Great things are happening in Lovejoy ISD classrooms because of our outstanding teachers. One of many examples includes Ms. Chadwick’s 5^th grade science class at Sloan Creek Intermediate School. This week, students compared the structure and function of different species that help with survival in specific environments. Ms. Chadwick initiated the borrowing of a “teacher trunk” from the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center near Yellowstone National Park. The trunk included items such as animal pelts, skulls, and books. It was a privilege to get to spend some time in Ms. Chadwick’s classroom witnessing how much her students enjoyed this engaging learning experience. Students examined a wolf, coyote, and red fox pelt, skull, and paw print. I applaud Ms. Chadwick’s initiative in bringing high-interest, high-touch experiences to her students. Our brains form stronger connections and store more relevant information when learning is hands-on. Ms. Chadwick not only nailed this particular 5^th grade state science standard, this lesson provided students the opportunity to learn respect for living things and for items that you borrow. One of the best parts was feeling the energy in the room shift when the considerably large wolf pelt was brought out of the lab storage room.

There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS!

We are excited to announce the 2021-2022 Lovejoy ISD Campus Teachers of the Year. Our campus teachers of the year represent a wealth of experience and expertise. On Wednesday, we were excited to surprise and recognize each of our campus teachers of the year. In a few weeks, the district-wide Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year will be selected from this group. Please join us in celebrating each of these special teachers!

Laine Collins

Amy Matteucci has been at Puster since 2020. She began as a Pre-K teacher serving both in person and virtual students and families. This year, she made a huge leap and transitioned into a K-4 special education teaching role and was assigned the task of team leader. Her calm, patience, and perseverance has led her team to do some of the most challenging work this year! Ms. Matteucci has two beautiful children: Gabe, who is a second grader at Puster, and Ava who is a future Puster Leopard. Ms. Matteucci's growth mindset and determination to do what is best for her students and coworkers -even when the work is hard - are a true bright spot on our campus. She is most deserving of this Teacher of the Year award chosen by her peers.

Jennifer Waters is completing her 15th year in Lovejoy ISD. Currently, Mrs. Waters serves as a 6th grade math teacher. Mrs. Waters is an incredible math teacher, who is highly gifted in her ability to teach math content in a way that makes sense for her students. She helps students make meaningful connections and has fun building positive relationships with her students in the process.

"Having only been at Sloan Creek a short time, it did not take long for me to realize how special Mrs. Waters was. She is an incredibly talented teacher, yet her greatest gift may be her ability to form positive relationships with her students. We are so fortunate to have her at Sloan Creek, and part of Lovejoy ISD." -Mrs. Halpin

September Wheeler is the Willow Springs Middle School Special Education Life Skills teacher. This is her 15th year teaching Special Education and her second year as a Lovejoy Leopard.

Mrs. Wheeler is an amazing teacher who pours her heart and soul into working with our children with special needs. Additionally, she is a leader to all the adults who serve as aides in her program. She is a leader, a mentor, and a role model to all those who work around her.

Anna Daugherty is a strong teacher and leader on the LHS campus. Mrs. Daugherty has been at LHS for 5 years and has served as both an English and Spanish teacher. Currently, Mrs. Daugherty is our English Department Lead and teaches Advance English. 

Mrs. Daugherty has consistently looked for new opportunities to help kids. This year she developed a tutoring program for our freshmen class that was very successful. Mrs. Daugherty is a thoughtful and passionate educator who truly loves her students and her colleagues. We could not be prouder of Mrs. Daugherty and are excited that she received this recognition.

Tonya Walker has graciously coordinated tickets for each Teacher of the Year to receive Allen four American Hockey tickets! We are so grateful to the many community and parents supporters that lift up our teachers and recognize their hard work, dedication, and immeasurable contributions to Lovejoy students. Thank you, The Walker Group!

Due to missed school days earlier this school year as the result of inclement weather, all students will attend school on Monday, April 18th, 2022. Monday April,18th is listed as a Bad Weather Makeup Day on our school calendar.

Monday, April 18th will be "Bump Up Day". Bump Up Day provides our current 4th, 6th and 8th grade students the opportunity to visit the campus that they will attend for the 2022-2023 school year. Fourth graders will explore Sloan Creek Intermediate School, sixth graders travel to Willow Springs Middle School and eighth graders will tour Lovejoy High School.

