Hot and sunny, cicadas chirped on the walk home from my bus stop on the first day of school. Ever since the start of the 2024-25 school year, uncertainty hung over the hallways of all CISD buildings.
A budget crisis, consolidation and new policies all plagued the minds of CISD faculty.
In this school year, New Tech High @ Coppell students protested against the consolidation of their school and Pinkerton Elementary School students are being rezoned for the next school year. The budget cuts from VATRE not passing led to distress from faculty and students alike on the future of many programs in CISD schools. To top it all off, Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt announced his retirement.
The future of CISD became unpredictable, but despite that, board of trustees, faculty and students alike worked hard to maintain the quality of education and resources for CISD schools. For that, I am thankful.
At Coppell High School, I have opportunities that many of my friends in other schools do not have. Having an array of course availability, I genuinely enjoy the content I am learning in class and am able to challenge myself with a wide variety of AP and IB courses.
CHS students have a plethora of CTE courses to choose from. I was able to take classes in engineering, coding, art and journalism throughout high school. High school newspapers are on the decline in the United States, but Coppell High School and NTH@C give students the opportunity to participate in student journalism.
Many students in various schools around the country rely on Chromebooks for digital coursework. However, CISD provides Generation 10 iPads for all K-12 students. NTH@C students receive MacBooks for coursework. With advanced technology, CISD students have the means to finish coursework efficiently.
My iPad is portable and fast, which makes it easier to quickly access different software at once, maximizing my productivity.
As academics, competitions and extracurriculars bring stress to students, CISD schools work hard to ease student tensions. From activities and raffles in the libraries to mental health fairs on campus and the Hope Squad spreading positivity to the student body, efforts have paid off, lightening the mood in the hallways of Coppell schools.
A few months ago this year, I remember walking into the school building, tired and weary, when a Hope Squad member handed me a lifesaver at the start of my day, making my mood a little brighter.
A wide and diverse student body in Coppell High School, there were 102 clubs this school year. Many schools do not give students the opportunity to have this many clubs; most schools have a range of 20-50, yet 102 clubs in our school give students the opportunity to participate in events revolving around their interests with other people who share the same passion.
Walking through the hallways with friends, surrounded by spirit week banners and club posters, brings a sense of comfort to me. I myself am part of several clubs, including the Writing Club, Game Dev Club, DECA and Math Club.
As uncertainty hangs in the air, so does joy. I am thankful to Coppell ISD for giving me unforgettable experiences and opportunities during this school year full of changes. We might not know what the future holds, experiences of the past and present are memories I will cherish.
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