The Cannon Connection
2025-2026 Newsletter for Cannon Elementary Families
October 5-11, 2025
Good morning Cannon families,
October is a very busy month! It's also a special month where we pause to show appreciation for special school staff that keep our school thriving: our dedicated instructional paraprofessionals, custodial staff, and our incredible teachers.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible group of professionals who provide vital support in our classrooms every day: our Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals, and Instructional Aides (often referred to as "Paras"). These dedicated staff members are the bedrock of our supportive learning environment. They work tirelessly to ensure every student gets the attention they need, whether providing one-on-one help, assisting with small-group instruction, or ensuring smooth classroom operations.
School Custodian Appreciation. Our custodians are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our building is a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all students and staff. Please take a moment to thank them for their continuous hard work, from maintaining spotless classrooms to keeping our campus beautiful.
World Teachers' Day is celebrated globally on October 5th. This is an opportunity to recognize and thank our wonderful teachers for the profound impact they have on our children's lives. They dedicate themselves to inspiring, challenging, and nurturing every student.
Please join us in celebrating these essential members of our school community! A simple note, a thank you card, or a verbal expression of gratitude can make a huge difference.
A Big Thank You to Our Grapevine Colleyville Education Foundation Cannon Liaison LeAnn Brown!
We want to send a huge shout-out and thank you to LeAnn Brown and the Grapevine Colleyville Education Foundation for their generous support of our school staff! LeAnn treated our entire team to a delicious Wise Guys pizza lunch! We are so grateful for her thoughtfulness and commitment to boosting staff morale. It’s gestures like this that remind us we have an amazing community partner supporting the work we do every day.
Congratulations to our 4th and 5th grade STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame Inductees for Questioning & Posing Problems!
STEM teaching and learning is an instructional approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM education practices, students develop key skills including: problem solving, creativity, and critical analysis. We are PROUD to honor our scholars for exhibiting STEM thinking, and we can't wait to celebrate our next group of inductees this Thursday.
If your scholar is selected, your teacher will reach out to you with ceremony details about the specific date and time for each grade's ceremony. We hope you will join us in celebrating our young innovators!
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
October is a month dedicated to standing up against bullying and creating a kinder, more inclusive world for everyone. National Bullying Prevention Month is a time to bring awareness, take action, and make sure all students feel safe—whether they're in school, online, or in their communities. Together, we can make a difference, and it starts with you. Wear Blue to Stand Against Bullying Monday, October 6th, on World Day of Bullying Prevention!
Why Bullying Prevention Matters
Bullying has long-lasting effects on those who experience it—emotionally, socially, and academically. But by raising awareness and encouraging everyone to get involved, we can work toward a future where bullying no longer exists. Let’s unite to create safe spaces for young people and show them they are supported and loved.
Nationally, 1 in 5 Kids are Bullied, and 43% of students have been digitally harassed. At Cannon, we raise up Cub PRIDE (Partnership, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, Empathy) as qualities of strong character. Your support means everything to us and to the countless young people affected by bullying. Make sure to speak with our scholars about how their words and actions toward others should impact others positively, not negatively. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s keep the momentum going and work toward a world where every student feels safe, seen, and supported.
Blue represents peace and solidarity in our stand against bullying. Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or community member, your participation matters. By wearing blue, you help raise awareness and show that bullying will not be tolerated.
October is also National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October was first designated as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s and has been recognized every October since. It's a month to raise awareness and celebrate the many abilities of our loved ones with Down syndrome. Blue and yellow are the official colors of Down syndrome awareness. Show your support by wearing these colors throughout the month, whether through clothing, accessories, or ribbons.
Thank You for Supporting Bullying Prevention and Down Syndrome Awareness!
This week, our PTA hosts a CAN Spirit Night at the Milkshake Factory on Thursday, October 9 from 3:00-8:00. Make sure to let them know you are there to Sip and Support Cannon! We look forward to seeing you at the-MilkShake Factory Grapevine Station, 919 E Northwest Hwy, Grapevine, TX 76051!
Join our Dad's Club this Wednesday, October 8 for 🚲🛼National Bike or Roll to School!
The Dad’s Club, Officer Bobby, and Coach G are pumped to invite everyone to participate in the 2nd annual Bike & Roll to School Day this upcoming Wednesday (October 8th). Hop on your bike, scooter, roller blades, or skateboard (parents too!) and head to the Botanical Garden parking lot to ride to Cannon with tons of your fellow Cubs! We’ll be rolling out at 7:25, so be sure to get there before then. Officer Bobby and his GPD friends will be closing down Ball St., Surrey Ln, and Dexter St., to ensure everyone’s safety (see attached map of the route). During specials, Dad’s Club volunteers and Cannon Specials Teachers will take students through fun bike safety stations; if you’d like to volunteer, please let us know here: https://litty.in/dadbike (and make sure your background check form is up to date as well).
