Principal Message:  September 30, 2016

Dear Parents,

We have had a busy and fantastic week of learning. We definitely enjoyed Roy the Wrangler visiting us today at our first Leopard Live to celebrate us learning about RESPECT.  We also enjoyed the Lovejoy High School presentation of the Star Catcher this afternoon.  If you have some time tonight or tomorrow, I would recommend you seeing it with your family. Please see below for more information. 

Next week, we will be beginning a new system in Thursday folders. We will have a pink "1 pager" in the front of your child's Thursday folder with an over view of the contents of Thursday folders and links for the information. Some of the information will have a follow up sheet in the folder and the other information will just have links for you to reference. We are trying out this new system in an effort of to "go green" and allow students to get the exact fliers that they are interested in each week.  Also, next week, we will have a "Quick Link" section added to the Principal's Message.  This will allow you to quickly click on the things that you need.  I would love to hear your feedback about our new system once we have it up and running. 

As always, please feel free to e-mail me or call me with any questions or concerns. 

All My Best,
Wendy Craft
469-742-8077 (office)
214-551-4503 (cell)

October Leopard Life Skill



This month our little leopards have been working hard at having a growth mindset by exercising their brains and tackling difficult challenges. They are beginning to embrace the idea that there may be some things that they can't do YET, but they  can get smarter with hard work and effort. Now that we are just about at the end of September, we are getting ready to focus on the Leopard Life Skill for October, "Self Control." Students will be learning that self control is the ability to control one's brain and body to make positive choices even when it's difficult. We will emphasize that having self control means listening to our inner "brain voice" that guides us to make good choices and to control our impulses. There are so many real examples of when this skill is important in students' daily lives. For example, self control is needed in order to stop talking in class, to take their time with their schoolwork, to resist doing something that would be hurtful to themselves or someone else, and to stay calm when they are feeling mad, frustrated, or upset. While we're teaching and practicing this Leopard Life Skills here at school, it would be helpful to reinforce the importance of self control at home as well. The more real life applications students have with the skill, the more likely they are to begin doing it on their own. If you would like to know more about the nine character strengths, skills, and mindsets from the Character Lab organization, you can visit their website at www.characterlab.org . You can also contact me at any time. Thank you for your continued support in growing heart strong leopard leaders!

Mrs. Ruggeri 


LES News 

NEW!  Upcoming Holiday
Lovejoy ISD will be closed on Monday, October 10 th.  I hope you have plans to enjoy your 3-day weekend! 

NEW!  PTA Reflections What's Your Story?
This year's PTA Reflections art contest theme is What's Your Story? We hope all Leopards will submit in an entry in one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts, and Music Composition. Please click here for more information. The deadline is Monday, October 31 st. You may contact Nicole Helfand with questions at nicolehelfand@yahoo.com.

NEW!  Field Trips
1st Grade Field Trip - Dallas Heritage Village on Tuesday, October 18 th with the cost of $4 per student and $5 per chaperone
3rd Grade Field Trip - Dallas Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, October 20 th with the cost of $6.50 per student
4th Grade Field Trip - Austin Field Trip on Friday, January 27, 2017 with the cost of $85.00 per student
 
If you would like to pay on-line for any of the field trips above, please click here .
 
NEW!  4th Grade Recorders
If you would like to buy the recorder on-line, please click here.


LOVEJOY'S GOT TALENT!
This year, we have decided to have our annual Talent Show during the fall. We received feedback from parents and teachers that May is too hectic.  Therefore, our annual Talent Show will be held on Wednesday, October 26th for 1st and 2nd grade, and Thursday, October 27th for 3rd  & 4th grade. Registration for the show and instructions for submitting music can be found on the LES Music Website. Auditions for the Talent Show will be held on Wednesday, October 12th , and Thursday, October 13th. The Talent Show Committee will need to see your completed act with props, and costumes at your audition. Be creative! Have fun! Show your talent!
 
HELP!  Please Complete FERPA and General Waiver Forms
We have about 219 students who have not updated their FERPA forms.  Please take the time to update these forms.  Also, please take the time to verify that all other required forms have been completed. You can find these forms online by:
 

Go the LISD website -  www.lovejoyisd.net
Click on Parents
Power School Parent Portal
Input your user name and password
You should now be in PowerSchool.  Click on the blue "Click here to access the Enrollment Packet Forms or to update student information."
There are multiple forms you can click to update, but the required forms are the two on the bottom  - "FERPA" and "General Waiver"
 
If you have any questions, please give Peggy Whitmore a call at 469.742.8083.
 

LES Fall Festival on October 20th
Volunteers and Donations are needed for the Fall Festival! If you are interested in helping plan the Fall Festival or in helping volunteer at the Fall Festival, please contact Meredith Barnett at meredithbarnett@gmail.com.

We need lots of volunteers to make this event successful! If you know any high school or middle school students who need service hours, this is a fun and easy way to earn them.  We will also be collecting donations (water, individually wrapped candy, prizes, and cakes) for this fun evening.  We appreciate all of your help in making this event successful!

Box Tops
Would you like to help Lovejoy Elementary earn some extra money?  It is as easy as 1, 2, 3. First, find Box Tops on many different products like Ziploc baggies, then clip Box Tops from each package, and send the Box Tops to school. For each Box Top Lovejoy Elementary receives 10¢.  Thank you in advance for helping us earn extra money!
 

Facebook and Twitter
We have started Lovejoy Elementary Facebook and Twitter pages. This will be another place for us to share upcoming events, the principal message, and other great things happening at Lovejoy Elementary.  We would love for you to like our page or follow us! 

