairview
March 2nd
Back by popular demand, the 3rd Annual Taste of Fairview will be presented by Estate Life Magazine in partnership with the Allen Fairview Chamber, Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club, and the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.
What: 3rd Annual Taste of Fairview with over 30 local restaurants, wine and spirits
Where: Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club
When: Friday, March 2nd at 6:00 PM
Why: All ticket sales donated to the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Last year's event was a sell-out, with more than 500 attendees helping to raise more than $17,000 for the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.
This year's goal is the same: great food and great people coming together for an incredible evening benefiting Lovejoy schools.
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Denim and Diamonds - Online Auction
February 27th-March 6th
The Denim and Diamond Online Auction will open on February 27th. This is a great opportunity to win unique and special experiences for your students, which have been donated by Lovejoy staff members. The Spring Fling Socials for grades K-4 are new this year. For additional information, please
click here
. Further information will follow regarding registering to bid in the Online Auction. For questions, please contact
Cindy Booker
at 469.742.8043
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Denim and Diamonds - Lone Starry Night
April 7th
Through your generosity and support, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools awarded grants totaling $451,100 to teachers for use in their classrooms this year. The Foundation is funded primarily from Annual Appeal and the Denim and Diamonds (D&D) Gala and Auction. The Foundation's goal this year is to cover D&D costs with sponsorships prior to the night of the event so all monies spent at the event go directly to fund classroom grants.
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools will host its 12th annual Denim and Diamonds Gala and Auction on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center in Plano. This year's theme is a Lone Starry Night. Foundation for Lovejoy Schools Chair, Carrie McClure and Co-Chair, Aimee Peay welcome you to a night featuring dinner, entertainment and live auctions.
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools will host a raffle for three great prizes, which includes:
- $2500 VISA gift card - Donated by Owens Realtors
- EZ Go Golf cart - Completely Remodeled and Refurbished Model 2014 TXT-PDS with 2014 upbody with flip seating, new batteries, tires and LED head/tail lights. New factory-painted, flame-red body. EC Custom Carts - value $5,000
- Arcade Game Table - Designed like original arcade table from the 80s. Table can be customized, featuring officially licensed graphics of favorite college, pro team, etc. - value $4,400
Raffle tickets are $100. Only 500 tickets will be sold. A drawing will be held for each item, giving each ticket a chance to win one of these prizes. The winners will be drawn at the Denim and Diamonds Gala. You do not need to be present to win.
Click here
for additional information. You may purchase tickets from any Foundation director, via the Foundation's website, or at the LISD administration building. See the Foundation website for a list of directors or
click here
to purchase tickets online.
Tickets for the Gala are currently on sale for $135 each. The ticket price will increase to $150 beginning Friday, March 9th. This year, we will seat guests at tables of 12. For additional information, visit FoundationForLovejoySchools.org or contact Cindy Booker at:
469.742.8043
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A Message from the Director of Fine Arts
Fela Mathy
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the All State Concerts at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Conference. The students who auditioned for these varying chairs spent countless hours perfecting their craft in preparation for multiple levels of competition. Earning placement to an All State music ensemble is certainly an incredible honor. Texas is one of the few states in the nation who recognizes this level of musical achievement for individual students. The selected students have an opportunity to rehearse and perform under the direction of some of the most notable conductors in each respective field of band, choir, and orchestra. Once again, we congratulate the following students for representing Lovejoy High School in this prestigious event.
All State Symphony Orchestra
Anthony Tang
, 1st Violin
Andrew Chang
, 2nd Violin
All State Mixed Choir
Hannah Hansen
, Soprano II
Katie Strand
, Alto I
All State Tenor-Bass Choir
Noah Johnson
, Tenor II
All State Jazz Ensemble II
Jack Supan
, Jazz Guitar
All State Treble Choir
Mandy Rickett
All State 5A Symphonic Band
Sarah Janke
, Flute, 7th Chair
Patrick O'Brien
, Trumpet, 4th Chair
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Lovejoy Baseball
The Leopard Baseball team concluded the scrimmage portion of their schedule this past week. The Allen Eagles defeated the Leopards 10-5 in 10 innings of play, and the Frisco Lone Star Rangers defeated the Leopards 15-10 after 12 innings of scrimmage.
The Leopards begin the pre-district portion of their season this weekend at the Wylie East Tournament. The first games will be held tomorrow against Sherman and McKinney North. These two pool games will determine the Leopards placement in the remaining portion of the tournament.
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Lovejoy Boys Basketball
The Leopards traveled to Paris High School last night to take on the Sulphur Springs Wildcats in the Bi-District round of the UIL State 5-A Playoffs. The Leopards played tough, but lost to the Wildcats 50-27. The Leopards overcame many injuries and battled their way back into playoff contention. Congratulations to the boys for their championship determination.
