A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Lovejoy Community:
Last week, a parent sent me this message in response to my explanation that the district is considering implementing fees for services such as transportation, extra-curricular activities, etc. if the Texas Legislature indeed cuts $6 million from our state funding. This is the one line I received:
"So much for our large tax increase y'all wanted last year. Every year, you come after homeowners for more money. Bonds, tax increases, now more fees. It needs to stop imho."
-A Lovejoy taxpayer
I completely understand this sentiment and I totally agree it needs to stop. However, what needs to stop is the current practice of our state legislature shifting the burden of funding our schools from the state to our local property tax holders. The state's share of supporting our public schools has fallen to approximately 38% leaving the other 62% to our local property owners. During my tenure as an educator, I have seen our schools funded at the 80% level by state resources and only 20% by local property owners. This shift in responsibility for funding has been used to keep the state's budget in check while forcing local school boards to raise taxes to protect the strong programs we have in our schools. Of course, the Tax Ratification Election this community approved in May 2016 raised approximately $2 million which served to return the $2 million to our budget that the state had previously cut from our state funds. We gained nothing, but only returned the distrtict back to the 2011 level of state funding.
The legislature has done it again with the session that just ended. As a result of a feud between the Texas House and the Texas Senate, the legislature did not pass a school finance bill at all. This means Lovejoy ISD is scheduled to lose $6 million in state funding (known as ASATR) for the upcoming school year. If you have missed the background information, please click here to read the press release the district distributed last week. The state funding for next school year is included in the budget bill that did pass, but it only funds new enrollment across the state (~80,000 students). This is insufficient to keep up with the increased costs of doing business over the next year.
Yesterday, Governor Abbott called a special session to begin on July 18th. The session is specifically being called to address the state agency Sunset bills, which were not passed during the regular session. The bills are needed for the continued operation of the Texas Medical Board and four other agencies. The Governor also announced 19 additional items to be added to the special session after the sunset bills are passed in the Senate. The items include a wide variety of subjects. Although ASATR was not specifically called as an item, we believe ASATR will be included in the discussion on other school issues.
Since we are six weeks ahead of the special session, I would recommend you contact our local elected officials to let them know the importance of restoring funding for ASATR during the special session. District office phone numbers are listed below:
The Honorable Van Taylor, Texas State Senator, District 8
972.398.9416
The Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Texas House Representative, District 89
972.424.6810
The Honorable Scott Sanford, Texas House Representative, District 70
972.548.7500
You may click here for specific talking points regarding ASATR. As always, thank you for your support of Lovejoy ISD.
Lovejoy High School Class of 2017
Honor Graduates
Congratulations to the Lovejoy High School graduates who graduated with Highest Honors:
Valedictorian
Jonathan Holden Bentley
Salutatorian
Eden Faith Harris
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School graduates who graduated Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude:
2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Sohum Sukhatankar, Sloan Creek Intermediate 5th grade student, for advancing to the 5th round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. You may
click here
to read a great article published by the The Dallas Morning News in reference to Sohum's success.
State Solo and Ensemble - Choir
Congratulations to the LHS Choir Students who participated in the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest at the University of Texas in Austin. The ensemble of Julia Dobbs, Katrina Leslie, Alison Jobes, and Lauren LaTour received a first division rating, along with the vocal solo of Brady Bardwell. Receiving second division ratings were the vocal solo of Reed Fraser, and the ensemble of Dane Locklear, Reed Fraser, Brady Bardwell, and Chase Barajas.
State Solo and Ensemble - Orchestra
Members of the Lovejoy High School Orchestra competed at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. They had an extremely successful showing, with all students receiving the two highest possible ratings, Superior and Excellent. In total, orchestra members won 16 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals.
SOLOIST
Anthony Tang
- Violin - Superior Rating
Abigail Xue
- Cello - Superior Rating
John Reaves
- Viola - Superior Rating
Daniel Xue
- Violin - Superior Rating
Carol Xu
- Violin - Superior Rating
Katrina Leslie
- Cello - Excellent Rating
Sarah Dunham
- Violin - Excellent Rating
Gabriella DiLiegro
- Violin - Excellent Rating
In addition, Anthony Tang was named an "Outstanding Soloist" for his performance; an honor only bestowed upon the top 1% of all performers.
