The Lovejoy Independent School District
Welcome to Lovejoy ISD where
Kids Come First.
Each day we are focused on doing our
Best Today. Better Tomorrow
.
We are
One Heart. One Lovejoy.
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Dear Lovejoy Community:
In Lovejoy ISD, we do our best to involve all stakeholders in the policies and expectations set for our students. Since the beginning of our secondary program, we have worked collaboratively to ensure all stakeholders have a voice and an opportunity to take part in the process. To this end, the district is emailing an online parent survey on Friday seeking your opinions and suggestions regarding the use of cellphones by students at school. I have received parent feedback about either keeping the current practices in place or changing the practices to forbid cellphone use by students during the school day. Please use this survey as the vehicle to express your family’s views, even if you have already sent an email or called the district.
The parent survey on student cellphone use at school will be divided into four surveys based on the following campus grade levels: (1) elementary school K-4, (2) intermediate school 5-6, (3) middle school 7-8, and (4) high school 9-12. Each family will receive one survey invitation for each of the campus types where you currently have a student(s) attending. For example, if you have a student in 3rd grade, 5th grade, and 7th grade, you will receive three separate surveys (elementary, intermediate, and middle school). Each survey will be specific to the grade levels of the identified campus type. Additionally, 4th grade, 6th grade, and 8th grade parents will have the opportunity to respond to survey questions regarding their child’s 2019-2020 campus.
Survey invitations will be sent to the email address listed in the Guardian Email Address field in PowerSchool. If there are multiple email addresses in the Guardian Email Address field, ONLY the email address listed first will be used. Following please find directions to check/update the email address you have in the Guardian Email Address field:
1.
Login to PowerSchool Parent Portal
2.
On the left side column menu, select “Enrollment & Student Forms”
3.
Across the top of the page, select the “Student Information” tab
4.
Midway down the Student Information page in red letters is “Guardian Email Addresses”
The email address that is listed first, will receive your family’s survey invitation(s). Surveys will be sent from surveymonkey.com, so please check your SPAM or junk mail folder if you have not received the survey by Saturday morning.
The district strongly believes that your feedback will allow us to maintain or revise practices that better reflect the community which we serve. I encourage you to complete the survey(s) so your voice is heard.
With respect and admiration,
Dr. Dennis Womack
LISD Interim Superintendent
*
A complete timeline regarding student use of cellphones is included below in this edition of Email Express
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The Elementary Campouts are a fun and memorable experience for our kids and their families. They offer a wide variety of activities including bounce houses, glow parties, movies under the stars, and much more. The grand finale of each event is a campout on the playgrounds. Funds raised from the campouts provide revenue for the campus and the school district to help offset the loss of state funding. The event dates are as follows:
Lovejoy Elementary School
April 12
Puster Elementary School
April 26
Hart Elementary School
April 27
Please know that we anticipate all campers to be in their tents by 11:00 PM. We value our neighbors and are sharing this information to prepare you for the evening activities and tents on the playground.
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As we shared last week, HB 3 is now in the Texas Senate, where they are spending significantly less than the House version. The Senate has committed to a $4 billion across-the-board raise for educators. The House and Senate proposals will ultimately have to be meshed together in some form of a compromise during the 53 days of the session that remain.
We are very appreciative of the efforts in the Texas House and Senate, but more work remains to be done for districts like Lovejoy. While HB 3 is a step in the right direction, we want to make a good bill even better. With the complete repeal of Additional State Aide for Tax Reduction (ASATR) in 2017 (for the property tax cuts from 2006) and the end of the State’s Hardship Grants for those districts that were dependent upon ASATR funding, Lovejoy is poised to potentially lose millions of dollars in state funding annually, compared to recent years.
It is important to ask the Texas Senate to support the school funding reform in HB 3 and include a hold harmless provision for those districts like Lovejoy that have been dependent on the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Hardship Grants. Without this funding, Lovejoy ISD’s programs will be significantly harmed.
How can you help? Please reach out to our Texas Legislators and request them:
- to enact the reforms and investments contained in the House version of school finance reform legislation, HB 3; and
- to provide a hold harmless provision for school districts like Lovejoy that have been dependent on funding from Additional State Aide for Tax Reduction and Hardship Grants.
Your voice plays a significant role in working to maintain the programs that make Lovejoy special. We hope you will consider taking the time to contact the following legislators. Sharing your input regarding adequately funding schools like Lovejoy is appreciated.
