A Message from the Superintendent
This week, we held our annual breakfast recognizing our National Merit Scholars. The format is a roundtable discussion where we visit with our scholars. It's a great morning with these outstanding young men and women. Tonight, our Board of Trustees will recognize these students. Congratulations to:
National Merit Commended Scholars
Evan Carter
Taylor Carty
Abhinav Devalla
Elizabeth Hager
Chloe Harris
Caleb Kwon
Samuel Ma
Marcus Mao
Brandon Merrill
Eric Miller
Kennedy Miller
Lauren Payne
Miranda Perry
Nidhi Prakuzhy
Connor Redding
Thomas Rousey
Emily Weichel
National Merit Semifinalists
Noah Corbitt
Eden Harris
Zoe Kahana
John Reaves
Kevin Sorstokke
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School Senior, Jeremy Young, on achieving the highest award in Scouting; the rank of Eagle Scout. Jeremy's Eagle project included managing a group of young men and adults in making and placing a fence at the Heard Museum. The Heard Museum is an important asset to our community, and Jeremy's project certainly enriches the museum experience for all of us.
The Lovejoy band competed at the Wylie ISD Marching invitational last week and held their own with many of the largest programs in the DFW area. They received as high as a 5th place vote in the music caption out of all bands including the largest 6A schools in the area and finished 6th overall out of all of the local 5A schools. The Lovejoy Band finishes their competitive season this Saturday at 2:45 PM at the Wylie ISD Stadium at the Region 25 UIL Marching Contest.
We are only a week and a half away from the first ever Running Over Depression 5K/1K at Lovejoy High School. This event is an Eagle Scout project for Bradley Davis, a Junior at Lovejoy High School. The Dallas Morning News published a great article regarding this project. Please
click here
to read the article. Please see the upcoming events section for detailed information regarding this event.
Ethan Kerry, a Senior at Lovejoy High School is organizing a basketball tournament on Saturday, October 29th for 5th - 8th grade boys. Please see the upcoming events section for detailed information.
Lovejoy parents Jennifer Waldrop (hometown/Denham Springs, Louisiana) and Crystal Childers delivered approximately 10,000 books collected during the "Spreading Lovejoy Across State Lines" event to Denham Springs, Louisiana. The librarians, administrators, and staff send their thanks for not only the books and supplies, but also for the support and prayers. Continued thanks to our Lovejoy community for your support and contributions.
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A Message from the
Deputy Superintendent
Dear Lovejoy Community:
A recent message from the Deputy Superintendent focused on a topic related to our grade calculation system for students in grades 5 and above. The message today elaborates on a topic of interest which is relevant to parents with children in grades K-4.
Lovejoy ISD utilizes a Standards-Based Report Card (SBRC) in grades K-4. Although this is a grade reporting system which is different from what many of our Lovejoy parents may have experienced in school, Lovejoy ISD is not unique in using this type of report card for elementary students.
Our SBRC was created for kindergarten students entering Lovejoy in the 2006-07 school year. The SBRC was "moved up" each year until 2010-11 when it reached full implementation in grades K-4. This summer we placed a great deal of information regarding SBRC on our district website which may be found by
clicking here
.
Following are a few frequently asked questions regarding the SBRC (which I will address to help deepen understanding and clear up any potential confusion about the reporting system used in grades K-4).
Do students in K-4 receive grades?
Yes. Although it is not a number grade for a subject area, students receive a grade which is more descriptive of the progress and learning each student is making toward learning the standards for the grade level. The grades used for students in first through fourth grade in Lovejoy (E, M, N, B) inform the parent if the child Exceeds the Standard (E), Meets the Standard (M), is Nearing the Standard (N), or is Below the Standard (B). In kindergarten, the grades used are Meets the Standard (M), Nearing the Standard (N), or Below the Standard (B). Standards-based report cards describe for parents many of the specific skills which comprise each subject area. For example, instead of a student earning an overall grade of "86" in reading, he or she will be evaluated separately in very important skill areas of reading such as comprehension and decoding.
Although I know how my child is performing academically on the SBRC, will student learning behaviors still be assessed?
Yes. Behavior and work habits which promote learning are important for students to acquire in order to be successful in school. These standards are often referred to as processing skills because they are skills which indicate how the student behaves as they are learning. Grades for behavior and work habits are considered separately from academic learning standards and reported in a separate area of the SBRC.
Does the SBRC help foster a culture in which effort doesn't matter?
