Dear CISD Families,

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Indian American Festival in Cypress Waters. It was wonderful to see so many of our families and students in attendance and perform, including members of the CHS Band under the leadership of Head Band Director Gerry Miller and Assistant Band Director Brandon Slovak. Coppell ISD is a culturally diverse school district and encompasses cities beyond the City of Coppell, including Cypress Waters (Dallas). Events like this one, as well as the various cultural and special events nights at many of our campuses, provide opportunities for us to learn from and enjoy each other, and celebrate what makes us one Coppell ISD.

Speaking of celebrating, our schools recently celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. I want to echo our community’s appreciation for our teachers, who work so hard to instill a love of learning and knowledge with our students and truly exemplify great teaching. More importantly, they care for our children and want them to become well-rounded individuals who will have a positive impact on our world.

STAAR testing begins next week for our third graders. Please join me and our teachers and share with your children that they are so much more than this test. We need to share with our children, especially the youngest learners, what STAAR does not assess, including kindness, character, creativity, grit and determination. We want our learners to do well on these tests, but we also want them to know that this test should not define them and be the only factor in their success, because success can be different for everyone. Please be reminded our campuses are closed to visitors during STAAR testing.

You may have heard current proposed legislation in the Texas Legislature seeks to add even more STAAR testing for our children, including additional testing in third grade and assessments starting as early as Kindergarten. I encourage you to share your thoughts on these proposals with our representatives, and you can find this information at www.coppellisd.com/legislative.

I hope to see you all on Saturday at the Coppell Education Run to Fund at Andy Brown Park!

Sincerely,

Brad Hunt

Superintendent

Safety & Security Update: Testing CISD Alert Today at 4:30 p.m. & New Videos

CISD will conduct its Spring Semester test of the CISD Alert Notification System today (May 10) at 4:30 p.m. At this time, all parents and guardians, and CISD staff will receive a CISD Alert text, email and phone call with the test message.  The CISD website and social media also will have a message indicating the CISD Alert test.

CISD has created a Standard Response Protocol (SRP) training video for parents, which is available here.  The district also has developed a video on Smoking and Vaping, which is available here. For more information, visit www.coppellisd.com/safety.

Board Approves Changes to Courses for Class Rank

During the April 29 meeting, the CISD Board of Trustees approved changes to the classes that will count for a learner’s class rank. These changes include English IV and World Geography being removed from the list of courses that would be calculated into a student’s class rank semester grades. Core courses such as English I, II and III, Algebra I and II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, World History, Economics and Level 1 and Level 2 of the same language other than English (no more than 2 credits) will count toward the GPA for class ranking. These changes address the “GPA rat race” identified by students and parents as a concern during the district’s recent Strategic Design process.  It also encourages students to take the courses they want and that they are interested in, instead of taking the just the ones that boost their GPA. This policy change will go into effect for incoming 7th graders. Details are available at www.coppellisd.com/curriculum.

Renovations will begin this summer at Coppell High School, as part of the 2016 voter-approved Bond. These renovations will include: comprehensive band, choir, and drama room renovations, including reconfiguring some spaces for choir and band; main campus corridor upgrades (wall laminate, flooring, LED lighting, and handrails); new flooring, ceilings, LED lighting and paint in the commons areas; new flooring and LED lighting in the auditorium; hallway and classroom new finishes, including new paint, wall laminate, new LED lighting, new ceiling grid and tile, new doors, and new flooring throughout; creation of several collaborative spaces in academic hallways; faculty restroom renovations throughout building (The student restrooms were renovated last year); and new HVAC system and energy management controls for wings D and E. Construction will overlap into the school year and is expected to be complete in fall 2020.

East Athletic Field Closed to Public Over Summer

The Athletic Field at CMS East will be closed to the public over the summer when school is out. Currently, the field is available for public use on weekdays when school is not in session.  The field will reopen for public use on weekdays once the 2019-2020 school year begins Aug. 14.

Our Story Magazine 2nd Issue Now Available

The second issue of CISD’s “Our Story” magazine is now available. This magazine was launched in an effort to ensure our CISD community is informed and engaged, and is made possible in part due to the financial support of several local businesses and community partners, who placed advertisements in the publication. Be on the lookout for copies of the magazine at our schools, local businesses, and other locations throughout the Coppell, Irving and Dallas communities we serve.  You also can access the magazine online via www.coppellisd.com/ourstory.

