Puster Elementary School
Principal Message
February 15, 2018

A Message from Kevin Parker
I want to remind you that Tuesday, February 20, begins early voting for the Republican Primaries.  There are many issues to consider during the upcoming election season.  The one I'm most invested in is the issue of public school finance because it directly impacts the work that is done with your kids.  Compared to 2005, the State of Texas has decreased funding to public schools by approximately $1,500 PER STUDENT in LOVEJOY ISD.  I can't think of another industry that operates on less money in 2018 than in 2005.  The Lt. Governor's primary will greatly impact the future of funding public schools in Texas.  I encourage you to 1) vote and 2) take a moment to acquire deep knowledge of all of the candidates.  A great website for information is http://www.vote411.org/ballot  . 
 
4th GRADE PARENTS- Teachers will be sending out forms today for you to include an ad in the yearbook to create a lasting memory.  Be on the look out for these.
 
Finally, I'm sure you have heard that this weekend is a long weekend.  My wishes for a healthy four days.  We have been hit pretty hard this week with sickness.  I hope our number of ill students begins to decrease and we can get back to some normalcy in our classrooms.
 

Pride in Puster!
Kevin

Please let me know if I can do anything for you. You can always reach me on my cell phone at 469-667-2280. 

Follow Mr. Parker on Twitter @peskevinparker and follow what's happening on our campus @pusterlearners.






Dates to Remember

February 15 - 3rd Grade Living Museum
February 15 - Watch Me Sculpt
February 16 - Holiday
February - 19 - Bad Weather Day/Holiday
February 20 - Engineering - K-1
February 21 - Engineering - 2-4
February 22 - Watch Me Sculpt
February 23 - Author Visit
March 2 - Puster Pride choir sings at Allen Americans hockey game

Foundation for Lovejoy Schools



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.
 
For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.tasteoffairview.com .


Denim and Diamonds - Lone Starry Night
 
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 go on sale Friday, February 9th 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 cindy_booker@lovejoyisd.net or at 469.742.8043. Click here to purchase tickets to the gala.




Exciting New Online Auction Item
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools' online auction this year will be replacing Class Masterpieces with individual Grade Level Spring Fling Socials. Don't miss your chance to get a ticket when the online auction goes live on February 27th.
 
Things to Know:
 
  • Spring Fling Socials will be for grades K-4
 
  • K-3 Spring Fling Socials will take place in gyms at Hart, Lovejoy, and Puster Elementary schools
 
  • 4th graders from all elementary campuses will be combined at Sloan Creek Intermediate gym
 
  • You will be able to buy a $20 ticket per child for attendance
 
Stay tuned...additional information will be coming to you from your grade level coordinator regarding Spring Fling Social dates and times.



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 you have logged in, you will have access to the same products, same prices and same service you find at amazon.com. Thank you for your support of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.



Campus Information
Absences/Tardies
Please e-mail Kendra Card @ Kendra_card@lovejoyisd.net 
each day  that your child is absent. Absences accompanied by a doctor's note are considered excused.
Parents of children who are absent (unexcused) for 3 or more days or parts of days within any 4 week period will receive a letter from our office. A meeting/action plan may be requested for any child who is absent 10 or more days within any 6 month period.

Please remember that students need to be seated in their classrooms when the 8:00 a.m. bell rings. Otherwise, they are considered tardy
If you have questions or need more information regarding our district policy on absenteeism, please contact our Assistant  Principal,  Holly Haynes: 469-742-8227 or email :
holly_haynes@lovejoyisd.net.


Lunchroom Visitors
You are welcome to have lunch with your child throughout the year.  Please keep in mind that you may only bring food for your child to eat.  We have many students on campus with food allergies and this will ensure that students are not put at risk.  Also, just as in years past, we ask that only you and your child sit at the designated tables closest to the hallway windows.

