Good morning to you all,

I hope you have perfected your morning routines and have adjusted to getting up earlier, packing lunches, and grabbing those backpacks.  I’ve been impressed at earlier arrivals this school year.  By 7:50, the majority of our students have been dropped off and in the building.  Kudos to you all!  To avoid heavy traffic for dropping off, come between 7:30 – 7:40.  Traffic tends to pick up around 7:45. 

Student Insurance Available

UnitedHealthcare Student Insurance flyers are available at the front desk and foyer.  If you are interested in information about how to enroll on line, please stop by to pick up information or call Missy Hobgood at (469)742-8000.  We’ll see to it that you receive information in your child’s Thursday Folder. 

Abrakadoodle

Our after school art program will begin September 14^th.  The director, Dave Coates, is offering the first session at no cost.  Our Kindergarten, 1^st, and 2^nd graders will be coming on Wednesdays.  Mondays are designated for grades 3, 4, 5.  Students will meet up in the art room after school on their assigned day. 

Cell Phone Usage

House Bill 55 that passed into law and is effective September 1, 2009. HB 55 prohibits the use of a wireless communication device while driving through a school crossing zone unless the vehicle is stopped or the operator is using a hands-free device. The bill requires a municipality, county, or other political subdivision that enforces this law to post informational/warning signage at the entrance to each school crossing zone. Exceptions to the prohibition include making an emergency call to certain entities, and if the required signage was not posted.

Mad Science

You may recall our accommodating the Mad Science program after school this past year.  Six week sessions are about to begin.  Our Kindergarten, first, and second graders will attend sessions on Mondays with grades 3, 4, and 5 attending on Wednesdays in the Lovejoy Elementary Science Lab from 3:15 – 4:15. Be sure to check your child’s Thursday folder in one week for more information. 

Chess Club

Be sure to check your child’s Thursday Folder for information and registration form for this year’s Lovejoy ISD Chess Program.  After school sessions will be held at Sloan Creek Middle School from 4:00-5:00p.m.  Dates for sessions are:

Session 1 - $35 – 10 meeting dates

September 14^th, 21^st, 28^th

October 5^th, 19^th, 26^th

November 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, and 30^th (30^th is the end of session 1)

Session 2 – $35 – 10 meeting dates

December 7^th, 14^th

January 4^th, 11^th, 25^th,

February 1^st, 8^th, 22^nd

March 1^st, 8^th (8^th is end of session 2)

Session 3 - $25 – 7 meeting dates

March 29^th

April 12^th, 19^th, 26^th

May 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th (17^th is end of session 3)

Student Nutrition Department

Our Student Nutrition Department is providing each family with an awesome pamphlet that includes contact information, policies, frequently asked questions, recommendations for healthy snacks, information concerning your child’s fitness, and detailed menus for the year.  Be sure to check your child’s Thursday Folder for your copy!

PowerSchool

Lovejoy ISD provides access to your child’s grades, attendance, and more.  Be sure to check your child’s Thursday folder for the enclosed flyer on how to access this system.  Login at:

http://powerschool.lovejoyisd.net

or

Go to the LISD Homepage and select Parent Resources.  Scroll to the bottom and select PowerSchool Parent Portal. 

Open your web browser to LISD PowerSchool website.  Enter your username and password:

Username:  (the username is the students’ first_last name)

Password:  (students first and last initial followed by the last four digits of their social security number)

Teacher Newsletters

As last year, each teacher is to provide you with a weekly newsletter with grade level/classroom information.  Please be sure to contact your teacher, or me, if you aren’t receiving your letter. 

Communication

As in the past, we ask staff members to return calls, e-mails, etc. within a 24 hour period.  To better serve you, please be sure to let us know if this isn’t the case.  We strive to be the best at answering questions and addressing concerns promptly.   

Holiday

A reminder that your child does have a school holiday this upcoming Monday, September 7^th.   Enjoy your 3-day weekend!

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Thursday Folder

Today, your child/children will bring home their first Thursday Folder for the 2009-2010 school year.  Please take a moment to thumb through the valuable information and sign the Thursday Folder form as verification that you’ve seen the teacher communication. 

Conference Periods

If you have concerns or would like to visit with your child’s teacher, you may call or e-mail, requesting a conference during the school day.  Conference times are:

Kindergarten    10:30 – 11:15

First                 1:15 – 2:00  

Second             9:45 – 10:30  

Third                8:15 – 9:00  

Fourth              2:15 – 3:00  

Fifth                 12:30 – 1:15  

Also, with advance notice, teachers are available before and after school.  After the first six weeks reporting period, teachers will be scheduling conferences to discuss your child’s progress. 

Lunch Guests

Thanks so much for being patient this week and refraining from having lunch with your child.  Allowing us this first week to review/practice lunch procedures is valuable – especially with our younger children.  We look forward to seeing you next week if you are able to visit your child/children during lunch.   We have set up guests tables to serve as overflow should we have a large crowd.  A friendly reminder that you are only allowed to provide lunch for your child.  Lunch times are as follows:

Kindergarten     12:40

First Grade        10:50

Second Grade    11:00

Third Grade        12:00

Fourth Grade      12:30

Fifth Grade         11:30

Curriculum Nights

Mark your calendar for upcoming curriculum nights.  Teachers will, at this time, share grade level information including grade level curriculum.  It’s a group presentation so you’ll want to be on time. Sessions are 6:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. and will be held in the gym. 

