Coppell ISD - you matter

This week at Richard J. Lee Elementary, students and staff eagerly embraced the spirit of compassion during the Great Kindness Challenge from Jan. 22 to Jan. 26. As a proud participant in this nationwide initiative, Lee Elementary, recognized as a national Kindness Certified School, dedicated itself to fostering a culture of empathy and goodwill. With a parade, dress up days and acts of kindness, the Great Kindness Challenge not only brought smiles to the faces of the Lee Elementary community but also reinforced the school's commitment to instilling values of kindness and empathy in its students. #CISDMissionPossible

Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt shares stories from our district. This week, you can catch up with Dr. Hunt as he engages with CHS, CHS9 and New Tech High @ Coppell cast members. See him speak with Chloe Kryzak, senior at CHS (Roz); Lily Hess, senior at New Tech (Violet); Olivia Willey, senior at CHS (Doralee); and J McGill, junior at CHS (Franklin Hart, Jr.). Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 has its final performances on Jan. 26-28 at the CHS Auditorium. Purchase tickets at http://chstb.booktix.net. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MELCXwjSBt8

Trustee Leigh Walker has served on the CISD Board since 2016. She is a proud Coppell ISD alumna, having attended Pinkerton Elementary and graduating from Coppell High School in 1991. Two of her children also graduated from CHS, and her youngest son is currently a middle school student. She is a proud product of Coppell ISD schools and a former educator, so education is both her passion and past profession. She is a former member of the high school drill team who is now “kicking it” as a Board member. Trustee Walker is also one of Coppell ISD’s biggest cheerleaders. One of her priorities is improving the student experience. She showcases her dedication to students by serving as one of the facilitators for the CISD student iLead program. This program for CISD juniors helps these students learn leadership skills that will serve them in their academic and professional careers. Trustee Walker dedicates even more of her time to ensuring that the student iLeaders have a great experience as they learn and grow together. #CISDMissionPossible

Secretary Trustee Nichole Bentley has served on the CISD School Board since 2018. Her four children had a wide array of experiences, activities, and interests as students in CISD. She is dedicated to serving all students and providing support and resources to meet them where they are in their educational journey. Her goals are to provide opportunities for all students to forge strong relationships that nurture their exploration of their passions – whether they are college-bound or have other post-graduate plans. She believes it is essential that our students develop tenacity, resourcefulness, and character. She wants students to feel safe, challenged, and ready for life after graduation within an environment where each student experiences a year's-worth of learning and growth every school year. She also is a strong advocate for Coppell ISD and public education with our state elected officials. #CISDMissionPossible

Congratulations to CMS West 6th Grader Jinisha Rangala and her art teacher Catherine Schaefer for Rangala’s design winning the Texas Art Education Association’s Youth Art Month State Flag Design Contest for the Middle School Level. As a result of her win, Rangala’s flag will be on display throughout March at the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin. #CISDMissionPossible

Vice President Trustee Hill has served on the School Board since 2007 and is the longest-serving member on the school board. His son graduated from New Tech High at Coppell. Dubbed “Every-where-man,” Trustee Hill is known for his attendance at school events, showing up for open houses, curriculum nights, athletic events, fine arts events, performances, exhibits and more to show his support for our students and teachers. Trustee Hill serves on the School Board because he strongly believes in the talent and potential for growth of CISD students. He is also influenced by the strong support from our district’s parents and community members for public education. Trustee Hill is impressed by the dedication and quality of the district staff, including teachers, administrators, the superintendent and support staff. Trustee Hill is also motivated by the challenges in public education, seeing these as great opportunities to find creative solutions for student success and staff development. #CISDMissionPossible

All CISD students in 8th grade and in high school are invited to open house events at Coppell High School, CHS9 and New Tech to learn more about the Career and Technical Education CTE), International Baccalaureate (CHS), Fine Arts and other academic and extracurricular programs offered at the high school level. The open house dates are scheduled as follows: Coppell High School, Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. CHS9, Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. New Tech High @ Coppell, Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

CISD is proud to introduce “Hunt’s Heroes,” the podcast that uncovers the remarkable stories of the unsung champions within CISD. Join Dr. Hunt for candid conversations with everyday heroes, the individuals who influence positive change within our school community without the need for capes or masks. This week, tune in to #HuntsHeroes Episode One Part One as Dr. Hunt highlights three CISD school leaders — Valley Ranch Principal Cynthia Arterbery, Cottonwood Creek Principal Dr. Andra Penny and CHS Principal Laura Springer. Listen to the podcast via this link or wherever you get your podcasts — https://open.spotify.com/show/0UjzitrDHkAHrM9nalMpEl.

The Texas High School Coaches Association has recognized four CHS athletes as Super Elite. Congratulations to: CHS Senior Isaac Joseph, Tennis CHS9 Student Maya Easterwood, Cross Country CHS Sophomore Lexie Patton, Tennis CHS Senior Riki Koshimizu, Tennis

CHS Tennis Coach Alyssa Noonan recently was honored with the prestigious Texas Tennis Coach Association Kim Enocksen Integrity Award, recognizing her exceptional display of honesty, unwavering moral principles, and outstanding ethics both on and off the tennis court. This esteemed accolade, named after the highly respected Kim Enocksen, holds significance as it acknowledges coaches of the utmost integrity. Known for her respected leadership by players, colleagues, and the broader community, Coach Enocksen's legacy resonates through her distinguished coaching tenure at various schools. Her exemplary qualities serve as an inspiration, and Alyssa Noonan's receipt of this revered award echoes the integrity and dedication emblematic of Coach Enocksen's illustrious career.

