SCIS Parent Message
#Be The Difference 
 Click Here For Mr. Winkler's Parent Video
Principal's Message

SCIS Parents, 

 

I know it is a busy time of year for you and your kids.  I hope you will take a few moments to watch the video above to get some more details on the end of the year events. 

 

May 20th: Last day to pay for chick-fil-a

May 21st: Book Fair Opens

May  22nd: 6th Grade Band and Orchestra NRH2O Competition
May 24th: Art trip to Nasher Museum
May 24th: 6th Grade Choir Courtyard Concert @ WSMS
May 25th: 6th Grade Choir NRH2O Competitons
May 28th: Memorial Day - No School
May 29th: Award Ceremonies 5th @ 8:00 6th @ 12:45
May 30th-31st: Hackathon
June 01: Last Day of School - Early Release

With an Attitude of Gratitude, 
 
Ray Winkler
Principal
214.417.4660 

     New SCIS Information
Hackthon Volunteers Needed

Do you have a background in a STEM field...or are you just interested in what our SCIS students have been learning in their STEM classes all year? You are a great candidate to volunteer at the SCIS Hack-A-Thon May 30-31.

SCIS students will participate in the Hack-A-Thon which is an all-school event where students with different skills and abilities work together to propose a solution to a problem. The solutions can be code based, wearable technology, robotics, analog, or any type of product imaginable. It is within Hack-A-Thons that students are utilizing their skills and knowledge to solve problems. It's project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and STEM all wrapped up into one activity! It's about design thinking and truly a 21st-century learning opportunity. Students are working collaboratively within mixed-ability groups to examine problems and come up with solutions.

We need volunteers and judges. If you can help please click the link below to sign up:

End of Year Social June 01
Click here for more information

It's the end of the school year! We will celebrate from 10:00-12:00 on Friday, June 1st with an End-of-the-Year Social. If your student has pre-ordered Chick-Fil-A they will have a chicken sandwich for lunch but we need your help to provide other food items. Please sign up below to help make this party a huge success! Thank you in advance!


2018-2019 School Supplies

Want To See Your Child's STAAR Results? 
To access STAAR results online go to  www.texasassessment.com and select the families tab at the top.

If you do not have your Unique Student Access Code click on Find My Unique Student Access Code.  You will then be prompted to enter student information. The PEIMS ID number is the student's social security number.  Once you provide this information you will be provided with a Unique Student Access Code. 



Not returning to LISD Next Year?
If your student will not be returning to SCIS or WSMS in the fall, please email Lori Esser at lori_esser@lovejoyisd.net with your student's name and where they will be attending school. 
Student Spotlight
Would you like your child featured in the SCIS student spotlight? 
Just send Mr. Winkler an email with details and pictures! ray_winkler@lovejoyisd.net
From The Nurse
Notes from the Nurse - Medications
If your child has medicine at school, please make sure your child has exactly enough medicine to finish the school year. You are responsible for picking up any extra medicine as the school district has a policy against sending medicines home with students. At the end of this school year, any remaining medicines, including inhalers, will be thrown out. The school cannot store these for you during the summer.

Please remember, if your child is going to continue being medicated at school during the 2018-2019 school year, you will need to complete a new medication sheet at that time and bring a SMALL or travel size bottle of medicine that is not expired.

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. 



SCIS Calendar of Events

May 21-25  BOGO Book Fair
May 21 Student Lighthouse Leadership Presentation 6:00 pm 
May 22  6th Grade Band Competition NRH2O
May 22 6th Grade Orchestra Competition NRH2O
May 22 6th Grade Choir Rehearsal  3:15 pm
May 24 Art Field Trip - Nasher Museum
May 24 6th Grade Choir Concert @ WSMS 6:30 pm
May 25 6th Grade Choir Festival NRH2O
May 28 Student Holiday
May 29 5th Grade Award Ceremony 8:00 am
May 29 6th Grade Award Ceremony  12:45 pm
May 30-31 Hack-a-thon
June 01 Last Day of School/Early Release

Message from Sloan Creek PTA
District News
BrightBytes
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.  
http://www.bbyt.es/VZ7ZP

Important News from Student Nutrition  Regarding Change in Student Meal Accounts
In an effort to help minimize negative balances at the end of the school year, beginning Monday, May 14 th , and for the remainder of the school year, students will no longer be able to charge meals which result in the student incurring a negative meal account balance. Students may continue to use their lunch accounts as long as they have a positive meal account balance. Households with students who currently have negative balances will receive reminder emails and phone calls. Federal regulations prohibit us from rolling over negative balances to the next school year. Please arrange to remit payment for any negative lunch accounts your child may have incurred.
 
All positive balances will be rolled over to next school year. If you have a graduating senior, funds may be transferred to any sibling in the school district. To request a meal account refund, please complete a refund request form, located on the Student Nutrition website . For assistance, please contact us at 469-742-8041 .
 
The Department of Student Nutrition Services thanks you for your understanding and for allowing us to serve your student(s) this school year.

Fairview Youth Theater
The Fairview Youth Theater will host numerous summer camps. Please click here for details.


Swim Camps
Metroplex Aquatics will host summer camps:
 
June 4th - June 22nd
June 25th - July 13th
July 16th - August 3rd
 
The camps are open to all levels of swimmers who are able to swim 1 length of the pool without stopping or holding on to the lane rope. For additional information, please click here



Kids 1st Summer Camp
Kids 1st is no accepting registrations for summer camp. Click here for additional information.

