Lovejoy Independent School District

 
Email Express
June 22, 2017
A Message from the Superintendent


Dear Lovejoy Community:

Budget Approved - Fees are Lowered
 
Around midnight last night, our Board of Trustees approved the 2017-2018 budget.  It was an incredibly difficult task because the Board was focused on protecting the Lovejoy experience each of your children has in classrooms district-wide.  The challenge came from the Texas Legislature's unwillingness or inability to pass a new school finance bill.  As you have read in Email Express throughout the spring semester, the financial impact of the Legislature's inaction is resulting in the loss of approximately $6 million in state funds, which is 16% of our budget. 
 
The Board has worked diligently with staff since last November to find a way to fund the current programs and experiences for Lovejoy students by increasing revenue streams.  We added summer enrichment camps, created a tuition-based Pre-K program, marketed our programs to increase K-12 tuition-based transfers, among other revenue generating projects created by Lovejoy staff members.
 
A healthy number of parents and community members attended the Board meeting last night and provided great input during the public hearing.  After much deliberation and thoughtful consideration, the 2017-2018 budget was adopted by the Board. The 2017-2018 budget will be funded by additional cuts, without direct impact on the classroom, the use of some of our fund balance, Personal Seat Licenses at the LHS football stadium (beginning with the 2018 season), and by implementing fees.  The fee structure approved by the Board is as follows:  
  • $250 fee for 8th grade students participating in extracurricular fine arts/sports*
  • $350 fee for 9th - 12th grade students participating in extracurricular fine arts/ sports*
  • $350 fee for bus service
  • The Texas Legislature goes into special session on July 18th. This will be one last chance for them to restore some or all of our funding which could result in the reduction or elimination of these fees 
*The extracurricular fee is per student, regardless of the number of activities in which the student participates.
 
Additional information regarding the implementation of the fees will be forthcoming.  In the meantime, please know plans are in place to assist families with hardship waivers and/or scholarships to ensure no student is denied participation in an extracurricular activity.
 
For additional information you may click here to read the Special Edition of Email Express which was sent this past Tuesday, and contains background information regarding school finance and the Lovejoy ISD budget for 2017-2018. 
 
 
Lovejoy ISD Summer Closure
The district will be closed Monday, June 26th - Friday, July 7th and will re-open at 8:00 AM on Monday, July 10th. As many of you know, my family started a tradition 19 years ago of spending a couple of weeks at South Padre Island, and we are headed that way again this year.  If I may be of any assistance to you during the time the district is closed, please contact me by phone or text at 972.415.8129. 
 
 
Hart Elementary School Principal
It is a pleasure for me to announce that, at the Board meeting last night, the Board approved Lacey Moser as the new Principal of Hart Elementary School.  Lacey has been a part of the Lovejoy family for the past two years as an Assistant Principal of Willow Springs, and as a Hart parent where her daughter Molly just completed her Kindergarten year.  I am honored to be professionally associated with Lacey, and am confident Lacey will be a great addition to the Hart team.  
 
Lacey began her education career in McKinney ISD where she taught 4th and 5th grades, was an instructional coach, and Assistant Principal under the leadership of then-Principal, Kathy Foster.  She moved to Colorado where she served as an Assistant Principal and opened a new elementary school.  She then served as a middle school Principal for six years.  Family ties to the Dallas area returned Lacey to North Texas where she has served at Willow Springs.  Kent Messer, Principal of Willow Springs Middle School, shared, "Lacey always makes student success a priority.  She has an excellent touch with students in how she supports them academically, emotionally, and behaviorally.  In addition, she is very proactive and thorough in her communication with parents."
 
Lacey is committed to continuing the rich traditions at Hart while focusing on fostering an exceptional learning environment and improving upon the many successes which make Hart special. Lacey has chosen Amber Ross as the assistant principal. Amber taught for two years at Hart and has served as an assistant principal at a Denton elementary school for the last two years.
 
 
School Funding Rally Day in Austin - July 24, 2017
Mark your calendars to attend the School Funding Rally Day in Austin on Monday, July 24, 2017. 
 
We have one last chance for the Texas Legislature to return the $6 million to our budget.  We are asking as many of you as possible to join us at the Capitol on July 24, 2017, to make one strong push with the Legislature to restore our funding.
 