ENSEMBLES
String Quartet - Superior Rating
Anthony Tang
Sarah Dunham
John Reaves
Abigail Xue
String Quintet - Superior Rating
Leslie LaTour
Lauren Bradshaw
Meredith Ehlmann
Katrina Leslie
Roni Hanson
String Duet - Superior Rating
Anthony Tang
Daniel Xue
String Quartet - Excellent Rating
Gabriella DiLiegro
Lauren Bradshaw
Tyler Gassman
Weston Hall
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Lovejoy ISD Pre-Kindergarten
Lovejoy ISD is accepting applications for tuition-based Pre-Kindergarten. This comprehensive program will be staffed by credentialed teachers and housed on the Puster Elementary School campus. This program will offer enhancements in music, fitness, art, library, science, technology, engineering, and math. We are enthusiastic to provide a Lovejoy education for community members looking for a rich learning experience which will provide a firm foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
To apply, please
click here
. To schedule a tour of the Pre-Kindergarten program, please contact
Stacey Dillon
at 469.742.8003.
Summer Enrichment Camps
The Summer Enrichment Camps have been finalized, and we are excited to offer opportunities for Pre-K through 12th grade. You will find everything from dodge ball to robotics, and cooking to coding.
Summer Enrichment Camps will be offered in three sessions:
Session I: June 12-16
Session II: June 19-23
Session III: July 10-14
Click here
to see the exciting summer enrichment camp offerings. Registration is open.
With a few exceptions (athletic camps and Lovejoy theatre camp), information for all enrichment camps is available through this link. If there is a need to register through the camp provider, the link will be provided with the session description for each session (e.g., PSAT Prep from Princeton Review).
Please review the enrichment camps and consider one or more of these excellent opportunities for your children this summer.
Lovejoy ISD Athletic Summer Camps and Performance Course
Registration is open for Lovejoy ISD Athletic Summer Camps.
Click here
for details.
Lovejoy Athletics is pleased to announce its partnership with Geno Pierce's Performance Course for the 2017-2018 school year. Performance Course brings with it a proven track record of championship success. Performance Course offers many different courses from high-intensity to foundational programs. There is something for everyone.
Click here
for details and registration links.
Lovejoy Musical Theatre Camp
Join Lovejoy's fifth annual Summer Musical Theatre Camp for two weeks of acting, choreography, theatre games, singing, costuming, and a lot of fun. Camp dates are July 10 - 20, 2017.
Students will work together to produce and perform Disney's The Lion King Experience - Kids. Directed by Jessica Brewster, LHS Head Theatre Director, and musically directed by Bethany Stuard, SCIS Choral Director, this show is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Students who attend will develop confidence, sharpen their musical and theatrical skills, and create wonderful memories along the way. Spots are limited and will be a first-come-first-serve basis.
Click here
for additional information.
Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse
Boys' K-8 Teams Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for the boys' 20
17 Fall season of Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse. Join the most e
xciting, fastest growing sport in the country.
Register now for boys grades Kindergart
en through 8th. Visit
www.lovejoylacrosse.com
for information regarding the program and the upcoming Fall season.
Girls' teams and Boys' High School will begin registration soon.
Hurry, as rosters will fill quickly.
Bus Drivers
Lovejoy ISD is currently accepting applications for full-time and part-time school bus drivers.
Click here
for additional information.
Substitute Nursing
Lovejoy ISD is currently accepting applications for substitute nurses. The application may be found by
clicking here
. Please contact Melissa Page with any questions at: 469.742.8013 or
melissa_page@lovejoyisd.net
.
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Upcoming Events
Camp Invention: June 19-23
Camp Invention will be held at Sloan Creek Intermediate School from June 19th through 23rd for children entering K - 6th grades.
Click here
for additional information.
Sports Physicals and Cardiac Screenings: July 22
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Willow Springs Middle School
$20 for physicals, payable to Lovejoy Athletics
$15 for cardiac screen, payable to Who We Play For
The Lovejoy Sports Medicine Department is offering sports physicals, and hosting Who We Play For for cardiac screenings. Physicals and cardiac screens are open to all 2017-18 incoming 7th - 12th grade student-athletes. A parent or guardian should attend with the student to sign permission forms.
The physical examination consists of the parent or guardian completing a medical history, followed by a thorough medical and orthopedic assessment by a host of qualified nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and physicians.
Please RSVP for each student attending physicals and/or cardiac screenings by clicking here. Payment is due at WSMS on July 22nd. Payment must be made by check or cash, as no credit cards will be accepted.
Lovejoy ISD requires every 7th - 12th grade student-athlete to receive an annual physical prior to participation in sports.
The cardiac screen is not required for participation in athletics at Lovejoy ISD but it is highly recommended. Who We Play For recommends testing at least once during high school.
This is a fundraising event for our Sports Medicine Department. We appreciate your support.
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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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