Lakeside Earns TEPSA Student Leadership Award

The Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) has selected the Lakeside Student Council as a recipient of a 2019 TEPSA Student Leadership Award.  The award recognizes outstanding student leadership teams and their impact on school communities in the state of Texas. These student leaders demonstrated how their leadership has impacted the stakeholders at their school, as well as demonstrated how they served their campus and community. This award also demonstrates how Lakeside empowers learners through leadership opportunities. Congratulations Lakeside!

North Hosts Regional Junior VASE Exhibit

CMS North welcomed more than 1,200 students and teachers from all over the region for the Junior VASE (Visual Arts Student Evaluation) exhibit May 4.  At the event, CMS North artists were awarded 81 medals and 17 Platinum medals. To earn a Platinum medal, artwork is ranked as among the top 10 percent of their division. Congratulations to these talented artists!

CHS and New Tech Prom King and Queen

Congratulations to the CHS Prom King and Queen Taj Gregory and Jade Walker, and the the New Tech High @ Coppell Prom King and Queen Ryan Schwenn and Kaitlyn Rigdon!

CBS 11 Covers Surprise New Tech Military Family Reunion

New Tech High @ Coppell Rookie Miisha Masterson was surprised by her father, Army Colonel James Masterson during the New Tech Student Awards Ceremony May 1.  CBS 11 covered the story, which included Miisha performing her father’s commission ceremony from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel. View the news story here.

Two Cowboys Advance to the State Track & Field Meet

Senior Corbin Hicks captured the 6A Region I discus title and placed second in shot put, and junior Jackson Walker won the 800M resulting in both athletes advancing to the State Track & Field Meet. Both will compete in their respective events May 10-11 at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin. Corbin launched the discus 188-3 feet, 20-8 feet ahead of the second place finisher. He threw the shot put 53-4.75 feet for the second place finish, missing the top spot by five inches. Jackson crossed the finished line in 800 meter with a time of 1:54.6, edging the second place finished by three-tenths of a second.

INCubator Final Pitch Night

Three teams from Coppell High School presented their new business ideas in a "Shark Tank Like” competition at VARIDESK headquarters May 2 in front of prominent business and community member judges as part of their INCubatoredu class taught by Kelly Revis.  This year-long course offers high school students an authentic and real-world entrepreneurship experience that allows them to create and fully develop their own product or service. Team Pik consisting of students Sahithi Arimanda, Alan Park, Anoohya Moravaneni and Anchita Tandon won the competition for their business of Pik, an app to help find restaurants and meals for those with a variety of food lifestyles, including vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free.  As the winners, each student receives a $250 scholarship and a desk of their choice from VARIDESK. Judges of the event were VARIDESK CEO Jason McCann; Co-founder of Steadfast Fitness Isaiah Stanback, a former Dallas Cowboy and member of the 2012 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants; Amanda Nevels, owner of Coppell Taekwondo Academy; and Coppell City Councilman Cliff Long, owner of Sovereign Mortgage Services, Inc.

Great Educators Matter Award Recipients

Great Educators Matter or GEM Awards honor outstanding CISD employees who serve the mission of the district in a manner that exceeds job and salary expectations, and who go "above and beyond the call of duty."

For example, Kevin Green, CISD Mechanic, went out of his way to help a Mockingbird/CMS East Crossing Guard who had a flat tire.  Realizing that the spare tire was unusable, Kevin visited several tire shops to facilitate a replacement tire and installed the tire so that the Crossing Guard could pick up her child from daycare in Dallas on time.  Another GEM recipient highlight is Matt Bowden, CHS Creative Writing Teacher, was recognized for his work producing the Coppell Literary and Art Magazine – affectionately known as CLAM — a collection of more than 100 pages of art, photography, short stories, essays and poetry by both CHS students and staff.

The Spring 2019 GEM recipients are: Austin Elementary: Lauren Holcombe, Instructional Coach; Ashley Rhodes, a 5th Grade Math & Science Teacher; Ginny Kaur, Kindergarten Teacher; Cottonwood Creek Elementary: Malachi Ewbank, 5th Grade Science Teacher; CHS9: Jennifer Martin, Biology Teacher; Jessica Lynch, ESL Facilitator and Lucy Grimmett, Math Teacher; Coppell High School: Tracy Henson, English Teacher; Matt Bowden, Creative Writing Teacher; Andrea Voelker, Chinese Teacher; and Angela Barnes, Science Teacher; New Tech High @ Coppell’s Outdoor Club Sponsors: William Daughtrey, Science Facilitator; Cody Campbell, Science Facilitator; Laura Hynson, Special Education Facilitator and Nicole Smith, Social Studies Facilitator; and Kevin Green, Mechanic.

