SCIS Parent Message
#Be The Difference 

SCIS Parent Message
SCIS Parent Message 9.19.19

Principal's Message
Sloan Creek Parents-

We had another wonderful week with your children this week.  I hope you will watch the video above which has important information about: 
  • North Texas Giving Day is Today! 
  • Preview codes will go home next week to view/purchase your child's pictures. 
  • 1 week until Camp. Please look at the camp section below for details. 
  • Mandatory Chaperone Training- Tuesday, September 24th @ 6:30
With Gratitude,

Ray Winkler
Principal
Ray_winkler@lovejoyisd.net

"My mission is to inspire others to dream more, learn more, and do more to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. I believe that we must teach 5th and 6th graders how to be leaders by design, not by chance.  I am passionate about building trust within classrooms to create a breakthrough performance for each child.  I am driven to ensure that each child has an experience that is second to none."
5th Grade Adventure Camp Information
  • Cabin list posted, September 20
  • Chaperone cabin list will be emailed 
  • 5th Grade Camp Mandatory Chaperone Training, September 24 at 6:30
  • 5th Grade Camp Medications: You still have time! If you have medications that need to go with your child to 5th grade camp, please bring them to the nurse. You can drop them off anytime between 7:30 am - 3:30 pm. The nurse will not be available to receive medications the day the student leave for camp!! Please bring in medications before September 30th. Please DO NOT send medications to school with your kiddos. The District policy is kids are not allowed to have medications on them unless states by a doctors order. The parent needs to drop off the medications and check them in with the nurse.
Camp information links
Monday morning camp procedures - remember to pack a sack lunch 
Camp packing list - remember to plan for the weather

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 pick up:
Buses will return to SCIS campus by 1:30 pm.
Students may be signed out by parents when buses arrive back at SCIS. When you pick up
your child at SCIS, please park in the back lot to meet your child in the courtyard area to be
signed out. Please do not block fire lanes. If a child is leaving camp with a parent chaperone  their own child only may be signed out at camp.
SCIS News
5th Grade Screenings: Vision and Hearing screenings will be conducted on all 5th grade students on October 3rd and 4th. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact the nurse, Kali Campbell at 469-742-8307. 


POWERSCHOOL PARENT PORTAL ABSENCES REPORTING
 
In the Parent Portal, there is a new left navigation icon EXCUSE ABSENCES. This can be used to notify the campuses of the reason for student absences. This does not supersede the requirement for any documentation that required by the state (see below); however, it does supersede the phone call and/or emails notifying the campus of the student absences.
 
In the case of absences for the following reasons, in addition to completing this form the appropriate documentation must be sent to the campus attendance clerk before the student is counted as present:
  • Doctor appointments
  • Religious holy days
  • Required court appearances
  • Activities surrounding the student's application for naturalization/citizenship
  • 4H show participation
  • Service as an election clerk
  • Court ordered DFPS activities
  • Official college visits for grades 11 and 12
  • Enlisting in the military
  • Sounding Taps at a military funeral
  • Absences due to visits with parents/guardians deployed with the military
 
Clicking the EXCUSE ABSENCES icon will open up an attendance summary screen.
 
The summary screen has either 1 or 2 buttons at the top, a box showing any outstanding parent portal attendance requests not yet cleared by the school in the Admin Portal (as soon as you create a new request it will appear there), and all historical attendance data, separated by year tabs showing the date, period, course and attendance type.
 
If the parent portal account is tied to only one student at that school, you will only have a single button at the top to Excuse Absences for that student. If the parent has more than one student in the same school tied to their parent portal account, they will see two buttons:
  • One button on the left to excuse absences just for the one student that you have selected
  • One button on the right to excuse absences for all of the students in the same school with one entry.
 
