Lovejoy Community,
Things are headed in the right direction! This was the first week since we returned from winter break that we experienced a decline in student and teacher absences due to illness. Thank you for your partnership and positivity throughout this uniquely challenging month.
Below you will find an updated executive cabinet organizational chart and a table that provides detailed responsibilities. It is important that you have this information so that you can seek support and information should the need arise. The last six months has been a process of getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats (shout out to Jim Collins, Good to Great). We have built a leadership team that is highly committed to partnering with you and to supporting our staff in the remarkable work they do for kids each day.
As a Lovejoy team, we have been having conversations about the value of creating a deeply aligned culture. An iceberg was first compared to culture by Edward T. Hall in the 1970s. Hall's model emphasizes that much like culture, only one tenth of an iceberg's volume is above the surface. It is our daily actions, attitudes, and commitment that define our excellence. You have my commitment and the commitment of the executive leadership team to ensuring what lies below the surface aligns with what lies above the surface.
There is only ONE LOVEJOY and we are ALL LEOPARDS!
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Lovejoy Proud,
Katie Kordel
Superintendent
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Click on the links below to access the full-size updated organizational chart and a table that provides detailed Executive Cabinet responsibilities:
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Kindergarden is a GREAT Way to Start the Day! |
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Mrs. Kordel was the Mystery Reader this morning in Mrs. Porter’s Kindergarten class. The class got to enjoy a story about Groundhog Day complete with funny animal voices. Mrs. Kordel got to enjoy that that the class used the word “hibernation” to describe what the groundhog was doing. The fun-filled visit was topped off with an impromptu dance party complete with disco lights. |
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Curriculum and Instruction
Organizational Chart Updated
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As a follow up to the above communication regarding the executive cabinet organizational chart, we are excited to share changes that are happening with the Curriculum and Instruction Department.
You will find attached the new C&I organizational chart as well as responsibilities of the team. We believe the changes will result in improving PreK-12 instructional alignment, provide increased support for ALL programs/content areas and improve staffing efficiencies. The reorganization is achieved at a cost savings to the district.
Curriculum & Instruction designed this reorganization with a commitment to building strong RELATIONSHIPS, facilitating high quality LEARNING, engaging in meaningful COLLABORATION, keeping the focus on desired RESULTS and having FUN.
Click on the links below to access the full-size updated curriculum and instruction organizational chart and a table that provides detailed responsibilities:
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Lovejoy Dual Wrestling State Champions! |
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Lovejoy ISD is the proud home of the Dual Wrestling State Champions! Congratulations to the Lovejoy Boys Wrestling Team on their Dual Wrestling State Championship Victory. We are Lovejoy Proud! |
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Lovejoy Hockey Wins 2B State Championship! |
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Last weekend Lovejoy competed to win the 2022 Division 2B Texas Hockey Association High School State Championship. Read about the championship game HERE. Congratulations Lovejoy!
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Puster and Hart Elementary Spelling Bees |
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After an unprecedented 28 rounds and nearly 3 hours, Puster declared their 2022 Spelling Bee champs:
Aubrey W. - Champion
Emma S. - Runner up
Jordan W. - 3rd place
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Hart Elementary also hosted their Spelling Bee on Friday, January 28. We applaud all the students that participated and commend our winners:
Cooper B. - Champion
Cole H. - Runner up
Aryan Basu - 3rd place
The Champion and Runner up from each campus will have the opportunity to compete in the Collin County Spelling Bee next month. Congratulations to these un-BEE-lievably hard-working Lovejoy Leopards!!
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Brice McCasland Named AP Studio Art and Design Committee Co-Chair |
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In the midst of the scramble to provide resources and learning opportunities for the thousands of students who were learning from home last year, the College Board asked select Advanced Placement (AP) educators to create videos to instruct students on the nuances of the courses they were now having to take virtually. Mr. McCasland, Lovejoy ISD K-12 Visual Art Coordinator, was asked to join the team for AP Studio art.
In addition to the AP Daily videos, the Head of C&I for AP Studio Art asked Mr. McCasland to join the AP Studio Art Development Committee as one of only 3 high school instructors, 3 professors, and 1 chief reader to further refine and build structures to encourage both teacher and student success in the AP Studio Art Portfolios.
