Connect with Katie WEEKLY NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
2027
NATIONAL MERIT
COMMENDED & SEMIFINALISTS
y o j e v o L s d r a p o e L
TABLE OF Contents M E S S A G E F R O M T H E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LEOPARD FRIDAY 2026............................................. NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS...................................... L O V E J O Y H I G H S C H O O L G L O W P E P - R A L LY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOVEJOY’S COURTYARD BLOOMS................................ N O R T H T E X A S G I V I N G D A Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DISTRICT REMINDERS.............................................. DISTRICT CALENDAR............................................... READING WITH THE LEOPARDS................................... PUSTER SPREADS SUNSHINE..................................... HARTS NEW STUDENT AMBASSADORS........................... HART ICE CREAM SOCIAL.......................................... LEOPARD FOOTBALL UNDEFEATED............................... L O V E J O Y O R C H E S T R A H I T S T H E M A R K E T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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08 10 11
12 13 16
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22 23 24
25 ROBOTICS HEADS TO INDIANAPOLIS............................ 26 B O A R D M E E T I N G S U M M A R Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 LEOPARD LIFE....................................................... 30 DISTRICT & CAMPUS NEWSLETTERS.............................
MESSAGE FROM THE Lovejoy Community,
Superintendent
WOW! What a game! Congratulations to our Lovejoy High School Varsity Football team on an unforgettable 30–28 victory over All Saints last night! Our Leopards played to the very last second pulling off an incredible Hail Mary to win the game as time expired! That is what it means to compete with heart, believe in one another, and keep playing until the clock says zero. What an exciting night for our players, coaches, students, families, and the entire Lovejoy ISD community. Way to go, Leopards! You gave us a Friday night we will be talking about for a long time. Check out a clip of the incredible final play here! National Merit Scholarship Program We have so much to celebrate academically! Thirty-four Lovejoy High School students have been recognized in the 72nd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program, including eight students named National Merit Semifinalists. This prestigious recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our students, along with the incredible support of the educators who have invested in them throughout their journey. We could not be more proud of the way these outstanding Leopards continue to represent Lovejoy. Be sure to read more about their significant accomplishments later in this newsletter. Leopard Friday Thank you to everyone who joined us for an amazing Leopard Friday! Of course, because it was Leopard Friday, we had to do a little adjusting when mother nature decided to send a weather event that seemed to occur only over Lovejoy High School! While we hated having to cut the evening short, there was certainly no shortage of Lovejoy spirit. We are grateful for the flexibility and positivity of our families, students, staff, and community members who came out to celebrate this much-loved tradition.
Rain or shine, there is nothing better than seeing our Lovejoy community come together! North Texas Giving Day Thursday was also North Texas Giving Day, and once again, the Lovejoy community demonstrated what is possible when we come together with a shared purpose. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our families, staff, alumni, and community partners, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools raised $61,000 to directly support students and teachers across Lovejoy ISD, bringing the Foundation’s Annual Appeal total to an incredible $154,000. These gifts make a meaningful difference in our classrooms by providing resources, opportunities, and experiences that enrich learning for our Leopards. Thank you to everyone who continues to invest in our students, our teachers, and the Lovejoy Legacy. I encourage you to learn more about the impactful work of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools by clicking here. Homecoming Mark your calendar! Our second annual Homecoming Parade is almost here! Join us September 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Ranch as we come together to celebrate our Leopards and show our Lovejoy spirit. Bring your family and friends, and find additional details on page 13 of this newsletter. The Homecoming Game will be on October 2nd at Leopard Stadium. Leadership Lovejoy Leadership Lovejoy: Applications are open for the 2026-2027 Leadership Lovejoy Class. This engaging, behind-the-scenes experience connects parents and community members with the people, programs, and priorities that make Lovejoy ISD exceptional. Through interactive sessions with district leaders, participants gain insight into teaching and learning, safety, operations, finance, student services, and more, building the knowledge and connections to become informed ambassadors for our schools. Click here to apply today. Thank you for another wonderful week of being One Heart, One Lovejoy. Wishing you a weekend filled with Love and Joy. There is only ONE Lovejoy, and we are ALL Leopards!
