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A Message from Kevin Parker
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Are you ready for next week? We will have a lot going on and love for you to join us for any and/or all of them!
- 3rd and 4th graders will be taking benchmark assessments at the beginning of the week (you may not want to show up for this one J). This gives us great information as to what progress students have made this year and where we need to take them from this point forward.
- Thursday will be our Thanksgiving Luncheon (please see schedule below)
- Thursday evening our 2nd graders will be on stage at 6:00 PM for their music performance
- Friday at 8:15 AM will be our Puster Pride assembly.
Friday, November 10, is also Veteran's Day. Just like last year, we would love for you to send in a picture of a friend or family member who has served in our armed forces so we can honor them. We have a template for you to use to submit your photo. That template will be coming home today in Thursday folders. If you need another or lose yours, we will have additional copies in the front office. Our Veteran's Wall was pretty impressive last year!
Finally, our yearbooks for the 2017-2018 school year are going on sale tomorrow using the link:
The price for yearbooks is the same as last year ($25). After January 23rd, the price will go up to $35.
Have a great weekend!
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.
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November 2 - Watch Me Sculpt Begins
November 6 - PTA General Meeting @ 10:30
November 6- Choir and Chess
November 7 - STEM Class - K-1
November 8 - STEM Class - 2-4
November 9 - Thanksgiving Lunch
November 9 - Watch Me Sculpt
November 9 - 2nd Grade Program @ 6:00 pm
November 10 - Puster Pride @ 8:15 am
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
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Kendra Scott is hosting a "give back" event with 20% of the sales going to the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Kendra Scott will provide snacks and beverages. We hope you will join us for this special event.
Thursday, November 9
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Kendra Scott in Watters Creek
888 Watters Creek Boulevard
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.
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Absences/Tardies
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 :
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Each November communities across the country observe
National Diabetes Month
to bring attention to
diabetes
and its impact on millions of Americans.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults at any age. While the causes of T1D are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. T1D is not related to diet or lifestyle, and there is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and-at present-nothing you can do to get rid of it. In T1D, the body's immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, meaning the body produces little to no insulin to regulate blood sugar and get energy from food. The onset of T1D is sudden, leading to immediate insulin dependence and the need for injections. T1D requires rigorous 24/7 monitoring of blood glucose levels-even overnight-to avoid potentially lethal highs and lows in blood sugar, as well as other devastating complications like kidney, eye and nerve diseases, and heart disease. T1D can happen to anyone, and the number of people with T1D is expected to grow to 5 million by the year 2050 if we don't do something now.
To learn more about T1D and to support JDRF's mission
,
please visit
www.jdrf.org
.
Please join us here at Puster to show our support for T1D by wearing Blue every Friday in November.
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PUSTER NEWS
November 2, 2017 - New Session of Watch Me Sculpt Begins
NEW! Puster Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon - Thursday, November 9
Please join us for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon! Tickets may be purchased at the ticket table in front of the cafeteria that day. Cash or check only. Please no bills larger than $20. You may also use you or your child's lunch account to bypass the line. Click here for more information.
On the Menu
Oven Roasted Turkey & Gravy
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Savory Green Beans
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Dressing
Fresh Yeast Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Lunch Schedule:
4th Grade: 10:30-11:15
1st Grade: 11:00-11:45
PreK: 11:15-12:00 (in the classroom)
Kinder: 11:30-12:15
3rd Grade: 12:00-12:45
2nd Grade: 12:30-1:15
Watch D.O.G.S. 100 DAD Challenge
T
ake 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 [email protected] or 972-365-5478.
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LIBRARY NEWS
Pumpkins
Please pick up Book Character Pumpkins from the atrium by Friday afternoon. Pumpkins which remain after 3:15 Friday will be thrown away.
Shelfie Contest
What's next? A Shelfie contest! Snap a picture of your student and/or your family reading a book near a book shelf in your home, a library, a book store, anywhere! This is a chance to showcase the love for and the value of reading outside of school. Print the pic (no larger than 8.5 by 11) and send it to school to display on our library walls. We would love to fill up the half walls on the exterior of our library with Shelfies.
We will start accepting Shelfies next week. All students who bring a Shelfie will be entered in our first book box drawing of the year! The deadline is Friday, November 17 to be entered in the drawing
Makerspace Items
We are so fortunate to have a wide variety of items available for student use in our Makerspace. We often hear, "I wish I had this at home!" For your convenience, we have posted a document with pictures and names of some of our most popular activities. If you are looking for birthday or holiday gift ideas, take a look HERE.