No. The SBRC is actually a more specific system for reporting progress and feedback. Although it is much more time-intensive for our teachers in grades K-4, they describe that they are continually providing more specific student feedback based on specific grade level standards than they did in a more traditional number grade system. Teachers tell us they have a better understanding of their students' academic strengths and weaknesses with the SBRC, as they monitor each standard in the subject area rather than overall progress in a subject area.
These questions seem to be somewhat prevalent regarding the grade reporting system we use for students in grades K-4. If there are additional questions you would like addressed regarding our Standards-Based report card, do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher, or your campus principal.
We hope you love where you have chosen for your child to learn. If you have feedback to help us improve, please do not hesitate to contact me on my cell at 214.385.1967 or via email at
[email protected]
.
Respectfully,
Dennis Muizers
Deputy Superintendent
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Men's Tailgate Tournament
October 26, 2016
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools is pleased to announce the annual Men's Tailgate Tournament. Join the Foundation for food, beer, and a cornhole tournament. The tournament is double elimination, so everyone is guaranteed to play two games. The event will be held at the home of Chris and Kim Collier in Lucas. Sponsors for the event are Owens Realty and Capacity Lending, Nine Band Brewing, Chick-fil-A of Allen, and the Collier Family. For additional information and to register for the event, click on the following link: Men's Tailgate Registration
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ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
This section of Email Express highlights news reports/articles in which Lovejoy has been featured over the previous week.
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This is National Digital Citizenship Week: October 17-21
Grown-ups dread it. Kids need it. It's time to have The Talk.
When it comes to navigating social media, online games, smartphones, and the Internet, it is best for kids to get their information from a trusted source. With 92 percent of teens going online daily and nearly three-quarters of kids age 1-8 using apps,
having The Talk is an essential rite of passage.
As parents and educators, we want to raise kids to be safe, responsible, and ethical in the digital world. Giving kids a solid understanding of how we expect them to behave -- both online and off -- starts everyone off on the right foot.
Lovejoy students will participate in Digital Citizenship Week October 17-21, 2016. Activities will focus on how to be safe, think critically, and participate responsibly in our digital world. Digital literacy skills are essential for students to leverage the full potential of technology for learning. We encourage you to engage in conversations with your student about making great choices in their digital lives.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Click here
for additional information from The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.
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Upcoming Events
LHS Choir/Coffee House: October 22
You won't want to miss some of the best talent the Lovejoy High School Choir has to offer at "Coffee House" on Saturday, October 22nd at 5:00 PM in the LHS Courtyard. "Coffee House" will feature A Cappella, the Varsity Muses, Limelight (WSMS), Centerstage (WSMS), and talented soloists from the LHS choir. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the LHS Courtyard to enjoy some wonderful music under the stars. The LHS Choir Booster Club will be selling beverages and sweet treats, so make sure you also have some cash on hand. In the event of rain, "Coffee House" will take place in the LHS Cafeteria.
Lovejoy Women's Lacrosse Try It Days: 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 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
[email protected]
or visit the website at:
www.leopardlacrosse.com
.
Lovejoy Preschool PTA Holiday Bazaar: October 23
The Lovejoy Preschool PTA is hosting a holiday bazaar, with a Kendra Scott Trunk show, on October 23rd.
Click here
for detailed information.
WSMS Presents Parent Session/ Drug Prevention: October 25
WSMS invites parents throughout Lovejoy ISD to join them on Tuesday, October 25th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the WSMS gym for a parent presentation on drug prevention. During Lovejoy's Red Ribbon Week, one of our own community members, Susan Hoemke, will be presenting on her own unexpected journey:
Our Unexpected Journey: Helping You Be Prepared
We would like to share our son Hayden's story and our dark journey through his downward spiral into drug use, addiction and legal issues. Our seemingly perfect family life came to an abrupt end when we found ourselves unprepared and uneducated to manage these issues. We were ashamed, embarrassed, and felt very alone. We lost our sweet beloved son, Hayden, in 2014 just before his 23rd birthday and on our 28th wedding anniversary. Our experience was very unfortunate and one we wish no parent would experience - sadly many will and are today. As Hayden's parents, one way for us to bring some light to this darkness is to tell others of our experience in hopes to provide you with some knowledge how drug abuse can start, what to watch for, and tools to plan and be prepared.
Running Over Depression 5K & 1K Fun Run: October 29
Register now for the first ever Running Over Depression 5K/1K at Lovejoy High School. This event is an Eagle Scout project for Bradley Davis, a Junior at Lovejoy High School. The Dallas Morning News published a great article regarding this project. Please
click here
to read the article.
