The Caldwell Connect Aug. 17
Dual Language Academy
October/November
November
- 16 Picture Retakes
- 16-20 Book Fair and Friendsgiving Lunches (RSVP)
- 17 Pizza on the Playground with PTO 5:30-6:30 (Book Fair will be open!)
- Progress Reports
- 23-27 Thanksgiving Break
A Note from the Principal
Dear Caldwell Families,
We are thrilled that you will be joining us for Friendsgiving Week beginning November 16! This special week is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together, celebrate and share a meal with your student. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
We want to take this time to kindly ask that all parents obey traffic laws around campus and remain attentive to our crossing guards. Your cooperation is essential in helping us keep our students, families, and staff safe during arrival and dismissal.
As colder weather settles in, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the temperatures. We have noticed quite a few jackets and sweaters in our Lost & Found. If your child is missing any clothing items, please stop by and check before the end of this week. All unclaimed items will be donated by the end of next week.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are grateful for our Caldwell families and look forward to celebrating a wonderful Friendsgiving Week together!
With gratitude,
Karla Massey, Principal
Friendsgiving Lunch
Monday, Nov. 16- Friday Nov. 20
Make plans to shop the book fair with your student after lunch!
Lunch Schedule:
Monday- Kindergarten 10:30-11:00
Tuesday- 1st grade 11:00-11:30
Wednesday- 2nd grade 12:00-12:30
Thursday- 3rd grade 12:30-1:00
Friday- 4th grade 1:00-1:30 and 5th 11:30-12:00
Plan to arrive early!
Location: Caldwell Dual Language Academy Cafeteria at 601 W Louisiana
Please join us for Friendsgiving Lunch. You may bring food from home, grab take-out or purchase from the cafeteria for $4.50.
The schedule above is a guide, you may come other days of the week as your schedule allows. Families with students who participate in GT- Alpha will need to consider their child's schedule.
Important Information:
All visitors/volunteers must bring a valid photo ID every time you visit school. If you have visited Caldwell before, your name is in the system, and you complete this RSVP form by Nov. 12th, a badge will be ready for you for this event. If you have not been scanned into the system, we will scan your ID at the time you enter the building and print a badge for you. Please have your ID out and ready to show at the front door, and keep it out to show again when you sign-in.
Please arrive in time to check in and be patient with our front office staff as they check everyone in as quickly as possible.
Almuerzo de Friendsgiving
Lunes, 16 de noviembre - Viernes, 20 de noviembre
Horario de almuerzo: Vea arriba
¡Planea llegar temprano!
Ubicación: Cafetería de Caldwell Dual Language Academy, 601 W Louisiana
Por favor, acompáñenos para el almuerzo de Friendsgiving. Puede traer comida de casa, pedir comida para llevar o comprar en la cafetería for $4.50
El horario anterior es solo una guía; puede asistir otros días de la semana según su disponibilidad. Las familias con estudiantes que participan en GT-Alpha deberán considerar el horario de su hijo(a).
Información importante:
Todos los visitantes/voluntarios deben traer una identificación con foto válida cada vez que visiten la escuela. Si ha visitado Caldwell antes, su nombre está en el sistema y completa este formulario de RSVP antes del 12 de noviembre, se le preparará una credencial para este evento. Si no ha sido registrado en el sistema, escanearemos su identificación al entrar al edificio y le imprimiremos una credencial. Por favor, tenga su identificación lista para mostrar en la entrada y manténgala visible cuando se registre nuevamente.
Por favor, llegue con tiempo para registrarse y sea paciente con nuestro personal de la oficina mientras revisan a todos lo más rápido posible.
Volunteer at the Book Fair!
Our Book Fair is possible thanks to the volunteers that help run it! Please consider signing up! Make sure that you have a completed volunteer background check on file with McKinney ISD prior to volunteering!
Opportunities to recognize our teachers!
Nominate a CoServ Energizer Educator
Nominate an extraordinary colleague who goes above and beyond for our students and school community! Take a moment to recognize their hard work, dedication, and passion by submitting a nomination through the CoServe Teacher Nomination link. Celebrating each other's achievements strengthens our Caldwell team, so don't miss the chance to give a deserving teammate the spotlight they deserve!
Opportunities to recognize our teachers!
Nominate at Teacher on the Rise with Mrs. Baird'a Bread
Great things happen in our classrooms every single day, and we're honored to recognize and reward the people who selflessly impact young lives.
MISD Parent Resources
Please reference our MISD Parent Resources
Safety is our number one concern during arrival and dismissal time. Please read our detailed directions.
McKinney ISD teams with Durham School Services to transport students to school safe, on time, and ready to learn each day.
972-542-8316
Please allow extra time for dismissal during the first days of school as everyone establishes a routine and remember that school releases at 3:20 p.m. this year.
Attendance Matters!
September is Attendance Awareness Month!
Did you know...?
In 2025-2026, the McKinney ISD overall attendance rate was 95%, and 7 McKinney ISD campuses topped 96% on their attendance rate!