📢 Join us every week on YouTube to #CatchupWithHunt! Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt will be sharing district stories that you won't want to miss. This week, tune in as Dr. Hunt recognizes our Super Teachers from the second grading period. Don't miss out on this celebration of excellence! 🎉 #SuperTeachers #DistrictUpdates #EducationLeadership https://youtu.be/jVkkFL-c9nQ?feature=shared

Bravo and brava to the five CISD choir members who have achieved the extraordinary feat of making it to the All-State Choir. Congratulations to: CHS Senior Roma Jani — All-State Mixed Choir — Soprano 1 — 3rd Chair (4 year All-State) New Tech High @ Coppell Senior Preston Johnson — All-State Mixed Choir — Bass 2— 1st Chair New Tech High @ Coppell Junior Ben Hall— All-State Mixed Choir — Bass 2 — 3rd Chair CHS Senior Divya Ghanta— All-State Treble Choir — Soprano 2 — 1st Chair New Tech High @ Coppell Sophomore Piper Baranowski — All-State Treble Choir — Alto 1 — 3rd Chair

CMS West 8th Grade Student Satvik Devatha has won the Coppell Lions Club Peace Poster Contest. He also won the Lions Club’s District Peace Poster Contest, which included entries from more than 60 chapters. Devatha will be honored as the winner during a ceremony on Jan. 20. His art teacher is Gail Cary. Congratulations! #cisdmissionpossible

Turning the page on his love of reading, Canyon Ranch Elementary Fourth Grade student Abhijith Raghavan has been selected to present the 2024 Bluebonnet Award to the winning author at the 2024 Texas Library Association Conference. CRE Librarian Carolyn Davis nominated Raghavan for this honor, and his selection marks a significant chapter in the school's history. The Texas Bluebonnet Award is one of the most prestigious children’s choice literary awards in the United States. Each year, 20 books are chosen for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. Schools and libraries around the state participate in the program, encouraging students to read a minimum of five books from the list. In January, students vote for their favorite title. The author of the book receiving the most votes wins the Texas Bluebonnet Award, which Raghavan will present at the TLA Conference in San Antonio in April.

🏃‍♂️ Meet Michael Higgins, a Coppell man with a passion for running that took him to the ends of the Earth! Instead of shying away from ice and snow like most North Texans, Michael embraced it by running a marathon on a glacier at the bottom of the world. His love for running started in high school, and he sees it as a way to disconnect from the world's chaos. While he's no stranger to marathons, this time he took it to the extreme by conquering the Antarctic Ice Marathon, located a staggering 600 miles from the South Pole. 🏅❄️ https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/coppell-man-goes-to-the-bottom-of-the-world-to-win-the-2023-antarctic-ice-marathon/

Counting down the seconds for two years, KCBY received a long-awaited email over Christmas break detailing not one, but two major accomplishments. On Dec. 21, the Foundation of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced KCBY-TV as a finalist for two of the 2023 National Student Production Awards. Last year, KCBY received state recognition in two categories allowing it to advance to the national level for NATAS awards. Other nominees for Best Newscast include BNN 2023 from Buchanan High School, CPTV News QuickCUT from Crown Point High School, Lincoln Live 2023 from Gahanna Lincoln High School, and Live Show from Plymouth North High School. From more than 2000 entries submitted in 24 separate categories, KCBY secured a nomination for its 20th newscast from the 2021-22 school year as well as a nomination for Coppell High School 2022 graduate Thea Massi’s individual talent reel. In the past, KCBY has been nominated three times and won two NATAS Best Newscasts. KCBY Espanol has been nominated once for a NATAS Best Newscast. Read more at go.coppellisd.com/KCBYFinalist

Congratulations to Mockingbird Fourth Grader Nirvana Joshi for winning the CISD 2023 Holiday Card Contest. Her parents and grandparents were on hand this morning when Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt surprised her with the news, alongside her Art Teacher Aaron McBride and Principal Laura Flynn. Her artwork is truly "un-bell-ieveable!" #CISDMissionPossible

Our Area Champs Coppell Cowboys take on Byron Nelson High School in the next playoff round on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. Get your tickets at https://go.coppellisd.com/Tickets for $15 and let's pack the stands! #CowboyFightNeverDies

Stay Healthy. . .Be Present! Make sure your child consumes a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Children need essential nutrients to develop properly, focus and stay healthy.

Join CISD counselors for enriching Parent University as they delve into the vital topic of "Mental Health 101" tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the CISD Vonita White Administration Building at 200 S. Denton Tap Road. This valuable session promises to offer essential insights and resources to help us better understand and support the mental well-being of our loved ones and ourselves. #CISDMissionPossible