Dear Wonderful Lovejoy Community:
There are picturesque moments in our lives which we often capture and cherish by placing an actual photo of that moment around our homes, offices, and for sure on social media. In the great age of the selfie (or “We”fies if there are lots of us in the picture), there have never been more moments being captured than the present day. Cell phones and the easy access to a worldwide connection allow us to see things almost as they actually happen.
It is not five seconds from a couple saying “I do” when people 2,000-10,000 miles away see the moment through Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. They are big moments and why wouldn’t we want to share?
We keep our wedding photos, holiday snapshots, and even the staged family shots (although we know everyone was smiling in the picture, it was like World War III trying to get to that point) all over our homes because we are proud of those moments and the people in them. We want to keep them as reminders of those moments.
I’d like to challenge you today… a challenge that has very little to do with the “big” moments of our lives, however wonderful and awesome they may be. This challenge has to do with the moments in our lives that we would deem – small. These are the moments that may have no significant date, time or importance attached to them. They simply are moments of being and living, and doing.
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The moment when you see a loved one smiling, the moment when you receive a compliment, the moment when a little one grabs your hand and asks you to play. These are the moments that may never be captured in a great photo shoot, but they are life’s best moments indeed.
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My challenge this weekend and next week to you is this…recognize when the window of the moment is open and take it in. Our lives are on turbo and the pure speed of how we live may cause us to miss these moments. Even in our most difficult of times, there are glimpses of hope and far too often we are waiting for the rainbow to show up when the box of crayons is sitting right in front of us.
There will be a time in life when the little things will be the very things you miss.
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What are the moments you most treasure?
A little one grabbing your hand and asking you to play… Celebrate!
Pulling a hamstring playing twister with the kids…Celebrate!
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Your friends laughing with you till your sides hurt…Celebrate!
Pulling up to school and realizing your 6 year old has the wrong theme day outfit on, but your car is so messy that you had items to fit the right theme day and change before the car line was over… Celebrate!
Your child remembered everything they were supposed to take to school that day… Celebrate!
You come home and the dogs have not made a mess…Celebrate!
You text your parent and they text back with full logical responses and less than 10 emoji’s…Celebrate!
You see where I am going? We have much to celebrate and far too often we wait for the burning candles and cake to come out with people singing “Happy Celebrating You Day”.
This life is too precious and short for us to miss the moments that can mean the most. The significant and big ones are awesome, incredible and often life-changing, but those don’t happen every day.
There are moments each and every day that the Big Man upstairs wants to remind you are special and these moments, however small, are special too.
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If you are lucky enough to capture these moments on an iPhone, a video or snapshot, that is golden.
But if not, before you lay your head on the pillow each night, take a mental note of how blessed you really are. I love taking pictures with all those I love and care for. It’s the reason you may see me take so many. I am blessed and so are you!
The mark of the man is not what he gets in this life, but what he gives. Make your mark by leaving a legacy. See the joy of the simple things and the exuberance of small moments that shape for a lifetime…
I am so thankful to see so many “moments” with you. We’ve only just begun!
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Cheering our Community on to Great Things Ahead!
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It’s September! Can I put up my lights and holiday decorations yet?
Yep, I’m that guy. I love this time of year. Certainly, because Fall is coming and all that comes with it, but more so that our students begin to establish their routines, and begin to grow in so many different areas. Our teachers have hit their stride with their world-class teaching and engagement practices. The best part of it all is to see connections developing at deep levels across multiple avenues. Our goal is for every single student to find a connecting point to Lovejoy ISD. It is our mission to find a way to engage their interest, and find a person who can connect with them.
That’s what makes Lovejoy ISD such a unique and opportune place. It is a way for all of us to gravitate to a spirit of pride of being a Lovejoy Leopard. We will support each other in our words, deeds, responses, and actions. Even in our times of conflicting perspectives, we have a district that can collectively be a lighthouse for all others on what can truly happen when we embrace the uniqueness we each bring to the table and use that as a catalyst for excellence.