96.6% Lawson Early Childhood School
96.3% Glen Oaks Elementary
96.2% Caldwell Elementary
96.1% Frazier Elementary
96.1% Reuben Johnson Elementary
96.1% Walker Elementary
96.1% Wilmeth Elementary
Lunch, Recess, Specials Schedule
Kindergarten- Specials at 12:30-1:20, Recess at 10:00, Lunch at 10:30
1st grade- Specials at 1:30-2:20, Recess at 10:30, Lunch at 11:00
2nd grade- Specials at 8:20-9:10, Recess at 11:30, Lunch at 12:00
3rd grade- Specials at 9:20-10:10, Recess at 12:00, Lunch at 12:30
4th grade- Specials at 11:10-12:00, Recess at 12:30, Lunch at 1:00
5th grade- Specials at 2:25-3:15 Recess at 11:00, Lunch at 11:30
CAT CASH Store
The CAT CASH STORE is our PBIS rewards store for excellent behavior! The store is open for two grades every Thursday morning from 7:40-8:05. Students earn CAT CASH to spend at the store. Make sure your Cat arrives on time to shop the store the weeks their grade gets to go!
Happy Birthday Shout Out
Want to send your student a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT and support Caldwell activities? Here is how you can do both!
Bring a donation of $10 cash or check to the Caldwell Front Office. Payment must be received before Name will be posted
Check the outside marquee and the the display board inside the front office for your BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT!
Important Information
All birthdays for the upcoming week need to be submitted NO LATER THAN the Thursday prior at noon. If your student has a birthday that falls on a weekend or holiday, his or her shout out will be posted the next Monday or school day that school is in session. Student shout outs will run for the entire week of the day requested.
Don't worry if your birthday has already passed for this year. We will do this again next year!
Feel free to complete a birthday shout out for your favorite Caldwell teacher or staff member too! 😉
Counselor's Corner
This month, our Caldwell Cats will be focusing on the character trait Gratitude! Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.
Be sure to check out your child’s grade-level newsletter to learn more about what they are discovering each morning during our Morning Meeting Circles!
Kindergarten Newsletter/Spanish Newsletter
First Grade Newsletter/Spanish Newsletter
Second Grade Newsletter/Spanish Newsletter
Third Grade Newsletter/Spanish Newsletter
Fourth Grade Newsletter/Spanish Newsletter
Fifth Grade Newsletter/Spanish Newsletter
📞 (469) 302-5508
Library Services
Book checkout allowances by grade:
- Kinder and 1st grade- two books (1 in English and 1 in Spanish)
- 2nd and 3rd- three books (1 English, 1 Spanish and 1 free choice)
- 4th and 5th - four books (1 English, 1 Spanish and 2 free choice)
Please encourage your child to read every evening! Studies show reading at night improves overall reading skill and reading as a family is especially beneficial. Students should keep books in their backpacks when not reading. This way they will always have them at school and at home and we will minimize the number of lost books.
Thank you,
Mrs Cohee
Library Media Specialist, Caldwell Dual Language Academy
Be an amazing reader with BEE Amazing!
BEE (Books Everyone Enjoys) is a reading program in MISD designed to encourage students to become lifelong readers! You can learn more and view current or past reading lists on the BEE Amazing website. When students read at least 10 BEE Amazing books, they earn a spot on the BEE Amazing Wall of Fame, a 3D-printed bee, and the opportunity to review their favorite book on the morning announcements! You can print the BEE Amazing book list at home or send your student to the library for a list! Please initial each book your child reads before sending the completed list back to school.
Recess Guidelines
Hot Temperatures
When the temperature or heat index rises to 95 degrees or the ozone alert is orange, outdoor recess or activities should be limited to 10 minutes.
When the temperature or heat index rises to 100 or the ozone alert is red or purple no outside recess or activities should be allowed, except of normal dismissal procedures, but caution will be used during dismissal time to keep exposure to heat at a minimum.
Cold Temperatures
When the temperature or wind chill is at or below 25 degrees no outdoor recess or activities should be allowed, except of normal dismissal procedures, but caution will be used during dismissal time to keep exposure to cold at a minimum.
2026-2027 Schedule of Drills
Fire Drills: 12/2/26,1/12/27,2/10/27,3/3/27, 4/2/27, 5/11/27
Hold: Medical Emergency Drills:9/22/26, 3/08/27
Secure (Lockout) - (paired with Hazmat) Drills:9/29/26, 2/09/27, 10/06/26, 2/09/27
Lockdown Drills- 1st Semester - 2nd Semester - Unannounced
Hello Parents, and Guardians,
My name is Teresa Brown, and I am excited to introduce myself as the school nurse at Caldwell Elementary. My role is to support the health, safety, and well-being of all our students so they can stay healthy and ready to learn. I am here to provide care when students are sick or injured, manage health needs and medications, and work closely with families, teachers, and staff when health concerns arise. Please feel comfortable reaching out to me with any questions or concerns regarding your child's health at school. I look forward to getting to know you and your children and working together to make this a healthy and successful school year.
Thank you for your trust and partnership!
Warmly,
Teresa Brown, RN
Caldwell Elementary
Hydrate!
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle from home and are allowed to refill the water bottle during the school day. Water bottles should be labeled with student name and taken home each afternoon.
Extra clothes
Please send an extra change of clothes for your child. Accidents happen and an extra change of clothes allows students to change quickly and move on with their day. Please label and send the change of clothes in your child's backpack.
A valid state or government issued photo ID must be presented each time you visit, volunteer, or pick up a student. Please be prepared to present your physical ID upon arrival. The first day to visit school for lunch etc is Aug. 31.
A background check is required each school year for people wanting to volunteer in McKinney ISD. This includes making copies, lunch duty coverage, classroom parties, field trips, and other volunteering that takes place inside and outside our building. We encourage all parents and guardians to complete your volunteer application as soon as possible to avoid any delay in the processing.
Please reference the MISD Volunteer Page for more information and to apply.