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Lovejoy Girls Basketball
The Lady Leopards 2017-2018 season came to an end this past Friday night with an Area Round loss to the Prosper Lady Eagles 62-33. Taylor Meixelsperger led the Leopards with 10 points. Other scorers were Kaylee Rekieta 9 points, Kim Lyne 5 points, Meredith Ehlmann 4 points, Carsen McFadden 2 points, Grace Bennet 2 points, and Ireland Miller 1 point. Other statistical leaders were Carsen McFadden 5 rebounds and Kaylee Rekieta with 4 steals, 3 assists, and 1 block. Lovejoy finished the season with a 27-9 record.
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Lovejoy Golf
The Leopard Golf Team will be back on the links today as the JV Boys Red Team plays at Oak Hollow Golf Course in the McKinney High School Tournament.
The Varsity Red team will play at the Richardson High School Invitational on Monday, February 26th. Results from both tournaments will be in next week's Email Express.
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Lovejoy Powerlifting
The Leopard Powerlifting team will travel to Keller High School this weekend for the last- chance meet for any powerlifters who have not qualified for the Regional Meet. Results will be in next week's Email Express.
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Lovejoy Boys Soccer
The Leopards defeated the North Forney Falcons last Tuesday 8-0, and followed with an important district win over the Poteet Pirates 2-0. This victory placed the Leopards back in first place in the district standings.
The Leopards are scheduled to travel to Highland Park on Friday to begin the second round of district play. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM.
The JV Boys Soccer teams had another successful week as well, winning their two 15-5A games against North Forney 6-1 and then followed that victory with a 7-0 win over the Poteet Pirates. The team is scheduled to play Highland Park this Friday at 5:30 PM.
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Lovejoy Girls Soccer
The Lady Leopards continued their district 15-5A competition by taking on the Lady Falcons last Tuesday with a 3-0 loss to the Falcons. The Lady Leopards rebounded on Friday with a 5-4 win over the Lady Pirates of Poteet. The Lady Leopards lost their match last night to the Lady Bulldogs of Royse City 5-0. They will begin the second round of district with a home game this Friday against Highland Park. The game is scheduled for 7:15 PM.
The JV Lady Leopards fell to North Forney last Tuesday 1-0. The JV then lost to the Poteet Pirates on Friday 5-0.
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Lovejoy Softball
The Lady Leopards went 3-1 in the Carrollton Tournament of Champions, defeating some very tough competition along the way before the remainder of the event was canceled due to inclement weather. The team will compete in the Lindale Tournament this weekend. The results will be in next week's Email Express.
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Lovejoy Tennis
The JV team competed this past Thursday at the Frisco JV Tournament. The JV Leopards were led by Nathan Drew and Ryan Talmage. The duo made it to the finals and brought home 2nd place medals. In the semi-finals, they were down 3-7 and came back to beat Frisco Wakeland 9-8 in a tiebreaker, earning a spot in the finals.
The Varsity Leopards will travel to Aledo this Friday for the Bearcat Invitational. Matches are scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM.
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Lovejoy Track
The Boys and Girls Track Teams will compete this Saturday at Ron Poe Stadium in McKinney in the annual McKinney Boyd Broncos Relays. This is the first track meet of the season. The 3200 M run will begin at 8:00 AM, followed by the running preliminaries at 9:15 AM. The running finals will begin at 1:30 PM, with field events beginning at 8:30 AM and running throughout the day.
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This section of Email Express highlights news reports/articles featuring Lovejoy over the previous week.
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Metroplex Aquatics Offers Swim Lessons
For additional information, you may contact Metroplex by phone at 972.897.7072 or by email at
[email protected].
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Gifted and Talented Referrals for 2018-2019
The referral window for gifted and talented services is open for students in grades 1-12 through March 31st.
Click here
for the referral forms located online in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. All referrals must be completed in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. A line is included to type the name of the individual referring the student (parent, teacher, other educator, or student).
Testing is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th and 28th.
For questions regarding referrals, please contact
Kari Lockhart
(469.742.8015) or
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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:
[email protected]
. P.S. Dogs are welcome.
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Lovejoy Visual Arts Spotlight Exhibition
Now Through March 6th
The Lovejoy Visual Arts (LJVA) Department invites you to attend the 1st Annual LJVA Spotlight Exhibition on view in the Lovejoy High School Art Gallery now through March 6th during normal school hours. This exhibition, featuring 47 selected works from over 170 submissions and juried by a field of 6 graduating seniors from the art program, is the first show of its kind featured in the gallery. Work selected for the LJVA Spotlight Exhibition was submitted from every level and form of study within the visual arts program as a showcase of the breadth of approach and personal voice found in LJVA studios. This show's direction and curation are the work of AP Studio Drawing Seniors
Tad Greenwald
and
Emma Wigginton
.
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WSMS Theatre - One Act Play Performances
February 21st, 22nd, 28th and March 1st
The Willow Springs Middle School Theatre department presents I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Celeste Raspanti. Details are as follows:
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Dates: February 21st, 22nd, 28th, and March 1st
Tickets Prices: $5 for students, $7 for adults
Location: WSMS Cafetorium
This Holocaust play centers around Raja, one of the children who survived Terezin, and the other children trapped in the Ghetto. A memory play, Raja recalls the events that led her to be the confident woman she is now. This play was based off true stories of these children's lives, based on actual drawings and poems that were buried in hopes of someone finding them after the war.