SINGLE STUDENT EXCUSE ABSENCE ENTRY SCREEN - All fields are required
 
  • Parents enter the date of the absence.
  • If it is more than one day, select the option More than 1 day in a row. Enter the start date in the Date of Absence and the end date in the End Date of Absence field that displays once you select More than 1 day in a row.
  • Select ALL DAY or enter the time or periods of the absence.
  • Select the Type of Absence from the pop-up menu.
  • Enter the specific reason for the absence.
 
MULTIPLE STUDENT EXCUSE ABSENCE ENTRY SCREEN - - All fields are required
 
This option is available if the parent has more than one student IN THE SAME SCHOOL tied to their parent portal account. The parent has the same entry options as the single student entry page but note that when using the multi-student option you will submit the data to a confirmation page first and then save the data on the following screen.
 
The confirmation page lists the records that will be created.
The parent can either submit the data or cancel.
 
If the same absence applies to students from another school, you will have to click on that student within the parent portal and complete the Excuse Absences entry for any students at that campus. Currently there is not a way to enter absences for students across campuses.
Calendar of Events
Date
Event
Time
Sept 24 5th Grade Camp Chaperone Training 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Sept 25 Student Lighthouse Meeting 2:50 pm - 4:00 pm
Sept 30 5th Grade Camp (Sept 30 - Oct 2)
Oct 08 6th Grade Choir Concert
Oct 11-14 No School - Fall Break 
Oct 15-18 Red Ribbon Week
Oct 17 Report Cards sent home 
Oct 18 Parent Coffee 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Oct 21 Chess Club 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Oct 21 Band Concert Rehearsal  3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Oct 22 Band Preview Concert
Oct 23 Student Lighthouse Meeting 2:50 pm - 4:00 pm
Oct 23 Orchestra Concert 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Oct 30 See you @ the Creek 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Nov 01 Student Holiday - No School
Nov 02 Turkey Trot Chess Tounament
Nov 4-8 Dude, Be Nice Week
Nov 04 Chess Club 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Nov 05 Veterans Day/Thanksgiving Celebration
Nov 07 Report Cards sent home
Nov 08 Principal Coffee 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Nov 11 Chess Club 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Nov 13 Fine Arts cookie dough delivered
Nov 18 Chess Club 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Nov 20 Student Lighthouse meeting 2:50 pm - 4:00 pm
Nov 25-29 Thanksgiving Break - No school

SCIS Volunteer Opportunities

SCIS Volunteer

Thank you to the over 100 volunteers that are partnering with Sloan Creek for the benefit of our students. We have new opportunities for you to consider. Ms. Stewart has areas in the library where should would appreciate support, and the school is requesting help getting our 5th graders off to adventure camp. Please find the sign ups, below:

LIBRARY HELP
Library Shelving - Help Ms. Stewart keep our library organized and all the books in the right spots. Every Friday from 1-2:45
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4babad2b0-library
Friday Read-A-Louds - Read a loud to students in the library. Twice a month on Fridays. You can pick one recess or all four.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4babad2b0-friday

Makerspace Challenge - Lead students in a maker space challenge. Wednesdays, once a month, during lunch time for both 5th and 6th graders
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4BABAD2B0-makerspace

5th GRADE ADVENTURE CAMP
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c4ca5ab2fabfa7-5thgrade

These things will also be available at the Sloan Creek PTA Volunteer Website.

If you have any questions please reach out to Kim Rollins at kmrollins@hotmail.com


Volunteer Application
Thank you for your interest in volunteering.   Your willingness to serve in this capacity is very much appreciated. You may click here to access the background check application. 


SCIS PTA
SCIS PTA Membership


We appreciate your support,
Sloan Creek PTA

2019-2020 Reflections Theme Is In!
The SCIS PTA is very pleased to announce that the theme for this year's Reflections contest is entitled "Look Within". We encourage ALL 5th and 6th graders to participate in this annual competition which promotes the creation of student works of art. The art categories range from dance choreography to film production, literature, music composition, photography and the visual arts. Students may enter the Reflections program in one or more arts categories with no limit to the amount of entries in a single category. The deadline for submission is Monday, October 28th by 3pm. Every student who participates will receive a certification of recognition signed by the Texas PTA President and recognition on the Texas PTA web site. 