Join us in celebrating Parker Nicole Jones who earned her diploma this week through the Lovejoy Transitions Program! Parker has been a Lovejoy student since 7th grade. She has a natural sense of humor and her quick wit makes her so much fun to be around. She looks forward to working independently using the skills she has acquired through her experiences in the Lovejoy Transitions Program. Congratulations, Parker! #OnceALeopardAlwaysALeopard

The Lovejoy High School Student-Superintendent Connection Council includes freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The Student-Superintendent Council meets monthly with Mrs. Kordel providing students an opportunity to express what they think is important regarding their education. We are deeply grateful for the time and commitment of each student serving on the council. Throughout this school year, they have exemplified our graduate profile by moving beyond self-interest and serving in love and service to others.

2021-2022 Student-Superintendent Connection Council Participants:

Nabilla Abdalla, Junior

Will Branum, Senior

Kendall Carll, Senior

Caden Carlock, Junior

Loriana Carpenter, Senior

Dana Colston, Freshman

Grayson Cox, Freshman

David David, Sophomore

Emmerson Dingwerth, Senior

Tyler Doyle, Junior

Hunter Hayward, Sophomore

Katelyn Helfand, Sophomore

Austin Hummel, Freshman

Sydney Legg, Junior

Connie Onyegbunwa, Freshman

Leah Prins, Senior

Gage Ramos, Junior

Mia Reaugh, Freshman

Anna Beth Smith, Senior

Addi Vondersaar, Sophomore

Ella Weston, Sophomore

Several orchestra students competed at UIL Solo and Ensemble on Saturday, March 26th. The following students received a 1 (Superior) on class 1 solos and have qualified for State! Alissa Chang, Aarathi Devakumar, Emily Perry, and Alex Simpkins. Congrats to the following students who also received a 1 (Superior) on their performances: Sophia Dong, Neola Edwin, Simi Fadel, David Fagner, Ally Harris, Helena Heinrich-Barna, Avery Jordan, Olivia Long, Sofia Rodas, Emeryson Runions, Savannah Spors, Tanisha Sutaria, and Sofia Zinn.

Lovejoy High School Student Athletes signed Letters of Intent Wednesday, committing to compete at the collegiate level. Read more about our student athletes and the ceremony in this Red Ledger article by Marisa Green.

Willow Springs MS Choir is lifting our voices in celebration of our amazing singing leopards! Congratulations to the following students who earned placement in one of the Region 25 MS All-Region Choirs! They competed against 450 singers from other school districts, and they have achieved the highest honor an individual musician can earn while in middle school. We are #LovejoyProud of their hard work and achievement!

Mary Sheridan, Treble I Choir

Saayon Mahapatra, Tenor Bass Choir

Katy Payne, Treble I Choir

Arwyn Eairheart, Treble II Choir

Sarah Jane Hanchey, Treble I Choir (1st Chair!!!)

Please help us congratulate our Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony members for their success at UIL concert and sight reading this week!!

The literature selected for our musicians was very challenging, and both groups rose to the occasion. The process to prepare all of this music as ensembles is not easy and they showed great grit the last months culminating in these performances.

All six judges gave the bands a superior rating of a Division 1. Here are some great quotes about these students made by people whose job it is to be tough critics:

“Outstanding technical facility is displayed in every section!”

“This is the most transparent March I have heard all day, Bravo!”

“SO many great things happening!”

“Ensemble exhibits wonderful control and command in all areas”

“Your understanding and appreciation of the Ives comes through in the performance”

“This is an absolutely wonderful band. Great sounds, ensemble skills, style, and musicianship”

We are very proud of our students and excited to share a video of the end of Ive's "Symphony No. 2"!

The following people have submitted applications to file for a place on the General Election Ballot.

Position 1: Julie McLaughlin and Randy Naidoo

Position 2: Amy Smith

Position 3: Jeff Wood

For additional information regarding the Board of Trustees Election please visit our website HERE.

Thank you CoServe Electric and Ryan Cave at The Cave Realty Team for sponsoring our upcoming End of the Year Staff Recognition Celebration! We appreciate your dedication to honoring all our teachers and staff for their hard work throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

We are still accepting prize and gift certificate donations for this staff celebration. Please feel free to email Anna_Koenig@LovejoyISD.net if you are interested in making a contribution. We appreciate the generous support of our parents and community.

Tickets for the Lovejoy Majestics Dance Team Spring Show are now on sale through the Fine Arts Box Office. We are so excited to share the talent of this team and this show with our Lovejoy community. As always, we are thankful for your continued love and unending support. In the whirlwind of this amazing year, this community has been a constant source of strength and encouragement as we have performed, competed, traveled, and more. It is said, "We lose ourselves in the things we love. We find ourselves there, too." We hope this show will be a glimpse inside of our lost and found, and by the end, maybe you will find something too.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and children

Performance nights are April 21, 22, 23, 2022 at the LHS Auditorium at 7:00pm.

For additional announcements, community events, and volunteer opportunities please visit our Lovejoy Community News Website linked below!