SCIS Parent Message
#Be The Difference 
11.30.17

Parent Video Message
Principal's Message
Sloan Creek Parents,

I hope everyone had a great break. I know we enjoyed spending time as a family and eating some great food.  

I hope each of you will watch the video above for details regarding:
  • Principal Coffee, Friday 12.1.17 "How to help your child with Google Classroom." 9:00 a.m. (Tomorrow!) 
  • Fine Arts Festival Details for December 1st and 2nd.
  • Christmas Social on December 20th, 2017. 
  • Order Chick-fil-A below for lunch on December 2oth, 2017. 
  • Academic UIL sign up is going on now. 

With an Attitude of Gratitude, 

 
Ray Winkler
Principal
214.417.4660 

SCIS Gives Back
Part of our culture here at SCIS is giving back to the community.  Each grade level will have a chance to give to families in North Texas that are in need.  The students will have from December 4-8 to bring items.  

6th Grade will be giving back to Samaritan Inn, North Texas' only homeless shelter. Samaritan Inn asked for new, unwrapped toys.

5th Grade will be giving back to Malvern Elementary in McKinney.  Ninety-two percent of the children there are on free and reduced lunch.  During the holidays, they often wonder if they will eat and where their next meal will come from.  So we will be providing items that can easily be prepared by 6-11 year olds. Microwavable Mac and cheese, peanut butter, crackers, soups, and canned fruit, are all great options.  

Items should be turned into homeroom teachers.  The 5th and 6th Grade classrooms with the largest donation items will be given donuts on Friday, December 15th.

Our teachers will also be giving back the following week to Hope's Door in Plano.  

New SCIS Information
Open House for Prospective Families
Do you have friends, family members, or co-workers interested in Lovejoy ISD?  Lovejoy ISD will host an Open House for prospective families in conjunction with the annual Fine Arts festival on Saturday, December 2nd. Open House events will be held at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  Interested families can:
 
  • Learn about the Lovejoy K-12 academic, fine arts and athletic programs.
  • Visit with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
  • Meet personally with elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school principals.
  • Tour Lovejoy High School.
  • Enjoy our Fine Arts Festival with our award-winning visual and performing arts students and teachers.

We hope you will help us share this information. Any family interested in attending the Open House may email Stacey Dillon, Assistant to the Superintendent, for additional information, or to register for the event.  You may also contact Stacey by phone at 469.742.8003.


Lovejoy ISD Fine Arts Festival - December 1st and 2nd
The Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival is around the corner! There will be amazing performances by our music, dance, and theatre programs, and the artwork by the LISD visual art students is going to be sensational! Mark your calendar now to join us for the annual Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival on December 1st and 2nd, 2017. Admission is free.
  • EVERY student at Sloan Creek Intermediate School will have artwork on display and our Sloan Creek Chorale members and all Sixth Grade Band, Choir, and Orchestra members will perform throughout the day.
  • The Fine Arts Boosters & Fine Arts Parents will provide a hearty chili luncheon, beverages, as well as delicious home baked treats for purchase throughout the day on Saturday.
  • A children's craft area and even a visit by Santa Claus will fill the time between the many opportunities to see the incredible work by the fine arts students in Lovejoy ISD.
  • Schedules are available on the Fine Arts Festival web site as well as updates and maps. https://tinyurl.com/LovejoyFine-Arts-Festival The performances and displays are FREE and open to the public.
  • The Festival needs your help with a donation or your time! Please review our sign up genius lists to see where your family can support the Fine Arts Festival.
We hope you and your family will join the Lovejoy ISD Fine Arts staff and students for this wonderful weekend of celebration!


Christmas Social December 20
Click here for Chick-fil-A order form

From The Nurse
Attention 5th Grade Parents:
I will be conducting vision and hearing screening next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through your student's social studies class. If your student has glasses, please make sure they bring them to school next week. I will notify you via email if your student does not pass vision or hearing screening. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, 469-742-8307 or tamara_pierce@lovejoyisd.net.