Lovejoy Summer Athletic Camps
Registration is open for Lovejoy ISD Summer Athletic Camps. Click here for details.
Lovejoy Athletics is pleased to announce its partnership with Geno Pierce's Performance Course for the 2018-2019 school year. Performance Course brings with it a proven track record of championship success. Performance Course offers many different courses from high-intensity to foundational programs.
There is something for everyone. Click here for details and registration links.


Sports Physicals and Cardiac Screening
The Lovejoy Sports Medicine Department is offering sports physicals and hosting "Who We Play For" for cardiac scre
enings. Physicals and cardiac screens are open to all 2018 - 2019 incoming 7th - 12th grade student athletes. A parent or guardian should attend the physical/screening with the student to sign permission forms.
 
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 W. Lucas Road, Lucas, TX 75002
 
$20 per student for physicals
(Please make check payable to Lovejoy Athletics)
 
$15 per student for cardiac screen
(Please make check payable to Who We Play For)
 
Please click here to RSVP for each student registering for a physical and/or cardiac screen. Space is limited and registration will close when capacity is full.
 
Payment and consent forms are due at Willow Springs Middle School on Saturday, July 21st. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Payment may not be made by credit/debit card.
 
Summer Enrichment Camps
Online registration is now open for Summer Enrichment camps. Click here for a complete listing of camp offerings and additional information.



Lovejoy High Summer Musical Theatre Camp
The Lovejoy High School Theatre Department will produce Disney's The Jungle Book - KIDS this summer. 
 
Students will work together to produce and perform Disney's The Jungle Book- Kids. Students will develop confidence, sharpen their musical and theatrical skills, and create wonderful memories along the way. Directed by Jessica Brewster, LHS Head Theatre Director, and musically directed by Anne Tracy, Puster Elementary Music Specialist, this show will be sure to be an unforgettable experience.
 
There are three camp opportunities available, which will run simultaneously:
 
● Lovejoy HS Summer Musical Theatre Camp - for students completing 3rd grade through 6th grade who want to perform on stage.
 
● Lovejoy HS Summer Technical Theatre Camp- for students completing 3rd grade through 6th grade who want to work behind the scenes.
 
● Lovejoy HS Summer Musical Theatre Intern Camp- for students completing 7th grade through 8th grade who want to work with the LHS Theatre staff to produce the show.
 
You may click here for additional information and for registration


Sewing Camp
Join the fun at Summer Sewing Camps to be held at Willow Springs Middle School. Sewing Basics 101 teaches machine and tool basics while making a pillowcase and PJs. Sewing Skills Builder 201 continues to develop your skills with your choice of an individualized project. Choose 1, 2 or all 3 sessions, which will take place in June and July. To reserve your spot, email Louisekingtx@gmail.com. Hurry, as sessions will fill quickly. Click here for additional information and to learn more about the special 3rd week option: a t-shirt quilt.

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.

SCIS Reminders
Attendance Information 
I often say that Sloan Creek is the bridge between the dependence of elementary school and the independence of the secondary school model.  One area that we want to continue to shine a bright light on for parent understanding  is the structure around secondary attendance procedures.
Starting at Sloan Creek and continuing through your child's years at Willow Springs and Lovejoy High School, attendance is recorded during each period of the day.  There is often some misunderstanding regarding the difference between attendance accounting for State funding and attendance accounting for State truancy.   For funding purposes, we report to the State how many students are in attendance at 10:00 a.m. each day.  For your child's truancy accounting, we count attendance in days or parts of days. If your child comes in late or is checked out early and does not have a written excuse from a doctor/dentist/orthodontist, this will accrue toward the truancy reporting. 
You will receive a letter requesting an attendance conference from our campus for the following two attendance situations:
  1. When students are absent more than three days or parts of days within any four-week period. 
     
  2. When students accrue 10 or more *absences in any six-month period.
As a reminder, unexcused absences (coded with an "A" in Powerschool) means that the school does know the reason for the absence. 
*We allow for students to have five parent notes/calls per semester without concern.  We code these first five as "PN" (Parent Note) or "PC" (Parent Call).  After the fifth PN/PC absence, parent notes and parent phone calls are coded "P5".  When a student has ten P5 absences, you will get a letter from the school requesting an attendance conference. 
Doctor's notes are excused absences and are coded "D" in power school and are excused absences. If you check your child out for a doctors appointment and bring them back the same day with a doctors note, we code this a "M" and is not considered an absence and does not count against perfect attendance. All other absences (PN/PC/P5/D) all count against a students perfect attendance record.
When your child is absent, we request that you e-mail or call Mrs. Lori Esser, our campus attendance clerk so that we have the most accurate coding of your child's absence. I have tasked her along with our campus teaching staff to account for each child's whereabouts for each period of the day. If you have a note from a doctor/dentist/orthodontist, you are welcome to e-mail the note or send it to school with your child upon their return.
We know that attendance can be a confusing subject. If you have any questions regarding how attendance is tracked, please feel free to contact our Ms. Esser, or Mrs. Underwood, or myself.
As always, you may monitor your student's attendance via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Lice Awareness
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

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