Dear Wonderful Lovejoy Community:
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I discovered this book in a unique way. About 15 years ago I was on a trip with a group of journalism students in Washington D.C. As part of the conference arrangements, the students were given a personal guided tour throughout the D.C. area. It was phenomenal. I would highly recommend this tour if you have the opportunity to visit D.C. It was on this tour that I saw something which has impacted my life ever since.
Both of my grandfathers served in the armed services. My Grandpa Goddard spent time in the U.S. Army fighting in France during WWII. My Grandpa Nuttall served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force spending time in Moscow when tensions were high during WWII. He later made a career, for many years, in the Air Force. He was stationed everywhere from Turkey to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ended up at White Sands Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Both of my Grandfathers now rest in honor in military memorial cemeteries. So, when Veterans Day or Memorial Day rolls around, it has strong meaning for me to honor those who served and those who lost their lives doing so. We should all be forever indebted to their service and commitment.
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Grandpa Nuttall receiving award from commanding General.
Of all the things I was able to see during my first visit to D.C., the most impressive was the Iwo Jima Memorial, (also known as the U.S. Marine Corp War Memorial) which is an amazing sculpture of the men who fought on the island of Iwo Jima and on which they placed a flag symbolizing "Victory" at the top of Mount Suribachi. The sculpture we see today came from a photograph that journalist Joe Rosenthal took. This photograph was actually a picture of the second flag raised in that same spot as a larger flag was desired to be there. Nonetheless, the sculpture was breath-taking and a true honor to the men who fought as Marines and died defending the United States since 1775.
I stood there and stared at the detail of the young men and was enthralled by their sense of pride, their intenseness of purpose, and their youth. I was so moved that after returning to the hotel, I ran to the bookstore down the street and picked up a book about the four men in the picture and sculpture. Thus, reading over the next two days, the story of Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley (the author’s dad), and Harlan Brock. Mike Strank and Rene Gagnon were behind the men in the picture, and were hard to see, so they are often not identified with the four. The Iwo Jima Memorial statue depicts the scene of the flag being raised by five Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman which signaled the successful takeover of the island. The capture of Iwo Jima eventually led to the end of the war in 1945.
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I stood thunderstruck by how determined young men and women can, with purpose, change the world forever. It took many more men and women than those six in the picture to accomplish such a task, but what an impact one can make.
As we celebrate both the birth date of the Marine Corps on Sunday and Veterans Day this Monday, please take time for two things:
1)
Remember and Honor those who have served, fought, died and allow us to live with the very freedoms we have today, and
2)
Embrace and Encourage those around us who can change the world forever, in particular those with whom you have the greatest influence.
Let’s all raise the flag of potential and possibility to new heights by providing each other strength, support and accountability at a level never seen before. As a community, as a group, and as a parent, knowing our sons and daughters well is a level one experience; loving them is a level two; loving them enough to hold them to a high standard is level three. Level four is accepting them as they are and walking with them to where their potential lies. Level five is letting them know there will be setbacks and hurdles in life, but because of them we can become stronger.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my Grandpas. I am honored to be the grandson of two who raised the flag of commitment and integrity through their service. I am thankful for the "flag my father" lifted for me and I am humbled by the flag I must now raise for my son.
May your flag fly high and with pride for you and yours.
To all of you who served or had family members who served, Thank you!
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I am so honored to be raising flags with you. We are One Heart. One Lovejoy.
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Heritage Ranch
This past Friday we hosted a luncheon in honor of the residents of Heritage Ranch. The event was incredible! Our Lovejoy High School Student Council served as hosts and hostesses, and our Lovejoy High School Acapella vocalists wowed us with their amazing talents. It was wonderful to welcome our Heritage Ranch friends and share the great things happening in Lovejoy!
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Lovejoy Professional Development
While our students enjoyed the day off on Friday, our teachers and staff were working hard to grow in greatness! Success criteria, goal setting, and learning targets were the primary focuses of the day. I love how our teams have a growth mindset for themselves and our students!
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Friday Night Lights
Last Friday was not only an amazing overtime victory for our football leopards, but was a celebration of our Seniors. State Representative Candy Noble tossed the coin, and we welcomed back and honored the 2009 State Semi-Finalist football team. It was such an awesome evening!
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Lovejoy Students Participate in Lucas Farmers Market
The Lovejoy High School Organic Permaculture Club and Earth Guardians participated in the Lucas Farmers Market on Saturday. We are proud of these students for their commitment to their respective clubs.
Members of the Earth Guardians participating in the farmers market were:
Jordyn Watanabe
,
Luke Farkas
,
Gabriel Ezell
,
Neil Prakuzhy
,
Tristan Bourree
,
Elizabeth Esposito
, and
Camryn Sperling
.
