Puster Elementary Principal Message
January 30, 2020
Puster Families,

We are proud to announce our February Heart of the Teacher recipient - Lana Jasper! Mrs. Jasper teaches 4th grade ELAR and she truly exhibits the love for her students and coworkers every day. Since joining us in Lovejoy ISD 2 years ago, Mrs. Jasper has jumped into new learning and embraced every instructional challenge with a growth mindset and a positive attitude. We are so thankful for her at Puster! 

February 13th is an early release day at noon. We will host Puster Pride at 8:15 that morning and Valentine’s parties at 11:15. You can find a Fast Pass for both events here . We hope you will join us! 

Tomorrow is the last day we are collecting tennis shoes and cleats for our shoe drive. Thank you for all of the wonderful donations! 

Have a great weekend!

Puster Proud,
Holly

Dates to Remember
February 7 - Daddy Daughter Dance
February 13 - Early Release/Puster Pride Assembly
February 14 - School Holiday
February 17 - No School (Bad Weather Makeup Day)
February 21 - Puster Pride Choir at Allen American Hockey
February 27 - 3rd Grade Living Museum
Library News
Hello Parents!
This week is Hour of Code! This is something that schools around the nation participate in during the winter. The purpose of this is to get students coding so that they can start learning this important skill. Many jobs now and in the future will rely on coding, so we are starting to build the foundation for students' success!  

I cannot thank you enough for all of the donated items to our makerspace, they are being put to great use! Below are items that we are going to need for our upcoming Construction Unit.

Items needed for Makerspace: 
- Dixie Cups
- Large Craft Sticks
- Masking Tape
- Toilet Paper Tubes

An amazing resource that we have here at Lovejoy is Overdrive. This is an amazing platform for students to access audiobooks and eBooks that works great on either iPad or computer. More information can be found on the library website.

Have a great week!

Naomi Emory, L.M.S.
Puster Elementary
Puster News
Yearbook Sales

Buy your yearbook today!  For a limited time you can purchase the yearbook for $25 . After Feb 23rd the cost increases to $30, so the sooner you buy the better!  All sales end March 30th. 

You can purchase your yearbook here. 
4th Grade Bump Up Day - Menu Updated
Fourth Grade Parents

We are so excited about our upcoming Bump Up Day at Sloan Creek on Friday, January 31st. Students from all three elementary schools will join together and travel in groups with students from each school. They will visit classrooms, ask questions, learn about the ins and outs of 5th grade, and once they have done that, will eat lunch at Sloan Creek. Please make sure your child wears a Lovejoy Spirit Shirt if they have one. If your child would like to purchase lunch, please make sure they have enough money in their account or send money with them. They are also welcome to bring a sack lunch. Your child should return to campus before 1:00.  

We look forward to seeing the 4th graders!

Bump Up Day Lunch Menu

Home Line 
Crispy Chicken Sandwich 
Shrimp Poppers
Chef Salad
Tator Tots
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Shelled Edamame
Apple Slices

Italian Build Your Own Line -
Build Your Own Italian Pasta Bowl 
Solo Pizza
Shelled Edamame
Apple Slices

Burrito/Nacho Build Your Own Line
--
Amber Smith
School Counselor
Sloan Creek Intermediate School 
469-742-8316
LISD STEM Festival

The district is excited to announce the 3rd Annual STEM Festival to be held on February 29th from 10:00-3:00 at Lovejoy High School. We hope you will mark this date on your calendar and make plans to attend this STEMtastic event with your family. The STEM Festival also offers extra opportunities, like the CANgineering Competition and T-Shirt Design Contest, in which students and families can participate. All information about the STEM Festival is linked below:
Puster Pride Choir and the Allen American Hockey Team - February 21st
The Puster Pride Choir will sing the National Anthem at the February 21st Allen American hockey game. Friends and family can purchase tickets in the "Puster section" here:   https://allenamericans.com/puster/ . We hope to see you there! Please contact  Anne_Tracy@lovejoyisd.net  with any questions.
Puster Pride Choir at Allen American Hockey game Friday, February 21

Dear Puster Pride Choir Parents,

Happy New Year! I hope all of you enjoyed the holidays with family and friends. It's back to work/fun here in the music room. We've already made great progress in rehearsals on our spring music. Our singers are such quick learners :)

Here are some upcoming dates for you as you plan for the spring semester:

Rehearsals will go through April 20th with a party on April 27th.  Our final performance will be Thursday, April 23

SAVE THE DATE - National Anthem at Allen American hockey game Friday, February 21st
  • This is an optional event for our singers and their family and friends. All singers attending MUST have a parent or supervising adult present.
  • Singers' tickets are $5 and family/friends pay $16
  • Meet at 5:15pm for mic check, perform at 7pm, singers free to go after National Anthem
  • Order tickets online:  https://allenamericans.com/puster/ (be sure to scroll to the bottom of the screen)
  • Flyer to send family and friends: 
  •  Puster at Allen American Game.png
If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.
Puster Campout
Valentine Goodie Grams & Campout Fundraiser

NEW!  Surprise a teacher, a staff member, a friend, or your own kiddo by ordering a Valentine Goodie Gram to be delivered to them at Puster on 2/13!  Use the code  PEScampout  for your $5 off $25 purchase and Oven Love Bake Shop will donate a portion of the proceeds to Puster Campout 2020. Sweet, right?! Order by 2/10 for delivery to Puster on 2/13. 
Place your order here:  Campus Campout Fundraiser


Campout Registration Opens  Thursday, February 6, 2020!  Mark your calendars & set your reminders -- you don't want to miss this!

The Campout Flag design contest is now closed and the entries look AMAZING! The winner will be notified soon and announced at Puster Pride on Thursday, 2/13. 

If you are new to Puster this year and want to learn more about campout (or just want to reminisce on all the fun we had last year!) check out:   http://www.pustercampout.com  

Questions? Suggestions? Let us know! Email us at  PusterCampout2020@gmail.com  or contact Christian Pruitt, 214-458-1449.  #WeCampWeCare 
Watch D.O.G.S. – Be Involved, be a Hero, be a Watchdog.
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.

Spend a day or a ½ day to be a hero for your child. 

Add your picture to the Puster Watch D.O.G.S. Wall of Fame. 

In order to participate you will need to sign up, perform a background check, get a T-shirt!

Sign Up

Pick a date and time slot on the sign-up genius website, link below.


Background Check

Complete the districts background check for the new school year, link below.


Watchdog Shirt

Each Watch D.O.G. dad is encouraged to wear a Watch D.O.G.S. T-shirt on the day you are volunteering at the school. Your child may also want a "My Hero" shirt to wear that day too. Below is the link to purchase a t-shirt. Watch D.O.G. t-shirts are not required but are encouraged.


Questions

If you have any questions about Watchdogs, please contact fellow Puster dad, Kyle Smith, at pusterwatchdog@gmail.com  or 903-456-9888. 
PowerSchool Parent Portal Access Tips
Here are some quick bullets about the PowerSchool Parent Portal:

PowerSchool Parent Portal Access Tips
Here are some quick bullets about the PowerSchool Parent Portal:

·          Unless you have changed your username after August 12, 2019, the username is the email address that is associated to the parent account. The log of invalid logins that we are seeing are typically parent accounts that are trying to use something other than an email address as the username.

·          Recently users have been denied access and it is determined that they are not using the correct URL. Please make sure that you are going to  http://powerschool.lovejoyisd.net . If you see Welcome to Unified Classroom, you are on the wrong site. This is another PowerSchool product that we do not have a subscription as it duplicates Google Classroom.

·          Remember that the mobile app is only a tool for updates on assignments, grades, and attendance. Typically to access the Enrollment Forms, Absence Reason Excuses, GPA Information, and the Random Drug Testing Forms you must use a tablet, laptop or desktop and the URL above. From a mobile phone, you can use your browser and go to the URL above; however, once logged in it is difficult to navigate.

All after school clubs are up and running . Please remember to set your “Weekday Defaults” in School Dismissal Manager. Let us know if you need help! Please note times and dismissal plans for each.

"Default" and "Weekday Defaults" = dismissal that will happen most of the time (choir, kids first, bus, spanish, etc.).

"Exception" = just for that day.

Once an exception has been made on your end, it can not be edited on our end. We can, however, adjust defaults on our end. Please let us know if we can help.

Teachers have been asked to follow only what is in Dismissal Manager. Please notify the front office if you have a change that cannot be made in the system. Thank you!
PTA News
District News
District Communications

One of our Board Priorities is to develop stronger community connections and confidence through effective communication. We are continuing to strengthen our communications and have shared best practices for communicating with the Board of Trustees and best practices for staff communications with parents. Today we are sharing the following information regarding how best to communicate and handle concerns with teachers, coaches, directors, etc. For future reference you may find this information on the Parent Resources page under District Communication.