Morning Drop Off
This routine will stay the same as in years past.  Cars will enter the north driveway and come to the back of the campus.  Either staff or Safety Crew students will be waiting to assist your child out of the car.  On the first day of school, students will go immediately to their classroom regardless of what time they arrive.  Beginning on August 22, students who arrive before 7:45 AM will report to the cafeteria (3 rd /4 th graders) or the gym (KG, 1 st , 2 nd  graders).  They will then move to their classes when the bell rings at 7:45 AM.


Afternoon Pick Up
Students will be dismissed at 3:05.  Car riders will be dismissed to the back of the campus.  Please have your car number visible so this procedure will go as smoothly as possible.  If you plan to walk up to the front door to pick up your child, we will ask that you wait outside until the bus riders come through the front door.  We will then release your child to you.  This ensures the buses get out in a timely manner, as well as, we know exactly who your child is leaving campus with.  The safety of your children trumps everything else we do at Puster.


PRE - K News
To see Pre-K News  click here

PUSTER NEWS

Puster Pride Choir
The Puster Pride choir will sing the National Anthem at the Allen Americans hockey game on March 2. Additionally, it will be "Puster Elementary Night" that same night. The Americans have blocked out tickets just for us to enjoy the game and they've promised lots of face time on the big screen for our kids. It will be a blast! You can purchase your tickets using the link: http://www.allenamericans.com/pusterelementary .

Yearbook Pictures Needed
If you have any pictures from the 2017-2018 school year, we would love to include them in the yearbook. Please send a digital copy to your classroom teacher so they can be passed along to Rhiannon Evans, PTA Historian.


Notes from the Nurse:
If your child is or has been diagnosed with the flu will you please contact our nurse directly. 
We are in the peak of flu season. Please take a moment to review the flu facts. If you have any questions, I may always be reached at 469-742-8282 or by email janet_abramson@lovejoyisd.net
Thank you 
Nurse Janet 
Be Kind to the Earth, Be Kind to Others
More than 15 million tons of used textile waste  is generated each year in the United States, and the amount has doubled over the last 20 years. An average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of used clothing per person. On average, nationally, it costs cities $45 per ton to dispose of old clothing. Synthetic clothing may take hundreds of years to decompose. Nearly 100 percent of textiles and clothing are recyclable. (Read more here: https://goo.gl/atqhyj )

Many of us take time over the winter break to clean out drawers and closets. If you have clothing items and shoes that your kids have outgrown but are still in good condition, please plan to send these items to Puster when we return to school. We will collect the secondhand clothes and donate to friends and families in need. More information coming soon.

If your clothing items are no longer wearable, remember to look for a clothing recycle bin in the area. Retail businesses often have containers in their parking lots to collect clothing and textiles for recycling. Let's work together to keep clothing out of our landfills



SAVE THE DATE! First Annual Parent/Child Campus Campout
April 27-28, 2018 at Puster Elementary

We are excited to announce a new tradition at Puster Elementary where our families will have the opportunity to camp under the stars at our school!  This campout will allow us to spend quality time with our kids while raising important funds for our school district. So, pack your tent and sleeping bag and join us for dinner, outdoor activities, a glow party and movie under the stars!
Be sure to save the date because an adventure awaits!
Registration Fee: $150 (one parent/one child), $25 each additional child
Registration will begin in February.

Watch D.O.G.S. 100 DAD Challenge
Take a day or ½ day to be a hero for your child. Get your picture on the Puster Watch D.O.G.S. wall with your child.
Signup below for your day. Let's see how fast we can fill this up. 
 
What is WATCH D.O.G.S and how do you participate? 
Watch D.O.G.S. is a program that helps bring dads and other male role models into our school.  Dad's spend a day with their child at school and get to interact alongside the teachers, help with carpool, monitor hallways, help out in the classroom, help with specials...the possibilities are endless.
 
Each Watch D.O.G. dad will need a T-shirt that he will wear on the day he is volunteering at the school.  Your child/children may also want a "My Hero" shirt to wear that day too.  Below is the link to purchase your t-shirts.  
 
