Access to the CHS Fieldhouse from that west side parking lot has been completely blocked off for the rest of the summer (until the school year begins). This will provide a safe and secure site so Coppell ISD contractors (Balfour Beatty) can get their infrastructure work (water, electrical, etc.) completed prior to starting construction on the new Arena addition, Kitchen upgrades, and the Multi-purpose Fieldhouse expansion in the fall. Additionally, the sidewalk area between the visitors side of the stadium and the CHS Main Campus has also been fenced-off for those same projects.

In a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Monday, May 12, the survey results for three technology initiatives were shared. Parents of 4th and 5th grade learners participating in the “Club 21” (4th and 5th grade 1:1 pilot at Cottonwood Creek and Wilson Elementary) were administered the survey by their child’s classroom teacher (as were the learners), through Parent Link. Educator surveys were administered by campus leadership. The same survey administration process was used at the middle school level for the “iWest” initiative (Blended Learning pilot for a select group of 8th graders at Coppell Middle School West). At CHS, campus leadership administered the survey soliciting responses for the “CG3” (iPad 1:1 initiative at Coppell High School), through Parent Link to its parents, learners, and educators.

Coppell ISD began working closely with a cross-section of 20 CISD educators (elementary, middle and high) representing specialized instructional roles from intervention services, to literacy coaches to music educators were included in the effort to better define what makes an effective classroom teacher. The goal was to develop a new educator evaluation system that would include three classroom observations (as opposed to one), align with the district’s Learning Framework (supporting student engagement as a central focus), and measure for teacher growth and effectiveness.

The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)/Executive Search Services division was selected by the Coppell Independent School District Board of Trustees to guide their search process for a new superintendent. Dr. Jeff Turner recently announced his retirement from CISD and will lead the Texas Association of Suburban/Mid-Urban Schools (TAS/MUS) as its Executive Director beginning in October.

This week, The Dallas Morning News published a series of three very introspective and thorough articles about the state and national trend regarding an overreliance on standardized testing. If you have not had an opportunity to read them, I have included the links, and encourage you to do so. The articles express how parents (like you) from across the state have banned together for what they believe is best for their children.