 |
A Message from Kevin Parker
|
|
What a week at Puster! It is always great to have visitors at lunch. In case you haven't heard, next week is our Spring Break. Your kids have been working extremely hard this year along with our staff and deserve some time off. Tonight, we will welcome you to our Spring Open House. We will begin at 5:30 PM for all grades if your last name begins with letters A-L. Last names beginning with M-Z can arrive between 6:15-7:00. Ultimately, we want you to join us. If you need to arrive during the time reserved for the other part of the alphabet, feel free to do so. Parking will be at a premium. There will be additional parking in the back parking lot. If you have not ordered your 2017-2018 yearbook, we will have a table set up for you to do so if you would like.
We are coming to the end of our Campout Registration. Friday, March 9 is the last day to register. We now have close to 150 families registered to attend with a big variety of activities. It will be a great event!
An update to campus safety: This week we again invited Fairview PD on campus to guide us on our procedures in the event we need to lockdown the campus and have students in the cafeteria. The most difficult thing about preparing for a tragic event such as this is we have to practice as many situations as possible. We have students in the cafeteria for 2 ½ hours each day and must have a plan. After tomorrow, each grade level will be aware of what to do if they are in the cafeteria and we lock down the campus. I invite you to ask your kids about our safety processes and procedures. I will continue to update you on our safety practices.
I hope you have a restful weekend planned, or at least a fun one. I, personally, want to get recharged to get ready for a strong finish and ensure I give my best to your kids.
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.
|
March 8 - Open House - 5:30 - 6:15 A-L
March 8 - Open House - 6:15 - 7:00 M-Z
March 9 - Campout Registration Deadline
March 12 - 16 Spring Break
March 9 - Book Fair Closes at 12:00
March 12 - 16 - Spring Break
March 19 - Chess and Choir
March 20 - Engineering K-1
March 21 - Engineering - 2 - 4
March 22 - Watch Me Sculpt
March 22 - PTA Meeting/4th Grade Performance @ 6:00
March 23 - 4th Grade Choir Performance @ 8:15 AM (Cafeteria)
March 23 - Mother & Son Night: Game On!
March 29 - Spring Individual and class pictures
|
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
|
|
Online Auction Results
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2018 Online Auction. The auction raised over $30,000. Thanks to your support, these funds will be used towards the mission of providing innovative classroom grants to benefit the students of Lovejoy ISD.
If you did not get a chance to purchase a ticket to the K-4 Spring Fling Beach Bash Socials, it is not too late. There will be a sign-up sheet at each campus office for you to purchase a ticket for your student to attend their grade-level party.
The success of this auction would not have been possible without the staff of Lovejoy. The campuses and teachers so graciously donated over 200 experiences for your students and your family.
Denim and Diamonds - Lone Starry Night
Through your generosity and support, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools awarded grants totaling $451,100 to teachers for use in their classrooms this year. The Foundation is funded primarily from Annual Appeal and the Denim and Diamonds (D&D) Gala and Auction. The Foundation's goal this year is to cover D&D costs with sponsorships prior to the night of the event so all monies spent at the event go directly to fund classroom grants.
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools will host its 12th annual Denim and Diamonds Gala and Auction on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center in Plano. This year's theme is a Lone Starry Night. Foundation for Lovejoy Schools Chair, Carrie McClure and Co-Chair, Aimee Peay welcome you to a night featuring dinner, entertainment and live auctions.
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools will host a raffle for three great prizes, which includes:
- $2500 VISA gift card - donated by Owens Realtors
- EZ Go Golf cart - Completely Remodeled and Refurbished Model 2014 TXT-PDS with 2014 upbody with flip seating, new batteries, tires and LED head/tail lights. New factory-painted, flame-red body. EC Custom Carts - value $5,000
- Arcade Game Table - Designed like original arcade table from the 80s. Table can be customized, featuring officially licensed graphics of favorite College, Pro Team, etc. - value $4,400
Raffle tickets are $100. Only 500 tickets will be sold. A drawing will be held for each item, giving each ticket a chance to win one of these prizes. The winners will be drawn at the Denim and Diamonds Gala. You do not need to be present to win.
Click here
for additional information. You may purchase tickets from any Foundation director, via the Foundation's website, or at the LISD administration building. See the Foundation website for a list of directors or
click here
to purchase tickets online.
Tickets for the Gala go on sale Friday, February 9th for $135 each. The ticket price will increase to $150 beginning Friday, March 9th. This year, we will seat guests at tables of 12. For additional information, visit FoundationForLovejoySchools.org or contact Cindy Booker at cindy_booker@lovejoyisd.net or at 469.742.8043.
Click here
to purchase tickets to the gala.
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
A
pril 2nd - 6th, 2018
7:30 - 3:30
Kindergarten Roundup is a
registration
opportunityfor parents of kindergarten age students for the 2018-2019 school year.
If you have a child who will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2018 please plan to attend this come and go event.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT REGISTRATION
:
Completed Enrollment Forms
-
we will have hard copies at our campus or they can be found at: www.lovejoyisd.net, click on Parents/Parent Resources/Enrollment & Registration/New Student Registration Requirements and Forms
Copy of original birth certificate
Copy of Social Security Card
Current Copy of Immunization Record
Proof of Residency:
Copy of Driver License
Copy of current utility bill
Copy of current rental agreement
469-742-8003
*Only complete packets will be accepted*
Kindergarten Round-Up is a
parent event only. Students and parents will be invited to the school in May for a Kindergarten Sneak Peek.
We Look Forward to Meeting You
Puster Elementary
Save the Date! Puster 4th grade performance - Thursday, March 22nd
The Puster 4th graders will present songs and dances that celebrate our great state of Texas on Thursday, March 22nd at 6:00PM. We hope you will come out and support our talented Texans! For more information contact Anne Tracy (
Anne_Tracy@lovejoyisd.net).