I am proud to be a Lovejoy Leopard! I loved seeing our school spirit last week at the pep rally and football game!
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On Tuesday evening that same spirit was evident at the volleyball game.
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Willow Springs had a great Open House this week. It was so much fun to see everyone and meet so many new families!
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Yesterday we held our first K-12 administrators meeting for the 2019-2020 school year. It was a wonderful time of collaboration and planning as we work together to ensure best instructional practices and experiences for our students. We took a short break to welcome members of the Lovejoy High School Student Council. They shared their Fall activities and their plan to engage the entire district as we join together in support and spirit – One Heart. One Lovejoy.
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Prior to our K-12 meeting I had the opportunity to serve as Roy the Wrangler of Respect at Lovejoy Elementary School. It was a lot of fun to share the importance of respect!
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There was a song...a portion of the moment may have been captured on video…
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Congratulations to Lovejoy High School Senior
Sophia Foster who placed for the third year in a row at the State Fair of Texas. Sophia took 2nd place in Ceramic Sculpture and Honorable Mention in Junior Animal Ink. Her LHS Visual Art teachers are Jeff Seidel and Amanda Beller. We are #LovejoyProud!
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Leopard Friday
Friday, September 13
The Lovejoy Independent School District invites you to join us for our annual tradition – Leopard Friday! This is a free community event which will be held on Friday, September 13 from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
On Leopard Friday, the Courtyard at Lovejoy High School will be transformed into a showcase of our students, clubs, community, and organizations. There truly is something for everyone, regardless of age. Join us for carnival activities, a pep rally and more!
After the festivities, we hope you will join us as we support our Lovejoy Leopards as they compete against Frisco Memorial. Join us as we celebrate living Lovejoy!
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Special Presentation:
The Latest Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse
Tuesday, September 17
Lovejoy ISD invites you to join us for a presentation regarding "The Latest Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse" at Lovejoy High School. There will be a separate parent and student session presented by staff of the Collin County Substance Abuse Program.
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LoJo Glow Community Pep Rally
Thursday, October 3
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for the 1st Annual Black Light Community Pep Rally!
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We are pleased to announce the
Lovejoy ISD Community News Page
. This new addition to the Lovejoy ISD Website includes news from our schools, programs, booster clubs, student organizations, Foundation for Lovejoy Schools, community, and more. Check back often for up-to-date news on events and activities.
This Week's News:
North Texas Giving Day
Scheduled Giving Begins
Monday, September 9
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Lovejoy Gifted and Talented Referral Form Open Through September 13.
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Chess Club Enthusiasts – Register Now!
First Sessions Begin Week of September 9
Swim and Dive Fundraiser
September 17
Lovejoy Gifted Association Meet and Greet
September 19
Lovejoy High School Junior Cheer Camp
September 21
Public Lands Trail Cleanup
September 21
Lovejoy Leopards Inc. 11th Annual Golf Tournament
September 30
This event brings all Athletic Booster Clubs together to raise funds to support Student Athletes across all Lovejoy Sports. We hope to see you there!
City of Lucas Hosts Farmers Market
October 12 and November 2
News from Collin College
For the latest Athletic News, download the "Lovejoy Leopards Athletics" app.
For the latest Fine Arts News, follow
@LovejoyArts on Twitter, or like them on Facebook at Lovejoy Arts.
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I hope to see you at our first home football game tonight. There’s something special about a game in Leopard stadium. It’s a wonderful evening full of fun for the entire family. Please join us as we cheer on our Leopard football team and celebrate our cheerleaders, drill team, band, and color guard. You’ll be amazed by our talented students who are running the scoreboard. Let’s not forget our journalism and yearbook students capturing the moments on film and video and our wonderful sports medicine students, trainers and managers. And, of course, our LoJo Jungle! It’s going to be a great Lovejoy evening!
Wishing you and your family a great weekend!
Proud Lovejoy Leopard,
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Michael Goddard, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Lovejoy Independent School District
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Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
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