A Quick Lunchtime Reminder
We love having parents join their students for lunch! It's a special way to connect during the school day. To ensure a focused, quality time for you and your child, please remember our policy regarding visitors at the lunch table:
This is a dedicated one-on-one time for you and your Cub!
If you choose to join your child for lunch, please do not invite your child's friends or other relatives to sit with you, unless those friends/relatives also have a visiting adult present for them.
Our lunch period is busy, and this policy helps us keep our focus on:
Safety and Supervision: Ensuring all children remain properly supervised.
Special Time: Allowing you and your child to enjoy your special, dedicated time together without distractions.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a smooth and focused lunch experience for all students!
Our PTA Auction winners have started having a little "extra" fun! The water balloon winning participants had a splashing good time! If you purchased or bid/won an Auction item, our PTA and teachers will be in contact to set event! If you purchased Parachute with the Principal, that will take place in our Gym Friday, October 24th.🪂
Please note this important scheduling reminder for the upcoming week:
There will be NO SCHOOL for students this Friday, October 10th. This day is reserved for Staff Instructional Planning and is an important time for our educators to collaborate, analyze data, and plan enriching lessons for your students. Also, No School for Staff & Students on Monday, October 13 ( District Closed ). Please mark your calendars accordingly!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. Tina Garrett
#BeCannonProud ☮️💗🐻
🐾Our CAN PTA Spirit Shop is OPEN for business🐾
Welcome to the Cannon Cubs Spirit Shop - NEW DESIGNS AVAILABLE!!!
- New designs available, including a STEMapalooza shirt, options for Grand Friends, and and a neon GLOW day option! *Correction - the Neon shirt will NOT glow in the dark. It's a neon shirt for our school GLOW day activities - still fun! This spirit style is perfect for our January Glow Pep Rally and our April Glow What You Know Review Days!
- The STEMapalooza Option celebrates and highlights our amazing PTA sponsors! Help support our PTA and our STEMtastic Community Sponsors and ORDER TODAY!
- Orders will be accepted through October 12th at midnight
- Orders will be delivered to Cannon Elementary three weeks after the store is closed.
- You will receive an email once your order is delivered. If you have not received an email, your order is not ready for pickup.
- If you do not receive an emailed receipt, your checkout is incomplete, and your order has not been submitted. Be sure to enter a valid email address during checkout
- Please note that all items are custom, and once the store closes, all sales become final. Please select items carefully when ordering.
- CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ORDER:
Butterfly Flutterby Art Contest
Get ready to soar with your creativity! GCISD students in grades K-5 are invited to participate in this year's art contest with the theme “Wings of Change.” This is an exciting opportunity for students to research the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and create an artwork that shows what they've learned.
Contest Details and Submission Guidelines
The deadline to submit artwork is Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Each piece of artwork must have the words "Wings of Change" written clearly on the front.
The entry form must be securely attached to the back of the artwork. This form must be signed by a parent or guardian. Entries without a parent's signature will not be judged.
Please turn in all artwork and attached forms to Mrs. Mattox by Oct. 14th @ 4pm.
Judging and Awards
Local artists will judge the entries. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention in each grade level.
Three grand prizes of a $25 gift card will also be awarded to one winner in each of these categories:
Budding Artist: Grades K-1
Sprouting Artist: Grades 2-3
Blooming Artist: Grades 4-5
Viewing the Artwork and Award Ceremony
You and your family are invited to view all the submitted artwork on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the annual Butterfly Flutterby event at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens.
All winners will be announced and the three grand prizes will be awarded at the event, which usually happens around noon.
Returning the Artwork
Most artwork will be returned to your child's school the week after the Butterfly Flutterby event. However, winning pieces will be displayed at different locations before they are returned.
Grand Prize and 1st Place art will be displayed at the Grapevine Library.
2nd and 3rd Place art will be displayed at The REC.
All winning artwork will be returned to schools before Thanksgiving break.
We look forward to seeing the incredible artwork your students create!
Are you ready for Cannon's annual Fall STEM Book Challenge?
This fall, students will take on a Book Design Challenge inspired by Iggy Peck, Architect, combining literacy, creativity, and math to design unique structures based on grade-level themes. After lessons in the library (Sept 30–Oct 9), students will build their projects at home and return them with a planning sheet by October 24 for our Architecture Expo!
Click below to learn more!
The character trait we are focusing on during October is RESPONSIBILITY. Students will learn how to take action and understand the impact of their choices. Lessons will focus on the difference in friendly behavior, bullying, peer conflict, and mean moments. We will also discuss healthy choices at the end of the month when we celebrate Red Ribbon Week (Oct 27th - Oct 31st).
October is Bully Awareness Month
How is bullying defined? It is an action (usually repeated) that targets a specific student with the intent of gaining power over them. Bullying creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment. Bullying should always be reported to Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Coburn so we can contact parents of all involved students and conduct a full investigation.
