NEWSLETTER OF THE COPPELL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

WINTER 2014

DISTRICT ENGAGES COMMUNITY IN FUTURE PLANNING (p. 4)

expressexpress

Richard J. Lee Elementary 2013-14 Teachers of the YearEducation Foundation

The new elementary school inCypress Waters opens Fall 2014.

The grant patrol visited Pinkerton. Top teachers receive accolades.

INSIDE E•XPRESS:

Superintendent Speaks ...• Trustees Recognized• Teachers of the Year• Education Foundation• Parent University 2.0

In The Classroom ...• House Bill 5• Why is Education in

Coppell ISD Dynamic?

District Happenings ...• Idea Summits• iLead• Inclement Weather Days• Important Dates

Parent U 2.0Coming this April

(p.2)

We hope you attended a 30-minute "Possibilitiesare Limitless" session or viewed it at:

This session providedthe foundation for our upcoming Idea Summits.

The Idea Summits are…• Community forums

facilitated by anexternal consultant

• Your voice in planningthe future of your schools

• A time to gather inputon a variety of topics impacting CISD

Your Ideas Are Needed!

For dates and additional details see p. 4.

Find out how learners are painting their own Learning Portrait (p.3).

Click here to view video.

“Possibilities

Limitless ...”are

www.youtube.com/coppellisd

Superintendent Speaks …

Board of Trustees

The month of January is “School Board Recognition Month” in CISD and across the State of Texas. This year’s theme is “Hearts & Hands

for Kids”- fitting for the time, energy and heart these invaluable volunteers give to CISD learn-ers. The Board members are pictured above at the ground-breaking for Richard J. Lee Elementary. (Pictured L-R) David Apple, Amy Dungan, Susie Kemp (Vice President), Anthony Hill (President), Dr. Jeff Turner (Superintendent), Judy Barbo, Tracy Fisher, and Tom Hulme (Secretary).

Education Foundation

Thanks to the generous support received during the 2013 Red and Black Campaign, 14 innovative teaching grants were delivered across CISD. Eleven campuses were served for a total of $45,250! The next big event is the Run to Fund on May 3rd.

Parent University 2.0

Parent University is back, but in a new format: Parent U 2.0. This event will be on Saturday, April 5 from 8:30 a.m. - noon at Coppell Middle School North. Parent U 2.0 is an opportunity for parents to gain tools and resources to better support their children’s learning at home. Look for additional information coming this spring.

Visit www.coppellisdef.com for more information. ongratulations to the 2013-14

Campus Teachers of the Year:

Teresa Raney Literacy Coach Austin Elementary Torrin Garrison Kindergarten Cottonwood Creek ElementaryJennifer Francis 2nd Grade Denton Creek Elementary Gayla Cockrell 2nd Grade Lakeside ElementaryCyndi Carlton Kindergarten Mockingbird ElementaryMichael Upchurch 5th Grade Pinkerton ElementaryJennifer Martin 4th Grade Town Center ElementaryParrish Nolan 4th Grade Valley Ranch ElementaryAndi Feille 5th Grade Wilson ElementaryDianaLyn Perkins 6th/7th Grade Science Coppell Middle School EastShannon Weaver Art Coppell Middle School NorthMissy Schliep 7th Grade Language/Literacy Coppell Middle School WestJodie Deinhammer Anatomy/Physiology Coppell High School Kolby Kerr Creative Writing/AP English IV New Tech High @ Coppell

2

U2.0

As the fall semester comes to a close, Coppell ISD is nearing the end of its second five-year strategic plan. The district has successfully completed two five-year planning periods - the first in 2003, and the second in 2009. Accomplishments include:

• Creation of a dual credit program with additional course offerings for learners and substantial college tuition savings for parents

• Establishment of New Tech High @ Coppell• Formation of the Academy programs at Coppell High School including

International Baccalaureate (IB) • Increased staff development opportunities• Curriculum initiatives that focus on choice and engagement• Incorporation of smart technologies and other digital resources native

to today’s learners

I am excited about the upcoming planning process and the opportunity to think about where we want to be in the next five years. I hope you will take an active role as a participant in one of the Idea Summits: one on January 15, and two on January 16 (see p. 4 for more details). These three public forums, followed by an online survey, offer a different approach than past strategic planning sessions. The new process will help us gain valuable in-sight from parents and the community regarding their educational desires for the future prior to creating our subsequent plan. I look forward to working together this spring!