This past week, the Head of C&I for AP Studio Art asked Mr. McCasland to further his role on the development committee with an appointment to the AP Studio Art and Design Co-Chair position for the next 3 years. As the AP Studio Art Co-Chair, Mr. McCasland will work hand in hand with the college Co-Chair and the Chief Reader to problem solve, plan and develop strategies for students, teachers and readers taking on the AP Studio Art course globally.
Mr. McCasland said the following of this incredible opportunity to impact high-quality student learning and art globally, "I am so excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to see how it informs my teaching, the community of our LJVA studios, and how I can better serve my K12 Visual Art team here at Lovejoy. I am both incredibly excited and blown away by this opportunity. From the invitation to create the AP Daily Videos, to serving on the development committee, and now being asked to serve as Co-Chair...all of these incredible opportunities have come through the incredible work and voice that my students have continued to build and create since we started the LJVA program. It is my students and their work; their ideation; their commitment, and their pride in growing the legacy of our studio community that has made all of this possible. I just wanted to share my excitement and thanks for this place, this program, my incredible students, and your leadership and support!"
*Photo Credit Alyssa Turner Photography
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Baseball/Softball Season Kickoff |
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We hope you were able to join the Lovejoy Baseball/Softball teams as they kicked off the season with a scrimmage, food and fun! For updates regarding the Lovejoy Baseball/Softball teams, be sure to follow them Twitter @LovejoyBaseball @LLDiamondClub @SoftballLovejoy |
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Lovejoy High School Musical Rescheduled |
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We are all in this together and regretfully, The LHS musical, Disney High School Musical On Stage, had to postpone all performances this week due to COVID-19. All purchased tickets are currently being refunded back to the original point of sale for our patrons. We anticipate this transaction to be fully refunded within the next 3 - 5 business days. If you have not received a full refund by Monday, January 31, please email fela_mathy@lovejoyisd for further assistance.
The new show dates will be February 17, 18, and 19 at 7:00 p.m. A matinee will not be offered. The tickets will go on sale for the new performances starting February 1 at 10 a.m. via the online fine arts box office. We appreciate your continued support of this incredible group of students and staff. We hope your schedule aligns to join us in February!
We look forward to seeing our incredibly talented students perform. See you there!
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Drug Awareness Parent Workshop |
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School Board Appreciation Month |
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At the Board Meeting on Monday, January 24, Superintendent Katie Kordel, recognized School Board Appreciation month, acknowledging our Board Member's selfless service to our district.
Mrs. Kordel introduced Brice McCasland, K-12 Visual Art Coordinator and AP Art Teacher, who presented the Board of Trustees with a piece of framed student artwork. The artist, Ms. Ella Reaugh's, artwork was selected for its symbolism of strength and growth, even in the presence of extreme burden and weight, a parallel to the recent challenges and perseverance experienced by our board members, educators, and our community alike.
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Lovejoy ISD is committed to providing consistent, transparent communication with our community and employees. One avenue of communication is a timely presentation of Board Meeting minutes to our community. Follow the link below to view a summary of our most recent Regular Meeting notes.
*It is important to note that these are unofficial Board Minutes that have not been reviewed/approved by the Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees.
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You may find the full agenda with supporting documentation on our district's BoardBook Premier website HERE.
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May 7, 2022 School Board Election |
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The following positions will be on the May 7, 2022 ballot:
Position 1 currently held by Chad Collins
Position 2 currently held by Amy Smith
Position 3 currently held by Jeff Wood
As of January 28, 2022, the following people have submitted applications to file for a place on the General Election Ballot.
Position 1: Julie McLaughlin
Position 2: Amy Smith
Position 3: Jeff Wood
For additional information regarding the Board of Trustees Election please visit our website HERE.
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Health and Safety Measures. For the most up-to-date information please visit Lovejoy ISD's 2021-2022 Health and Safety Measures website which may be found here.
Below you will find the link to order free COVID home tests if this is something you would like to obtain to use at home.
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