Student and Parent Concerns/Grievances
The faculty and staff of Lovejoy ISD are committed to the service of our students and their parents by responding promptly and professionally to concerns or grievances which may arise.

Student and Parent Complaints/Grievances are governed by LISD Board Policies FNG (LEGAL) and FNG (LOCAL).

How Do You Resolve Parent Concerns?
If you, as the parent or guardian of a Lovejoy ISD student, have concerns regarding your child’s education or performance, we want to talk with you. Sitting down and talking with the people who interact most often with your child on a daily basis – his/her teacher, counselor, coach or director– can remedy the majority of concerns.

Most concerns can be and usually are resolved at the classroom/activity/sports or campus level. However, if your concerns are not addressed by visiting with the teacher, campus counselor, coach or director, you may choose to follow the three-level process listed below:

Level One:
Within 15 business days of the incident causing the concern/complaint, you may request a meeting with the next level supervisor which could be the Athletic Director, Fine Arts Director or Campus Principal. The Level One form may be found here.

Level Two:
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Level One process, within 10 business days of receipt of the Level One decision letter, you may request a meeting with the Assistant Superintendent of Operations (Athletics, Safety, Operations) or Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction (Teachers, Administrators, Student Discipline). The Level Two form may be found here.

Level Three:
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Level Two process, within 10 business days of receipt of the Level Two decision letter, you may appeal the decision to the  School Board by contacting the Superintendent. The Level Three form may be found here .


Upcoming Events
February 3
STEM Festival T-Shirt Design Contest Deadline
Calling all students! We need your creative designs for the STEM Festival 2020 T-Shirts! Entries are due on February 3. Additional information may be found here
February 14
Deadline to File for May 2, 2020 School Board Election
The Lovejoy Independent School District Board of Trustees consists of seven trustees, serving terms of three years, with elections held annually. The terms of one-third of the Trustees, or as near to one-third as possible, expire each year. The following positions will expire on Saturday, May 2, 2020 on which day a Trustee Election will be held:
 
Position 4, held by Anne Smith
Position 5, held by Matt Gournay
Position 7, held by Barrett Owens
 
The first date to file for a Position on the May 2, 2020 ballot is on January 15, 2020 and the last day to file is February 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM. The administration building office hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
 
Additional information regarding the May election may be found here .
 
February 29
STEM Festival
Mark your calendars for the annual STEM Festival from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. You do not want to miss this fantastic event!
 
 
March 4
SAT Testing for LHS Juniors
Lovejoy ISD has designated March 4 as a schoolwide testing day for all eleventh-grade students to take the SAT college entrance exam at no cost. Additional information may be found here
Community News
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:


Pirates of Penzance
 
 
SAGE (Special and Gifted Education)
 
 
New! Color Guard Competition
 
 
New! Senior Project Benefiting Youth Baseball
 
 
New! LHS School Store Sale
 
 
New! Allen Americans Hockey Game
Benefiting the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
 
 
STEM Festival T-Shirt Contest
 
 
New! Young Men’s Service League
 
 
New! Meet the Leopards Night with Lovejoy Softball
 
 
New! Give Sight Globally
 
 
Lovejoy ISD Gold Card Program
Lovejoy ISD is excited to announce the Gold Card program to honor and thank the senior citizens and retirees of Lovejoy ISD for being dedicated supporters of the district.
The Lovejoy ISD Gold Card offers the following benefits ( one pass per cardholder):

Access and general admission seating to all regular season at home athletic events
Free admission to Fine Arts events
Free admission and VIP seating for select high school theater performances with reservation
An invitation to attend the annual Senior luncheon each Fall
Click Here to Learn More
 
 
New! International Justice Mission of Lovejoy Clothing Drive
 
 
Inclement Weather
 
 
School Board Election
Filing Deadline – February 14
 
 
Toy Drive to Benefit the Children
Of Little Lovejoy Scholars – Hart
 
 
STEM Festival
 
 
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Position Open for Assistant
 
 
Senior Project Judges Needed
 
 
SAT Prep Classes
 
 
Save the Date! April 18
Lovejoy Country Run
 
 
News from Collin College
 
 
Turn Lucas Green


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.






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.

Lovejoy ISD Community News