In The Classroom ...

NEW Graduation Requirements Provide Flexibility and Focus

House Bill 5, passed in the latest legislative session, reduced high school End of Course exams from fifteen to five. It also changed the graduation requirements impacting current eighth grade learners and younger. The State Board of Education has a proposal for these new requirements and will make a final vote at the end of January 2014. CISD wanted parents to be prepared for these changes. The new requirements include a Foundation High School Program and Endorsements. Every learner will be required to choose from one of the five endorsement areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Business and Industry, Public Service, Arts and Humanities, and Multidisciplinary Studies. Secondary counselors will meet with all eighth grade learners to help them develop a 4-year graduation plan including an endorsement designation. In addition, several parent meetings, open houses, learner shadow visits, and additional information will be announced as soon as details are available.

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W H Y I S E D U C AT I O N I N C O P P E L L I S D D Y N A M I C ?

Did You know that CISD teaches the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the State’s curriculum? Through engaging and research-based methods, CISD educators help learners master and retain these standards.

Did you know that Advanced Placement (AP), ACT and SAT are all undergoing revisions to better align with K-12and Higher Education instructional changes designed to better meet the demands of Business and Industry?

PERFORMANCE GAPS

1. One of our strategic objectives is to ensure 100% of all learners meet or exceed standards on state and national assessments. With this goal in mind, CISD is continually addressing the achievement gaps as evidenced by performance on state and national assessments.• Our ACT scores have been consistently higher than

the state and national averages over the last �ve years. However, fewer than 50% of CISD high school graduates are considered “college and career” ready in ALL 4 core content areas combined as measured by the ACT.

FUTURE READY: COLLEGE & CAREER

1. College and career-readiness requires a strong foundational knowledge base, including

�uency in math facts, vocabulary, and reading, coupledwith soft skills such as communication, digital pro�ciency, and collaboration.

2. Employers want a work force capable of working on a team, being resourceful, adept at meeting deadlines and knowing how to prioritize. Complex learning experiences (which CISD educators are continually designing) help learners master these skills over time.

THE NEEDS OF TODAY’S LEARNER

1. A learner’s background and previous experiences have a signi�cant in�uence on how they learn. Learners are entering school with vastly di�erent experiences than 10 years ago and technology plays a large role in this change. • The classroom educator evaluates learners’ needs

and uses multiple strategies to teach content to learners (called di�erentiating) according to their interest and readiness.

2. Today we know more about how the brain learns and we use that research to teach more e�ectively.• Our educators use brain-based

strategies to create learning environments that help a young brain engage, receive feedback, re�ne the understanding, and ultimately build new knowledge.

Coppell ISD learners are at the heart of what we do – every decisionwe make, every program evaluation, every innovation, every success. Coppell ISD is constantly striving to provide educational experiences informed by research that meet the demands of increasing standards and expectations for college and career readiness. In this edition of the Winter Express, we would like to highlight a few examples that provide background for the reasons why we strive for continued improvement.

Did you know that SuperintendentDr. Turner is visiting colleges anduniversities throughout the year and talking to Coppell ISD graduates abouttheir educational experiences?

WATCH VIDEO OFCOPPELL LEARNERSPAINTING THEIRLEARNING PORTRAIT

www.coppellisd.com/learningportrait

NEW Graduation Requirements- starting with current 8th grade learners

Foundation Graduation High School Program (FGHSP) - basic coreand elective requirements

Endorsement designations

Distinguished Level of Achievement and PerformanceAcknowledgements awarded

Coherent sequence of elective courses designed to deepen and enrich the learning experience to better prepare learners for college and career

HB5 Update Jan. 2014

District Happenings ...

Mark Your Calendar For The Idea Summits

Please join us on ONE of the following Idea Summit dates: January 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CMS West January 16 from 11:30-1:30 p.m. at The Coppell Senior Center January 16 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CMS North

Following the Idea Summits, CISD will send out a survey to parents, staff, and community members asking for feedback to help set future goals. In February, the Pinnacle 2020 team (comprised of parents, community leaders, and staff ) will use input from the Idea Summits and the survey to formulate goals for the future direction of the district. For more information, visit www.coppellisd.com/ideasummits

iLead Is Back!“iLead CISD” is a leadership training series for interested parents and community members. Participants will gain insight into the operations of the CISD and learn more about committee service opportunities.