Attention 6th grade parents:
There are two vaccinations required by the State of Texas for entry into the 7th grade. They are a Tdap (tetanus, diptheria and pertussis) booster and the Meningococcal vaccine. These vaccines are typically given at the 11 or 12 year old well child visit. If your student receives these two vaccines, please send a copy of the vaccination record to school with your student or fax it to 469-742-8401 . Your help is greatly appreciated, as it will make your transition to 7th grade much easier.



Healthy Zone  
November  Newsletter

Student Nutrition 
November Newsletter


SCIS Calendar of Events

December 01  Progress Reporting Period Ends
December 01 Principal's Coffee- How to use Google Classroom. 9:00 am-10:30 am
December 01 6th Grade Band performs at Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival Evening
December 02 6th Grade Choir and Orchestra performs at Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival  Various
December 04 Sloan Creek Chorale Rehearsal 
3:00 pm-4:00 pm
December 04 Yearbook Club 2:50 pm - 3:45 pm
December 04 Chess Club
3:00 pm-4:00 pm
December 11 Sloan Creek Chorale Sings at Arboretum
3:00 pm-4:00 pm
December 11 Chess Club
3:00 pm-4:00 pm
December 11 Yearbook Club 2:50 pm - 3:45 pm
December 13 6th Grade Choir Sings at Allen City Hall
December 20  End of Second 9 Weeks (G2)
Early Release

December 21-Jan 05 Holiday Break
January 08 Start of School (G3)
January 08 Yearbook Club 2:50 pm-3:45 pm
January 15 Student Holiday
January 19 5th Grade to WSMS Fine Art Preview
January 22 PTA General Meeting 10:30 am
January 22 Yearbook Club 2:50 pm-3:45 pm
January 22 Chess Club 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
January 22 Sloan Creek Chorale Rehearsal  3:00 pm-4:00 pm
January 23 SCIS Choir - Solo & Esemble @ WSMS 3:00 pm
January 24 Student Lighthouse Meeting 2:50 pm-4:30 pm
January 26 6th Grade to WSMS
January 29 Yearbook Club 2:50 pm-3:45 pm
January 29 Chess Club 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
January 29 Sloan Creek Chorale Rehearsal  3:00 pm-4:00 pm
February 02 Early Release
February 05  Yearbook Club 2:50 pm-3:45 pm
February 05 Chess Club 3:00pm-4:00pm
February 12 Yearbook Club
2:50 pm-3:45 pm
February 12 Chess Club
3:00pm-4:00pm
February 15 Progress Reporting Period Ends
February 16-19 Winter Break- No School
February 23-24  Academic UIL 
February 26 Chess Club 2:50 pm-3:45 pm
February 26 Yearbook Club 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
February 26 Orchestra Concert @ LHS 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
February 28 Student Lighthouse Meeting 2:50 pm-4:30 pm 
March 02 Principal Coffee 9:00 am

Message from Sloan Creek PTA

District News
Lovejoy ISD is partnering with BrightBytes, an educational research organization, to learn more about our students' school and home technology use and the impact it has on instruction. We are reaching out to ask you to take part in the Technology & Learning questionnaire. This is a semi-annual initiative, and your participation is essential in helping us form a more complete picture of the role technology plays in your students' learning.
Please know that all of your responses will remain anonymous to protect your privacy


LHS Collecting Donations for Coats for Kids
Lovejoy High School is collecting donations to buy coats for S.M. Wright's Christmas in the Park Event. The purpose is to provide funding and resources for underprivileged children and families through the nonprofit organization For Kids Foundation. Every $15 donated will provide a child in the Dallas area with a new coat. This is a great opportunity for everyone to give back this Christmas. You may click here to donate. 

Relay for Life Gallery Wall Opportunity
Relay for Life is an annual event held at Lovejoy High School to raise awareness of cancer and donate to cancer research. This year's initiative is to bring the Lovejoy community together as a whole to promote a sense of community and care. The entire Lovejoy community is invited to participate in this event on April 6, 2018.
 
