Valley Ranch Elementary - Stars

🎉 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! 🌟

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

On Feb. 6, Valley Ranch Elementary hosted its Science Showcase and STEAM Night, an event that also honored the legacy of beloved STEAM teacher Kelly Beach, who passed away unexpectedly last year. The evening featured an engaging Science Showcase in the library, hands-on STEAM stations in the gym led by CISD STEAM teachers and interactive exhibits from the Perot Museum in the cafeteria, facilitated by CHS students. This incredible evening was made possible by the dedication of fellow CISD elementary STEAM teachers, who ensured the event’s success and have provided unwavering support to VRE — cleaning out Ms. Beach’s room, organizing materials and assisting long-term substitute Victor Monreal. A special thank you to all the STEAM teachers for their hard work and to the Perot Museum, whose presence at the event was made possible by a CISD Education Foundation Grant awarded to Ms. Beach just days before her passing. This night was a true testament to Ms. Beach’s impact and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.

🌟 Recently, Lakeside Elementary and Valley Ranch Elementary hosted their heartwarming Special Friends Days! 💖🎉 Students had the chance to share a special day with their loved ones, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds between school, family, and community. 👫📚 It was a wonderful celebration of friendship, connection, and togetherness! 💫 #SpecialFriendsDay #FamilyAndCommunity #LakesideElementary #ValleyRanchElementary #MyHomeIsCISD

Coppell ISD has produced a district record-breaking 51 National Merit Semifinalists for the 2024-2025 school year, with 50 hailing from Coppell High School and one from New Tech High @ Coppell. This incredible achievement places CHS as the high school with the second highest number of National Merit Semifinalists in Texas. https://www.coppellisd.com/o/cisd/article/1758410 #MyHomeIsCISD

Reminder for K-5th grade families: Meet your child’s teacher TONIGHT (Monday, August 12) between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at your home campus. NOTE: Families will receive more details and their child’s teacher’s name by 1 p.m. #MyHomeIsCISD #CISDInternMade by Rhea Chowdhary

This morning, Coppell ISD kicked off our New Hire Orientation with the 2024 New Hire Breakfast and Expo with the Coppell Chamber of Commerce. We are thrilled to welcome more than 100 new teachers and staff members home to CISD. A big thank you to the Coppell Chamber of Commerce and the City of Coppell for their incredible support in making this event a success. Our newest CISD employees enjoyed breakfast, door prizes, goody bags, and the chance to connect with local businesses that supported this incredible event. Together, we are building a stronger educational community who get to say My Home is CISD! 🏫❤️ #MyHomeIsCISD

Celebrating White Cane Day Oct. 15 — My name is Daniel Jimenez. I am a sophomore at Coppell High School, and I was born with albinism, a visual impairment. This Sunday, Oct. 15, we celebrate White Cane Day, a day to commemorate the independence of people with visual impairments. The white cane was a device made for blind people for mobility purposes, to help blind people with movement and environmental awareness. Over time, as more people started using the white cane, White Cane Day was established by Lyndon B. Johnson. So, this Sunday, I am taking the day to celebrate White Cane Day. Living with a visual impairment has been difficult, and I’ve had my trials and struggles over the years, but being here in Coppell ISD has helped me learn and experience how to thrive and achieve my goals even with a visual impairment. If you’re wondering how you can help create a safer space for visually impaired individuals, here is a good tip. If you see a person with a cane, especially on the sidewalk, giving them a little more space can make it easier for them to check their surroundings. #CISDStudentMade by Daniel Jimenez #CISDMissionPossible

Learners taking the lead — Today, at Lakeside (5th Grade), Richard J. Lee, Mockingbird, Valley Ranch, and Wilson (a mix of both learner-led and parent-teacher conferences) Elementary Schools, learners took the reins in learner-led parent-teacher conferences. Students shared their academic accomplishments and progress, as well as the areas in which they want to grow. By leading the way, these students, along with teachers and parents, are making our CISD mission of creating profound learning experiences for every child possible. #CISDMissionPossible