Cowboys Spring Football Game May 16

Cheer on the 2019-2020 Coppell Cowboys during the Spring Football game  Thursday, May 16th. The JV game will begin at 5 p.m. and Varsity will begin at 7 p.m. The Coppell High School Band, Lariettes, and Cheerleaders will all be there to entertain you! Coppell Youth Football will be playing a 7x7 game in between the JV and Varsity games. We are also extending a special invitation to our current 8th grade football players to attend the Spring Game! Spring Game tickets are $5 and Dickey’s Barbeque also is available for $5. All students 8th grade and under will have free admission. Purchase tickets at www.coppellcowboys.com.

Upcoming STAAR Testing Dates

School Supply and PTO Registration Information for 2019-2020

With Boundary Realignment, many of our families will be attending new schools in 2019-2020.  School supply order information for the next school year is available from each school’s Parent Teacher Organization as a service to each school and not a fundraiser.  School supply lists also are available from the PTO sites should families wish to purchase on their own. Registering for your 2019-2020 school’s PTO is encouraged, so families can receive important back-to-school information and other messages from the school.  Click on the links below to connect to the PTO for your school for 2019-2020.

• Coppell High School / CHS9
• New Tech High @ Coppell
  
  
• CMS East
• CMS North
• CMS West
  
  
• Austin Elementary
• Canyon Ranch Elementary
• Cottonwood Creek Elementary
• Denton Creek Elementary
• Lakeside Elementary
• Lee Elementary
• Mockingbird Elementary
• Pinkerton Elementary
• Town Center Elementary
• Valley Ranch Elementary
• Wilson Elementary

CHS Athletics and Fine Arts Summer Camps

Coppell High School will offer several Athletics and Fine Arts Summer Camps this summer.  Click here for a flyer with registration details, including times, dates, places, age eligibility and costs.

Ed Foundation Run to Fund May 11

It’s not too late to join us for the Coppell ISD Education Foundation Run to Fund this Saturday at Andy Brown East! You can still register online at http://coppellisdef.com/run-to-fund-2019 or starting at 7 a.m. at Andy Brown East on Race Day. We hope you’ll join us for this fun, community event that benefits Coppell ISD students and educators! And if you’ve already registered, you can pick up your race packet at Coppell Taekwondo Academy (235 S. Denton Tap Road) on Thursday 5/9 and Friday 5/10 from 12-7p.m. or on Saturday starting at 7 a.m. at Andy Brown East.

Interactive STEAM Camp June 17-20

Attention parents of rising CISD 7th and 8th graders. Spots are still available for the Coppell ISD Education Foundation 5th annual hands-on learning STEAM camp “Interactive Institute,” but we only have room for 100 participants and the price increases from $160 to $180 on May 18th, so register soon! We are excited to be partnering with businesses in the area who are creating and teaching innovative curriculum based on their corporate fields within the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

The Corporate Partners this year are: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Capital One, architecture firm Corgan, financial institution DTCC, IBM, iCode Coppell, North Lake Community College, S2 Art Studio and State Farm Insurance.

Date: June 17-20, 2019
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Richard  J. Lee Elementary

For more information, visit http://www.coppellisdef.com/r-b-interactive-institute

CISD Seeks School Nurses & Crossing Guards

CISD currently has job openings for School Nurses, Crossing Guards and more. Apply at www.coppellisd.com.

CISD Summer Hours Start June 3

CISD will begin its Summer Hours starting Monday, June 3. CISD will be open Monday through Thursday and be closed on Friday each week June 3 - July 26. CISD will be closed on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, for the Independence Day holidays.

Coppell Chamber PrimeTime Business Expo May 14

More than 50 exhibitors will showcase their job opportunities, services, products, and offerings to hundreds of prospective new customers, and potential employees at the Coppell Chamber of Commerce’s PrimeTime Business Expo Tuesday, May 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton located at 1580 Point W. Blvd. in Coppell. Visit www.coppellchamber.org for details.

Help Sack Summer Hunger Program Available for Families

Metrocrest Services provide weekly distributions of easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly meals and snacks for youngsters in certain areas during the summer break. To request assistance please call (972) 446-2100.

• May 11 - CEF Run to Fund
• May 13 - Board Workshop - 6:00 p.m.
• May 20 - Regular Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
• May 23 - Last Day of School/Early Dismissal
• May 24 - New Tech Graduation