Welcome to Lovett Elementary School
We are thrilled to welcome you to the Lovett Elementary community! Below are a few important items you will want to know if you are new to the school. The Lovett Elementary Handbook is the official guide that will answer all of your technical questions and will be sent home the first week of school. Be sure to keep the handbook for your records and reference if you have any questions.
FAQs
Start of the new school year questions:
WHAT DID I MISS AT KINDER ROUND UP?
If you missed Kinder Roundup, you can see the presentation given to parents HERE.
When will you find out your assigned teacher?
Letters with teacher assignments are sent home the week before school begins. The school will not tell you your teacher assignment over the phone so keep an eye out for your letter. Once you get your teacher assignment, click HERE to update your teacher assignment for the student directory.
What and when is Meet the Teacher?
Meet the Teacher is when you can come into the school and meet your teacher and tour your classroom and a bit of the school. It is usually the Thursday or Friday before school starts. 1st, 3rd, and 5th generally come in the morning and Kinder, 2nd, and 4th in the afternoon. Specific times will be in your teacher assignment letter.
- If you preordered school supplies, they will be delivered to your classroom and you can go straight there.
- If you need to purchase your supplies, they will be available for to buy in the Multi Purpose Room (MPR) at a slightly higher price.
- The nurse will be available to accept any medicines needed during the school day and answer any health concerns.
- Sign up for bus transportation will be available.
- Sign up for extended day will be available (cash only and usually in the library).
- PTO Membership, Birthday Marquee, and all other purchases can only be made online.
What should we expect the first week of school?
Drop off and pick up are slow in the beginning. Allow plenty of time so you aren't rushed and be kind and courteous. See below for more on drop off and pick up so you can help it go smoothly.
- We are fortunate that our school allows parents to walk their children in the first two days of school. The first day you will be able to walk your children to their classrooms. The second day you can walk your children to their designated waiting areas before classrooms are open so that they will know where to wait. Be sure to give your child enough time to get settled and seated without you before 7:30 am. Parents should be out of the classroom by 7:20 am.
- You will be sent home a LARGE packet of paperwork on the first day. Complete and return by the following Monday to help your teacher and the school stay on top of all of the paperwork.
- If you are interested in being a room parent or volunteering, speak up at Meet the Teacher. Room Parents are so important to our school and we have amazing guidance to help you through the whole thing. Team up for more fun!
- Beginning of the year fees. There are Classroom fees and PTO fees. Classroom fees are mandatory. PTO fees are optional but highly recommended. Help your room parent by getting your fees in ASAP.
- The first PTO meeting is on the first day of school in the cafeteria! Come for coffee and treats and hear from our principal, administrators, and our PTO.
What are Classroom Fees?
In the beginning of the school year, your room parent will be asking for $20. This will cover cost for a class T-shirt and money for two class parties. This is unrelated to teacher gifts.
Questions about PTO:
What is Membership toolkit?
Membership toolkit is the service we use to manage our PTO website, weekly newsletters, directory, membership information, and all PTO sales. All communication will now come from membership toolkit via the email LovettPTOBoard@gmail.com. We ask that ALL families register on Membership Toolkit to stay informed about everything going on at Lovett.
What does the PTO do and why should I join?
Joining the PTO shows your support for Lovett Elementary and lays a financial foundation to help our school. Learn more about the PTO HERE.
Want to be involved but nervous about how time-consuming it will be or if you can do it with a little one on your hip?
There are so many ways to get involved at Lovett. The two simplest paths are through the PTO volunteer coordinators and through your teacher and room parent. Check out our Get Involved page and our Committees and Chairs page to browse. Don't be afraid to reach out to ask questions.
How do I update my Wednesday folder preferences?
Follow THIS LINK or:
- Click on My Account (On the right)
- Go to 'Edit Family Information'
- Scroll down and Click on 'Next'
- Update your preferences.
How do I get involved and/or volunteer at Lovett?
Before volunteering at Lovett, you must get Volunteer In Public Schools (VIPS) registered. Register HERE then take your driver's license to the front desk. It can take a few weeks to process at the beginning of the year, so register as soon as possible. To learn about volunteer opportunities, go to our Get Involved page.
Who at Lovett to talk to about:
504/IEP plans
Heather Gaines, hgaines@houstonisd.org
Attendance/Tardiness
Tane Sims, ssims1@houstonisd.org
Behavior Administration
Heather Gaines, hgaines@houstonisd.org
Bus Issues
Jane Zevallos, jzevallos@houstonisd.org
Cafeteria
Quwana James, qjames1@houstonisd.org
Curriculum Administration
Dawn Thompson, dthompson@houstonisd.org
Extended Day
Tane Sims, ssims1@houstonisd.org
Grading Policy
Dawn Thompson, dthompson@houstonisd.org
Lovett Website
Anne Warner, awarner@houstonisd.org
Magnet Program
Lauren Adams, LADAMS12@houstonisd.org
Maintenance
Tanya Perez, tperez1@houstonisd.org
Shared Decision Making Committee (SDMC)
Dawn Thompson, dthompson@houstonisd.org
Title I
Heather Gaines, hgaines@houstonisd.org
Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPs)
Megan Serdar, mserdar@houstonisd.org
Questions about the day-to-day happenings at Lovett:
HOW DO I ADD THE LOVETT SCHOOL CALENDAR TO MY SMART DEVICE?
