Good Afternoon, Lovejoy Families,
All is going well at Lovejoy Elementary.  We had a nice turn out for the PTA’s volunteer training.  A reminder that you must complete a criminal background check, and be cleared, before volunteering in any capacity each school year.  This would be true if you’d like to attend field trips, serve as a room parent, and/or volunteer during the school day.  Take a moment to complete the form found on the Lovejoy Independent School website.  You’ll find forms under Parent Resources.  You will receive a return e-mail once you’ve been cleared. 

Obama’s Speech
As most if not all of you know, President Obama addressed our school age children this past Tuesday morning.  The Lovejoy district opted to not view the speech live but rather download and review the contents to see if it’s age appropriate for all levels and if there are curriculum connections with what is being taught at this time. After reading the speech, we have selected to not replay the speech on the elementary campuses.  While we respect and appreciate his message, our opinion is that is geared to older children.  If you choose, you may visit this website for a copy of President Obama’s speech and view its contents should you feel it is appropriate for your child.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
How Will Your Child Spend Their 2 Million Minutes?
From the time a student finishes the 8th grade until they graduate high school, they only have 2 million minutes.  The Lovejoy Gifted Association invites the community to watch a thought provoking film on Tuesday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.  This film explores how 3 different sets of teenagers from the US, China and India invest their time and energy.  This 54 minute film will make you think about how your children spend their time and will help them weigh their choices during this important point in their education.  Cost is $5.00 for adults and is free to all Lovejoy Gifted Association members and students.  For more information see the Lovejoy Gifted Association website. (See attachment)
Social Skills – Getting the Teacher’s Attention
We are focusing on a new social skill every two weeks.  This next week’s skill is “getting the teachers attention.” 
1.  Look at the teacher.
2.  Raise your hand.  Stay calm.
3.  Wait until the teachers say your name.
4.  Ask your question. 
Fall Picture Day
Our Fall Picture Day is quickly approaching.  All students will have their pictures taken for the yearbook and for purchasing on Friday, September 25th.   Flyers with costs will be sent home in your child’s Thursday Folder on the 17th. 
Ice Cream Social and Early Voting
We hope you’ll be able to join us for the PTA’s first general meeting and ice cream social at 7:00 on Thursday evening, September 17th.  With the election being held on a Tuesday, it’s not always easy to make it to the polls to cast your vote.  For your convenience, early voting will be available in the music room across from the Lovejoy Elementary Gym, for the September 29th Tax Ratification Election.  
Other early voting places are:
Sloan Creek Middle School – Auxiliary Gym - September 14th – 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
Hart and Puster Elementarey Schools – September 17th – 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
Lovejoy High School Field House – September 18th – 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
More information to follow. 
Early Release
We will be releasing students at 12:00 on Friday, September 18th.  Friday afternoon, staff members will be meeting and planning quality lessons and discussing best practices when working with your children.  We will serve sack lunches in the hot lunch line. Hopefully, the weather will allow us to picnic outside.  We will have an alternate lunch and specials schedule for Friday the 18th. 
Lunch times:
1st - 10:30 - 10:40
2nd - 10:40 - 10:50
`                            3rd - 10:50 - 11:00
4th - 11:00 - 11:10
Kindergarten – 11:05 – 11:15 
5th - 11:15 - 11:25
Specials Time:
3rd - 8:15 - 8:45
2nd - 8:45 - 9:15
Kindergarten - 9:15 - 9:45
1st - 9:45 - 10:15
4th - 10:15 - 10:45
5th - 10:45 - 11:15
Leopard Friday
A reminder to mark your calendar for Friday, one week from tomorrow, as this is the date for the PTA/PTSAs 3rd Annual Leopard Friday.  Festivities include club activities in the LHS courtyard, dinner catered by Eddie Dean BBQ, and the football game kick-off.  Also, don’t miss out on the pep rally at 4:30 in the Lovejoy High School Gymnasium. 
Attention Fifth Grade Parents
Please ensure you have completed the FERPA and General Waiver form for your fifth grader going to Adventure Camp.  This documentation is required for your student to participate in field trips, technology, pictures, directory information, yearbook, etc. 
To complete the FERPA and General Waiver form:
*          www.lovejoyisd.net
*          Parent Resources
*          PowerSchool Parent Portal.
*          User name:  Student’s First name_Last name
*          Password:  Student’s First initial, Last initial, and  last 4 digits of student’s Social Security Number
If you do not have access to a computer, please let us know and we can print the forms for you.  Please either complete the forms on-line as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Whitmore at 469-742-8083 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Write names on Children’s Items
Believe it or not, we have several items in our lost and found tub.  You might want to take a moment to write first and last names on children’s jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc.  We make every effort to return items to children that are found in the cafeteria, playground, hallways, etc.
Need PTA Cultural Arts Person
Our PTA hasn’t had any luck in filling the Cultural Arts position on the board.  If you are interested in knowing more about the position, please contact Kris Kort at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
It is time to kick off the PTA’s Reflection’s Program but without a volunteer to coordinate the program, our children won’t be included in this awesome opportunity!  Your help would be greatly appreciated!
From the Counselor . . .
Leopards Are Becoming Bucket Fillers!
Last Friday, we had a character kick-off assembly to introduce students to our first character emphasis word, Respect. During our assembly, students learned a little more about what it means to be respectful through a presentation of the book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? In a new twist on the Golden Rule, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
explains to children that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves.  When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad.  It's important to know that we can fill our own bucket and so can others.  We can also dip into it. "Bucket Fillers" are those who help without being asked, give hugs and compliments, and generally spread their love and good feelings to others.  The simple metaphor of a bucket helps children understand the importance of kindness and consideration. The book also introduces the idea of "Bucket Dippers" as those who rob us of happy feelings by saying or doing unkind things or refusing to help with a task. The purpose of sharing this book with students and staff was to not only teach them about the meaning of respect, but also to inspire us to be a bucket-filling school. We have expanded on the "bucket-filling" idea as a campus by giving each classroom a plastic bucket along with some ideas of how to begin filling each others' buckets. Our goal is to create a positive and nurturing learning environment here at Lovejoy by making bucket filling a daily habit. We would love it if you would reinforce this premise at home. Ask your Leopard, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" and see what they say!

Strengthen families and build better relationships
Mary Ruggeri
Counselor
Lovejoy Elementary
(469) 742-8081
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Week at a glance:
Monday
4-H Meeting – contact, Tammy Duke, Achiever’s 4-H Club Manager
      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 469-235-7238
Mad Science Grades K, 1, 2
Abrakadoodle – Grades 3, 4, 5
Early Voting begins (last day is September 25th)
Social Skill – Getting the Teacher’s Attention
Chess Club begins
Tuesday
Tutoring begins
Grades due by 8:00a.m.
1st Grade Curriculum Night – 6:00 – 7:00 – Lovejoy Gym
LISD Board Meeting – 7:30 – Administration Building  
Wednesday
Mad Science – Grades 3, 4, 5
Abrakadoodle – Grades K, 1, 2
Thursday
Progress Slips go home
Lovejoy Preschool Association General Meeting – 11:30 – Creekwood United Methodist
Ice Cream Social
Friday
Early Release – 12:00
Leopard Friday
Enjoy the rest of the week and your weekend.  Keep your umbrellas handy.  I hear there is a chance of rain.  I’m making my way to Texarkana to visit my mom.  See you all on Monday morning!
Thanks for sharing your precious children with us each day!
Patty