Puster Elementary Principal Message
September 5, 2019
Puster Families,

It’s time to get some read alouds going again! This latest “Read Aloud with Mrs. Haynes” includes a special student guest! Click here to fulfill tonight’s 20 minutes of reading.

It has come to our attention that a few parents are parking along Hart Road and walking to pick students up from the carline at dismissal. This is causing congestion for our buses and others trying to get by on that road. Our carline dismissal is down to about 12-13 minutes from the time we start to the last car to pick up (WIN!). Please plan to hop in the carline or arrive early and park in the parking lot if you’d like to walk up. 

All after school clubs will be up and running next week. 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 below.

Thank you for your patience as we get Seesaw up and running this year. The latest report is that we could be able to post as soon as TODAY! I know our teachers have really come to rely on this tool for communicating with you - they are ready to start posting and keeping you updated as soon as they get the green light that all issues have been resolved. 

I hope you and your families have a fantastic weekend! 

Puster Proud,
Holly

All after school clubs will be up and running next week. 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.

If you haven’t done so already, please go into Dismissal Manager and set your child’s default dismissal option. We will rely solely on this system for dismissal changes.

Dates to Remember
September 12 - Join Cub Scouting Night 6:30 pm
September 13 - Puster Pride Assembly @ 8:15 am
September 13 - Early Release at 12:00
September 13 - Leopard Friday
September 23 - September 27 - Book Fair
September 24 - PTA Meeting @ 6:15 pm
September 24 - Ice Cream Social @ 6:30 pm - Book Fair Open
October 22 - Fall Family Fun Night
Counselor Corner
We are so thankful to have a supportive PTA. This year PTA bought two "Buddy Benches" for the playgrounds. Please look at the picture attached. I have also attached what was read to the students, so you are aware of what a "Buddy Bench" is for. Thank you again to the PTA for purchasing these for our school. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call.


Go to this links:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g7eVr_xDOHr-GgqOZ3rIlRUZ4hNk9Y9J/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-STdKmazDAb5MbzMsFdHLqCnJbIQrLO_/view?usp=sharing

Bryan Smith - Puster Counselor
469-742-8228
Library News
Hello Parents!

We have had another great week in the library! Many classes have had their first makerspace lesson of the year! This year in makerspace we are doing things a little differently. We have now transitioned to guided lessons that are arranged around a theme in our makerspace. For the first six weeks of school, we are working with a theme on codes and ciphers. Students are learning about different types of codes and how to use them as well as create them.

Since our makerspace is functioning differently, we are now needing specific items donated, instead of the items that were requested in the past. For our next unit in the makerspace we are needing the following items:
  • Toilet paper tubes
  • Paper towel tubes
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Index cards
  • Unused paper plates
  • Plastic straws
We are so appreciative of the items we have received so far! Starting next month we will be featuring some of our makerspace projects as we progress into a new unit.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming Follett Book Fair! We will open on September 23rd and close on September 27th. Our fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as well as during the Ice Cream Social.

Have a great weekend!

Naomi Emory, L.M.S.
Puster Elementary
Fine Arts News
PUSTER TALENT SHOW - 1st - 4th Grade
The Puster Talent Show for 1st-4th graders will be Thursday, October 10th at 8:15AM. The show is a chance for students to prepare and share a special talent with friends, teachers, and family. All acts will audition to be a part of the performance and must be 2 minutes or less. Auditions will be Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26 from 3:15-6:15pm. Please read the  PES Talent Show Packet  BEFORE signing up for an  audition . The deadline to sign up for an audition is Monday, September 23.

3rd and 4th graders have the opportunity to apply to be on our Stage Crew. The  applications  are due Monday, September 9.

All Talent Show information can be found on the Puster Music Website:   https://tinyurl.com/PESMusic . Please contact  Anne_Tracy@lovejoyisd.net  with any questions.
CHOIR NEWS
PUSTER PRIDE CHOIR - 3rd and 4th Grade
Puster 3rd and 4th graders may join the Puster Pride Choir by filling out our  ONLINE Puster Pride Choir Form . Please read the  Puster Pride Choir Handout  for detailed information. Rehearsals are always on Mondays from 3:10-4pm in the Puster music room and will begin September 9th. All choir and music information can be found on the Puster Music Website:   https://tinyurl.com/PESMusic . If you have any questions please contact  Anne_Tracy@lovejoyisd.net .



LOVEJOY CHILDREN'S CHOIR - 4TH, 5TH, 6TH GRADERS
The Lovejoy ISD Children's Choir, directed by the Lovejoy ISD Elementary Music Specialists, is designed to serve the needs of our district’s 4th, 5th and 6th grade students who are committed to a musically exceptional experience. Auditions will be held on September 10 and 12 for any and all LISD 4th, 5th and 6th grade students interested in participating. Returning members do not need to audition but DO need to fill out the online  permission form . Visit  http://lovejoymusic.weebly.com/lovejoy-childrens-choir.html  to access the   2019-2020 LCC Parent Packet  and online  permission form . Questions can be directed to your child's music teacher or Anne Tracy ( Anne_Tracy@lovejoyisd.net ).  
Puster News
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. 
Parent Portal Accounts
For the 2019-2020 school year, PowerSchool enhanced Contacts to allow us to add one contact and attach multiple students to that account. Information added and/or updated for that person is done one time for all students linked to that person. This includes updating phone numbers, emails, addresses, etc. across campuses.