To learn how to add the Lovett School Calendar iCal feed to your smart device, click HERE.
What is the daily schedule?
- 7:00 am Main Entrance Opens
- 7:30 am First bell
- 7:35 am Warning bell
- 7:40 am Tardy bell - All parents should be out of the school by this bell.
- 9:40 am Attendance taken
- 2:20 pm Latest time to check out a student before the end of the day
- 2:50 pm Dismissal*
- 5:00-5:25 pm Extended Day Pick-up
Check your teacher's webpage for a more specific daily schedule.
When is Early Dismissal?
Early Dismissal is at 11:30 and occurs generally on the 3rd Friday of the month. Check calendar for specific dates.
How does pick up and drop off WORK?
- Most importantly, please drive courteously and safely! Remember small children are walking around! Follow the law and rules of the school. Don't cut people off, and don't have any road rage. Drop off and pick up in the beginning of the year (and on rainy days) is slow. Be kind and understanding and allow enough time so you aren't feeling rushed.
- Driver should remain in the car.
- PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE CARPOOL AREA EVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES.
- The Visitor Parking Lot should not be used as a carpool drop off or pick up. You may park and walk your child in if there is an open space.
- Please turn right into the carpool loops and do not turn left, crossing traffic to drop off as this causes traffic back ups and cuts in the carpool line.
- Please utilize crosswalks if walking your child to the door.
- Drop off begins at 7:15 am and is not permitted before that time as there is no supervision.
- The Jason Street loop opens at 7:15 am. The back loop on Birdwood may open at a different time.
- Be sure to PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD to allow the people behind you to also drop off.
- Children should be prepared to exit the car on the passenger/curb side with backpacks, lunches, etc in hand. Drivers should not get out of the car to help children out.
- Pick up for Grades 2,3 and 4 are on the Jason St loop in front. Pick up for Grades K, 1 and 5 are on the Birdwood Rd loop in back. Students will wait in the cafeteria until a teacher releases them to you when you arrive.
- CAR TAGS: Each family will be provided two car tags that have your child’s name, grade, and teacher. You must have this tag to pick up whether you are using the carpool line or walking up.
- If there is a change in your child’s pick up schedule, please notify your child’s teacher or the main office in writing.
- Please do not park in the bus pick-up area located on Jason St on the school side of the street.
- At 3:30, all students not picked up are brought inside the building to the front office. At this time you are required to park and come inside to sign your child out. Please do not park in the circle drive.
Parking
If you are parking to walk your child in or pick up, allow enough time to do so. Do not block crosswalks or driveways, and respect ‘no parking’ signs at all times.
Can I view my student's grades online?
Parent Student Connect (GradeSpeed) is the HISD parent portal that allows you to see your child’s grades and Report Cards, progress reports, attendance and other important records. You can set up grade text alerts and see individual assignment/test grades. If you haven't logged in before, you will need your child’s Social Security Number and School ID number to register. Contact the school at 713-295-5258 if you need the School ID number for your student.
Click HERE to access PS Connect.
Click HERE for more information and help with using PS Connect.
HOW DO I ACCESS STAAR test results?
STAAR Test Results are made available at http://texasassessment.com. You’ll need your child’s SS# and birthdate to get an access code to see results.
What IS the Attendance Policy?
Daily attendance is taken at 9:40 am. Students who leave after 9:40 am are counted present. Students who leave before 10:00 are counted absent unless they return the same day with a Doctor/Dentist note stating that they have been at an appointment on that day. Absences are unexcused unless the office or teacher receives a note, e-mail, or phone call from the parent stating the date of the absence and reason for the absence AND are present for more than 50% of the day. Students must present the teacher with a written excuse signed by the parent within 3 days of an absence or tardy. After 3 days, it will be considered unexcused. HISD automatically calls all students who have an unexcused absence for the day – this is a good indication that your message was not recorded and you may want to check with the office. Excessive Absences are defined as 8 or more unexcused absences within the year. You will be referred to an HISD attendance officer and legal action will be taken. The Lovett Attendance Committee will review the records of the student and could result in non-renewal of your child's magnet status.
What are the After School activities available at Lovett?
Lovett offers an Extended Care Program (until 5:30 pm) as well as After School activities. Space is limited. You can sign up at the front office. More information on after school activities goes home in the Wednesday Folder or can be found HERE. Be sure you are registered on Membership toolkit to receive weekly emails with digital copies of the Wednesday folder and more news.
How do I sign up for HISD Alerts?
Sign up HERE to receive important information from HISD via texts.