Dear Parents and Guardians,

My backyard pool is full of leaves... which means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  This year, we are continuing a tradition that we started last fall. We're holding our 2nd Annual Sloan Creek Turkey Trot benefiting the American Heart Association.  We are expanding the event this year to include 7^th and 8^th graders as well as parents.

The Turkey Trot will take place on Friday, November 20th from approximately 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Celebration Park.  In keeping with the Lovejoy Graduate Profile, we want to encourage every student to be healthy and to exercise, especially around the holiday season.  Additionally, we are asking students to raise $20.00 for the American Heart Association, which allows us to provide students with the experience of giving to a worthy philanthropic cause.

Parents, I would like you to support your sons and daughters by giving them suggestions on ways to raise the money for the AHA.  Please do not take out the checkbook and write a check for $20.00 and give it to your student (if the AHA is a cause you personally give to each year, please go online and donate to them in your name in support of the Sloan Creek effort – see attached letter).  We want students to seek donations in several ways: 1) using allowance money, 2) using saved money, or 3) earning the money through jobs and chores for the family or the neighbors. Students can also ask for donations from the next door neighbors or relatives. Does your garage need cleaning? Mine does!

We are asking students to limit their personal donations to $20.00. Our goal is to get each student to donate something (we will accept whatever they can raise).  Every student at Sloan Creek will participate in the Turkey Trot 3K (2 mile) run, and they will all receive a race t-shirt as well.

This year’s event is being organized by the Sloan Creek PALS students and sponsored by Market Street, Luke's Locker, Subway, Central Market and Dr. Jason Fisch and Dr. David Russell.

Parents, if you would like to participate in our 2^nd Annual Turkey Trot, the entry fee is $15.00 (includes a race t-shirt).  Sixth grade parents can run or walk in the 6^th grade race, and 7^th and 8^th grade parents can participate in the 7^th and 8^th grade race.  I hope to see everyone out running, walking or cheering on Friday, November 20^th at Celebration Park.

If you have any questions about the Turkey Trot, let me know.  You can contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please read the announcements below for the coming week.

Important Sloan Creek News and Information

Sloan Creek Musical: Guys and Dolls

Sloan Creek tickets on sale now for Sloan Creek Middle School production: “GUYS AND DOLLS”.  Reserved seating tickets are currently on sale at the online box office (http://scms.lovejoyisd.net/ , parent resources, online call box).  They are also available at the LHS Student Store.  Tickets are $5 for students/staff and $7 adults.  The performances are Thursday Nov. 12, Friday Nov. 13, & Saturday Nov. 14 at the LHS Auditorium.  If available, tickets will also be sold at the box office at 6pm on show nights.

The very talented students of Sloan Creek Middle School present “GUYS AND DOLLS”,  a colorful musical that revolves around Nathan Detroit, the organizer of the oldest established permanent floating dice game in New York, who bets fellow gambler Sky Masterson that he can't make the next girl he sees fall in love with him. The next girl he sees happens to be Miss Sarah Brown, a pure-at-heart Salvation Army-type reformer, and the stage is set for a hilarious evening of complications.  Purchase your tickets at our online box office now and choose your preferred reserved seats.  You won’t want to miss this entertaining performance enjoyed by all ages.

Sloan Creek Student Mentor Program

Our SCMS Mentor program is under way for the 2009-2010 school year.  We are excited about the number of volunteers that have committed their time to supporting some of our students at SCMS.  As the program continues to grow, we are always looking for volunteers to build relationships with our students to inspire and influence them in a positive way. 

At this time, we would like to recruit any male mentors that would be interested in participating.   Through the mentor program, each mentor meets with their student once every 2-3 weeks for thirty minutes.  If you know of any adult males that would be interested in mentoring some of our male students, please contact Schell Sells at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. 

Special Population Parent Group Event

The first Special Populations Parent Group event this year is going to take place on December 10, 2009 at the LISD Administration Board Room ( 7:00 p.m.) Kelly Smith will discuss “Bringing out the Best in Boys.” Kelly will help you understand what makes boys tick, what motivates them, and how to help them navigate the journey to manhood.  Join us as we explore communication strategies for parents and teachers that will help bring out the best in our boys. (see flyer attached)

Parents & the Transition Process 

On November 12^th at 1:00 p.m. and then repeated at 7:00 p.m., the LISD Special Education Department will host the first in a series of trainings for parents of students with a disability. The topic for this training is the Transition Process. Transition includes, but is more than, the movement from campus to campus. Transition is an outcome oriented process to address the student’s post secondary needs.

Come and learn about the intent of the law and how you can be an effective advocate for your child. The training will be held in the Red Building. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Burks at 469-742-8062. (see attached flyer)

Leopard Lacrosse Parent Meeting

Join us on Monday, November 9^th @ 7 pm in the SCMS Library.  The meeting is for all parents with kids interested in playing for our club team.  You will learn more about our program, membership, meet the board and our Head Coach, David Wang.  Also, spirit wear will be on sale. Teams are now forming for 3^rd/4^th grade boys, 5^th/6^th grade, and 7^th/8^th grade. 

Leopard Lacrosse ‘Come Out and Try It’ Clinic

Leopard Lacrosse is holding a ‘Come Out and Try It’ Clinic on Saturday, November 14^th from 12-2 at the SCMS field.  This event is for all interested players.  You will see a demonstration of the game and get to try it by participating in different drills.  Head Coach David Wang will lead the clinic. Visit www.leopardlacrosse.net for more club info.

Gifted and Talented Referrals

Deadline for GT referrals for 2nd semester placement is November 13, at 4:00 p.m. Forms are available on the district website under Special Programs, Gifted & Talented. Referrals may be turned in at each school to the attention of:

        LHS - Jan DeLisle

        SCMS - Jan DeLisle

        PES - Wendy Craft

        HES - Beth Ricci

        LES - Sandra Dennis

Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival

Save the date for the first Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival that will start at noon on Saturday Dec. 12 at Lovejoy High School. Admission is free. The festival will showcase the artistic talents of Lovejoy ISD students in the Fine Arts departments.  Set aside some time on your busy calendars to attend. 

·        Come and go as you please.

·        Three stages will host various performances by Lovejoy Fine Arts students in grades 5-12. 

·        Just a sampling of performers are: elementary schools' honor choirs, middle school pop choir, LHS choir, LHS jazz band, the Majestics Dance Team, studio dance classes, orchestra, theater, guitar club performers, ensembles, and student bands.

·        Community art booths, art student booths, and holiday food vendors will also be involved, plus kids' art stations and a photo opportunity with the big guy in the red suit.  Your eyes, ears, and taste buds are in for a treat!

The festival will last from noon to 6 p.m., but the climatic LHS choir performance will close out the evening after 6 p.m. on the main auditorium stage.

We encourage you to bring at least two canned goods for Allen Community Outreach. Another community event, held at the same time, is the art department's Empty Bowls project.  Persons will be able to buy a bowl, hand-made by an art student in grades K-12. The funds from the project will be given to the Samaritan Inn.

The Lovejoy Fine Arts Festival is planned by a committee representing the five different LHS Fine Arts Booster Clubs: band, orchestra, choir, theater, and the Majestics.

Parent Drop-Off In the Morning

Please drop students off in the courtyard from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.  We have busses dropping students off at that time and the cars make for a dangerous setting for students. Parents are welcome to drop off in the front prior or after the 7:45 to 8:45 window.

Have a great weekend!