SCIS Parent Message
#Be The Difference 
12.14.17
Parent Video Message
Principal's Message
Sloan Creek Parents,

I hope everyone had a great week.  Next week is our final full week of instruction before the break. We are looking forward to a strong finish to a great first semester of learning! 
 
I hope each of you will watch the video above for details regarding:
  • Thank you for your donations to "SCIS Gives Back"
  • Spelling Bee Finals-Tuesday, Dec 19th @ 8:00 a.m.
  • Early Release on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. 
  • FINAL DEADLINE for Money due  for Chick-Fil-A lunch on Friday, Dec. 20th.     (No lunches provides beyond chick-fil-a)
  • See you back after break on January 8th, 2018. 

With an Attitude of Gratitude, 

 
Ray Winkler
Principal
214.417.4660 

New SCIS Information
Spelling Bee
Spelling Bee 1st Round will be Monday, Dec 18 @ 12:30 in the band hall. Parents are welcome!

Spelling Bee Finals will be Tuesday, Dec 19 @ 8:00am in the gym. Winners will be determined. Parents and school will attend!

Christmas Social December 20
Click here  to order Chick-fil-A for your child to eat on the last day of school. Deadline is Friday, December 15th. 

PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Winter break is almost here and we are gearing up for our SCIS Holiday Social happening Wednesday, December 20th. We need your help to make this party a great time for our students! Please see the (corrected) links below to donate food items and volunteer. Thanks for your help!

To donate food items:

To volunteer:

Kristin Murray
SCIS Volunteer Coordinator

Sloan Creek Chorale Attention Fifth Grade Parents
Mrs. Grall, our fifth grade music teacher, has an exciting announcement! Sloan Creek Chorale, our fifth grade non-auditioned choir, is hosting a two-week Open Enrollment for all students to join our current Fifth Grade Choir! If your are a current member, bring a friend!! Or if you are interested in joining, visit us on Monday, January 22nd for a special Spring Kick-off Party and rehearsal. Those interested, please see the information letter and required permission slip in order to attend in January: https://tinyurl.com/y8kecylr

Sloan Creek Chorale will resume Mondays 3-4 on January 22nd. Any student interested in Fifth Grade Choir may join us during Open Enrollment. See you then! Happy Holidays from the Music Department!

Questions or concerns?

Contact Mrs. Grall:


From The Nurse
Cold and Flu Season
As you know, this is the time of year for cold and flu season. Children as young as 11 years old may start to self medicate with over the counter (OTC) medications. It has been reported that misuse or medication errors with OTC medications have resulted in 10,000 ER visits in the U.S. for children younger than 18. This is a great resource on how to read medication labels, http://www.scholastic.com/otc-med-safety/ , or you can always ask your local pharmacist. I hope everyone stays healthy over the Christmas break.

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  
December  Newsletter

Student Nutrition 
December  Newsletter


SCIS Calendar of Events

December 18 Spelling Bee 1st round in band hall 12:30 pm
December 19 Spelling Bee Finals in gym 8:00 am
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/bad weather make up day  
January 19 5th Grade to WSMS Fine Art Preview 9:00-11:00 am
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 4/6/8 Bump Up Day - 6th Grade to WSMS 9:00-11:30 am
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
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 by phone. Links to our social media accounts are shown below.
 
Lovejoy ISD App
The Lovejoy ISD App is available for download on both Apple and Android devices.  To download the app for Apple devices, please  click here.  To download the app for Android devices, please  click here.  
 
Twitter and Facebook
Are you following the district on Twitter?  Have you liked us on Facebook?  Join us on social media for news and announcements.

Lovejoy Lacrosse - Boys' and Girls' Teams Registration Now Open
 
Registration is now open for the boys' and girls' 2018 Spring season of Lovejoy Lacrosse.  Join the most exciting, fastest-growing sport in the country. 
 
Register now for Boys: Grades Kindergarten through High School
Register now for Girls: Grades Kindergarten through 8th grade
 
Visit www.lovejoylacrosse.com for information regarding the program and the upcoming Spring season. 
 
Hurry, as rosters are filling quickly!


Worthwhile Senior Project
LHS Senior John Treanor's Senior project will benefit the USO through in-kind donations. He will be placing boxes for collection at our 3 elementary schools and at Sloan Creek. He shared that he wants to serve in the Navy after college, and has always respected the men and women who serve our country. He plans to have the boxes out for collection by December 13th. Click here for a list of suggested donation items. 

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 555 donors totaling $194,265. 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 are on sale now.   
 
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.