Principal Message:  October 28, 2016

Dear Parents,

We have had a great week learning about the effects of drugs on our bodies and making good, healthy choices. We also enjoyed our "Lovejoy's Got Talent" shows this week. Our students did a great job of displaying all of their talents. Please remember that we will not be wearing our Halloween costumes to school on Monday.  We want to lessen as many distractions as possible to help us continue learning.  Don't forget to "like" our Facebook page or "follow" us on Twitter.  We post pictures and reminders frequently.  You can find the links at the bottom of this email.    A big thank you to everyone who has already liked our page.  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)

Leopard Life Skill ~ Gratitude

 
As we approach the end of October, we are wrapping up our focus on self-control. All month long students have been working hard at practicing their self-control skills. Whether it's in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria, or on the playground, students have been presented with many opportunities to listen to their inner "brain voice" and practice using self-control to make positive choices. We will continue to work on using self-control for the remainder of the year, but will move into our next Leopard Life Skill for the month of November, "Gratitude." Students will learn that gratitude is "being thankful for the benefits we receive and showing appreciation to others." According to research, those who practice gratitude feel considerably happier and are more enthusiastic and determined. Studies also have found that children who are grateful are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, have more friends, and get higher grades than kids who are more materialistic. It can be difficult, however, to instill gratitude in children who are naturally self-centered and growing up in an entitlement-driven society. We want our students to learn that showing gratitude is more than just saying, "thank you." It also encompasses the mindfulness of appreciating and being content with what we have and helping and serving others. We will be focusing on these key elements to help our students develop authentic gratitude.
While we're teaching and practicing gratitude here at school, there are some simple ways you can reinforce it at home as well. You might enjoy reading a short article about the Five Ways to Instill Gratitude in Your Child at www.care.com. It describes some things you can do on a daily basis to make gratitude a habit in your household.
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 helping us grow grateful hearts in our little leopards!
Mrs. Ruggeri J
 
LES News 


NEW! OPERATION SHADE
This year we are raising money to cover our playground with shade!  To cover our playground, it will cost around $42,000.  If we raise any extra money, then we will contribute it to our Character program to help purchase the "Leopard Life Skill" sticks that we give to each student.  In order to help us raise money, we are going to have a fun run with Boosterthon.  This is a fun event where students will run during their specials class. We are encouraging each student to raise money to help us earn our shade.  Since it is so expensive, it might take us two years, but I know that if we all work together that we can raise enough money for our shade!  We will have our Kick Off event on Tuesday, November 1 st at 1:45, and then our Fun Run will be on Thursday, November 10 th during their specials.
 
REMINDER! DUE MONDAY!  What's Your Story?
We hope everyone is working on their Reflection project(s). This year'contest theme is "What's Your Story?" All Leopards can submit an entry in one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts, and Music Composition. The deadline is Monday, October 31st. The class with the most students to submit an entry will get a popsicle party! You may contact Nicole Helfand with questions at [email protected].  Please click here for more information.
 
REMINDER! DUE NEXT WEEK: 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 (PE department) of your choice.  Click here to register.

NEW! Lost & Found
Please help us decrease the number of items in our lost and found by putting your child's names on all coats, lunch boxes, and water bottles.  If there is a name on it, then we can return it to the rightful owner.
 
NEW!  Early Release on Wednesday, November 2nd
On Wednesday, November 2 nd, we will have early release, and our students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. (noon). This will allow our teachers to have professional development on Friday afternoon. Please note that we will send a specific schedule for the day next week. Because it is early release, we will serve sack lunches in the hot lunch line. Those wanting to purchase a sack lunch will make their way to the cafeteria with a grade level teacher and will return to their classroom for a picnic.  The sack lunch includes a chicken sandwich, baby carrots, fresh apples, sunset sip veggie juice, skeeter snacks (cinnamon grahams) and choice of milk.  If you are choosing to have your child eat after school, please email your child's teacher, and then send a snack for them to enjoy during their picnic.
Times for reporting to the cafeteria are:
10:40 - 10:50 -Kindergarten
10:50 - 10:55 - 4th
10:55 - 11:05 - 1st
11:05 - 11:10 - 3rd
11:10 - 11:20 - 2nd
 