Yearbook Pictures Needed
If you have any pictures from the 2017-2018 school year, we would love to include them in the yearbook. Please send a digital copy to your classroom teacher so they can be passed along to Rhiannon Evans, PTA Historian.
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
First Annual Parent/Child Campus Campout
April 27-28, 2018 at Puster Elementary Registration is open!
Deadline to register is March 9!
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.
|
|
Book Fair-- Thank You!
We have had a fantastic week in the book fair. Your support allows us to buy books and materials for the library. We will be able to add about 50 books to the library collection as well as replenish some makerspace materials.
Fundraisers for Teaching with Jamaica
In one week alone, we have raised over $200 for Teaching with Jamaica. I will post pictures on Facebook of Ms. Haskin shopping the book fair for TwJ. Your kids filled the change jars with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. The total collection weighed about twenty pounds!
|
|
PTA NEWS
NEW! Mother & Son Night: Game On! Friday, March 23
Please save the date and join us for Mother & Son Night: Game On! at Puster, Friday, 3/23 from 6-8pm. Come ready to play and have fun! We are planning an awesome, light-hearted evening chock full of activities and games for moms and sons to play together like Laser Tag, Booger Wars, Gaga Ball, and much more!
Snacks and drinks will be served. If mom is unavailable to attend, we welcome any family member or friend to accompany our Puster boys. We hope to see you there!
2017-2018 Yearbooks on Sale!
The Puster yearbook for the 2017-2018 school year are on sale! Purchase your yearbook(s) by clicking
here. The price of the yearbook is
$35.
|
|
DISTRICT NEWS
NEW! Suicide Prevention
Willow Springs Middle School, in partnership with the Grant Halliburton Foundation, will present two important events focusing on suicide prevention.
NEW! Orchestra Spirit Night - Tonight
The Lovejoy Orchestra Spirit night will be held at Zoe's Kitchen tonight from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Please plan on joining the orchestra for delicious food and good company in support of the Lovejoy Orchestra. 15% of the proceeds will benefit the Orchestra Booster Club. When ordering, please let the cashier know you are with Lovejoy Orchestra. This includes dine in and take out. Zoe's Kitchen is located at 102 Prairie Road, in the Villages of Fairview.
NEW! Firefighters Pancake Breakfast -
April 21st From 8:00 - 11:00 AM Fairview Fire Station #2.
March Student Nutrition Newsletter:
NEW! Flats for Bats - Lovejoy Baseball Fundraiser
Lovejoy Baseball is hosting its annual flower sale, Flats for Bats. Please help support Lovejoy Baseball and buy your spring flowers from one of the high school players. Flowers will be delivered to your house on April 8th. Find any Lovejoy Baseball player and place your order, or email lovejoybaseball@gmail.com and a player will contact you to take your order. Orders will be accepted through March 21st.
NEW! LHS Baseball Presents Little Leopard Night
April 6th
The Lovejoy Varsity baseball team will host Little Leopard Night on Friday, April 6th. The team will play Wylie East High School. The Lovejoy Elementary Choir will perform the National Anthem. All elementary students attending will receive free admission into the game, and will have the opportunity to join the Varsity players on the baseball field for the National Anthem. All participants will receive popcorn and baseball pennants. Please arrive at 7:00 PM, as the game will begin at 7:30 PM. For questions, please contact Alicia Pool at 817.999.0719.
Metroplex Aquatics Offers Swim Lessons
Gifted and Talented Referrals for 2018-2019
The referral window for gifted and talented services opens February 1st for students in grades 1-12. The window will remain open through March 31, 2018.
Click here
for the referral forms located online in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. All referrals must be completed in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. A line is included to type the name of the individual referring the student (parent, teacher, other educator, or student).
Testing is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th and 28th.
For questions regarding referrals, please contact
Kari Lockhart
(469.742.8015) or
Brie Smith
(
469.742.8032)
.
NEW! Lovejoy Gifted Association Rocket Launch
March 21st
3....2....1.... Blast Off.....It's Rocket Launch Time.
Back by popular demand, the Lovejoy Gifted Association is partnering with the Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) for the annual LGA Rocket Project. 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.
The Lovejoy Gifted Association is a non-profit organization supporting Gifted and Talented programs across all schools in Lovejoy ISD. The Rocket Project is a fundraiser with proceeds directly benefiting Lovejoy students. If you have questions, contact
Jay van Rijn
.
What: Rocket Build Party*
Where: SCIS cafeteria
When: Wednesday, March 21st from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Who: Students aged 10 and up
Launch: Sunday, March 25th, Lovejoy High School, 12:00 PM
*Parental supervision is required at both the Build and Launch events.
Relay for Life: April 6
Relay for Life is an annual event which will be held at Willow Springs Middle School to raise awareness of cancer and to donate to cancer research. This year's initiative is to bring the Lovejoy community together as a whole to promote a sense of unity and caring. We hope you will save the date of April 6th and join us for Relay for Life.
Relay for Life Dinner
A dinner in honor of survivors, caregivers, and their families will be held in conjunction with the Relay for Life event. If this applies to you or to someone you know, please RSVP to
Katherine Guo
.
Relay for Life Stories to Share
The high school Relay for Life committee is also organizing a tribute to those who have been affected by cancer. If you have a story to share, please contact
Katherine Guo
.
Relay for Life Gallery Wall Opportunity
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. They may then 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 for the event, which will represent loving support for those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
Relay for Life Luminarias
Relay for Life is selling Luminarias for the Relay for Life event on April 6th at Willow Springs Middle School. Luminarias honor those whose lives have been affected by cancer. You may dedicate a Luminaria to loved ones who lost their battles 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
.
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.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