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Members of the Organic Permaculture Club participating in the farmers market were:
Andrew James
,
Sam Bluestein
,
Brock Stevenson
, and
Eric Wang.
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Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA)
It was great to spend time with our awesome elementary school prinicpals at the TEPSA Grow Leadership conference. We heard from Danny Steele and Todd Whitaker, who are terrific authors and speakers on student and teacher support.
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Texas Instruments Academy for STEM in Action Leadership Summit
It was exciting to attend the Texas Instruments Academy for STEM in Action with my teammates Kelly Cowan and Cindy Bronson. It was great to grow in preparation of leaders, teachers, and engaged students through STEM. We met a soon to be new Lovejoy mom, Syndy…we can’t wait to welcome Syndy and her family to Lovejoy in December!
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Doughnuts with Dads
There is power in strong parent involvement in schools, especially when men become engaged and involved not only in the events, but the daily development of our kids’ lives. Doughnuts with Dads and Granddads at Hart Elementary School this week is a great example of the strength of our community.
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PTA President’s Meeting
I love our Lovejoy parents! The PTA is helping us with the board priority of recruiting and retaining excellent teachers and staff. It is extraordinary to have parents partner with us to retain the best and recruit the best educators and staff members to be a part of our Lovejoy family.
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Living Lovejoy
How can you not feel blessed after spending time with these smiling faces? It’s amazing to enjoy the greatest daily mission. I love our Leopards!
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Special thanks to our student nutrition team! They go above and beyond every day in serving our students, staff, and guests. At this time of year we are particularly thankful for their extra efforts to provide amazing Thanksgiving lunches. We are #LovejoyProud of them and all they do!
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Cross Country Teams State Bound
Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country Team on their Regional Championship, and our Girls Cross Country Team as Regional Runner-Ups. Both teams are heading to the State Cross Country Championships in Round Rock, Texas tomorrow at Old Settlers Park. The girls will run at 1:10 PM, and the boys will run at 1:50 PM. We hope to see you there in support of these incredible athletes.
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Lady Leopard Volleyball Team Wins Area Championship
Congratulations to our Lady Leopards who won the Area Championship last night 25-5, 25-11, 25-12, against Creekview. They move to the Regional Quarterfinals and will face Frisco Liberty on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:30 PM at McKinney Boyd. We hope to see you there as we support our Lady Leopards!
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WSMS Volleyball 2019
7th Grade Volleyball: The 2019 7th Grade Volleyball B & C teams won their District Tournaments this season. They did a fantastic job representing Lovejoy Volleyball.
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8th Grade Volleyball: Congratulations to the Willow Springs Middle School 8th Grade A Team for their undefeated district play. The team finished 2nd in the district tournament and 2nd in the Allen Invitational Tournament.
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Lovejoy High School Sports Medicine Wins Award
Congratulations to the Lovejoy High School Sports Medicine Team for being awarded the 2019 Team Behind the Team award! We are #LovejoyProud!
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The Leopard Yearbook Named Crown Finalist
Congratulations to the Lovejoy High School Leopard Yearbook for being named as a 2020 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Finalist.
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The Red Ledger Named Crown Finalist
Congratulations to The Red Ledger for being named as a 2020 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Finalist.
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Lovejoy Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) State Qualifiers
Congratulations to the Lovejoy High School TAFE state qualifiers:
Chelby Inman
Impromptu Lesson Plan
Sierra Spencer
Teacher Created Materials, Elementary School
Emily Lawler,
Shauna Pugh, and
Sierra Spencer
Chapter Yearbook
Chelby Inman,
Soli Stubbs, and
Makenna Slatten
Breakout Session: Teacher Appreciation
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Lovejoy Robotics Headed to State
Lovejoy Robotics competed in the Berkner Tower Takeover Tournament this past weekend. Team 1082B of Lovejoy Robotics won the Tournament Champion award. Team 1082A, semifinalists in the tournament, received the Design Award for having the best designed robot as well as an impressive engineering notebook. Teams 1082A and 1082B qualified for the state tournament in February! What a historic start to the season. 1082B is made up of
Chase Barnes
,
PK Kotra
,
David Logan
,
Carissa Dresser
and
Jack Czyz
(not pictured). 1082A is made up of
Brenden Diaz
,
Anthony Ciletti
,
Ross Walenciak
,
Hasif Shaikh
, and
Jake Bluestein
(not pictured). We are #LovejoyProud.
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Speech and Debate TFA State Qualifier
Congratulations to Lovejoy Speech and Debater
Kaya Czyz
for qualifying for the TFA State Tournament in Lincoln Douglas Debate.