To encourage participation of students at the elementary and intermediate school levels the LHS Relay for Life organizers are hosting a coloring page activity. Students may click here to print the coloring page and decorate it as creatively as they can. Beginning December 11th, they may turn the page into the receptionist desk at their campus to receive a pencil, sticker, or other prize.  The event organizers will use all coloring pages to create a gallery wall the night of the event which will represent loving support for those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
 
We hope you will save the date of April 6th and join us for Relay for Life.

Relay for Life Luminarias
Relay for Life is selling Luminarias for the Relay for Life event on April 6th at Lovejoy High School. Luminarias honor those whose lives have been affected by cancer. You may dedicate a Luminaria to a loved one who lost their battle with cancer, someone currently battling cancer, or anyone who has overcome cancer. When you attend the Relay event, you will see the Luminarias placed around the track, decorated with names and sometimes messages to whom they are dedicated. Luminarias are $10. If you would like to purchase one, please click here.  

MySchoolBucks Convenience Fee
MySchoolBucks, the district's online meal prepayment program, has provided notification regarding an increase in the convenience fee paid by parents using the online payment feature. The fee will be increasing from $1.95 per payment to $2.49 per payment and will be effective as of December 11, 2017. This increase is the result of an increase in card scheme fees. The district does not receive any convenience fee funds from MySchoolBucks.
 
In light of the increase, the district contacted MySchoolBucks. They agreed to increase the maximum payment from $120 per deposit to $240 per deposit. This payment deposit increase is effective immediately. You may contact MySchoolBucks directly by telephone at 855.832.5226 or via email at support@myschoolbucks.com.

Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Referrals
Referrals for kindergarten Gifted and Talented services will be available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal from December 1, 2017 - January 12, 2018.
 
An information session for the parents of kindergarten students will review the referral process, as well as the G/T services offered in Lovejoy.
 
Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
Board Room
December 4 or 15, 2017
9:00 AM or 4:30 PM (Session information repeats)
 
If you are unable to attend and would like more information, a slideshow presentation will be available on the Gifted and Talented webpage after the December 4th presentations.
 
All kindergarten students will be tested at their home campuses in January. Additional testing for referred students is scheduled for both Saturday, February 10th and 24th. Services for identified kindergarten students begin March 1, 2018.
 
For questions regarding referrals, please contact Kari Lockhart (469.742.8015) or Brie Smith (469.742.8032).

BYOP® (Volleyball Winter and Spring Sessions): Pre-registration ends December 22
BYOP® Program Overview:   This training program is designed for any volleyball player, no matter what skill or ability level, as long as their goal is to become the best they can be. Parents must be fully dedicated to being actively involved in this program. BYOP® will provide excellent volleyball fundamental skills training, as well as life lessons to both player and parent.
 
BYOP® Program Details: Each training session will build upon a solid foundation of all fundamental skills needed to participate in the sport of volleyball. Parents must be engaged in every training session and involved in the home training program involving physical and skills activities.
 
Click here for full details regarding Session 1 (January, February and March) and Session 2 (April and May).

School Bus Safety Practices
We would like to remind everyone of the following school bus safety practices:
*When you see a school bus, assume children will be in the area, and take extra care: leave lots of space around the bus.
*When the bus turns on its flashing yellow lights, the bus is either preparing to   stop    at a railroad crossing or preparing to stop to pick up or drop off children.   Please        slow down and prepare to stop. 
*When the bus turns on its flashing red lights traffic must stop in both directions.  
*Never pass a school bus with flashing red lights. 

Thank you for your assistance in helping to keep our students safe.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Discount
Thomas Mears, Group Sales Education Specialist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, has arranged for Lovejoy families and staff members to receive a 20% discount for all DSO Concerts, with the exception of Beethoven's 9th in May. When purchasing tickets online at  www.mydso.com, type LOVEJOYISD20 at checkout to receive your 20% discount (you will be charged a $7 fee).  If you call the box office at 214.849.4376, you will receive the 20% discount, and will not be charged the $7 fee. 

