Tune into YouTube each week to #CatchupWithHunt as he shares stories from across the district. This week you can catch Dr. Hunt sharing a holiday message to the CISD community.
https://youtu.be/x3c2MZIXGBQ
As part of Computer Science Education Week, CHS9 students welcomed undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Computer Science program, along with CISD Director of Career and Technical Education Josh Howard for an hour of coding event on Dec. 11. Howard highlighted CISD’s Computer Science Program of Study and course sequence, encouraging students to explore the growing field. UTD students shared insights into their own academic journeys, internships and diverse career paths in computer science, inspiring CHS9 students to pursue advanced computer science courses. CHS9 students can look forward to a UTD-led Computer Science workshop on January 21, 2025, and a spring Hackathon, both offering hands-on experience and exploration of future computer science opportunities. Computer Science is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program of study at CHS9/CHS.
CHS junior Pranav Raju has been named the recipient of the 2024 Youth in Action for Human Rights Award by Human Rights Educators USA. Recognized for his advocacy for affordable healthcare, particularly for individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes, Raju’s efforts have spanned local, national, and international stages.
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes himself, Raju has worked tirelessly to alleviate the financial burden faced by individuals requiring insulin. From testifying before Congress as a Children’s Congress delegate to lobbying for legislation that caps insulin prices and renews funding for critical diabetes research, his impact has been transformative. Locally, Raju mentors newly diagnosed patients and their families at children’s hospitals, sharing his story and providing resources. His work has not only raised awareness but also directly influenced policy changes to ensure access to life-saving medications. His recognition includes a $500 award, and he was honored at HRE USA’s national Human Rights Day Celebration on Dec. 10.
Student Council representatives from Richard J. Lee Elementary’s five Houses — Red, Purple, Yellow, Green, and Blue — took their skills to the aisles of Walmart in Irving on Dec. 12, shopping for food and toys to support the Coppell Lions Club. With $143 per House, raised through sales of pens, friendship bracelets, and other fundraisers, these “Lee-ders” in kindergarten through fifth grade combined service with smarts, using math and reading skills to stay on budget while picking out items for families in need. This heartwarming holiday giving expedition proves that, like elves spreading joy, these young shoppers showcase the importance to service to the community among their cherished lessons.
For more than 30 years, the students at Cottonwood Creek Elementary have teamed up with CHS English students to craft letters to Santa. This year, Kindergarten, first and second graders from CCE once again took their wish list writing on the road, traveling to CHS and working alongside their high school buddies to perfect their spelling, penmanship and capitalization while sharing their holiday hopes. It’s more than just writing — it’s a lesson in collaboration, mentorship and festive fun. The magic of the season truly comes alive as these young learners sharpen their skills with a little help from their older friends, resulting in an A+ in kindness and holiday cheer.
Over the last few weeks, each CISD campus has announced its 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to elementary school TOYs:
Austin: Kristy Kaprelian
Canyon Ranch: Samantha Weir
Cottonwood Creek: Amy White
Denton Creek: Beth Reynolds
Lakeside: Danielle Todd
Richard J. Lee: Curtis Tinsley
Mockingbird: Ashton Childree
Pinkerton: Michael Upchurch
Town Center: Ty Hayes
Valley Ranch: Meghann Murray and
Wilson: Alejandra Quinonez.
Congratulations to the secondary school TOYs:
CMS East: Lauren Danby
CMS North: Angela Guemmer
CMS West: Chris Buchanan
CHS9: Kara Lindquist
Coppell High School: Kim Pearce and
New Tech High @ Coppell: Kaleb Broadstreet.
🎉🎨 #CatchupWithHunt this week on YouTube! 🎥
Join Dr. Hunt as he sits down with Aaniya SenPaul, the talented fifth grader from Canyon Ranch Elementary and winner of the CISD 2024 Holiday Card Contest! 🏆🎄
Don't miss their conversation about her inspiring artwork and her journey to becoming the holiday card winner! 🌟
Tune in and get inspired! #CISD #HolidayCardContest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJHEu1j0B4M
CISD hosted Signing Day on Dec. 4 recognizing the remarkable achievements of 12 high school athletes committing to compete at the collegiate level. These students have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, discipline, and talent, earning their place among the less than seven percent of athletes who advance to college sports. Congratulations to the following student-athletes for their commitments:
Seth Carethers — Football at Wake Forest
Tucker Cusano — Football at Texas State University
Edward Griffin — Football at Baylor University
Harry Hassmann — Football at Arizona State University
Blake Isbell — Football at Texas State University
Matthew Maldima — Track & Field at Texas A&M University
Tatum Montgomery — Girls Soccer at McMurry University
Monica Morales-Martinez — Soccer at Washington University in St. Louis
Titus Roberson — Football at the University of Tulsa
Weston Polk — Football at Kansas State University
Landry Sherrer — Basketball at United States Military Academy at West Point
Mallory Sherrer — Girls Cross Country/Track & Field at Lehigh University
📚 Did you know? Compulsory attendance laws ensure students must be present for a specified number of days each semester to receive credit for their courses or grade level. For details on how this is enforced, refer to the Student Handbook or contact the truancy representative at your child's CISD campus.
Let's work together to support regular attendance and academic success!