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2019 Turkey Chess Tournament
On November 2nd Lovejoy ISD hosted the 12th annual Turkey Tournament in North Texas. This even brought people from all over North Texas in hopes to either bring home a 1st place finish or the Turkey! Sloan Creek Intermediate enjoyed a great day by bringing home the Team Trophy in 4-12 U600 section, as well as the Turkey! Students from Puster Elementary, Lovejoy Elementary, Hart Elementary and Willow Springs competed in the tournament.
Congratulations to:
K-3 U400
Cormac Finnigan
- 8th place
Jake Clinton
- 12th place
4-12 U600
James Bognot
- 1st place
Nathaniel Bognot
- 2nd place
Nicholas Amabile
- 3rd place
Devin Goins
- 4th place (Turkey Winner)
Mathew Sun
-5th
Miles McDonald
- 7th
Andie Clinton
- 8th
Kaleb Brodelius
- 10th
4-12 Open Section
Paari Palani
- 9th
Akhil Asher
- 11th
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Congratulations to all those that competed! Be looking for the Hop Into Spring tournament next semester!
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Students Compete at Grade Level Texas State Chess Tournament
Congratulations to Sloan Creek 5th grader
Shaurya Mazumdar
for his first runner up finish in the Grade Level Texas State Tournament in Houston. Congratulations to Hart Elementary School 1st grader
Viraj Mazumdar
on his 8th place finish in the same tournament.
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LHS Visual Arts Campus Exhibition
Join us as we celebrate the fourth annual LHS Campus Exhibition Monday, November 11th. We are excited to celebrate 55 thoughtfully selected works that exemplify the variety of vision, voice, and process our students take on in our LJVA studios. The work juried for this show was chosen from all levels of study in the LHS Visual Art program as examples of excellence and innovation by our LJVA Gallery Managers;
Kiley Boots
,
McKenna Christiansen
,
Grace Flinchbaugh
, and
Hunter Ruiz
. We invite you to come and see this wonderful selection of works and meet the artists from 6 - 8 pm Monday, November 11th in the LHS Gallery. If you are unable to join us on the 11th, we would love for you to come by and see the exhibition during school hours until November 18th.
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LHS Student Council Hosts Veterans for Banquet
The Lovejoy High School Student Council is pleased to invite you to their annual Veterans Day Banquet:
November 11, 2019
5:30 PM
Lovejoy High School Commons
Dinner will be catered by Rudy’s Barbecue. The student council would love for all veterans to attend as their guests.
Please RSVP to:
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Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Referral Meetings
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2019-2020
Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Referrals
The PowerSchool Referral form opens December 2, 2019
Referrals due by January 10, 2020
Testing: January 25 & February 1, 2020
Testing will be at Lovejoy Elementary School by appointment only.
Parents must complete the referral form in PowerSchool.
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Willow Springs Middle School Presents Annie Jr.
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Safety and Security Training
Lovejoy ISD is offering “Stop the Bleed” and “Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events” trainings during the month of November. You are invited to join us for this training which is applicable and practical for all community members.
Stop the Bleed
November 19, 2019
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
November 21, 2019
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall
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The
Lovejoy ISD Community News Page
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:
Inclement Weather
School closures will be determined based on safety. In the event of a school closure, notifications will be announced on the district’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. We will also announce any closure through the media and through a special edition of Message from Mike. Links to our social media accounts are listed at the end of this communication.
Senior Judges Needed!
Lovejoy Letter Campaign
Football Playoff T-Shirts
Senior Project!
Girls Wrestling Camp
Trivia Night
Thanksgiving Food Drive
LJVA Campus Exhibition
Lovejoy Student Council Veterans Day Banquet
Kindergarten G/T Referrals
Soccer Fundraiser
Men’s Tailgate Party and Cornhole Tournament
Benfiting the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Willow Springs Middle School Presents Annie Jr.
Senior Project!
Running Over Depression
Safety and Security Training
Kindergarten G/T Referrals Open
Lovejoy High School Cheer Fundraiser
Holiday Poinsettias for Sale
Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run
Turn Lucas Green
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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One of my greatest joys is to see our students succeed. Whether in the classroom discovering a new concept, a student reaching out through service and support to another student, or in the area of competition or performance, I love seeing our students progress and grow. This week is another great reminder of how much we have to be thankful for.
Last night I made the trip to see our volleyball team win the Area Championship, tonight the football team competes for a District Championship, and tomorrow I will be in Round Rock to support our boys and girls cross country teams as they compete in the State Championships. All of this within a three-day period!
My hope is that we never take our successes for granted and we continually strive to get better each and every day. In this journey we should remain mindful to take time to enjoy the moments of positive progress.
No matter how small or grand, a growth mindset to become 1% better each and every day for each student, teacher, staff and community member is a wonderful way to live.
We hope you and your family enjoy a safe and happy weekend. We can’t wait to welcome our students and staff back to school on Monday!
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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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