Today (Feb 1) the University Interscholastic League (UIL) announced the new district alignment for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons. Most Coppell High School athletics and fine arts will participate and compete in District 5 at the Conference 6A level. Joining Coppell ISD in this conference are Guyer, Braswell, Little Elm, Lewisville High, Lewisville Flower Mound, Lewisville Hebron and Lewisville Marcus high schools.
A total of 275 DECA students from CHS9, CHS and New Tech High @ Coppell have qualified for state after achievements at the District 11 competition held at the Irving Convention Center on Jan. 17. Additionally, CHS Junior Yashitha Chunduru was elected District 11 DECA President for 2024-2025 and CHS Junior Navya Singh was elected District 11 DECA Vice-President for 2024-2025. This is the second year in a row CHS DECA has held the district president and district vice-president positions for District 11. The state competition will take place from Feb. 15-17 in Houston. For the list of state qualifiers, visit go.coppellisd.com/DECADistrict24.
DECA Advisers are:
CHS: Richard Chamberlain and Andrea Pirtle
CHS9: David Janeski
New Tech: Aviel Porzio
DECA chapters at CHS9, CHS and New Tech High @ Coppell are student business Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) that students can choose to participate in as part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Business, Marketing and Finance Programs of Study.
Trustee Jobby Mathew became a member of the school Board in 2022. Before joining the Board, he was an active volunteer for CISD, serving as the Co-President of the Education Foundation and on several district committees.
He has two primary motivators to serve on the School Board. Firstly, he saw how hard his wife worked as a teacher for 20 years, and it made him want to be part of making public education better. Secondly, because he’s helped out a lot in our school district and has a background in law, he wanted to serve to help our school district grow and continue to provide an excellent education to all students.
You can find Trustee Mathew reading to students in schools, volunteering at events and supporting CISD in the community whenever and wherever he can. #CISDMissionPossible
Coppell High School's student newspaper, The Sidekick, and its digital platform coppellstudentmedia.com have been chosen as a finalist in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association's (CSPA) 2023 Crown Awards. Recognized specifically in the High School Hybrid News Category, The Sidekick/coppellstudentmedia.com has exhibited exceptional performance, marking it among the top contenders for overall excellence in student print or digital media. As a finalist, The Sidekick/coppellstudentmedia.com will find out if it has won a Silver or Gold Crown Award at the CSPA 100th Annual Spring Convention on March 15 on the prestigious Columbia University campus in New York City.
The Sidekick/coppellstudentmedia.com is among 213 finalists from 672 entries submitted from across the country and around the world. Websites, newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks that were published during the 2022–2023 academic year were eligible for judging in the 2023 Crown Awards program. Crown entries were judged by scholastic and professional media experts. Under the leadership of adviser Chase Wofford, this accolade underscores the dedication and outstanding journalistic capabilities of CHS student journalists, solidifying their standing in the realm of scholastic journalism.
The Sidekick/coppellstudentmedia.com is part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Communications Program of Study.
Trustee Ranna Raval was elected to the School Board in 2023. Her daughter attend high school in CISD. She has served on the Coppell ISD Education Foundation Board and several district committees and also has a background in teaching and has a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Because of her background, she offers a wealth of knowledge about schools and helping kids and families, which helps her understand how things work in education. She says Coppell ISD is like a big family and her second home. It's a special honor for her to serve the school board and give back to our community. She really likes CISD because the teachers work hard to teach students in cool ways and everyone — including students, teachers and families — all work together like a big team. #CISDMissionPossible
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
Trustee Manish Sethi has served on the School Board since 2018. He has two children, who graduated from Coppell High School. He is very smart, having run software and real estate companies, and he learned important things about civil engineering and business in his own education. This knowledge helps him solve problems and use his expertise to help make CISD better.
A fantastic school board member is someone who knows a lot, stays focused and supports all students and teachers. Trustee Sethi does this and more, always working to make smart decisions to improve our district. He also is committed to being a voice for CISD in the community, helping with community engagement. #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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