The Lovejoy Running Club
The Lovejoy Running Club will be meeting every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6:00 PM near the Duck Pond at Celebration Park. All ages and ability levels are welcome to attend from novice walkers looking to shed a few pounds, to elite runners gearing up for the next race. If you have questions regarding the running program you may contact:mailto:  greg_christensen@lovejoyisd.net   P.S.  Dogs are welcome. 

Lovejoy ISD is adding text messaging capability to SchoolMessenger
The system we use for phone calls and email communications for information such as school closings due to inclement weather. SchoolMessenger will be configured to send text messages to your wireless phone number(s), with your approval. Please confirm we have your accurate wireless phone number in the PowerSchool Parent Portal and then opt-in to participate by following the directions below.
In order to receive messages from Lovejoy ISD or your student's school via SMS text we must have your wireless number(s) in SchoolMessenger and receive an "Opt-In Confirmation" from your wireless device.
You can easily opt-in by simply sending "Y" (or "Yes"), via text message, to our SchoolMessenger Short Code number 67587.
The wireless number(s) you enter into the PowerSchool Parent Portal are updated nightly. If you update your wireless number, or add a new number, in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, the new number will automatically be sent an Opt-In message.
To access the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please click here. If you have any questions, or if we may be of any assistance, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003.

Kids 1st After School Program
Kids 1st is an after school program developed by Lovejoy ISD in order to provide quality, safe care for children at each of the elementary schools and also Sloan Creek. For information, please visit the Lovejoy ISD Kids 1st web page at:  Click Here

Lovejoy ISD Pre-Kindergarten
Registration for the Lovejoy ISD Pre-Kindergarten program is now open.  If you have a child who will be 4 years of age by September 1, 2017, you may now register him or her in this tuition-based program.   Click here to access the registration packet. 
We are looking forward to offering this new program featuring credentialed teachers who will provide a developmentally appropriate experience which will prepare our four year olds for Kindergarten.  We fully recognize a Pre-K program must be highly engaging and allow our children to explore their creativity. Enrichment opportunities in Art, Music, Library, and Fitness, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) will be provided each week.  We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to provide a Lovejoy education for your youngest Leopards at Puster.  The Pre-K students will experience a rich learning environment which will provide them with a firm foundation for their K-12 Lovejoy experience.
You may  click here to review frequently asked questions.  For additional information, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003 or by  email.
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools

2017 Annual Appeal Ends December 31
As the end of the calendar year approaches, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools would like to say thank you for your generosity to the annual appeal campaign. We have received donations from 542 donors totaling $177,977. This is just shy of our goal of $200,000 and 650 donors. If you have not yet donated or you wish to make a final end of year tax-deductible donation, please click here. Without you, we could not carry out our mission to enhance the educational experience for Lovejoy students and staff.

Lovejoy Ladies' Night Out
Join us for a Lovejoy Ladies' Night Out to raise funds to award grants to Lovejoy ISD. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at Cross Creek Ranch in Parker. This event sold out last year. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 1st at 10:00 AM.
 
For pricing and ticket information, click here or contact Cindy Booker at 469.742.8043. 


Give to the Foundation via AmazonSmile
If you plan on purchasing items from Amazon.com, please consider visiting Amazon Smile. Amazon established AmazonSmile to give back 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. When you are ready to shop, log in to your Amazon account by visiting the AmazonSmile website for the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Once you have logged in, you will have access to the same products, same prices and same service you find at amazon.com. Thank you for your support of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.


SCIS Reminders
Dear SCIS Parents, 

We want to alert you that there has been one or more cases of head lice at SICS over the last few months.  If there is a concern with your child, our school nurse will contact you directly.  If you need additional information and resources, you may visit the CDC's website at the following link:  https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html 
 
Moreover, you may review the District's procedures for head lice on page 42 of the 2017-2018 Student Handbook, which states, in relevant part:

" If careful observation indicates a student has head lice, the school nurse will contact the student's parent to determine whether the child will need to be picked up from school, and to discuss a plan for treatment with FDA-approved medicated shampoo or cream rinse which may be purchased from any drug or grocery store. After the student has undergone one treatment, the parent should check in with the school nurse to discuss the treatment used. The nurse can also offer additional recommendations, including subsequent treatments and how to best get rid of lice and prevent their return."
 