The Honorable Angela Paxton
Texas State Senator
512.463.0108
The Honorable Jane Nelson
Texas State Senator
Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
512.463.0112
The Honorable Paul Bettencourt
Texas State Senator
Chair, Senate Committee on Property Tax
512.463.0107
The Honorable Larry Taylor
Texas State Senator
Chair, Senate Education Committee
512.463.0111
The Honorable Dan Patrick
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
512.463.0001
The Honorable Scott Sanford
Texas State Representative
512.463.0356
The Honorable John Zerwas
Texas State Representative
Chair, House Appropriations Committee
512.463.0657
The Honorable Greg Bonnen
Texas State Representative
512.463.0729
The Honorable Candy Noble
Texas State Representative
512.463.0186
The Honorable Dennis Bonnen
Speaker of the House
512.463.1000
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Dear Lovejoy Community:
The Board of Trustees of the Lovejoy Independent School District is conducting an active search for the new Superintendent of Schools. The Board hired JG Consulting as the executive search firm to support the Board during the selection process. As directed by the Board, JG Consulting is in the process of soliciting feedback from the community. Our community’s opinions count. We believe this is a critical step in identifying the right candidate to lead our great district forward.
We are asking for your help by taking time to complete an
anonymous survey
. Your voice as a community member is important to us. Please
click here
to begin the survey. Over 700 responses have already been submitted directly to JG Consulting. The survey will close on Friday, April 12.
Along with the input received from the survey and community meeting which was held on Tuesday evening, the consultants are also reaching out to our employees and other groups. All of the information received through these various means will be used to help identify the profile we will use to hire our next Superintendent of Lovejoy ISD.
Thank you, in advance, for your assistance with this process.
Lovejoy Proud!
Chad Collins
President
Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees
*A complete timeline regarding the search for the next Superintendent is included below in this edition of Email Express
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The LHS One Act Play advanced to the Region competition. They will perform
The Anatomy of Gray
on Tuesday, April 16 at 3:30 PM at Prosper High School. This year’s One Act Play is a family friendly story about growing up. It is important to arrive 30 – 45 minutes ahead of the posted time.
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Five LHS choirs competed at UIL. Congratulations to Varsity Mixed, Varsity Women, and Varsity Muses who earned Sweepstakes - all superior ratings in concert and sight-reading. The JV Women earned a superior rating for concert performance and a rating of excellent in sight-reading. Varsity Men earned their superior rating for sight-reading, and their concert performance was judged as excellent. Some of the judges’ comments included, “Your tone has such maturity and confidence from a high school ensemble. You will not get moments like this in many college programs.” “It was nice to just enjoy your performance and not find something to write about.” “Thank you for making this more than just an exercise of notes on a page but a musical experience of true sight singing (not reading).” Congratulations to all of the singers on a wonderful week.
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Several sixth grade choir members performed at the Willow Springs Solo and Ensemble Festival on April 2. Congratulations to the following students for attaining the highest score possible of Superior:
Send Forth a Song Ensemble
Callie Abney
Angelina Schmidt
Cora Blasko
Asher Mauriello
Lilianne Blevins
Old Dan Tucker Ensemble
Harper Waldrip
Rachel Dobbs
Dance Song Ensemble
Charlie Campbell
Kamie Kline
, Soloist
Sophia Andrzejewski
, Soloist
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Congratulations to the JV and Varsity Girls Track Teams for their performance at the District 10-5A Championship. Both teams finished as the District Runner Up behind a two time state champion and very strong McKinney North girls team.
Click here
for the meet results and a listing of area qualifiers.
The Lovejoy Track team is in preparation for the Area Track Meet to be held on April 16 at Lovejoy Leopard Stadium. The top four athletes from this meet will advance to the Regional Track meet on April 26 and 27 at the UTA Maverick Stadium on the campus of University of Texas Arlington.
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The Lovejoy Boys Soccer team lost a tough UIL 5A Regional Quarterfinal game to Frisco Heritage this past Friday night at McKinney Boyd High School. The final score was 2-1 after the second overtime period. The Boys finished the season with a record of 19-6-1 with Bi-District and Area Championships. Congratulations to the Boys Soccer team and coaches on another fantastic season.
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Congratulations to the following athletes receiving All-District Honors:
Freshman
Tatum Chester
was named Midfielder of the Year. Sophomores
Sadie Dale
and
Hannah Dunlap
, Junior
Reagan Matacale
, and Senior
Jessie Maashio
earned 1st Team All-District honors. Sophomores
Katie Welch
,
Jordan Watson
,
Hailey Downing
, and Junior
Andee Richardson
earned 2nd Team All-District honors. Sophomores,
Bella Kusgen
and
Chloe Brown
, received Honorable Mention honors.
