CISD Informed — Dec. 19, 2024

As part of the CISD 2023 Bond, Valley Ranch Elementary is receiving a major renovation that includes:

• New and larger art and music rooms and expanded library

• Collaboration spaces, teacher planning spaces and pull-out rooms

• Construction of a new office suite and building main entry

• Interior improvements including flooring, wall coverings and lighting;

• Updated classrooms and office furnishings;

• Prekindergarten classroom addition (four early childhood classrooms with age-appropriate furnishings and restrooms)

• Playground replacement (surface, age-appropriate equipment, shade structure, ADA accessible)

Construction began in the summer of 2024 and has been ongoing throughout the fall semester. This week and over the break, teachers and staff will be moving into the renovated front office, classrooms and library. Renovation projects will continue over the spring and summer of 2025, with the project expected to be completed by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. To learn more about this project and other bond projects, visit www.coppellisd.com/bond.

Join CISD Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt, the CISD Board of Trustees, administrators, parents, community members, business leaders and students at the CISD State of the District and Legislative Call to Action event on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the CHS School Commons. Learn more about the 89th Legislative Session, which begins on Jan. 14, CISD legislative priorities and a call to action for our elected officials.

CISD would like to congratulate the second grading period graduates of the Victory Place @ Coppell Turning Point Program, who graduated on Dec. 18. The Turning Point program provides learners with an opportunity to succeed in a non-traditional school setting, where students work at an accelerated pace on an individualized curriculum to achieve a high school diploma and to prepare for their next step in life, whether it is college, the workforce, specialized training programs, or the military. Congratulations to the following graduates:

• Abdullah Ahmad
• Corbyn Alexander
• Alisson Avila
• Madison Diver
• Arianna Hudson
• Hamza Mohamed
• Alexandro Morales
• Amina Raza
• Jose Retana Ramos

Congratulations to CISD's 2024-2025 Second Grading Period Super Teachers, whose engaging and innovative learning experiences ignite the interests of students and foster #DeepLearning. Our latest Super Teachers are: Beth Cook, Ellie Manning and Madison Smith from Austin; Valerie Hill and Frankie Robertson from Lakeside; Kristi Howard and Megan Schlossstein from Lee; Heather Diaz-Conrado and Randa Robison from VRE; Libby May from West; Kara Lindquist and Brittany Scruggs from CHS9; and Haley Bilbray from New Tech.

Special thanks to our Super Teachers program sponsor, RBFCU, for helping us celebrate these educators.

The Cowboy Theatre Company is led by directors Glenn Price, Aaron Kays and Eugenia Montoya.

Congratulations to Stella Shahbabian, a 6th grader at CMS North, for winning the school’s Spanish Spelling Bee. Shahbabian, who previously won the 2022-2023 Elementary Spanish Bee at Denton Creek Elementary, secured her second trip to the Region 10 Spanish Spelling Bee this year with the word “ganador,” which perfectly translates to “winner.” She will represent CMS North at the Region 10 competition in March. Paula Arconada, an 8th grader, was named 1st runner-up. Felicidades!

¡Felicitaciones a Stella Shahbabian, una estudiante de sexto grado en CMS North, por ganar el Concurso de Deletreo en Español de su escuela! Stella, quien anteriormente ganó el Concurso de Deletreo en Español de Primaria 2022-2023 en Denton Creek Elementary, aseguró su segundo viaje al Concurso de Deletreo en Español de la Región 10 este año con la palabra “ganador,” que perfectamente significa “winner” en inglés. Representará a CMS North en la competencia de la Región 10 en marzo. Paula Arconada, una estudiante de octavo grado, obtuvo el segundo lugar. ¡Felicidades!

Story by CHS senior Sahasra Chakilam and courtesy of The Sidekick student newspaper at CHS. The Sidekick is a Career and Technical Education Program of Study in the Communications Area. Photo courtesy of CHS senior Sukirtha Muthiah.