*Dads order the official "Watch D.O.G.S ®" t-shirt
*For your kids order the "My Hero" t-shirt
 
To participate in the Watch D.O.G.S. at Puster you must be an approved volunteer.  Please complete the Lovejoy ISD 2017-2018 Online Volunteer Application:
 
Go to  www.lovejoyisd.net , selecting "Parents - Parent Resources" from the top tool bar, and "Volunteer Application" from the right side of the page.
Please get your application in quickly to allow the district time to perform the background check prior to your volunteer day as a Watchdog. If you are not approved you will not be allowed to volunteer
 
If you have any questions you can contact Henri Friloux at henri.friloux@gmail.com or 972-365-5478. 


LIBRARY NEWS

A uthor Visit
Children's author, Kate Klise, will be visiting Puster Elementary on Friday, February 23! Thank you to all of you who purchased copies of her books online. If you missed out on ordering, you are welcome to purchase any of her books from your favorite retailer and send them into the library by 8:00am on Friday the 23rd at the latest. She will be autographing them for your child as well as speaking to our students about her books, the writing process, and what it is like to be an author! To see a list of her books go to this link:

Book Spine Poetry
We love giving away book boxes each month! PTA has purchased subscriptions to Reading Bug Box and Bookroo so that we can share our love of reading with students. For the next few weeks, students can enter the drawing by creating Book Spine Poems. Just Google this term to find some inspiring examples. Send us a photo of a a book spine poem from anywhere-- home, bookstore, public library, etc. We will post it to share with others and give your student a chance to win some free books!


Book Fair-- Coming Soon!
Keep an eye open for the Book Fair volunteer sign-up that will soon be distributed by the room parents. We would love your help with decorating, set-up, cashiering, and take-down. Open house is always a very busy night in the book fair (and we love it!). If you wouldn't mind taking a shift at a register, we would be so grateful!

Makerspace at the STEM Fair, March 3
Interested in learning more about the Makerspace? Check out the Lovejoy Libraries Makerspace area in the High School Commons at the STEM Fair on March 3. You will be able to try out our construction and craft materials, program robots, build circuits, and much more. More information coming soon!






PTA NEWS

NEW! Volunteers for next year
As spring approaches, your Puster PTA is already thinking and planning for the next school year. We are actively seeking parents who are interested in volunteering for any of the following: Puster PTA Board, Various Committee Chairs (for example: Starbooks, Fall Family Fun Night, Daddy/Daughter Dance, Mother/Son event, etc.) or as a Grade Level Coordinator for 2018-2019. Please contact myself or any of the nominating committee if you want to learn more. Aimee Peay- mapeay@gmail.com, Camille Simpkins- camillesimpkins@att.net, Star James- star56james@ymail.com, Jana Manders- janamanders@gmail.com, or Kate Bronson- kpperson@yahoo.com
Puster PTA likes to encourage as many opportunities as possible for parent and family involvement. Room parent and other volunteer opportunity sign ups will be available at the annual "meet the teacher" night in August. In the interest of fairness, the PTA discourages one parent for signing up for multiple room mom positions and/or grade level coordinator(s). Only if we can not find a willing volunteer will duplicate(s) be accepted.
Thank you,
Aimee Peay
Puster PTA President


NEW! Membership Meeting - March 5
Please join us for our Puster PTA membership meeting on
Monday, March 5th in the Think Tank at 10:30 AM.
Mr. Messer (Willow Springs principal) and Mr.
Winkler (Sloan Creek principal) will be presenting on the topic of technology and what parents should know regarding current trends among our youth. There will be a discussion pertaining to apps, cell phones and internet usage and how these components might be positively and negatively impacting our student's education and peer relationships. We hope you will mark your calendars and attend this very informative presentation



2017-2018 Yearbooks on Sale! 

