December is young, and although it is technically fall until December 21st, winter weather made its way into the area this week with several hard freezes in a row and highs barely making it into the 40s, making it the coldest weather we have seen since Super Bowl week last February.

While the unexpected sudden dip in the mercury shivered some, most would agree it is welcome after a summer of record smashing heat. Some are hoping for a repeat of last-years “snow-pocalypse” that cancelled almost an entire week of school, while others are just ready for some cooler weather.

Junior Taylor Becerra is looking forward to another winter of freezing weather, with hopefully a little snow (and more importantly to him, cancelled school) mixed in.

“I’ll take a week below freezing over a week of 110 anytime,” Becerra said. “I was caught a little off-guard this week, but now I’m ready for it. I doubt we have another freak ice storm like last year, but even a day or two off of school for ice or snow would be a nice break.”

The forecast calls for a moderate warm up, with highs returning to the 50s and lows hovering above the freezing mark.

Over the past few weeks, the city of Coppell has experienced extreme ice and snow that has made travel virtually impossible.

From Feb. 1-4, Coppell High School was out of school, which some students referred to as Winter Break 2. The ice days took out five days from the school year and disrupted the entire school schedule.

To some, mainly students, it was a blessing that school was cancelled but for the teachers, lesson plans were thrown completely off track. Since schedules have been disrupted, tests and due dates for projects were changed and some teachers have had to assign tests and assignments on the same day of other teachers. This has caused a lot of commotion throughout the student body.

“Being off school for the snow days was really fun because we really only get snow once a year but the make up work made coming back to school stressful,” Matthew Ainsworth said.

Students and administrators alike have no idea when or whether these days will be made up. One rumor has been that these days will be made up at the end of the school year. Others have said that the weather days will be taken away but that’s all the make up we will have to endure.

“The snow days really just moved all of my lesson plans back but my classes had to make up some tests and quizzes scheduled for that week,” English teacher Linda Moore said. “I’m glad we didn’t have school because it was a nice break but then again all teachers, not just me, have a calendar that we need to stick to.”

Assistant principal Michael Williams cleared up some of this confusion about the snow days, saying that the plan so far is that no other days will be added on to the school year but the allotted weather days will be taken away. These weather days will take place on April 22 and June 3, which are both Fridays.

Also, he says that this is good for the school events, such as graduation, because they will not have to move the dates or location. Usually when things like these snow days happen, school events are delayed or cancelled because of a disruption in the school schedule or simply because it is not safe to drive.

“As long as I have been here at Coppell High School, I have never been out four days in a row like what happened the past few weeks,” Williams said.

With so many days off, many of the administrators are looking into planning better for ice days in the future. Though there is not much that the city can do for such a small amount of ice, it appears that CHS students will just keep enjoying snow days in the future.

For the past few days, winter weather has swept through the United States, including Texas. For CHS students and staff, it means a rare, three day break from school, as ice still claims the roads.

But the winter weather has also brought many other problems with it. Power outages reigned across the area; my own house had the power shut off three times Wednesday morning. Many airlines have shut down because of ice, and travelers are stranded because of it. The problem is that Dallas does not have these kinds of storms often and the city is not properly equipped to handle ice on the road, and the conditions could get even worse.

One MSNBC writer speculated that Dallas’s response to the weather might affect their chances of hosting another Super Bowl.

Staff Writer

It is finally time to dig out the winter clothing, CHS. With January now in the rear view mirror, winter weather is just now making its way to Texas with a big introduction. Temperatures at or below freezing are predicted for the rest of this week and there is a chance of snow.

There is a 100% chance of rain tomorrow with a high of 33 and Wednesday and Thursday are even colder. Snow, or at least ice, is highly likely. There is already talk about the possibility of a snow day in Coppell. The possible winter storm is not just affecting Texas, but the nation as a whole. The Midwest is bracing for an intense winter storm of their own, featuring possibilities of ice, snow and a tornado. Parts of the North are also facing low temperatures. The surface of the country could be very white within a few days. Welcome to Texas, Winter.