The following players received District 10-5A Academic All-District honors:
Tatum Chester
Maya Hignite
Khloe Litchenburg
Conley Miller
Bella Ospina
Jessie Maashio
Kamri McKnight
Katie Welch
Sydney Fluker
Avery Templin
Chloe Brown
Jordan Watson
Emma Landry
Reagan Matacale
Andee Richardson
Sadie Dale
Congratulations to all of the athletes on a great season.
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The Willow Springs 7th Grade Girls Track team won the Middle School District Championship this past week in Wylie. Congratulations to the following athletes:
7th Grade Girls Gold Medalists
Sara Morefield
2400 meter run
Kailey Littlefield
800 meter run/1600 meter run
Kendell Coppinger
Annabelle Clay
Cambry Patrick
Kailey Littlefield
4x400 meter relay
7th Grade Girls Silver Medalists
Gracyn Thompson
2400 meter run
Sara Morefield
1600 meter run
Jessica McKintosh
High Jump
7th Grade Girls Bronze Medalists
Lauren Dolberry
300 meter hurdles/High Jump
Cambry Patrick
400 meter dash/Triple Jump
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Congratulations to Lovejoy High School Freshman
Sharon Basepogu
on her 1st place finish in the All-Girls 2019 State Scholastic Chess Championships in Southlake.
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Chad Collins, Board President, announced the timeline for the Superintendent search at the February 20 Board Meeting.
Friday, February 22, 2019 - Completed
Request for Proposal was submitted for interested search firms to apply.
March 8, 2019 - Completed
Deadline for interested search firms to submit their proposal.
March 18, 2019 - Completed
8:00 AM - Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
Special Board Meeting to select top three search firm candidates.
The following search firm candidates were selected to present proposals:
Texas Association of School Boards
JG Consulting
Bob E. Griggs & Associates
March 20, 2019 - Completed
2:30 PM – Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
Special Board Meeting to hear proposals from top three search firms.
3:00 PM – Texas Association of School Boards
4:00 PM – JG Consulting
5:00 PM - Bob E. Griggs & Associates
March 20, 2019 - Completed
7:30 PM – Lovejoy Elementary School Gymnasium
Board action will be taken during the regular Board Meeting to select a search firm.
The Board selected JG Consulting to lead the search for the next Superintendent of the Lovejoy Independent School District. Please
click here
to access the JG Consulting website for additional information regarding their firm.
March 28, 2019 - Completed
8:00 AM – Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
Special Board Meeting to meet with JG Consulting regarding the search for the next Superintendent of the Lovejoy Independent School District.
April 2, 2019 – In Progress
An anonymous survey regarding the search for the next superintendent will be shared with the community for JG consulting to receive community input. The survey will close on Friday, April 12. You may
click here
to complete the survey.
April 9, 2019 - Completed
6:30 PM – Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall
A Community meeting will be held on April 9 at 6:30 PM in the Lovejoy High School to gather community feedback regarding the search for the next Superintendent of Lovejoy ISD.
April 17, 2019
5:30 PM – Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
The Board of Trustees will meet in Executive Session with JG Consulting to review the Superintendent Search Profile.
Summer 2019
The new Superintendent will be in place in preparation for the 2019-2020 school year.
We will continue to keep the community informed regarding the search for a new Superintendent.
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There has been a healthy discussion in the community with a variety of opinions for each of the campus levels regarding student use of cell phones at school. The district’s student cell phone use policy may be found in the
Student Code of Conduct
.
For safety purposes, the District permits students to possess cell phones. All cellular telephones or devices should remain turned off during instructional time. Use of cell phones is permitted before and after school, during lunch and other non-instructional periods. Students shall not use a telecommunications device, including a cellular telephone, or other electronic device in violation of district and campus rules.
Below is a timeline of next steps that will be taken to ensure all stakeholders have an opportunity to weigh in on this topic. Providing your feedback will assist the district to revise practices to better reflect the community which we serve.
Timeline:
Friday, March 29 – Completed
A survey will be sent to Lovejoy educators regarding the existing cell phone policy, barriers to implementation, student discipline, recommendations, etc. The survey responses will be due by April 5.
Friday, April 12
Based on the information collected from Lovejoy educators, a survey will be sent to parents of elementary, intermediate, middle and high school students regarding student use of cell phones, data plans, parental expectations for their student(s), the district’s existing policy, and recommendations. The survey responses will be due by April 19.
