Coupland School is off to a good start for the 2013-2014 school year.  Superintendent Gary Chandler is happy to report, “Our student enrollment is up slightly from last year.  We now have 107 students.”  The annual Meet the Teacher night, which included a hot dog dinner, was August 22, and the first day of class was Monday, August 26.

This summer, the parking lot was repaired and has not been restriped yet.  It will be re-striped within the next two weeks, but until then parents are asked to remain in their lanes when dropping off or picking up students and to avoid pulling around other cars.  Mr. Chandler asks, “For now, please use extra caution and help keep our students safe.”

Long-time Coupland teacher Marquita Ferguson has retired, and she will be greatly missed.  She taught  two of our daughters and our granddaughter, so we know first-hand what an excellent teacher she is.  She was known for her annual Living History Museum project.  Her students studied the historic person of their choice, wrote and memorized an account of their person’s life and accomplishments, and created costumes.  On the day of the Museum, the students would stand in costume.  Students from other grades and families would tour the Museum.  When visitors pushed a “button” on the historical figure, the student would tell the visitor about their character.  This was a great learning experience in many ways.

Coupland student listens to “Annie Oakley” during Mrs. Ferguson’s Living History Museum.

Mrs. Ferguson speaks with “Benjamin Franklin” at a past Living History Museum.

Dayna Dyess will be teaching the first grade, and the new third-grade teacher is Laura Steele.  The new Middle School science teacher is Austin Chandler, who also will coach the Cowboys.

The school lost long-time Middle School math teacher Diane Mead.  For several years, Ms. Mead prepared her students so well that they were ahead of students from other schools when they entered high school. The new math teacher is Steven Markowski; he also will assist Austin Chandler in coaching the Cowboys.  Veronica Ruiz is the new PE teacher and the coach for the Cowgirls.

Another loss was technology director Carolyn Lowry.  In addition to teaching computer skills and managing the school’s technology, Ms. Lowry also gathered historic accounts and pictures for the school’s Centennial Celebration in 2012, organized special events, and did volunteer landscaping around the school.

There also are new faces in the school office.  Shelley Stautz, who worked in the office several years ago and is a graduate of Coupland School, is the new business manager.  Joyce Rodriguez is the office assistant.

The Cowgirls volleyball team is already practicing and preparing for their first game on September 5 at 4:30 p.m., which will be at home against McDade.  The Cowboys football team also will  see action at home against McDade on September 5 at 5 p.m.

Coupland Cowgirls volleyball team in action during a previous season.

The PTA has had their first meeting and is planning this year’s Harvest Festival, which will be Saturday, November 9.  They are looking for donations for the auction and raffle.  Their next meeting will be Tuesday, September 3, at 6:30 p.m., in the work room.  The Harvest Festival, with the traditional turkey dinner and many activities, is the PTA’s biggest fundraiser.  Funds are used to help the students—such as buying additional supplies, athletic uniforms, and other things that the school could not afford without this help.