 |
A Message from Kevin Parker
|
Happy New Year! It was great to see all of the students back at school on Monday. I think everyone is recharged and ready to take on 2018.
There are a few items I would like to direct your attention to:
- UIL sign up forms are coming home today in Thursday folders. UIL is an academic competition that involves different types of events. If your child is interested in trying out for one or more UIL events, please fill the form out and have your child return it to either their teacher or the front office by January 22. In Lovejoy, students from the three elementary schools compete against each other the first week of April. There will be a description of each event on the form your child brings home.
- The LHS Junior Class is sponsoring a K-6 Talent show to raise money for the 2018 Junior/Senior Prom. Details and registration can be found on their website:
- The Daddy/Daughter Dance is right around the corner. This year's event will be on Friday, February 9 from 7-9 PM. More information below.
- Now that the holidays have passed, I'm sure you want a good reason to get an early start on your Spring cleaning! The school is collecting gently used coats and jackets to donate to students at an area school. A collection box can be found in the school's rotunda. ALSO, if you are needing a new home for some of your outgrown toys, we have a great place for them. The Work Based Learning students at LHS are hosting toy drive for the Little Leopards Daycare. Little Leopards is the district's staff daycare which is housed at Hart Elementary School. A collections box is also located in the school's rotunda.
I'm excited to get back and see what the Spring of 2018 holds for our students and staff. Great things are happening and Puster and I'm humbled to be a part of it.
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.
BrightBytes Parent Participation
Lovejoy ISD is partnering with BrightBytes, an educational research organization, to learn more about our students' school and home technology use and the impact it has on instruction.
We are reaching out to ask you to take part in the Technology & Learning
questionnaire. This is a semi-annual initiative, and your participation is essential in helping us form a more complete picture of the role technology plays in your students' learning.
|
January 15 - Student Holiday
January 16 - Engineering - K-1st Grade
January 17 - Spelling Bee @ 8:15 4th Grade
January 17 - Engineering - 2-4th Grade
January 22 - Chess and Choir
February 2 - Early Release at 12:00
February 9 - Daddy/Daughter Dance
|
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
PUSTER NEWS
NEW! Engineering for Kids
The Engineering for Kids program will begin the week of January 15th. Please go to the links below for flyers and additional information. All classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Flyers also went home with your child yesterday. Please use the contact information on the flyer if you have questions.
Grades K-1
Grades 2-4
NEW! Notes from the Nurse:
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 and Happy New Year
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.
|
|
NEW! Live Music in the Library!
We are thrilled to offer a special opportunity for our students and staff in the library. On the First Friday of every month from 7:30- 7:50 am, we invite students and parents to come in and listen to an acoustic musical performance. We hope to foster interest in and appreciation for music and the fine arts. We encourage you to attend with your student and model appropriate audience manners. Students and parents will be asked to listen quietly to the performance and applaud at appropriate times. These performances can be great practice runs for attendance at larger performances and venues. We will wrap up in plenty of time for students to be in their classrooms before the 8:00 bell.
Who will be performing? Good question! We would love to feature Puster families. If you or your family members are musicians and would like to play for our Puster community, please contact Mrs. Smithwick at
alison_smithwick@lovejoyisd.net or 469-742-8277.
We can't wait to hear from you.
Leopard Leaders
Our 4th grade Leopard Leaders have new assignments this week! We appreciate these students for volunteering their time to help others in our school. We have a number of students who work with younger kiddos, help in the library and makerspace, and collect campus recycling. These students are truly leading by example.
Morning Crew
Our new crew rotations started early this week, and the kids are quickly becoming a cohesive team. From time to time, Mrs. Smithwick will send video clips of the kids at work to 4th grade teachers. They are able to share these through Seesaw so that you can see our crew in action!
Book Clubs
First through fourth grade book clubs began this week. If your student has chosen to participate by signing up, you will receive an email from Mrs. Smithwick with information about the books and reading schedules. At this time, we are not able to add more students to the book clubs. There will be more opportunities to join book clubs later this school year.
Author Visit
Kate Klise will be visiting Puster in late February. We will be offering some of her books for sale through the library in the coming weeks. More information will be shared soon.
Volunteer Opportunities
The weeks of January 22 and January 29, Mrs. Smithwick will be introducing Puster kids to coding. If you would like to help by being a facilitator/cheerleader at one of the stations, we could use your help! We don't have a Sign Up Genius prepared quite yet, but feel free to indicate your interest by email or phone call.
The Spring Book Fair will take place the week of March 5. We will share a Sign Up Genius soon.
Thank you for your tremendous support of our Puster Library programs!
Bluebonnet Pancake Breakfast
Third and fourth graders who read at least five Bluebonnet Award nominees will be invited to the Bluebonnet Pancake Breakfast and Voting on Friday, January 19. Students have been given reading logs by their classroom teachers. Extra copies are available in the library. Students will document and give a rating to the books they've read. These forms will be due Friday, January 12. Invitations will be distributed on Tuesday, January 16.
|
|
PTA NEWS
2017-2018 Yearbooks on Sale!
The Puster yearbook for the 2017-2018 school year are on sale! Purchase your yearbook(s) by clicking
here.
|
|
DISTRICT NEWS
Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Referrals
Gifted and talented services referrals for kindergarten students (located in the Power School Parent Portal) will close on January 12, 2018.
Information regarding gifted and talented services and the testing process is available on the gifted and talented webpage
Only students referred through PowerSchool will complete the full battery of assessments on 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).