Below is the link to the Handbook for your reference:
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Tamara Pierce, 
School Nurse

REMIND 101: TEXT (TEACHER CODE) TO 81010

Cooper
@coopers5t
Drummond
@drummond5
McClintick
@emccli
Thornton
@fa62678
Turner
@8bd763
Bradshaw
@fg892e
Nash
@hf7dkc4
Rohlmeier
@rohlm
McTee
@4d938g4a
 
Reagan
@kc66kbk
Reagan - GT
@42886017
5th Math
@scis5t
Person
@df24f8
Casey
@22gg6d
Pomponio
@jpompo
Wojcik
@mrsgunderw
Anderson
@ha99cg8
Anderson -GT
@ecd1d
Underwood
@mrsunderw
Love
@gtela6
Chadwick
@mrschad
6th Math
@28e22k
Kuneman
@mrkuneman


FERPA and General Waivers
This must be done again every year via powerschool, 
It is, once again, time to complete the FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) and General Waiver forms electronically. Also, please take the time to verify that all other required forms have been completed. You can find these forms on line by:
1. Go to the LISD Website . 
2. Click on Parents, 
3. Power School Parent Portal
4. Input your user name and password
5. You should now be in PowerSchool. Click on the blue "Click here to access                       the Enrollment Packet Forms or to update student information."
6. There are multiple forms you can click to update, but the required forms are the two on       the bottom - "FERPA" and "General Waiver"
If you have any questions, please give Lori Esser  a call at 469-742-8400.

Student Absences
For your convenience when your student is absent, you may send an e-mail to our PEIMS clerk,  Lori Esser, that will serve as a parent note.You are also welcome to call us, but we will require something in writing as well to satisfy the requirement. If your child does receive a note from a doctor's visit, please do send that in as well.


WOULD YOU LIKE DAILY TEXT UPDATES FROM SCIS? 
Here are the 4 easy steps:
  
1. Send a text message to the number:40404
2. Type this message:Follow @sloancreekis
3. Send the message above to the 40404 number
4. You will receive a daily update/reminder about SCIS
 
EMAIL COMMUNICATION
Be sure to take a moment to sign up, on the Lovejoy ISD website, to receive Mr. Moore's as well as my weekly e-mails.   Click here to sign up

Google Classroom Email Summaries for Parents/ Guardians
Lovejoy has been sending invitations for Google Classroom email summaries for parents/guardians over the last week; however, Google is having some technical issues with the invitations to all parent/guardian email addresses. We continue to work with Google to resolve this problem. Please continue to watch for your invitation for Google Classroom email summaries.
 
As a parent/ guardian, you may receive email summaries showing your student's progress in Google Classroom. You may choose daily or weekly emails, and unsubscribe or remove yourself from Google Classroom anytime. Guardian summaries include missing work, upcoming work, and class activity. As a parent/ guardian, you must receive and accept an email invitation before you receive email summaries. Following is a sample of the email invitation you may receive:

For additional information regarding Google Classroom email summaries for guardians, please  click here .  If you have questions, please contact the Library Media Specialist for your campus:
 
Sloan Creek Intermediate School


Volunteering at SCIS
Volunteer Applications Available 
The Online Volunteer Application for the 2017-2018 school year is now available. Please  click here access the application. Upon completion of the form, please be sure to click "Submit Application" located at the bottom of the page. You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received. The online application is a secure link.
For the safety of our students, a criminal history record is obtained annually for every person interested in volunteering at an LISD campus.
Your interest in serving as a volunteer is appreciated. Please email  Gina Ellis if you have any questions.