Sitting in a doctor’s office at age 4, CHS9 student Sean Gooden gazed at a portrait of the New York City skyline. As soon as he got home, Gooden recreated the image with LEGO bricks, from the Empire State Building to the Twin Towers, all from memory. Gooden’s LEGO brick creations do not stop there: Notre-Dame de Paris, Taj Mahal, the solar system and even a working roller coaster; he is a master builder.

For Sean, LEGO bricks are more than just toys. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 4, he struggles with maintaining focus. Yet, since childhood, LEGO bricks have served as an outlet for his creativity and ingenuity. Through teaching his niece, Evie Gooden, how to build with LEGO bricks, Sean discovered a knack for teaching others. So, he decided to part with his old LEGO sets and brought them to school, where he started the LEGO Club at CHS9.

As a Coppell ISD Transitional Pathway Learner, Sean asked special education teacher Kara Lindquist to sponsor the club. Having seen Sean’s passion for LEGO bricks firsthand while he played with them during school hours, Lindquist was eager to help.

“LEGOs help build communication and add more description for Sean as to what’s happening in his day to day life,” Lindquist said. “I was all for it. One of the big things that I try to push with my learners is to get involved to go out of their comfort zone. For me, this was a 100% yes.”

On Dec. 13, Austin Elementary’s Mustangs had their Reindeer Run, and it was an event filled with jolly and fun. The school was filled with excitement as students trotted, trotted, and trotted some more in the festive color run, all while grooving to the beats of a lively DJ. The highlight of the day? Principal Kristan Perryman and Assistant Principal Brianna Sanford — dressed in inflatable reindeer costumes — took part in the run, spreading holiday cheer and encouraging the students to run, run Rudolph all the way! With plenty of color, laughter and holiday spirit, it was a reindeerly good time that helped raise funds for the school while bringing the community together in a deer-lightful way.

On Dec. 19, CMS East students were treated to the highly anticipated East Santa Experience, a day filled with festive fun and community spirit. In celebration of the season, students participated in a variety of engaging sessions including crafts, singing, reading, a campfire with s’mores, and games like chess, sports trivia, volleyball and more. They also enjoyed a grade-wide celebration to mark the final day before winter break. Teachers and staff worked together to create a memorable experience, allowing students to choose which sessions to attend. Special thanks go to CMS East Principal Melissa Arnold and her team of teacher elves for orchestrating such a joyful event, bringing the Bronco community together to kick off the holiday season in style.

The CHS Theatre Company is thrilled to present "Matilda the Musical," marking the debut of the first-ever district-wide musical featuring a cast from several schools. Performances are Jan. 16-28 and Jan. 23-25 in the CHS Auditorium of this dazzling production of Roald Dahl's beloved story. With music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly, this award-winning musical follows the extraordinary journey of Matilda Wormwood, a courageous young girl with a brilliant mind and a rebellious spirit, as she discovers the power to change her destiny. Tickets are now available: reserved seating is $20, adult general admission is $15 and CISD student/staff general admission is $10. Purchase your tickets today at chstb.booktix.com and experience the magic of Matilda! Enter through the Auditorium/Gymnasium entrance in the large student parking lot of Coppell High School at 185 W. Parkway Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019. Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of imagination and resilience.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, for an exciting evening at New Tech High @ Coppell, where the school will showcase the incredible projects and academic achievements of its students. This event is open to all current and prospective learners and their families. Come explore what makes New Tech unique and get a firsthand look at the innovative learning environment. Middle school families are especially encouraged to attend if they are considering New Tech for high school.

• Dec. 20 — Teacher Work Day
• Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 — Winter Break
• Jan. 6 — Student Holiday/Staff Work Day
• Jan. 7 — First Day of the Spring Semester
• Jan. 13 — Board Meeting at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 14 — CISD State of the District and Legislative Call to Action at 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Commons
• Jan. 23 — School Board Candidate Workshop for Potential Trustee Candidates at 6:30 p.m.