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PTA NEWS
DATE EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 3! National PTA Reflections competition for 2017
We are excited to kick off a celebration of the arts during the National PTA Reflections competition. Students are encouraged to get in touch with their inner artist and share an interpretation of the 2017-2018 theme,
"Within Reach"
Reflections encourages students to explore artistic talents for fun and recognition at the local, council, state and national levels. Students may submit work(s) in:
Dance Choreography - Film Production - Literature - Musical Composition - Photography - Visual Arts
Submissions that meet requirements will be eligible for judging and advancement to the Lovejoy council level. One member of the household must be a current Puster PTA member.
All participants are honored on the "Within Reach" wall by the Think Tank!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Anna Dardano 972-897-1999
Information for Day PTA meeting:
This year we will offer a couple of general PTA meetings during the day with a parent education component. Our day meeting will be Monday, November 6th at 10:30am in the Think Tank. This is a program worth making time for in your schedule. Lori Willard is a Puster parent who will speak towards the following theme: Building Community Through our Families, Our Neighborhoods, and Our Schools. Lori has given a similar presentation at a Lovejoy Preschool PTA meeting and it was so well received and informative. Please mark your calendars to attend this excellent program. Below is a little about Lori and her background.
Lori Willard is a native Coloradan who moved to Texas because she loves her husband. She graduated with her clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy from Creighton University. She has 3 native Texas children who are a freshman, a seventh grader and a forth grader at Puster. She owns a Physical Therapy practice which has offices in Allen and Richardson. Just for fun, she additionally owns a technology business with her husband Mike. She enjoys travel, reading, cooking and the Denver Broncos. She does not enjoy cleaning house, excel spreadsheets, or scary movies. This presentation grew from years of patient care, her own successes and failures and the idea that joyful communities can be built by willing participants and partnership.
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DISTRICT NEWS
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.
NEW! Lovejoy Gifted Association Parent Panel: November 16
The Lovejoy Gifted Association invites you to join them for an evening of wit and wisdom shared by parents of recent Lovejoy GT graduates. This is an opportunity to receive answers to questions you may have. The Parent Panel members will share their stories and perspective on how to help you and your children get the most from the GT programs in LISD. It's a great opportunity for families who are new to GT to get a head start, as well as for families who have been with GT and are looking to reconnect as their children's interests continue to evolve and change. The event is sponsored by The Lovejoy Gifted Association and is open to all parents, teachers and students who are interested in learning more about the Gifted and Talented programs. You do not have to be a member to attend. Please contact
Piritta van Rijn
with questions.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Parent Panel: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Mix and Mingle: 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Lovejoy High School
Lecture Hall
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NEW! E-Waste Recycling Event: November 11
Lovejoy High School will host an e-waste recycling event on Saturday, November 11th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the front parking lot of LHS. Now is the perfect time to gather electronic items you would like to dispose of.
Click here
for additional information regarding the e-waste collection.
NEW! Lovejoy Orchestra Spirit Day/Night: November 7
Join the Lovejoy Orchestra for their spirit day/night at Raising Cane's on
Tuesday, November 7th, from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
This is an all-day event so if you are unable to stop by for dinner, you may pick up lunch and still support the Lovejoy Orchestra Booster Club. 15% of the proceeds will go to the Orchestra Booster Club. When you order, please let them know you are with the Lovejoy Orchestra. This includes dine in, drive thru and take out.
We look forward to seeing you at Cane's for a great combo of delicious food and good company in support of the Lovejoy Orchestra. Raising Cane's is located at 190 E. Stacy Road in Allen.
NEW! A New Tradition
The Lovejoy High Cheer Team is pleased to announce the new tradition of "Chant of the Week."
The winning streak continues for the varsity football team. Please watch our Lovejoy Varsity cheerleader's video and be ready to cheer our Leopards to victory at this Friday night's game at Mesquite Memorial Stadium at 7:30 PM against Mesquite Poteet. We hope to see you at the game.
NEW! Auditions for Children's Roles in The Sound of Music: November 10
Auditions for children's roles for the Lovejoy High School production of The Sound of Music will take place on Friday, November 10th beginning at 4:00 PM in the Lovejoy High School choir room. The high school is looking for talented, responsible, and young looking students in grades 4 and above. The rehearsal schedule is especially rigorous and performances are January 18-20, 2018. For additional information, please contact:
Madagascar Live Tickets on Sale Now!