Lovejoy Proud,
Katie Kordel Superintendent
LEOPARD FRIDAY 2026 Leopard Friday brought our community together for another fun evening filled with school spirit and Lovejoy pride! Families, students, staff, and community members gathered to enjoy activities, visit with friends, and celebrate what makes being a Leopard so special. Even though the evening was cut a little short due to weather, there was no shortage of fun! We loved seeing so many members of our community come out, connect, and show their Lovejoy spirit. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make another Leopard Friday one to remember. We love seeing our community come together!
NATIONAL MERIT
Scholarship Program
Lovejoy ISD is proud to announce 34 students have been recognized in the 72nd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program, an annual academic competition for recognition and college scholarships conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Over 1.3 million high school juniors took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and met requirements to enter the 72nd Annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. With a Selection Index score of 208 or above, these high performers have shown outstanding academic potential. From the 50,000 highest scorers nationwide, approximately 34,000 students are being commended for their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. Congratulations to these Lovejoy High School Commended Students: Ethan Affan Izaan Ahmed Spencer Bemis Audrey Casey Cora Craver Cooper Delaney Arwyn Eairheart Devin Goins Shounak Guduguntla
Lilian Helfand Elliott Huang Emily James Charlton Kim Christopher Leininger Saayon Mahapatra Tuck McGoldrick Owen O'Dowd
Prabhnoor Pannu Siddhi Pareek Ellie Peters Anson Phan Preston Quan Aadam Qureshi Aaron Reynolds Tselemiah Smith Charl Van Rensburg
Additionally, approximately 16,000 of the 50,000 highest scoring students have been designated as Semifinalists in the 72nd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and the top scorers in each state. Semifinalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million to be offered in spring 2027. We are pleased to announce these eight students from Lovejoy High School have been named National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists: Ameena Chowdhury Adnan Dohadwala Alice Lee Justen Mao
Shaurya Mazumdar Rohana Rao Yash Sharma Claire Wu
Being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program is an extraordinary accomplishment. This prestigious honor is a testament to the exceptional academic abilities, dedication, and hard work demonstrated by our Semifinalist and Commended Students. We look forward to watching them continue to excel in their academic pursuits. Congratulations to all of our Lovejoy High School recognized students!
LOVEJOY HIGH SCHOOL
Glow Pep-Rally
Thursday morning, the Leopard spirit was shining brighter than ever at the LHS Glow Pep Rally! With the gym glowing under black lights, students and staff decked out in neon created an unforgettable atmosphere of energy and excitement. We came together to celebrate our amazing fall sports programs, recognizing the hard work and dedication of our athletes. The crowd was also treated to incredible performances by Cheer, Majestics, Band and Color Guard, each adding to the vibrant spirit of the morning. The pep rally was a perfect reminder of what makes Lovejoy special: tradition, pride, and unity. We are #LovejoyProud to stand behind our students as they continue to shine on the field, the court, and the stage!
LOVEJOY’S COURTYARD
Blooms
On September 12, Abram Smith Jr., alongside his Boy Scout Troop and a dedicated group of volunteers, transformed a section of the courtyard connecting the Lovejoy Child Development Center and Administration Building into a beautiful butterfly and pollinator garden. The project began in January, when Sarah Peralta wrote a grant proposal with a vision to refresh the courtyard and create a welcoming outdoor space for students and staff. Thanks to generous funding from the Schreuer family and the Lovejoy Foundation, that vision became a reality. Planning officially began in April, followed by months of preparation and collaboration. On September 12, Abram and volunteers brought it all together, filling the space with native plants that support local pollinators and adding a beautiful butterfly mural as the finishing touch. What was once an underutilized area is now a vibrant and inviting space for the Lovejoy community to enjoy. This project is a wonderful example of what can happen when students, families, volunteers, and community partners come together to make a lasting impact.