Parent Portal usernames, account emails and passwords have been updated. Accounts will now be created at the campus by request. Initially we have added accounts for all contacts that are in PowerSchool that have a relationship of Mother, Father, or Guardian using the email on file. This includes students new to the district for 2019-2020 and all new kindergarten students.
The Parent Portal opens on August 12 for viewing schedules, homerooms, and completing the yearly enrollment updates (FERPA, Waivers, and Transportation Requests). No later than Sunday, August 11 each account for the Mother, Father, and Guardian will receive a message through School Messenger using the email on file. This message will include the account username (the email address attached to the account).

1.      Go to  https://powerschool.lovejoyisd.net .
2.      Click on “Forgot Username or Password?”
3.      Enter the Parent Username sent to you through School Messenger (email).
4.      Enter the same email address in the “Parent Email Address” field.
5.      Click on Enter.
6.      An email will be sent to this email address with the temporary password.
7.      Use this password to continue to the Parent Portal where you will be required to change the password.

When you are on the Parent Portal, you should see the students attached to your account. However, if you don’t see those students you may use the Student Access ID and Access Code contained in the School Messenger email to link the student to your account. If you have multiple students in Lovejoy ISD you will receive one School Messenger email per student.
PTA News
Dear Puster Families,
Did you know the Puster PTA sponsors several FREE events during the school year....Fall Family Fun Night, Mother/Son night, Daddy/Daughter Dance.

In order to sponsor these events, we ask the community to donate to Puster's Annual Leopard Drive. This is our only fund-raising event. The funds collected will only be used at Puster and will support the great events and programs for all students throughout the year. If we do not meet our fundraising goals, we will have to start charging for these events.

If you have not donated yet, please consider donating so that we may continue to support these programs.

Here is the link:  http://bit.ly/LeopardDrive

If you need to JOIN PTA & DONATE to Puster's Leopard Drive, please click here:


Also, please click below for this week's edition of Louie's Ledger. Only PTA members receive this communication. Remember to join the PTA so you can continue to receive important updates:  http://bit.ly/LL82519
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

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!

LoJo Glow
Thursday, October 3

Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for the 1st Annual Black Light Community Pep Rally!
Student Nutrition Information 2019-2020
Student Nutrition Services would like to welcome you to the 2019-2020 school year! We look forward to the opportunity to service you and we appreciate your continued support for our Nutrition Program. Student Nutrition Services is committed to providing our students with a variety of quality, nutritious meals. We have some exciting changes planned for this school year. Our commitment to increase our fresh fruit and vegetable offerings, whole grain products, and reduced fat options continues. We offer quality products from manufacturers that you know and trust such as Tyson Foods, Jennie O’ Turkey, and Land O’ Lakes cheese. Our partnership with Paradise Produce for our fresh fruits and vegetables will continue this year. Paradise receives fresh product from our Texas farms each weekend and delivers to each of our kitchens every week.
Student


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qxmD26sz2_bqcrU55o-1fgo89_wd6ihM/view?usp=sharing
Bus Information 

The 2019-2020 bus route information will be finalized by August 7 th. On or after this date, bus stop locations and times can be retrieved from the district's website at www.lovejoyisd.net under “Quick Links” or the “Transportation” section under Departments.

After selecting “Bus Routes 2019-2020”, a new screen will appear where you enter your address in the search box and select 'Search'. Route information will appear, including the stop location and times, along with a map. Bus stop information will only display for students who have requested bus transportation through PowerSchool.

If your student is a returning student and rode the bus last year, their PowerSchool account should already be marked “yes” for bus transportation. PowerSchool transportation choices from last year will roll over to this year. When PowerSchool is open to parents, please review your Transportation “yes” or “no” choice for 2019-2020 to make sure the correct one is selected. It is extremely important that this information is correct so we know how many students will need bus service. If your student will NOT ride the bus, please make sure the transportation choice is marked “no” for the 2019-2020 year so we have an accurate count of how many will ride the buses.

If your student is new this year, and would like your child to ride the bus, this is done through PowerSchool under the “Enrollment & Student Forms” section. Detailed instructions on requesting bus service, and Transportation Policies & Procedures are available on the district’s website under “Departments” and selecting Transportation. 

Questions or concerns?

Donna Holden (Routing Coordinator)
469-742-8009 or donna_holden@lovejoyisd.net
 
David Dillon (Senior Director of Operations)
469-742-8028 or david_dillon@lovejoyisd.net
Lovejoy ISD Community News
We are pleased to announce the  Lovejoy ISD Community News Page . This new addition to the Lovejoy ISD Webpage will share 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.
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools Award $405,103 in Grants

Chess Club Enthusiasts – Register Now!

BYOP Elementary Night with Lovejoy Volleyball

Evening with the Majestics

Leopard Friday

Junior Mini Cheer Camp

Public Lands Trail Cleanup

Lovejoy Leopards Inc. 11th Annual Golf Tournament

Lojo Glow Community Pep Rally

City of Lucas Farmers Market

Collin College News

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 Gifted and Talented Referral Form Open Through September 13
 
The Gifted and Talented (G/T) referral form is open in PowerSchool through September 13. Families of students in grades 1-12 may refer students for assessment. Two parent meetings are scheduled for Monday, September 9 at 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Additional information is available on the  G/T website .