Boots. A favorite item of girls’ to wear as soon as the weather is cold enough to not appear crazy to wear them. So this season, make sure that your boots bring their A-game to your next outfit by ensuring that they don’t sag with the Boot Stay.

For ten bucks, this investment is garuanteed to keep your boot from sagging down. Though I’ve never experienced this phenomenon (the only boots I ever wear anyways are fur-lined winter boots that are tight enough to stick to my leg on their own), this product is quite popular online. Just peel and stick the cotton-covered adhesive to inside of your boot and you’re set for a day of droop-free fashion statements.

OK, so some help for guys who care about taking advantage of colder weather… General tips to ensure a fashion-forward fall and winter would include (1) visiting a consignment store with your old spring and summer wardrobe, (2) investing in a cardigan or two to help layer and keep warm, (3) I heard that umbrellas and “a stylish laptop carrier” are must-haves and (4) stop wearing sandals and man flip-flops today -buy a new pair of fashion-forward shoes if you need to.

Students must make up their Feb. 12 snow day later in the year. (Photo by Tyler Morris)

By Rebecca Neumann
Staff Writer

After the fabulous snow day everyone enjoyed last Friday, many people must be wondering when we will make up that lost day of learning.

In an email from Tracey Wallace, Executive Director of Human Resources for CISD, the fears of many were confirmed: the state will not let the district count the day as ‘instructional’, so a makeup day is obligatory.

CISD has chosen to make up the missing day on Friday, June 3, the day after the school year was originally scheduled to end. However, April 2, the day when many normally celebrate Good Friday, will still be a day off for everyone if weather permits.

Due to the recent snow North Texas has seen, many soccer games have been rescheduled including Coppell.

The boys soccer games against Flower Mound Marcus are rescheduled to Saturday Feb. 13. JV 1 is scheduled to play at Buddy Echols Field at 12 pm and Varsity is scheduled to play after around 1:30 pm. JV 2 will not have a make up game.

The girls soccer have yet to say when their Marcus games will be rescheduled but check chssoccer.org later in the day.

Weather on Saturday is sunny and has a high of 52° F and a very low percent chance of percipitation.

So looking for an outdoor activity tomorrow, come cheer Coppell soccer against their biggest rival.

With the snow in the air in Coppell and all around the rest of district 6-5A, games that would be played tomorrow are now subjected to being changed.  Currently nothing has been said by any coaches or players about a possible postponement, but with snow now everything may be in question.

Last season the basketball team had to re-schedule their game with Lewisville, a district game in which they were defeated possibly because of the off balanced practice schedule.  This could be a way for the current basketball team to catch a Lewisville team this year off balance and get a much needed victory.

As for the soccer team, their date with power house Marcus is supposed to be Friday but with conditions pending, both sides may agree to put the game off until Saturday or the next Monday.

Whatever the result is of these games and schedule, snow has definitely affected district 6-5A along with all of North Texas.

The much anticipated Spirit of Coppell Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 5 will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Samuel and follow down Parkway to Town Center Plaza where Coppellians will meet the lighting of Town Center.

This year’s parade theme is “wreaths and trees, ribbons and bows” so expect to see festively decorated floats and parade walkers who will be passing out glowing items and candy. The night is guaranteed to be brilliant and bright with each float required to have at least 200 lights. Before the parade, floats will be judged and first and second place winners will be selected. Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause will be atop last year’s first place winner’s float.

The celebration and lighting at Town Center is an annual tradition full of holiday cheer and jolly good fun and this year will include a snow area, performances, carolers, refreshments and a special appearance from Santa Clause. Festivities are to begin immediately after the parade.

All intersections along the route of the parade will be temporarily closed for safety and reopened as the parade passes. Parking is available at the Aquatic and Recreation Center as well as the north side of the Justice Center (click for directions).