Day NORTH TEXAS GIVING
DISTRICT Reminders This week, Lovejoy ISD proudly celebrated National Arts in Education Week! From kindergarten through high school, students experience firsthand how the arts inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster innovation. We are #LovejoyProud of our exceptionally talented Fine Arts students and educators, whose passion, imagination, and diligence enrich our entire district.
nd
Save the date for Lovejoy ISD’s 2 Annual Homecoming Parade, a celebration of school spirit and community! Event Details: Date: Wednesday, September 30th Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Heritage Ranch
The parade will feature colorful floats, fine arts performances, athletic teams, and school-sponsored student groups. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to cheer on our students and show your support for our school community. The event will be fun for all ages! Additional details will be shared as the event approaches.
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DISTRICT Calendar
CALENDAR EVENT LINKS
STUDENT CALENDAR
DISTRICT CALENDAR
CAMPUS CALENDARS
ATHLETICS CALENDAR
FINE ARTS CALENDAR
Campus, District, and Athletics Calendars are linked above for the convenience of our community. *Please note event dates, times and locations are subject to change and should be verified by participants.
CONNECTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE LOVEJOY COMMUNITY WHILE SUPPORTING LOVEJOY ISD THROUGH REVENUE GENERATION The Lovejoy ISD Community Partner program is a new way for local businesses to support Lovejoy ISD and connect with the Lovejoy Community! Community Partner advertisements are featured in our weekly District newsletter, Connect with Katie, Living Lovejoy videos, and District Social Media. Interested in becoming a Community Partner? Click HERE to learn more!
READING WITH THE LEOPARDS
At Puster
Puster Elementary students had some special visitors today as Reading with the Leopards continued with Lovejoy High School student-athletes! Members of Baseball, Softball, Golf, Girls Basketball, Girls Soccer, Track & Cross Country, and Wrestling spent time in classrooms reading with our younger Leopards and connecting with students. Reading with the Leopards gives our elementary students an opportunity to build relationships with the high school students they look up to while celebrating a love of reading. We are grateful to our Lovejoy student-athletes for taking the time to encourage, inspire, and make special memories with our younger Leopards!
PUSTER SPREADS Sunshine Puster Elementary celebrated students who bring a little extra “sunshine” to their classrooms during a recent school assembly! A teacher from each grade level recognized a student and shared what makes them shine bright each day. The Sunshine Awards brought plenty of smiles and pride across campus as Puster celebrated these students for the positive light they bring to their classrooms and school community.
HART’S NEW STUDENT
Ambassadors
Congratulations to the 2026-2027 Hart Ambassadors! Throughout the school year, these student leaders will help lead community service projects, take an active role in monthly HARTBEAT Pep Rallies, and participate in leadership opportunities across campus. This year, an incredible 50 Leopards applied for just 10 spots on the team! Each essay demonstrated kindness, leadership, and heart, making the selection process especially meaningful. We are proud of every student who applied and look forward to seeing our new Hart Ambassadors shine their light and help make Hart an even brighter place!
Social HART ICE CREAM The Hart PTO brought families together for a fun-filled Ice Cream Social! Principal Bagby and Assistant Principal Powers enjoyed connecting with both new and returning Hart families, while teachers served up sweet treats from Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Students spent the evening enjoying the playground, making it a wonderful opportunity for the Hart community to connect, have fun, and enjoy time together.
LEOPARDS STAY Undefeated Lovejoy Varsity Football continued its strong start to the season Friday night, defeating Midlothian 51–24 at Leopard Stadium and improving to 3–0 on the season. After a weather delay of more than an hour and a half, the Leopards came out ready to play, jumping to a 17–0 lead in the first quarter. Lovejoy carried the momentum throughout the night and entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 51–21 advantage. Quarterback Noah Slaughter threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, while Luke Gahan rushed for 101 yards and four touchdowns. Coleman Reaugh added a standout performance through the air with 228 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Thank you to our Lovejoy community for sticking with us through the weather delay and filling the stands to support our Leopards!