In order to participate, students must complete an entry form 

For official entry requirements and program participation rules 

For any further questions or concerns regarding Reflections, please contact Jacqueline Stevens 
Upcoming Events
North Texas Giving Day Thursday, September 19
Join the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools in front of the Red Schoolhouse on North Texas Giving Day. You may drop off your donation between 8:00 am - 10:00 am, pick up your yard sign and enjoy a donut!



LoJo Glow Thursday, October 3
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for the 1st Annual Black Light Community Pep Rally!



Community News
We are pleased to announce the Lovejoy ISD Community News Page. This new addition to the Lovejoy ISD Webpage will share news from our schools, programs, booster clubs, student organizations, Foundation for Lovejoy Schools, community, and more. Check back often for up-to-date news on events and activities.

This Week's News:
   
Varsity Football Tickets Available Through School Store
 
2019-2020 PTA Reflections Contest - Look Within
 
Girl Scout Troops Now Forming
 
Lovejoy Swim and Dive Fundraiser
 
Lovejoy Gifted Association Meet & Greet
 
Junior Leopards Mini Cheer Camp
 
Trail Cleanup
 
Lovejoy Preschool PTA Open House
 
LLI 11th Annual Golf Tournament
 
Pink Out Pep Rally and Football Game T-Shirts
 
Homecoming T-Shirts
 
City of Lucas Farmers Market
 
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools Men's Tailgate Party and Cornhole Tournament
 
Running Over Depression
 
Mountain Bike Team
 
News from Collin College
District Communications
One of our Board Priorities is to develop stronger community connections and confidence through effective communication. We are continuing to strengthen our communications and have shared   best practices for communicating with the Board of Trustees and best practices for staff communications with parents. Today we are sharing the following information regarding how best to communicate and handle concerns with teachers, coaches, directors, etc. For future reference you may find this information on the Parent Resources page under District Communication.
 
Student and Parent Concerns/Grievances
The faculty and staff of Lovejoy ISD are committed to the service of our students and their parents by responding promptly and professionally to concerns or grievances which may arise.
 
Student and Parent Complaints/Grievances are governed by LISD Board Policies FNG (LEGAL) and FNG (LOCAL).
 
How Do You Resolve Parent Concerns?
If you, as the parent or guardian of a Lovejoy ISD student, have concerns regarding your child's education or performance, we want to talk with you. Sitting down and talking with the people who interact most often with your child on a daily basis - his/her teacher, counselor, coach or director- can remedy the majority of concerns.
 
Most concerns can be and usually are resolved at the classroom/activity/sports or campus level. However, if your concerns are not addressed by visiting with the teacher, campus counselor, coach or director, you may choose to follow the three-level process listed below:
 
Level One:
Within 15 business days of the incident causing the concern/complaint, you may request a meeting with the next level supervisor which could be the Athletic Director, Fine Arts Director or Campus Principal. The Level One form may be found here.
 
Level Two:
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Level One process, within 10 business days of receipt of the Level One decision letter, you may request a meeting with the Assistant Superintendent of Operations (Athletics, Safety, Operations) or Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction (Teachers, Administrators, Student Discipline). The Level Two form may be found here.
 
Level Three:
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Level Two process, within 10 business days of receipt of the Level Two decision letter, you may appeal the decision to the School Board by contacting the Superintendent. The Level Three form may be found   here.
Stay Connected

EMAIL COMMUNICATION
Be sure to take a moment to sign up, on the Lovejoy ISD website, to receive messages from the Superintendent  as well as my weekly e-mails.   Click here to sign up

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATION
We cross post our daily updates on Twitter and Facebook. Parents are encouraged to follow our social media sites.

*If you would like to update your district/campus email preferences or change your email address, please click on the Update Profile link at the footer of this email. You will receive an email from Constant Contact which will allow you to update the information and campus news preferences.