The animals are escaping from the Central Park Zoo. Join the WSMS Musical Theatre Cast for an enjoyable evening of fun as they proudly present Madagascar Live on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the Lovejoy High School Auditorium. All seats are reserved. Tickets may be purchased online at the
If you like to Move It, Move It - we hope to see you at the show.
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Mini Madagascar Live! VIP Party: November 2
Are you a VIP? Join us for a Mini
Madagascar Live! VIP Party on Thursday, November 2nd, at 6:15 PM. November 2nd is opening night of the Willow Springs Middle School musical,
Madagascar Live!. The animals are escaping from the Central Park Zoo, and you are invited to experience it firsthand. If you like to Move It, Move It, we hope to see you at this exclusive engagement to meet the zoo animals, and experience a Crack a Lackin good time.
This experience includes a special pre-show backstage tour with a Madagascar Live! character, signed show poster, t-shirt, 1 adult ticket and 1 child/student ticket, a goody bag and special reserved seating. Tickets are $50 and are available at
this link
.
Tickets to this special event are limited to the first 50 students.
Lovejoy High School Honors Veterans
On November 13th at 6:00 PM, Lovejoy High School will host its annual Veterans Day Banquet. The event, catered by Rudy's Barbecue, is open to all veterans and their families. Please share this information with friends and family members, and
School Store T-Shirt Sale
The school stores, located at Lovejoy High School and Willow Springs Middle School, are getting ready for the cooler weather. Don't miss their special sales as they make room for the new season.
All Short-Sleeved T-Shirts - 50% off
Hurry, as the t-shirts will go quickly at this special price.
The LHS Store is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The WSMS Store is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM.
Girls Lacrosse Try-It Clinic: November 11
Lovejoy Lacrosse will host a free try-it clinic and introduction to lacrosse for all Lovejoy girls in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. The clinic will be held on Saturday, November 11th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Willow Springs Middle School Football Field. No lacrosse experience is necessary and there is no need to register. This will be a fun, no pressure environment where Lovejoy girls can try lacrosse and parents can learn about the Lovejoy Lady Leopards Lacrosse program. Please
click here for additional information.
Last year's inaugural season was a great success. Now, we're looking for more girls to join the fun. Come out and see why lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States and in North Texas.
Questions?
Click here
to email Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse
Lovejoy Letter Campaign
Dear Puster Families,
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. Letters should simply be a #shortandsweet note of thanks that expresses how much #weloveourteachers.
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 10th.
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,
Anne Smith
Lovejoy Letter Campaign Coordinator 2017
#shortandsweet #weloveourteachers
[email protected]
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Discount
Thomas Mears, Group Sales Education Specialist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, has arranged for Lovejoy families and staff members to receive a 20% discount for all DSO Concerts, with the exception of Beethoven's 9th in May. When purchasing tickets online at www.mydso.com, type LOVEJOYISD20 at checkout to receive your 20% discount (you will be charged a $7 fee). If you call the box office at 214.849.4376, you will receive the 20% discount, and will not be charged the $7 fee
Safe!: November 8
Issues Affecting Today's Teens and How You Can Help
We all want to keep our teens safe. Join Vanita Halliburton and Dr. Ray Levy on Wednesday, November 8th at 11:30 AM in the Lovejoy ISD Administration Building Board Room to learn how to:
- Recognize signs of distress in teens
- Promote brain health
- Foster resiliency and positive coping skills
- Know the warning signs of suicidal behavior
- Find help for a struggling teen
- Implement protective measures to keep teens SAFE!
Vanita Halliburton is president of the Grant Halliburton Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to raise awareness and understanding of adolescent mental health and suicide prevention. She speaks from the heart about her son's battle with depression and bipolar disorder and his suicide at the age of 19.
Ray Levy, Ph.D., LSSP is in private practice in Dallas, TX and works extensively with high risk children, children with ADHD and strong-willed behaviors. He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows discussing various psychological issues. Dr. Levy travels throughout the country giving workshops and talks on therapy, and child and adolescent issues.
Running Over Depression 5K and 1K Fun Run: November 11
Bradley Davis, James Ayers, and Jonah Barton are organizing the second annual Running Over Depression 5K and 1K event for their Senior Projects. Last year, this event had over 360 participants, and raised over $8,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This year, the organizers are looking forward to increasing the number of participants and involvement from the Lovejoy Community. The event will be held on Saturday, November 11th. The entry fees are $20 for the 1K and $30 for the 5K, with all proceeds donated to the AFSP. You may register by
clicking here
. Register early, as prices increase after November 3rd.
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.
Text Link
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