This 40 minute drama is the WSMS theatre department's UIL competition piece for One Act Play, which will take place on March 3rd in Grand Prairie.
Each night at our home show, there will be a guest critic to provide feedback for the cast. The audience is welcome to stay, but may leave after the performance if they choose.
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LHS Jazz Band and A Capella Present
Java and Jazz
February 23rd
Come sing and dance the night away with the Lovejoy High School Jazz Band and Choir at 7:00 PM in the Lovejoy High School commons area on Friday, February 23rd. This concert will feature vocal and band standards from the 1940s and beyond. Admission is free. Coffee and desert items may be purchased separately. This event is open to all.
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24th Annual Young Masters Exhibition
February 24th-April 15th
Congratulations to the following Lovejoy High School visual art students for being selected to participate in the 24th annual Young Masters Exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art. It is a prestigious honor for these students to have their work selected to hang among the halls of contemporary and historic masterpieces in an exhibition demonstrating the most extraordinary work created within AP Studio Art programs from ten of the areas highest performing high schools.
Taite Borozny -
AP 3D
Kathryn Felton -
AP 3D
Tad Greenwald -
AP Drawing
Lindsey Hammond -
AP 3D
Carly Johnson -
AP Drawing
Anna Redman -
AP Drawing
Eli Ruhala -
AP Drawing
Emma Wigginton -
AP Drawing
Of the 54 chosen works, these 8 Lovejoy students were chosen (from over 560 applicants) as representatives of the highest level of excellence in AP Studio work. The time, commitment, practice, personal voice, and care they embed into the creation of their work gives us pride beyond description. Please mark your calendars to visit the exhibition:
24th Annual Young Masters Exhibition
Dallas Museum of Art, Concourse Gallery
February 24 - April 15, 2018
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SCIS Orchestra Concert
February 26th
Please join us for the Sloan Creek Orchestra concert on Monday, February 26th at 7:00 PM in the Lovejoy High School Auditorium. Admission is free.
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Lovejoy Children's Choir
February 27th
The Lovejoy Children's Choir concert will be held on Tuesday, February 27th at 6:30 PM at Sloan Creek Intermediate School. These auditioned 4th, 5th, and 6th graders will present four challenging choral works. The performance will be followed by a small reception.
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Parent Workshop - ARD Process
February 28th
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WSMS Band
February 28th
The WSMS Band Concert will be held on February 28th at 6:00 PM in the Lovejoy High School Auditorium. Admission is free.
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LHS Band
March 7th
The 10th Annual LISD Percussion Concert is March 7th at 7:00 PM in the LHS Auditorium. Admission is free.
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Lovejoy Gifted Association Rocket Launch
March 21st
3....2....1.... Blast Off.....It's Rocket Launch Time.
Back by popular demand, the Lovejoy Gifted Association is partnering with the Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) for the annual LGA Rocket Project. The Rocket Project is an extracurricular STEM activity at which your child builds a rocket one evening, then launches it another day, all with the assistance of the professionals from DARS.
The Lovejoy Gifted Association is a non-profit organization supporting Gifted and Talented programs across all schools in Lovejoy ISD. The Rocket Project is a fundraiser with proceeds directly benefiting Lovejoy students. If you have questions, contact
Jay van Rijn
.
What: Rocket Build Party*
Where: SCIS cafeteria
When: Wednesday, March 21st from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Who: Students aged 10 and up
Launch: Sunday, March 25th, Lovejoy High School, 12:00 PM
*Parental supervision is required at both the Build and Launch events.
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Relay for Life is an annual event which will be held at Willow Springs Middle School to raise awareness of cancer and to donate to cancer research. This year's initiative is to bring the Lovejoy community together as a whole to promote a sense of unity and caring. We hope you will save the date of April 6th and join us for Relay for Life.
Relay for Life Dinner
A dinner in honor of survivors, caregivers, and their families will be held in conjunction with the Relay for Life event. If this applies to you or to someone you know, please RSVP to
Katherine Guo
.
Relay for Life Stories to Share
The high school Relay for Life committee is also organizing a tribute to those who have been affected by cancer. If you have a story to share, please contact
Katherine Guo
.
Relay for Life Gallery Wall Opportunity
To encourage participation of students at the elementary and intermediate school levels, the LHS Relay for Life organizers are hosting a coloring page activity. Students may
click here
to print the coloring page and decorate it as creatively as they can. They may then turn the page into the receptionist desk at their campus to receive a pencil, sticker or other prize. The event organizers will use all coloring pages to create a gallery wall for the event, which will represent loving support for those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
Relay for Life Luminarias
Relay for Life is selling Luminarias for the Relay for Life event on April 6th at Willow Springs Middle School. Luminarias honor those whose lives have been affected by cancer. You may dedicate a Luminaria to loved ones who lost their battles with cancer, someone currently battling cancer, or anyone who has overcome cancer. When you attend the Relay event, you will see the Luminarias placed around the track, decorated with names and sometimes messages to whom they are dedicated. Luminarias are $10. If you would like to purchase one, please
click here
.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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