Coppell ISD - you matter

Last weekend, talented student artists from CHS9 and CHS made their mark at the 2025 State VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) in San Marcos. These state qualifiers had the opportunity to take part in hands-on art workshops, share their portfolios with colleges, compete for scholarships, and showcase their work alongside the top 10% of more than 32,000 regional entries. CHS9 and CHS students earned 22 State Medals and one Photography Competition Scholarship, proudly highlighting the creativity and passion that define our district. CHS9 State VASE Medalists and Qualifiers Poshika Eswara – 2 State Medals Anika Jain – State Medal Natasha Kumar Olivia Rebello – State Medal Pratyasha Sahoo – State Medal Sahana Sudhir – 2 State Medals Varshini Avula – 2 State Medals Yu Imai – Photography Competition Scholarship Winner Aditri Sikdar – State Medal CHS State VASE Medalists and Qualifiers Safiya Azam Ayan Dadsena – State Medal Neel Hammers – 2 State Medals Sandhya Karthick – State Medal Sahasra Kalakonda – State Medal Iris Liu – State Medal Lidia Nolan – State Medal Sese Oshionebo Sahiti Peechara Nuthana Ramaneedi – 2 State Medals Meghna Ramaswamy – State Medal Ivy Tien – State Medal Agamya Vajramani – State Medal Matteo Zanelli – State Medal

Mockingbird Elementary proudly presented a $1,847 donation to Canine Companions on April 30, thanks to the generous contributions of all its learners and a $500 gift from the Student Council. This heartfelt effort honors Falco, the school’s beloved therapy dog, and his handler, Melissa Kinkeade. Falco brings joy and comfort to MKB students three days a week. He has also supported more than 40 hours of the Reading Buddy program in the library with school librarian Julie Mosty. In addition, Falco works closely with counselor Megan Hay in small groups and one-on-one sessions. Fittingly, the South-Central Training Center for Canine Companions bears the Kinkeade family name, making this donation especially meaningful.

Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as he shares stories from across the district. This week you can catch Dr. Hunt celebrating Pinkerton Elementary School’s Last Rodeo on April 27 with Principal Mandy Sweeney. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g1gniRGBqo

🎒✨ Kindergarten Round-Up is HERE! ✨🎒 Mark your calendars for May 1 — all elementary campuses will be hosting their Kindergarten Round-Up events! 📍 Most campuses start at 5:30 p.m. 🔍 Check your child's campus website for specific details.

Coppell High School senior Yugank Mishra has been awarded a prestigious National Merit Scholarship sponsored by Walgreen Co. (Walgreens), recognizing his exceptional academic achievements and potential for future success. A National Merit Semifinalist and Finalist, Mishra plans to pursue a degree in computer science. His recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation places him among only 830 seniors nationwide who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership and commitment to their educational goals. #MyHomeIsCISD

Coppell High School juniors Ashwin Mohan and Sneha Patil have achieved the remarkable accomplishment of earning perfect scores on the March 2025 SAT. Both students, currently juniors, demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and dedication in preparing for this nationally recognized college admissions exam. Their achievement is a proud reflection of their hard work, the support of their families and teachers, and the academic rigor at CHS. #MyHomeIsCISD

Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as he shares stories from across the district. This week you can catch Dr. Hunt celebrating the recent AP Student Art Show at the Coppell Arts Center with CHS art teachers Brennen Fruge and Michelle Hauske, CHS9 art teacher Elsa Reynolds and CHS sophomore Mahathi Kumar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWn_148pPEQ

On April 17, Coppell Middle School East held a heartfelt ceremony to rededicate the memorial garden honoring Taylor Storch, a former student whose selfless gift of organ donation saved five lives after her tragic passing in 2010. In a touching tribute during National Donate Life Month and in celebration of what would have been Taylor’s birthday, CMS East's Student Council enhanced the decade-old garden and hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to reaffirm Taylor’s lasting legacy. Taylor’s parents, Tara and Todd Storch, who founded the nonprofit Taylor’s Gift Foundation, were present alongside her brother Ryan and his family, to share their daughter’s story and the mission of their organization, which provides grief support for donor families. Learn more at www.TaylorsGift.org.