LEOVEJOY ORCHESTRA
Hits the Market
The LHS Orchestra Ambassadors spent Saturday morning performing at the Lucas Farmers Market, one of their favorite annual community events! The Ambassador program gives orchestra students opportunities to take their music beyond the concert hall through community performances, service projects, and outreach events. Through the program, students use their talents to serve, connect with others, and give back to the community that supports them. At the Farmers Market, students enjoyed sharing their music and connecting with families, vendors, and community members throughout the morning. We are grateful for opportunities like this that allow our Leopards to represent Lovejoy while building meaningful connections in our community.
ROBOTICS HEADS TO
Indianapolis
Team 1082M is headed back to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend to compete in the Speedway Signature Event, September 18–20! This marks the team’s third trip to Indianapolis in four years. The three-day competition will feature qualification matches, skills challenges, and elimination rounds before wrapping up with the Championship Finals and Awards Ceremony on Sunday. Friday, September 18 | Competition Begins 8:00 a.m. — Gates open; registration, inspection & practice 8:30 a.m. — Skills fields open 10:30 a.m. — Opening Ceremony 11:45 a.m. — Qualification matches begin 6:00 p.m. — Facility closes Saturday, September 19 | Qualifications Continue 7:30 a.m. — Gates open 8:00 a.m. — Senior Final Lap Ceremony 9:00 a.m. — Qualification matches resume 12:15–1:00 p.m. — Lunch break 5:30 p.m. — Facility closes Sunday, September 20 | Championship Sunday 9:00 a.m. — Gates open 10:15 a.m. — Qualification matches resume 11:15 a.m. — Alliance selection 11:30 a.m. — Elimination matches 1:15 p.m. — Finals matches 2:00 p.m. — Awards Ceremony Families and community members can cheer on Team 1082M from home! A livestream is planned for the event, with viewing details to be posted on the official event page closer to competition time. Best of luck to Team 1082M as they represent Lovejoy on the big stage in Indianapolis!
BOARD MEETING Summary
Lovejoy ISD is committed to providing consistent, transparent communication with our community and employees. We hope this meeting summary will support you in staying connected and informed. Click the image on the left to open the summary in Google Docs.
Regular Board Meetings and Workshops are now recorded and archived on the Lovejoy ISD website. You can access Regular Board Meeting and Workshop recordings by clicking the image on the right.
The full Regular Board Meeting agenda with supporting documents may be viewed by clicking the image on the left.
LEOPARD LIFE Website Lovejoy ISD has an unparalleled sense of community and connection centered on student opportunity. In support of this collective commitment, the Leopard Life website showcases a wide range of events, activities, and fundraisers organized by booster clubs, PTOs, athletics, fine arts, individual campuses, and more! Leopard Life is prominently featured across campus and district websites, highlighted in all newsletters, and easily accessible through the Lovejoy ISD mobile app. This week's featured flyers are: Pumpkin Porch Packages - Swim & Dive (Sept. 20) Plastic Bag Drive (Sept. 28-Oct. 2) Homecoming Mums (Oct.1) Homecoming Red Out Shirts (Oct.2) Leopard Classic Golf Tournament (Nov. 2) Future Leopard Association Community News Please note: the information featured in the "Community News" section is submitted by local community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizations and does not claim to endorse them.
DISTRICT & CAMPUS Newsletters Lovejoy ISD is committed to creating strong connections and providing clear communication with our Lovejoy parents and families. Below you will find links to the most recent newsletters from each campus. Sign up for weekly Principal Newsletters here to stay informed!
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER Connect with Katie
LOVEJOY CHILD DEVELOPMENT Campus Newsletter HART ELEMENTARY Principal Newsletter PUSTER ELEMENTARY Principal Newsletter SLOAN CREEK INTERMEDIATE Principal Newsletter WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE Principal Newsletter LOVEJOY HIGH SCHOOL Principal Newsletter
y o j e v o L s d r a p o e L
Connect with Katie. September 18, 2026. Issue 08