 
School Finance
We are now four weeks ahead of the special session of the Texas Legislature.  It remains critical for you to contact our local elected officials to let them know the importance of restoring funding for ASATR during the special session.  We did receive support from all three of the officials listed below during the regular legislative session. District office phone numbers are as follows:
 
The Honorable Van Taylor, Texas State Senator, District 8
972.398.9416
 
The Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Texas House Representative, District 89
972.424.6810
 
The Honorable Scott Sanford, Texas House Representative, District 70
972.548.7500
 
 
You may click here for specific talking points regarding ASATR.  As always, thank you for your support of Lovejoy ISD.


National Junior High Finals Rodeo
Congratulations to Willow Springs Middle School 8th grade student, Avery Beimer, who earned a position on the Texas State National Junior High Rodeo team.  Avery is currently in Lebanon, Tennessee, where she is competing in the 13th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo in the barrel racing competition.

 
A Message from the
Deputy Superintendent
STAAR Results Available


Dear Lovejoy Community:

Due to the redesign of the Confidential Score Reports (CSR) for STAAR, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will not be providing official score reports until later this summer.  Once the district receives the CSR's from the state, campuses will mail them to parents.  In order to make performance information available to you more quickly, we are providing information for you to access your student's information through TEA's student data portal, the Texas Assessment Management System.  To access the portal, please click here.
 
Should you have any questions, please contact your student's campus.  Elementary campuses will be closed June 23rd - July 21st.  All other campuses will be available to answer questions on July 10th.
 
We hope you continue to love where you learn.
 
Respectfully,
Deputy Superintendent
214.385.1967
 
In Case You Missed It

This section of Email Express highlights news reports/articles in which Lovejoy has been featured over the previous week.

 
News

Lovejoy ISD Pre-Kindergarten
Lovejoy ISD is accepting applications for tuition-based Pre-Kindergarten. This comprehensive program will be staffed by credentialed teachers and housed on the Puster Elementary School campus.  This program will offer enhancements in music, fitness, art, library, science, technology, engineering, and math. We are enthusiastic to provide a Lovejoy education for community members looking for a rich learning experience which will provide a firm foundation for kindergarten and beyond. 
 
To apply, please click here .  To schedule a tour of the Pre-Kindergarten program, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003.



Bus Drivers
Lovejoy ISD is currently accepting applications for full-time and part-time school bus drivers.  Click here for additional information.


Substitute Nursing
Lovejoy ISD is currently accepting applications for substitute nurses.  The application may be found by  clicking here .  Please contact Melissa Page with any questions at:  469.742.8013 or  melissa_page@lovejoyisd.net .
Upcoming Events  
 
Sports Physicals and Cardiac Screenings:  July 22


Saturday, July 22, 2017
Willow Springs Middle School
$20 for physicals, payable to Lovejoy Athletics
$15 for cardiac screen, payable to Who We Play For

The Lovejoy Sports Medicine Department is offering sports physicals, and hosting Who We Play For for cardiac screenings. Physicals and cardiac screens are open to all 2017-18 incoming 7th - 12th grade student-athletes. A parent or guardian should attend with the student to sign permission forms.

The physical examination consists of the parent or guardian completing a medical history, followed by a thorough medical and orthopedic assessment by a host of qualified nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and physicians.

Please RSVP for each student attending physicals and/or cardiac screenings by
clicking here.  Payment is due at WSMS on July 22nd. Payment must be made by check or cash, as no credit cards will be accepted. 

Lovejoy ISD requires every 7th - 12th grade student-athlete to receive an annual physical prior to participation in sports.

The cardiac screen is not required for participation in athletics at Lovejoy ISD but it is highly recommended. Who We Play For recommends testing at least once during high school.

This is a fundraising event for our Sports Medicine Department.  We appreciate your support.

 
Where Are They Now?

If you would like to provide us with accomplishments of a Lovejoy graduate, please click here .   We will share this information in the "Where Are They Now?" section of Email Express.  It is a pleasure to report the successes of Lovejoy graduates during their college years and beyond.
 
Love Where You Learn

As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. 
 
With Respect,
 
Ted Moore
Superintendent
Lovejoy ISD
972.415.8129 (mobile)
469.742.8011 (office)