The Coppell Cowgirls claimed 1st place overall at the Region 1 6A Championship held April 14–15 at Tangle Ridge Golf Course in Grand Prairie, finishing with a dominant 600-stroke team total. Alicia Bellendir tied for first individually with a 73/71 (144) but narrowly lost in a four-hole playoff. Riya Bapna followed closely with a 74/72 (146), earning third place. Both Bellendir and Bapna secured spots on the All-Region First Team. Nethra Sheri (77/78 – 155), Isabella Nguyen (79/78 – 157), and Elizabeth Bellendir (77/84 – 161) rounded out the strong team performance. The team now looks ahead to the Golf State Championship to be held April 28–29 at White Wing Golf Course in Georgetown.

Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as he shares stories from across the district. This week you can catch Dr. Hunt celebrating the Coppell Cowgirls 6A Division I State Championship with Soccer Coach Craig Able and CHS Senior Summer Chen who was named MVP of the state tournament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yzIie6ho_o

Let’s raise our voices in celebration for the Coppell Choir, whose harmonious hard work and pitch-perfect passion earned them Sweepstakes honors at UIL with straight 1s from all six judges!.While their stunning performances truly struck a chord, it’s the dedication, growth and ensemble spirit they’ve shown throughout this journey that deserves a standing ovation. Watching these talented singers grow in confidence and musicality, under the leadership of choir directors Bona Coogle, Aaron Coronado and Katherine Conkovich, has been an inspiring experience, and we’re so excited to see where their next verse leads.

Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as he shares stories from across the district. This week you can catch Dr. Hunt at the Baseball and Softball Party at the Parks event on April 8, where he speaks with Softball player Emma Praytor. The video also features Softball player Lena Gay singing the National Anthem with teammate Riley Warren signing the song in American Sign Language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0udXE7RC8

CISD Destination Imagination Teams did remarkably well at the recent state competition against the strongest teams from 16 regions across Texas. Congratulations to: Team: Dumpster Divers Won 5th Place Medal in Secondary Level, Technical Challenge: Breaking Point Qualified for Global Finals held in Kansas City, Missouri, May 22-25, 2025 Team members: Maxwell Hall (CMS East, 8th), Sahana Iyer (New Tech, 10th), Virginia Hall (New Tech, 10th), Naisha Dey (CHS9), Pranamya Shrikant (CHS, 10th) and Rohan Jain (CHS9) Team: Small Eyed Owls Ranked 7th Place in Secondary Level, Scientific Challenge: Worlds Beyond Team members: Macy Rogerson (CHS9), Reid Dodd (New Tech, 9th), Will Crawford (CHS9) and Anna Olougouna (CHS9) Team: Ocean Chicky Exploding Volcanoes Ranked 13th Place in Elementary Level, Technical Challenge: Breaking Point Team members: Claire Midtbo (Wilson, 3rd), Lauren Bond (Wilson, 3rd), Matías Espino (Wilson, 3rd), Joshua Rolón (Wilson, 3rd), Luis Carrasco (Pinkerton, 3rd), Liam Carrasco (Pinkerton, 3rd) and Luca Carrasco (Pinkerton, 3rd)

🎉 Happy National Assistant Principals Week! 🎉 This year, National Assistant Principals Week is celebrated from April 7–11. CISD is proud to join school districts across the nation in honoring the hard work, dedication, and impact that assistant principals have on student success. We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding leadership and support our assistant principals provide to students, staff, and our entire learning community. Thank you for all you do to serve our learners! Special shoutout to the amazing assistant principals at CISD: 👩‍🏫 Coppell High School: Associate Principal Taylor Smith-Bothun, Justin Helpenstill, Jeremy Jordan, Colleen Lowry, Dan McCready, and Anna Wanderski 👨‍🏫 New Tech & Victory Place: Garrett Voelker 👩‍🏫 Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus: Nathan Harvey and Jessica Lynch 👨‍🏫 East: Rob Borenstein and Carrie Boyle 👩‍🏫 North: Linda Rothey and Stephen Frank 👨‍🏫 West: Matthew Telepak and Ayasha Greene 👩‍🏫 Austin: Brianna Sanford 👨‍🏫 Canyon Ranch: Kylie Godinez and Kat Yegge (who also serves Lee) 👩‍🏫 Cottonwood Creek & Pinkerton: Julie Springer 👨‍🏫 Denton Creek: Laura Melson 👩‍🏫 Lakeside: Allison Parsons 👨‍🏫 Lee: Angel Buchanan 👩‍🏫 Mockingbird: Dr. Julie Dawes 👨‍🏫 Town Center: Tiffany Lee 👩‍🏫 Valley Ranch: Sheryl Dennehy 👨‍🏫 Wilson: Leigh Ann Howard Thank you for all you do, and for making a difference every day! 🌟