Tuesday, April 30
Complete district analysis of the data collected from the parent surveys to determine where there is not alignment with the existing policy and consider parent recommendations for improvement.
Depending on how far apart the existing policy is from the survey results, there may be a need to hold a parent information/feedback meeting on proposed changes; with the goal of reaching consensus prior to the end of the school year.
July/August
The Lovejoy ISD Administration team will take the Student Code of Conduct to the Board of Trustees for review and adoption. Because 2019 is a legislative year, there will likely be several updates based on legislative session that may require an August Board adoption.
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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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Upcoming Events
LHS Band UIL Concert
April 16
The LHS band will be competing their UIL program on April 16 at McKinney North High School. The Wind Ensemble performs their concert at 11:30 AM, and the Wind Symphony performs at 5:00 PM.
LHS Band Carnegie Hall Performance
April 19
The Lovejoy Band will be traveling to New York City performing at the infamous Carnegie Hall on Friday, April 19 as part of the World Strides National Band and Orchestra Festival.
Lovejoy Visual Arts
April 23 – May 7
Puster, Hart and Lovejoy Elementary Visual Arts invite you to attend the Annual LJVA Elementary Crossover Exhibition on display in the Lovejoy High School Art Gallery from April 23 through May 7. This exhibition will feature selected works to showcase each grade level (K-4) from Puster, Hart and Lovejoy Elementary.
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WSMS Theatre Presents Murder Mystery Dinner
April 25 - 27
Join WSMS for a murder mystery dinner:
Who Hath Done It?
Shakespeare Murder a mystery Dinner Theatre Experience
Tickets are available for purchase at Willow Springs.
LHS Jazz Ensemble
May 6 – Save the Date!
The LHS Jazz Ensemble will perform with the Texas Instruments Jazz Band and Sal Lozano on Monday, May 6. Additional details will be shared in a future addition of Email Express.
Lovejoy Summer Musical Theatre Camps
July 9-20
We are excited to announce our 2019 musical: Seussical KIDS!
Acting, choreography, lighting, costuming, set building, and painting are just some of the fun activities taking place in Lovejoy’s Summer Musical Theatre Camps: Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Intern Camp.
Fundraisers
Orchestra Boosters Fundraiser
April 17
Join the Orchestra Boosters at Hat Creek Burger on Wednesday, April 17 for a delicious burger and support the Orchestra program. Click
here
for more information.
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Click here
for detailed information regarding summer athletic camps and Performance Course.
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Lovejoy Baseball
Lovejoy Golf
Lovejoy Softball
Fundraisers
Grand Slam Softball Booster Napoli’s
April 16
The Lady Leopard Booster club will be hosting Leopard Softball days at Napoli’s in Allen April 16 from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Red Out Night and Raffle
April 16
Join Lovejoy High School for Red Out night on Tuesday, April 16.
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This section of Email Express highlights news reports/articles featuring Lovejoy over the previous week.
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Fairview Pancake Breakfast
April 13
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Lovejoy Gifted Association Presents
The Little Engine That Wouldn’t
April 16
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LHS Relay for Life
April 26
LHS will host the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life event on April 26 in celebration of survivors, in remembrance of loved ones lost, and in an effort to fight back against cancer.
Summer Enrichment Camps
Enrollment Now Open!
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Kids 1st Summer Camp
Enroll Now!
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Camp Invention
June 10 – 14
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Summer Sewing Camp
June and July Offerings
Join the 12th year of summer sewing fun at a new location: Lovejoy High School! Click
SEWING
for details about the camp as well as details about a special project option: T-shirt quilt.
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Lovejoy Special Olympics
Needs Volunteers!
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Share the News!
Lovejoy Scholars
Lovejoy Scholars, our K – 12 tuition-based enrollment program, is a great opportunity for families who live outside of our district boundaries, but want their children to experience a Lovejoy education. Will you help us share the news?
Pre-K Now Enrolling
Excellence Begins Early
Call Today!
Little Lovejoy Scholars is accepting applications for tuition-based Pre-Kindergarten.
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SafeSchools App
SafeSchools has launched their new mobile application for anonymous reporting. You may
click here for the SafeSchools Alert Mobile Application Download Instructions.
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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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Bo Beidleman – Class of 2016
Bo Beidleman, Class of 2016, was inducted into the Hyer Society at SMU. The Hyer Society recognizes the high academic achievement of the top 3% of the SMU student body. He was also inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma and Mortar Board honor societies. Bo will graduate from SMU in December 2019 as a BBA Scholar with a degree in Finance.
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