The Puster yearbook for the 2017-2018 school year are on sale! Purchase your yearbook(s) by clicking here. The price of the yearbook is  $35.  
DISTRICT NEWS
NEW! - Parent Workshop - ARD Process
Please reserve this date on your calendar and join us. It is our pleasure to host

"ARD Process"
Jim Wright

Date:   Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Time:11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Place:Lovejoy Admin. Training Room-Portable #1
259 Country Club Rd.  Allen, TX 75002
 
 
Jim Wright is the new Region 10 Partners Resource PATH Project Coordinator. PATH Project is a parent training and information center that helps parents of children with disabilities navigate the school system. Jim has had over 4 years of experience as an active volunteer for the PATH Project. He has 2 children in the Special Education program in a surrounding district. His oldest son just turned 14 and is in an 8th grade, self-contained life skills program educational setting. Jim used to say that he was nonverbal, but since he has made such great progress, he now says that he is an emerging verbal communicator. His 2nd child is also in Special Ed. PATH has helped him in the past to find his voice in our special needs community. He is grateful to be able to give back and help others find their voices as well.
 
This workshop will introduce the most prominent rights and responsibilities of children with disabilities and their parents, along with the rights and responsibilities of public agencies. He will touch on how the ARD process
works and why being informed is essential to your child receiving a free appropriate public education.


 

Lovejoy K-6 Talent Show - Admission is Free!
The Lovejoy High School Junior Class invites you to attend the Lovejoy K-6 Talent Show. The show will take place Thursday, February 15th at 7:00 PM at Lovejoy High School in the auditorium.


Metroplex Aquatics Offers Swim Lessons





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.








Lovejoy Men's Soccer Future Leopard Night 
February 20th
The Lovejoy Men's soccer team will host Future Leopard Night on Tuesday, February 20th, when they take on Royse City with a 5:30 PM kick off for JV and a 7:30 PM kick off for Varsity. During halftime of the JV game, the first 15 future Leopards who score a goal will receive prizes. Additionally, there will be prizes for all future Leopards. Participants will take the field with Varsity players for the National Anthem. After the JV halftime events, players will be available to answer questions and sign posters which will be provided at the game as well as soccer balls which future Leopards bring to the game. This event is for all elementary, intermediate and middle school students.
 


Gifted and Talented Referrals for 2018-2019
 
The referral window for gifted and talented services opens February 1st for students in grades 1-12. The window will remain open through March 31, 2018.
 
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
Brie Smith ( 469.742.8032) .




NEW! 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
 
To reserve a spot, purchase your rocket kit from the Lovejoy Gifted Association Store before March 4th, 2018.
 
*Parental supervision is required at both the Build and Launch events.
 







Relay for Life: April 6
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 .  

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.



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.

 
SchoolMessenger 
Lovejoy ISD is adding text messaging capability to SchoolMessenger, the system we use for phone calls and email communications for information such as school closings due to inclement weather. SchoolMessenger will be configured to send text messages to your wireless phone number(s), with your approval. Please confirm we have your accurate wireless phone number in the PowerSchool Parent Portal and then opt-in to participate by following the directions below.
In order to receive messages from Lovejoy ISD or your student's school via SMS text we must have your wireless number(s) in SchoolMessenger and receive an "Opt-In Confirmation" from your wireless device.
You can easily opt-in by simply sending "Y" (or "Yes"), via text message, to our SchoolMessenger Short Code number 67587.
The wireless number(s) you enter into the PowerSchool Parent Portal are updated nightly. If you update your wireless number, or add a new number, in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, the new number will automatically be sent an Opt-In message.
To access the PowerSchool Parent Portal,  please click here . If you have any questions, or if we may be of any assistance, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003.


MySchoolBucks Convenience Fee
MySchoolBucks, the district's online meal prepayment program, has provided notification regarding an increase in the convenience fee paid by parents using the online payment feature. The fee will be increasing from $1.95 per payment to $2.49 per payment and will be effective as of December 11, 2017. This increase is the result of an increase in card scheme fees. The district does not receive any convenience fee funds from MySchoolBucks.
 
In light of the increase, the district contacted MySchoolBucks. They agreed to increase the maximum payment from $120 per deposit to $240 per deposit. This payment deposit increase is effective immediately. You may contact MySchoolBucks directly by telephone at 855.832.5226 or via email


Text Link