The run follows a certified course, and awards will be given out to top 3 overall and age group finishers. Bibs purchased by all 5K runners contain chips which will accurately time your race and provide immediate results. You may either sign up online, at packet pickup, or on race day. Entry fee is $30 for 5K, and $20 for 1K. All preregistered runners are guaranteed a t-shirt. By registering online, you have the opportunity of receiving a group discount of $5 dollars per entry when signing up with 5 or more people. To sign up,
click here
. Money raised from entry fees will be donated to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) after costs have been covered. AFSP representatives will be attending to answer any questions or to take additional donations. Lovejoy High School is located at 2350 Estates Parkway. If you have any questions or are interested in other ways to help the cause, contact us at:
5th - 8th Grade Basketball Tournament: October 29
Senior Project
For his Senior Project, Ethan Kerry is hosting a basketball tournament on Saturday, October 29th at LHS.
The tournament is open to all 5th through 8th grade boys. The tourney will begin at 8:00 AM
and end between 2
:00 and 4:00 PM, depending on registrations. This 3-on-3 tournament may consist of either 3 or 4 people per team. This is a "bring your own basketball" tournament. The entry fee is $20 per team, with the money being donated to a college scholarship in Ethan's grandfather's name. Please contact Ethan at 214.385.7184
for additional information.
E-Waste Recycling Event: October 29
Lovejoy High School has arranged for an e-waste recycling day on Saturday, October 29th from 9 AM - Noon in the LHS parking lot. It is the perfect time to start gathering electronic items you would like to dispose of. Please click
RECYCLE
for additional information regarding the e-waste collection.
Winterguard Auditions for LHS Students: November 1, 2 and 3
LHS Girls Soccer Presents Parent's Night Out: November 4
The LHS Girls Soccer Team is hosting a community Parent's Night out on November 4th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Click here
for additional information.
Rocket Build Party: November 2; Rocket Launch: November 6
3....2....1.... Blast Off.... It's ROCKET LAUNCH TIME!
The Lovejoy Gifted Association and the Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) will be sponsoring the ROCKET PROJECT again this year due to the overwhelming success of last year's event! 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. Please join us for the fun:
What: Rocket Build Party*
Where: SCIS cafeteria
When: Wednesday, November 2nd from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Who: Skill level geared toward 3rd - 6th graders, but all ages are welcome with an adult.
Launch: Sunday, November 6th at LHS -- time TBD*
Cost: $12 for LGA members and $22 for nonmembers.
*Parental supervision is required at both the Build and Launch events.
Rudolph Run: December 3/ School Registration Deadline: November 1
The Rudolph Run is one of Allen's most exciting holiday 5Ks, and takes place on Main Street in downtown Allen. The event begins with a non-competitive, one-mile run, and concludes with the USATF-registered 5K Rudolph Run. Chip timing is used to determine race results of participants. Also, there is an overall male/female Master's division for 50+ winners. This is a family-friendly event open to all ages and skill levels.
You may help a Lovejoy PE department earn money by registering through the Rudolph Run's "School Registration Only" page. For each registration, $5.00 will be donated to the Lovejoy campus of your choice.
Click here
to register.
STAR PARTY: November 7
Puster Elementary, along with the Texas Astronomical Society, will host a star party on November 7th. Viewing will begin at 6:00 PM and end at approximately 9:00 PM. Join us as we explore the stars, moon, planets, the Andromeda Galaxy, and many exciting objects in the Milky Way. Parking will be available in the front lot. You may enter through the front doors where signs will direct you to the courtyard and back parking lot where viewing will take place. Access to the back parking lot will not be available via the driveway. The Puster PTA will provide hot chocolate. In the event the skies are overcast on the 7th, a back-up date of November 11th is planned.
Revisiting Diversity: More than a Buzzword: November 17
You see it sprinkled in college catalogs, corporate mission statements, and in employee training seminars: Diversity. A New York Times piece recently made the claim that the ubiquitous word has all but lost its meaning. This lecture, presented by Dr. Salena Brody, will revisit what diversity really means for our schools, workplaces, and communities, focusing on social science research from the past half century.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Lovejoy ISD Administration Building/Training Room
Dr. Salena Brody is a professor of Psychology at Collin College. She earned her doctorate in Social Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, studying intergroup contact and attitude change. Her research focuses on identifying the conditions under which contact between groups leads to prejudice reduction and other positive outcomes. She is a Phi Beta Kappa member and has received numerous teaching awards including being named the 2016-2017 Outstanding Professor of the Year at Collin College. She is a proud Lovejoy parent and active member of the community, serving on the Friends of Fairview Fire Board of Directors.
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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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