#CoppellISD #AttendanceMatters #CompulsoryAttendance #StudentSuccess #EveryDayCounts 🏫💡
Congratulations to the Coppell High School Eco Club, which has been awarded a 24-25 Texas Recycles Day Grant in the amount of $5,000. Thanks to generous funding from Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, an Arca-Continental company, this grant is part of a $60,000 fund shared among eight communities across Texas. This grant will help the club to establish an outdoor recycling program at CHS. The CHS Eco Club is led by science teachers Jodie Deinhammer and Sarah Grover. #MyHomeIsCISD
On Nov. 16, CHS and CHS9 students proudly represented CISD at the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) Area Conference held at Dallas Baptist University. Under the guidance of advisers Raneta Ansley, Amber Fragosa Deck and Marcia Moore, students competed in various education-related events, showcasing their talent and passion for teaching. Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the TAFE State Conference, Teach Tomorrow Summit, to be held in February in Galveston: CHS students Zachary Brooks, Erin Donovan, Hannah Godina, Rachel Goodman, Alyssa Gray, Nathalie Petit and Suzana Waly and CHS9 student Eesha Jogdand. Their hard work and achievements exemplify the excellence and dedication of future educators in our district. We are so proud of all who participated and wish our state qualifiers the best of luck as they advance. #MyHomeIsCISD
Check out this NBC 5 Carter in the Classroom story, where New Tech High @ Coppell math teacher Sameen Asim had her students use Algebra as part of the car buying process. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/students-learn-algebra-car-buying-process/3714013/
✨ #CatchupWithHunt each week on YouTube! This week, Dr. Hunt teams up with Mockingbird Elementary teacher Gina Pletcher to read The Grinch to second graders. Don’t miss this heartwarming moment as they spread some holiday cheer with the students.
Tune in now and watch the magic unfold! 🎄📚
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yApHfL5Y0o
Last week, acclaimed author and illustrator Nathan Hale visited Coppell High School, CISD middle schools, and Lakeside Elementary, captivating students with his engaging sessions that brought history to life. Hale, known for his Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling graphic novel series Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, shared his passion for American history through storytelling and illustration. Students at CMS East, CMS West, CMS North, CHS, and Lakeside Elementary were inspired by his creative approach to history, which combines humor and vivid imagery to make the past exciting and relatable. Special thanks to our Parent and Teacher Organizations (PTOs) for partnering with the district to bring Nathan Hale here for this memorable experience for our students.
Coppell ISD will host a College Information Night in Spanish on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Coppell High School Lecture Hall. This event offers valuable information for Spanish-speaking families about college preparation, applications, and financial aid. For questions or more information, please contact Stacy McGill at smcgill@coppellisd.com.
CISD Organiza Noche de Información Universitaria en Español el 5 de diciembre
Coppell ISD organizará una Noche de Información Universitaria en Español el martes, 5 de diciembre, a las 6 p.m. en el Salón de Conferencias de Coppell High School. Este evento brindará información valiosa para familias hispanohablantes sobre la preparación para la universidad, aplicaciones y ayuda financiera. Para preguntas o más información, comuníquese con Stacy McGill en smcgill@coppellisd.com.
New Tech High @ Coppell has been honored with the distinction of Spotlight School by the New Tech Network (NTN), a national nonprofit organization focused on systemic educational change. This recognition highlights the school’s exceptional implementation of best practices in key NTN Focus Areas, including college and career readiness, inclusive culture, meaningful instruction, and purposeful assessment. New Tech High @ Coppell has demonstrated its commitment to fostering an environment where students engage in authentic, complex thinking and problem-solving, while receiving a supportive and inclusive learning experience. The school’s collaborative approach to teacher development and student success helped it earned this prestigious distinction, reaffirming its dedication to preparing students for success in college, career, and civic life.
🎨✨ Big congratulations to CHS sophomore Sahasra Kalakonda for earning the prestigious High Merit Award in the 2024 Summer Celebrating Art Contest! 🌟
Sahasra’s exceptional artistic talent has placed her among the top 5% of thousands of participants nationwide. This incredible achievement not only honors her hard work and dedication, but also earns her a spot in the contest's national anthology, where her work will be showcased on a national platform. 🏆
We couldn’t be more proud of Sahasra for this well-deserved recognition! Keep shining! #MyHomeIsCISD
🍂🎉 12th Annual Great Rakesgiving at Mockingbird Elementary! 🎉🍂
Today, our amazing Mockingbird Elementary students kicked off their 12th Annual Great Rakesgiving! At 8am, they headed into the surrounding neighborhoods to help clean up yards and spread some fall cheer. 🍁💪
A big thank you to Coppell's Ace Hardware for donating the lawn bags, which were then transported to the Coppell Community Garden for composting. 🌱
It’s a great day of giving back to our community—way to go, MKB students! 🙌
#GreatRakesgiving #MockingbirdElementary #MyHomeIsCISD
🦃🍂 #CatchupWithHunt this week on YouTube! 🍂🦃
Join Dr. Hunt as he visits Richard J. Lee Elementary and sits down with Alicia Braun, Assistant Director of Child Nutrition, to talk all about the Thanksgiving meals being served across CISD this week! 🥧🍽
Also, hear from Lee Elementary students Haya Abuhamdeh, Brayden Porter, and Manjiri Raut as they share what they’re thankful for this holiday season. ❤️
Don't miss out—tune in now and spread the holiday cheer! 🎥✨
https://youtu.be/kyvP0qda7Gg
This week schools around the district celebrated Thanksgiving with the help of our amazing Child Nutrition team. We are thankful for all of our wonderful CISD learners, parents and staff and hope you all have a relaxing vacation next week. #MyHomeIsCISD