Thanksgiving lunch
Our annual Lovejoy Thanksgiving luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 17 th.  Please mark your calendar so you will not miss this opportunity to feast your child.  Please click herefor more information.
4 th grade - 10:45
2 nd Grade - 11:15
3 rd Grade - 11:45
1 st Grade - 12:15
Kindergarten - 12:45 (program will follow)
 
NEW! Lovejoy Letter Campaign
We need your help for an upcoming opportunity to let our teachers and staff know how much our Lovejoy ISD community values them and what an impact each one has on our children! The district provides an extra check for teachers the day before Thanksgiving break. In addition to those checks, again this year we would love to include a hand written letter from Lovejoy ISD families expressing gratitude and appreciation to each teacher and staff on your campus.
We would be so grateful if you could write a letter or letter(s) to any teacher or teacher(s)/staff, either current or past, that have been valuable to your child(ren)'s educational experience. Please clearly label the envelope with the staff/teacher's name and LLC (Lovejoy Letter Campaign) and return the letter to the front office by Friday November 11th.
The letter campaign has become such a meaningful tradition, we really appreciate the time and effort your contributions will make again to this year's letter campaign.

Sincerely,
Amy Smith
Lovejoy Letter Campaign Coordinator
 
NEW! Social Skill: Reporting Other Youths' Behavior
  1. Look at the teacher or adult.
  2. Use a calm voice. Ask to talk to him or her privately.
  3.  Describe the inappropriate behavior you are reporting.
  4. Explain why you are making the report.
  5. Answer any questions the adult has.
  6. Thank the adult for listening.
  Veteran's Bulletin Board
Lovejoy Elementary is again creating a bulletin board display to honor our veterans.  We'd love for you to provide a poster highlighting the veteran in your family.  We have families who have allowed us to keep their posters from last year's display to once again display on our bulletin boards.  Check your child's Thursday Folder (last week and next week) for more information about our veterans display.  Completed posters need to be turned in by Friday, November 4 th. 
 
Veterans Day Brunch and Assembly
Please click here for an invitation to our Veterans Day Event scheduled for November 11 th.   We are extending an invitation to our veterans as well as other community members, to join us on Veterans Day in the Lovejoy Gym at 10:15  a.m.  We will host a brunch for our heroes in the Gathering Spot at 9:15 a.m. and would love to have the honor of serving those who to protect us every day.  If attending the brunch and assembly, please complete the bottom portion of the invitation and return to the front office no later than Wednesday, November 2 nd.  This allows us to plan for the upcoming event.
 
   








District News
                                                        
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.
 
E-Waste Recycling Event:  October 29
Lovejoy High School has arranged for an e-waste recycling day on Saturday, October 29 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.
 
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.
 
3....2....1.... Blast Off.....It's ROCKET LAUNCH TIME!
Rocket Build Party:  November 2; Rocket Launch:  November 6
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
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.
 
Click here to order your rocket kit .  The deadline for orders is:  October 19
 
*Parental supervision is required at both the Build and Launch events.
LGA Rocket Launch Video:  https://youtu.be/EPVqhiCap48
 
Lovejoy Preschool PTA Holiday Bazaar:  October 23
The Lovejoy Preschool PTA is hosting a holiday bazaar on October 23rd.  Click here for detailed information.
 
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.
 
Lovejoy Women's Lacrosse Try It Days:  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:
 
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
 
Quick Links
Week-at-a-Glance

Monday, October 31 st     
Happy Halloween!  Please no costumes!
Watch Me Sculpt, 3:05
Tuesday, November 1 st
Boosterthon Pep Rally Kick Off @ 1:45
Wednesday,
November 2 nd
EARLY RELEASE @ NOON
Chess @ 12:00
Thursday, November 3 rd  
 
Friday, November 4 th
Leopard Live, 2pm


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




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