Congratulations to the Varsity and JV high school boys and girls Track & Field teams, who are both District Champions! The top four in each varsity event have qualified to compete in the Area Track & Field Meet this Friday in McKinney. Way to go Cowboys and Cowgirls Track and Field!

CISD was recognized for its unwavering support of military service members at the March 31 Board Meeting, receiving several prestigious awards from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Retired Colonel James “JP” Hogan and retired Texas Army National Guard Major General and former State Representative Rick Noriega were on hand to present the awards, underscoring the significance of this honor. Lieutenant Colonel Esther Splawn, a Special Education teacher at Coppell High School and a dedicated member of the Marine Corps Reserves, along with her husband Eric Splawn, a retired veteran and a teacher at New Tech High @ Coppell, and Marine Corporal Reserve Sam Odorizzi, a former Cottonwood Creek student who now serves as a Structured Learning Aide at Cottonwood Creek Elementary, nominated CISD and several of its employees for ESGR Patriot Awards. Their nominations led to multiple recognitions, District-Wide Awards: Coppell ISD – Above and Beyond Award Coppell ISD (State of Texas Public Sector) – Pro Patria Award Also at the meeting it was announced that CISD is one of 30 businesses and organizations in the U.S. that are a finalist for the National Pro Patria Award to be announced later this year with the award to be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Individual Employee Awards: Laura Springer, Principal at CHS Anna Wanderski, Assistant Principal at CHS Chris Gollner, Principal at CMS North Stephanie Fleischhauer, Intervention Services Specialist Zane Porter, Principal at New Tech High @ Coppell Garrett Voelker, Assistant Principal at New Tech High @ Coppell and Victory Place @ Coppell Kara Lindquist, CHS9 Special Education Teacher Amber Warrington, New Tech High @ Coppell Special Education Teacher Dr. Andra Penny, Principal at Cottonwood Creek Elementary Lieutenant Colonel Splawn expressed her gratitude, stating, “CISD is the most supportive civilian employer I have ever had in my nearly 15 years of serving as a reservist.”

Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as he shares stories from across the district. This week you can catch Dr. Hunt as he visits with Denton Creek Elementary Principal Dr. Yanet Cardoza and recent and upcoming activities at the campus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoGRSdU4OV8

Celebrating Gifted and Talented Specialists Week March 31-April 4 is Gifted and Talented (GT) Specialists Week, a time to recognize and appreciate the incredible educators who nurture and challenge our gifted learners across the district. These specialists dedicate their time and expertise to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in students, ensuring they reach their full potential. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following GT specialists for their unwavering commitment to excellence in education: Austin Elementary: Natalie Harvey Canyon Ranch Elementary: Melissa Harris Cottonwood Creek Elementary: Kim Cook Denton Creek Elementary: Joanna McDonald Lakeside Elementary: Melissa Warren Richard J. Lee Elementary: Ayesha Khan Mockingbird Elementary: Ann Carlsson Pinkerton Elementary: Marnie Ward Town Center Elementary: Heather Bass Valley Ranch Elementary: Gayla Cockrell Wilson Elementary: Carol Koslowski

Today, CHS hosted Adulting Day. 1000 students and 35 guest speakers took part in 16 different classes focused on some of life's biggest struggles as a young adult. Ranging from cooking and meal planning to learning how to file taxes and even car maintenance.

Congrats to our Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer teams for their amazing playoff runs. Both teams play in Regional Playoff Games tomorrow night, with the Cowgirls playing Flower Mound at Lewisville High School at 7 p.m. and the Cowboys playing Plano West at Prosper High School at 8 p.m.