   








REMINDER: Student Nutrition
Families who wish to apply for free or reduced priced meals need to complete a new income application every school year. The free/reduced price eligibility of our returning students rolled over to this school year for the first 30 school days. However, last school year's Free/Reduced Priced School Meal Applications are set to expire on October 3, 2016. Students who currently receive free or reduced price meals but whose family has not yet submitted an application for the 2016-2017 school year or who have not received an eligibility letter from the Student Nutrition Office will be changed to full pay status on October 3, 2016. Households will be responsible for the cost of school lunch until a new application is submitted and processed. If you have not already completed a 2016-2017 Free/ Reduced Income Application, you can pick one up at your school's office, cafeteria, or download one from our website at www.lovejoyisd.net. To download an application from the website click on Departments, Student Nutrition, then Free/Reduced Income Applications. Once completed, please return the application to the Student Nutrition Office.

District News


Lovejoy High School Theatre Presents: Peter and the Starcatcher
The Neverland You Never Knew!
 
Second star to the right and straight on to the stage! The popular children's novel turned stage play will be flying to Lovejoy ISD's Elementary School's stage.
 
Set in Victorian England, Peter and the Starcatcher introduces the story of Peter Pan, an orphaned boy (played by Bryce Fuller, making his high school acting debut as a freshman) and a precocious Starcatcher-in-training, Molly Aster (Junior, Hannah Hansen).
  From swash-buckling pirates to magical mermaids, Peter and the Starcatcher is a fantastical show for the whole family, featuring a range of diverse characters, such as terrifying Black Stache (Senior, Patrick Compton), his goofy sidekick, Smee (Senior, Ryan Allen), and Lord Leonard Aster, Molly's noble father (Senior, Trace Glorioso).
  The LHS Theatre Arts department will be touring this show to your child's elementary school this week.  Performances held during the school day are free to Lovejoy ISD students.
 
Open performances will be held at Lovejoy Elementary School on September 30th at 6:30 PM and October 1st at 2:30 PM. Tickets for those performances are $7 for adults and $5 for students, faculty, and seniors. The show is a little less than an hour and there is no intermission. All tickets are general admission; there will be no reserved seating available. You may buy tickets at the door the night of the performance.  The box office will open at Lovejoy Elementary at 5:30 PM, and the house opens at 6:00 PM for a 6:30 show time. Limited seating is available and is first come, first serve.
 
Watch as the Lovejoy Theatre performers fight to save the precious treasure, starstuff, while discovering their romantic feelings and learning to do what is right when nobody else will. Whether you're a kid or a kid-at-heart, there's something in it for everyone.
 
Visit: www.lovejoytheatre.com   for additional information.
 
Lovejoy Women's Lacrosse Try It Days:  October 8, October 22 and November 12
Lovejoy senior Kennedy Miller has taken on the challenge of launching the Lady Leopard Lacrosse program as her 2017 Senior Project. Please join Kennedy, Coach Shannon, and the rest of the Lovejoy student volunteer coaching staff for one of the free Try It Days scheduled this fall:
 
October 8, 2016                      SCIS                 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
October 22, 2016                    LHS                  3:00 PM - 5:00 PM    
November 12, 2016                WSMS              10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
All grades are welcome and loaner sticks will be available on a first come, first served basis. For additional information contact Kennedy Miller at ksmillerlacrosse@gmail.com
or visit the website at:  www.leopardlacrosse.com
 
NEW!
Old Rooster Creek & Flea Market Bazaar Fall Festival
For more information, please click here.
 
Introduction to BYOP® (Volleyball) Meeting and Presentation:  October 3rd
BYOP® Program Overview: 
This training program is designed for any volleyball player, no matter what skill or ability level, as long as their goal is to become the best they can be. Parents must be fully dedicated to being actively involved in this program. BYOP® will provide excellent volleyball fundamental skills training as well as life lessons to both player and parent.
BYOP® Program Details:
Each training session will build upon a solid foundation of all fundamental skills needed to participate in the sport of volleyball. Parents must be engaged in every training session and involved in the home training program involving physical and skills activities.
An informational meeting and presentation will be held at Willow Springs Middle School on October 3rd from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.  Additional information may be found by clicking here.
 
Lovejoy Leopards, Inc. (LLI) Golf Tournament:  October 7th
The 8th Annual LLI Golf Tournament will be held on October 7th, 2016, at Heritage Ranch with an 8:30 AM shotgun start. Lunch will be served.  Raffle items and other fun prizes will be available.  The tournament was sold out last year so register early. Please click here for additional information.  To register, visit:  www.lovejoyfootball.com/Paypal.html The deadline to register is October 3rd.
 
Leopard Mini Cheer Camp
The LHS Cheerleaders are hosting their annual Junior Leopard Mini Cheer Camp for kids 4 years through 4th grade! Come and join the LHS cheerleaders on October 8th to learn cheers, chants, and jumps! Then cheer with the cheerleaders during the first quarter of the Varsity game on Leopard Friday October 14th! A cheer T-shirt is included in the cost! Please click here for more information and registration.

Week-at-a-Glance
Week At A Glance:
 
Monday, October 3th 
 Watch Me Sculpt, 3:05
PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 9:30
Tuesday, October 4th
 
Wednesday, October 5th
Chess Club, 3:05
Thursday, October 6th
 
Friday, October 7th
 

 
"Nurturing the hearts and minds of students with knowledge, skills and character."




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