How is a peer conflict different than bullying? Peer conflicts occasionally occur when there is a disagreement and an equal balance of power between students.
What is a mean moment? Sometimes students may act impulsively and make mistakes with words or actions once or twice with a peer. These actions could result in someone getting hurt. This behavior is a violation of the student code of conduct and results in consequences, but does not fit the definition of bullying.
We encourage parents and students to use the above definitions when reporting incidents.
Contact Mrs. Coburn
If you would like Mrs. Coburn to contact you or check on your student, you can complete the following link: Request to Talk to Counselor
Please be advised: If you make any changes to your Skyward form for Senate Bill 12 (Counseling Services, Health Services, or Club Participation), you must notify the campus support staff either verbally or via email. The Skyward system does not alert staff of resubmissions, so your communication is necessary to ensure your changes are received.
Sunday, October 5 - World Teachers' Day!
Monday, October 6 - Stomp Out Bullying - Wear Boots & Blue!
Wednesday, October 8 - 🚲🛼National Bike or Roll to School Day! If you would like to join in on the fun, meet at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens at around 7:00 and BIKE or ROLL to Cannon starting at 7:20!
Thursday, October 9 - 📸Yearbook Picture Day!
Thursday, October 9 - Milkshake Factory CAN PTA Spirit Night!
Friday, October 10 - Instructional Planning for Teachers - No School for Students
Monday, October 13 - District Closed - No School Staff & Students
Wednesday, October 15 - Report Card 1 Posts in Skyward; To view your student’s progress report, please follow the instructions below:
Visit www.GCISD.net and click “Quick Links” at the top of the page
Click the Skyward icon and the “Log In Here” box in the middle of the page
Click “Progress Reports/Report Cards” on the menu to the left
Choose 2025-2026 Report Card 1”
Friday, October 17 - 🏕️5th grade Sky Ranch Final Payment & Chaperone Payment Due
Monday, October 20 - 🐝Spelling Bee Pretest
Friday, October 24 - 🏰Fall STEM Book Challenge - Architecture Expo Artifacts due!
Friday, October 24 -🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!
Friday, October 24 -🦇PTA Costume Dance for 3rd-5th 👻- Cannon Cafe 6:30-8:30 - $20 cash at the door - More details coming soon!
October 27-31 - National Red Ribbon Week
Friday, October 31 - Cannon's 5th Annual STEMapalooza!
Monday, November 3 - Staff Professional Development - No School for Students
Tuesday, November 4 - PTA Mario Kart Penny Wars Begin! More information coming soon...
Friday, November 7 - 🕵🏼♀️ Hats Off to Learning! $1 wear a hat - All proceeds go toward reducing field trip costs. 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!
Friday, November 7 -📽️🍿PTA General Meeting & Movie Night 6:30-8:30 at Cannon
Tuesday, November 11 - Veterans Day; Cannon will honor our Veterans with a 2nd grade performance.
Veterans Day, November 11, originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. It became a national holiday 1938. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American military veterans (living or dead). Today, let us all give thanks to veterans who served or serve our country during war or peacetime.
Wednesday, November 12 - Friday, November 14 - 🏕️ 5th Grade Sky Ranch Camp Field Trip!
Monday, November 17 - Cannon Campus Excellence Committee Meeting - Engineering Lab 3:30-4:30
November 17-21 -📔Cannon Book Fair; Starting November 20 - 🖼️ Cannon Art Show
Friday, November 21 - Cannon's Annual Grand Friend's Day 8:30-10:30! Grand Friends, get ready for some STEMtastic fun!
Monday, November 24-Friday, November 28 - Thanksgiving Break!
Do you have an approved background check? Help with National Bike or Roll to School Day!🚴🏻🛼🛹
Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day Volunteer Signup Here:
Order your Pizza Kit Today!
Cannon PTA is partnering with Wise Guys Pizza for a Pizza Kit Pre-Order!
Available for purchase on the PTA Website - Pizza kits will be ready for pick up @ Wise Guys Pizza on October 22. Cut off Date for orders is October 14. https://cannonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/store/17332
Exciting news! Do you or someone you know own a local business and want to partner with the Cannon PTA? We have sponsorship opportunities! If you sign up to be a sponsor between now and September 30, depending on the sponsorship level, your business’ logo will be included on our STEM-A-Palooza t-shirt! Join us here!
Review the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct, Parent Handbook
GCISD is having a successful start to the school year! Please help us keep that momentum going by taking a moment to review with your students the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct and 2025-2026 Student Parent-Handbook, which includes dress code and updates from the 89th Legislative Session.
Cannon Elementary: A GCISD STEM School
Email: tina.garrett@gcisd.net
Website: https://can.gcisd.net/
Location: Cannon Elementary School, West College Street, Grapevine, TX, USA
Phone: 817-251-5680
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cannonSTEM/
Twitter: @canSTEM
Instagram: @CannonSTEM