The Travelers
"The Travelers" spent the evening with the Lady Leopards basketball team prior to Christmas helping them defeat the Highland Park Scots. Their job included rebounding balls for the Lady Leopards during warm ups, standing with the Lady Leopards during the national anthem, lining ups with the Lady Leopards during the team introduction, and taking a team photo with the Lady Leopards prior to the game. "Travelers" in attendance at the Leopards vs Scots game were:
Lydia Smith
Catie Pruitt
Kenzie Busse
Lacey Anderson
Cherington Blumenthal
Arabella Carroll
Taylor Oleson
Travelers not in attendance were:
Cate Steed
Brooke Hathaway
Harper Smith
Lovejoy K-6 Talent Show
The Lovejoy High School Junior Class invites Lovejoy K - 6 students to register for its upcoming fundraiser talent show. The show will take place Thursday, February 15th at 5:30 PM at Lovejoy High School in the auditorium, with rehearsals on Thursday, February 8th at 5:00 PM. The cost for single acts to perform is $25, and group acts is $50. Admission to the event is free. All proceeds will go to support Prom.
For more information and to register,
click here
. Please note, only the first 40 acts to register will be accepted, so don't delay.
Lovejoy Orchestra Spirit Night
January 16th
The Lovejoy Orchestra will host a Spirit Night at BJ's restaurant Tuesday, January 16th from 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Please join the Orchestra for a great combo of delicious food and good company in support of our Lovejoy Orchestra. 20% of the proceeds from your visit will go to the Orchestra Booster Club. When you order, please let them know you are with Lovejoy Orchestra. This is valid for dine in or take out. BJ's is located at 190 E. Stacy Rd Suite 3300, Allen, TX 75002.
Free Girls Lacrosse Try-It Practices
January 22nd and January 24th
Lovejoy Lacrosse will host two free try-it practices for all Lovejoy girls in grades K - 8. The practices will be held on Monday, January 22nd (at Lovejoy High School), and Wednesday, January 24th (at Willow Springs Middle School). The try-it practice times will be as follows for both days:
Kinder/2nd graders
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
3rd/4th graders
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
5th/6th graders
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
7th/8th graders
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
No lacrosse experience is necessary and there is no need to register. It will be a fun, no pressure environment where Lovejoy girls can try lacrosse and parents can learn about the Lovejoy Lady Leopards Lacrosse program. For additional information, please visit the Lovejoy Lacrosse website at
www.lovejoylacrosse.com
.
Senior Project - Volleyball Camp, Grades 1 - 6
January 18th
A message from Rachel Langs, Lovejoy High Shool Senior
"Hello everyone. My name is Rachel Langs, and I am a senior at Lovejoy High School. For my senior project, I am going to host a volleyball camp for all 1st-6th graders. The camp will be held at Lovejoy High School on Thursday, January 18th from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The cost is $15 per child, and both boys and girls are welcome.
All proceeds will benefit the life skills room at the high school in order for the teachers to purchase additional classroom items for these special kids. Serving as the life skills aide this past semester, and working with PALS for 1 1/2 years, has instilled a desire for me to be a special education teacher.
Next year, I will be attending the University of Kansas where I will be playing volleyball and studying education.
If you would like to make a donation, please provide me with a check made payable to Lovejoy ISD by January 18th.
To register for the camp please rsvp to
ralangs35@gmail.com by January 16th. You may contact me at
214.326.3335
if you have any questions."
Lovejoy High School Music Theatre
Presents The Sound of Music
Climb every mountain, ford every stream, and follow every rainbow to Lovejoy High School to see Lovejoy High School Performing Arts' musical,
The Sound of Music. The musical is considered one of the masterpieces of modern musical theatre and marked the culmination of the epic Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration. It will be presented January 18th - 20th at 7:00 PM in the Lovejoy High School Auditorium.
The Sound of Music is a show for everyone, and includes beautiful inspirational music and characters whom audiences will adore, such as Captain von Trapp's "wealthy and sophisticated" would-be fiancée Baroness Elsa Schräder (Senior, Raegan Vaughn); the von Trapp children: Liesl (Junior, Marcie Sawyers), Friedrich (Willow Springs 8th Grader, Aidan Abramson), Louisa (Freshman, Grace Felton), Brigitta (Freshman, Catherine O'Brian), Kurt (Sloan Creek 5th Grader, Brock Bernal), Marta (Sloan Creek 5th Grader, Rachel Dobbs), and Gretl (Puster Elementary 4th Grader, Sophie Brooks); as well as Captain von Trapp's great friend and music producer Max Detweiler (Sophomore, Zachary Joyner).
Tickets are $12 for students, seniors, and staff, and $16 for adults. Tickets may be purchased by
clicking 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.
Relay for Life Gallery Wall Opportunity
Relay for Life is an annual event held at Lovejoy High School to raise awareness of cancer and donate to cancer research. This year's initiative is to bring the Lovejoy community together as a whole to promote a sense of community and care. The entire Lovejoy community is invited to participate in this event on April 6, 2018.
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. Beginning December 11th, they may 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 the night of the event which will represent loving support for those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
We hope you will save the date of April 6th and join us for Relay for Life.
Relay for Life Luminarias
Relay for Life is selling Luminarias for the Relay for Life event on April 6th at Lovejoy High School. Luminarias honor those whose lives have been affected by cancer. You may dedicate a Luminaria to a loved one who lost their battle 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
.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