Gifted and Talented – September 24^th

Kindergarten – Thursday, September 10^th

First – Tuesday, September 15^th

Second – Monday, September 21^st

Third – Tuesday, September 8^th

Fourth – Tuesday, September 22^nd

Fifth  - Thursday, September 3^rd (Following the 6:00-7:00 meeting, there will be a Camp Adventure Meeting for parents )

Leopard Friday

Mark your calendar for September 18^th as this is the date for the PTA/PTSAs 3^rd Annual Leopard Friday.  Festivities include club activities in the LHS courtyard, dinner catered by Eddie Dean BBQ, and the football game kick-off.  Thumb through your child’s Thursday Folder for the red flyer with more information included. 

Social Skill

We will be practicing “Following Instructions” with our Leopards these next two weeks.  You might want to reinforce this at home as it is a great way to have a consistent way to have children follow your directions. 

1. Look at the person who is talking.

2. Show that you understand. (Say, “I understand,” “Okay,” or “I’ll do it.”) Make sure you wait until the person is done talking before you do what is asked. It is usually best to answer, but sometimes nodding your head will be enough to show the person that you understand.

3. Do what is asked in the best way you can.

4. Check back with the person to let him or her know you have finished.

Volunteers

If you’d like to volunteer this school year, you’ll need to reapply by completing the appropriate paperwork on the main Lovejoy website under Parent Resources.  For the safety of our children, it is important that a criminal history record be obtained yearly for every person intending to volunteer at a Lovejoy ISD campus.  This would include attending school field trips, volunteering in any capacity on the Lovejoy campus, etc.  Completion of this application implies consent for Lovejoy ISD to obtain a criminal history record in accordance with its policies.  Upon completion of the background check, you will be notified when you have been cleared to volunteer.  The Lovejoy PTA is providing Volunteer Training in the Lovejoy Cafeteria on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 8^th and 9^th at 9:30a.m.  Hopefully, you’ll be able to attend one of the scheduled sessions. 

Evening With the Majestics

Mark your calendar for Friday, September 11^th, as the LHS Majestics Dance Team invites all girls in Lovejoy ISD grades K thru 5 to register for "Evening with the Majestics."  Participants will perform the pre-game Fight Song in the Victory Lines on the football field and perform stand routines and cheering in the bleachers with the dance team.  Registration forms available at www.MajesticsDance.org.  Space is limited, so sign up soon.

“Nunsense”

Don’t miss Lovejoy High School’s ALL-TEACHER CAST production of “Nunsense” – playing for two nights only in the Lovejoy High School Auditorium on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29.

“Nunsense” is a hysterical musical comedy about 5 nuns who survive an accidental food poisoning incident and now have to raise funds to bury their deceased sisters.  These whacky nuns decide to put on a variety show that is full of “nun puns” and the unique personalities of this cast of characters. 

All proceeds from these two shows will benefit the Lovejoy High School Theatre and Choir Booster Clubs.

Tickets are on sale right now at the School store! If not sold out, tickets will also be sold at the door.  Adults admission is $15 and students admission is $10.  For more info visit www.lovejoychoir.com

5^th Grade Adventure Camp:

Excitement is in the air as our 5^th graders eagerly anticipate their upcoming trip to the Collin County Adventure Camp on September 30 – October 2^nd. Important information, forms, and dates have been posted on the LISD 5^th Grade Camp page on Lovejoy ISD’s webpage (click HERE). Please note the following important dates:

·        September 3^rd at 7:00 p.m.: Camp Information Meeting (follows 5^th grade Curriculum Night which is at 6 p.m.)

·        Due September 4^th: Chaperone Lottery Form for all parents interested in volunteering

·        Due September 4^th: Criminal Background Check for all parents interested in volunteering

·        Due September 23^rd: Required Forms

o       Attendee Release and Authorization

o       Health History

o       Behavior Contract

·        Due September 25^th: Final payment date ($175)

Weekly Upcoming Events

Monday

6^th Grade Open House at Sloan Creek Middle School

Tuesday

7^th and 8^th Grade Open House at Sloan Creek Middle School

Wednesday

PTA Board Meeting – 10:30 – Gathering Spot

4^th Grade Science Pre-assessment

Thursday

5^th Grade Curriculum Night and Adventure Camp Meeting – Gym – 6:00 – 8:00

Friday

Deadline for Adventure Camp Chaperone Forms (5^th Grade Camp)

Chaperone Lottery Form for all parents interested in volunteering (5^th Grade Camp)

Thank you for sharing your precious children with us this school year.  Your continuous support and encouragement is greatly appreciated by us all.  Never hesitate to allow us to get better at serving you by sharing corrective feedback.  We are all about getting great at teaching your children!

Enjoy your weekend,

Patty