Learners taking the lead — Today, at Lakeside (5th Grade), Richard J. Lee, Mockingbird, Valley Ranch, and Wilson (a mix of both learner-led and parent-teacher conferences) Elementary Schools, learners took the reins in learner-led parent-teacher conferences. Students shared their academic accomplishments and progress, as well as the areas in which they want to grow. By leading the way, these students, along with teachers and parents, are making our CISD mission of creating profound learning experiences for every child possible. #CISDMissionPossible

🌟 Join us in Coppell ISD as we continue with the #StartWithHello campaign! 🤝❤️ In our vibrant community, we believe in the power of connection and inclusivity. Starting today, we're excited to embrace the #StartWithHello initiative to foster a safer and happier environment for all our students. 🤗 What is #StartWithHello? It's a simple but impactful way to make a difference. By saying "hello" and reaching out to someone new, you can brighten their day and create lasting connections. Let's break down barriers and build bridges together! Whether you're a student, parent, teacher, or community member, we invite you to join us in this movement. Share your stories of kindness and inclusion using the hashtag #StartWithHello and let's inspire each other to make our community even stronger. 💬 Comment below with your ideas on how we can promote inclusivity and kindness in Coppell ISD. Together, we can make a world of difference, one hello at a time! 💪🏫🌍 #InclusionMatters #CoppellCares #CommunityStrong #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 visits with Doris Patrick, a volunteer in the school garden at Valley Ranch Elementary who recently received the State Heroes for Children Award from the State Board of Education. https://youtu.be/BUdP3dF4MYE

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 visits with the three School Resource Officers/Coppell Police Officers who serve at Coppell High School — Sgt. Byron Mitchell, Officer Reggie Walker and Officer “T” Tonard Warmsley. #CISDMissionPossible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZYb-IA2F0s

We are #CISDProud to share that during the recent Board Meeting on Aug. 28, Valley Ranch Elementary was recognized for receiving the 2023 Student Leadership Award from the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). This remarkable recognition is a testament to the exceptional efforts of the Valley Ranch Elementary school community in fostering a culture of leadership and service. As a "Leader in Me" campus, Valley Ranch Elementary has embraced Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Happy Kids, and it shows in the amazing initiatives these student leaders have undertaken. The dedication of VRE student leaders knows no bounds. From organizing a food drive for the Lions Club to embodying the role of school ambassadors for tours of Valley Ranch Elementary, their commitment to serving others is truly remarkable. Not stopping there, these amazing student leaders set up a booth at the Coppell EarthFest. With boundless generosity, they distributed free sunflower seeds in newspaper pots, spreading the spirit of sustainability and growth within our community. This statewide Student Leadership award is a testament to the dedication, passion and leadership Valley Ranch students exhibit every day. Let's celebrate Valley Ranch Elementary for setting an inspiring example of how leadership, service, and community spirit come together to create a brighter future for all. #CISDMissionPossible

Recently, 25 Coppell Special Olympics athletes participated in the Area Swim Meet competing against hundreds of other athletes from around the area, earning many gold, silver and bronze medals. Learn more about Coppell Special Olympics at www.coppellso.org. #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, CISD Board President David Caviness, CISD Trustees and Cabinet members deliver lunches to Mockingbird and Pinkerton Elementary and other campuses on the first day of school. #CISDMissionPossible https://youtu.be/tPbjvB8KAJY

Doris Patrick, who volunteers in the school garden at Valley Ranch Elementary has been chosen as a recipient of the 2023 Heroes for Children Award for the State Board of Education District 14. Patrick is one of only 15 recipients of this prestigious award statewide.

What an amazing morning in CISD. The birds were chirping, kids were smiling and the teacher were ready! #CISD1stDay23 #CISDMissionPossible

Welcome Back! Here is a quick update from our Superintendent, Dr. Brad Hunt, to kick off the new school year. #CISD1stDay23 #CISDMissionPossible https://youtu.be/8Hg9ReSCZ7Y

Share your First Day of School Photos with CISD with the hashtags #CISD1stDay23 or #CISDMissionPossible. CISD will be on the lookout for these photos for compilation slideshows that we will share with our community to commemorate the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 15.