General TopicsBelow are some of the topic areas that will be covered in the spring 2014 iLead series:• Vision & Leadership - Strategic Planning (Pinnacle 2020), Demographics,

Legislative Bills• Business & Support Services - Budget, Bond, Energy Management• Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) - Initiatives, Technology Integration,

The Learning Portrait, Assessment• C&I and Wrap-Up - Advanced Academics, Intervention ServicesFor a complete list of topics, visit www.coppellisd.com/iLead

How to Sign UpiLead will include four, two-hour monthly sessions. A session fee of $49 will help defray district expenses incurred (T-shirts, materials, food, awards, etc.). In addition, each participant must commit to attend all four sessions. Sessions are set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the following dates 2/26, 3/20, 4/22, 5/14. Limited seating will be on a first-come, first serve basis. If you are interested in participating, visit www.coppellisd.com/iLead and sign up today. The deadline is February 12.

SCHOOL HOURS Elementary K-5 7:50 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.Middle School 7:40 a.m. – 3:18 p.m.CHS 8:20 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.NTH@C 8:40 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

SPRING GRADING PERIODS: Jan 21-Jun 5

9 Week (Elementary): Jan 21 – Mar. 28Mar 31 – Jun. 5

Semester (Secondary): Jun 5Jan 21 – Feb 28Mar 3 – Apr 17Apr 21 – Jun 5

Jan 13 CISD Board MeetingJan 15 Idea Summit (6:30 p.m. @CMS West)Jan 16 Idea Summit (11:30 a.m. @Coppell Sr. Center & 6:30 p.m. @CMS North)Jan 16 Early Release (9th - 12th)Jan 17 Early Release (6th - 12th)Jan 20 M.L.K. Jr. HolidayFeb 17 Professional LearningFeb 24 CISD Board MeetingMar 3-7 Texas Public Schools WeekMar 10-14 Spring BreakMar 22 Job FairMar 24 CISD Board MeetingApr 5 Parent U 2.0

Apr 28 CISD Board MeetingApr 30 CISD Day at the BallparkMay 2 Project ACESMay 3 Ed. Foundation RunMay 6 Ed. Foundation BanquetMay 19 CISD Board MeetingMay 26 Memorial Day HolidayJun 5 Last Day of School/Early ReleaseJun 5 CHS Graduation 2 p.m. @ UNTJun 6 NTH@C Graduation 2 p.m. @ IBCJun 6 Professional LearningJun 16-20 Professional LearningJun 23 CISD Board MeetingJun 24-27 Professional Learning

EXPRESS is published by the Department of Communications and Public Relations of the Coppell Independent School District.

HolidayBoard MeetingsEarly ReleaseProfessional Learning

Last Day of SchoolIdea SummitsTexas Public School WeekJob Fair

Parent U 2.0CISD Day @ the BallparkProject ACES Ed Foundation Run

Ed Foundation BanquetGraduation

Calendar

February 2014

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R E S P E C T

March 2014

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H O N E S T Y

April 2014

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E F F O R T

May 2014

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P A T I E N C E

Inclement Weather Days

Since school was cancelled on December 6 and 9, because of the inclement weather, Coppell ISD will use the two weather make-up days built into the calendar: April 18 and June 5. This means our learners will need to attend school on Friday, April 18. The last day of school will now be June 5, which will be an early release day at all campuses. Coppell High School’s graduation will remain as scheduled at 2:00 p.m. on June 5 at UNT. Visit www.coppellisd.com/weather for our inclement weather policy and procedures.

For early release day schedules, visitwww.coppellisd.com/earlyrelease

U

January 2014

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S E L F - C O N T R O L

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June 2014

P A T I E N C E

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Since the State Board of Education will not have a decision made on graduation requirements until late January, eighth grade recruitment activities will occur starting at the end of January and will run throughout the spring. Watch for communications and check the CHS and NTH@C website for dates and details.