The Cannon Connection
2025-2026 Newsletter for Cannon Elementary Families
January 25-31, 2026
Good morning Cannon families,
We hope everyone is staying safe and cozy during our first winter freeze! Despite the chilly temperatures outside, things have been heating up inside our classrooms with a week full of excitement, discovery, and community spirit.
While the weather brought our first winter freeze, we stayed productive inside! It has been an incredibly high-energy week here at Cannon! Our students have been busy exploring new concepts, celebrating milestones, and showcasing their academic talents. Here is a look at what’s been happening around campus:
TEA Mobile STEM Lab Explorations: Our K-5 young innovators participated in a hands-on mobile STEM projects this week, applying critical thinking and creativity to solve real-world challenges.
3rd Grade Dictionary Distribution: A big thank you to our local Rotary partners for providing our 3rd graders with their very own dictionaries! These are wonderful tools that help our students grow their vocabulary and independence.
STAAR Interim Testing: Our 5th-grade scholars completed their first round of Science interim testing this week. We are so proud of their focus and hard work as they show off what they’ve learned! Although data and individual results are not shared with families, staff and campus leadership review the results and analyze the data for areas for growth in specific skill sets. This helps our grade level teachers plan intervention for each scholar and instruction over the next few months.
Area Spelling Bee: We want to give a massive shout-out to our Cannon Area Spelling Bee participant - Ike Morey! Representing Cannon at the Area level takes immense courage and preparation. We are so proud of your hard work!
A Special Seussical Cast Visit: Former Cannon Cubs and current CHHS Theatre surprised our prekindergartners, kindergartner, and first graders with a Dr. Suess Read Aloud to promote their upcoming theatrical performance of Seussical the Musical.
Community Spotlight: Seussical the Musical
Looking for some weekend plans? Support our Colleyville Heritage High School Theatre Students. They are putting on a production of Seussical the Musical that is sure to be fun for the whole family.
When: Starting January 30, 2026
Tickets & Info: Visit the CHHS Panther Theatre Website
Congratulations to our 2nd and 3rd grade STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame Inductees for Growth Mindset Learner!
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 Friday, January 30th.
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!
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community. Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes and for showering me with so much love this week! You truly made me feel special, and I am so grateful to work alongside such thoughtful families.
As a reminder, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD will be closed Monday, January 26, 2026, due to inclement weather in the forecast. All facilities will be closed and any scheduled practices and activities are canceled. Please continue to check www.GCISD.net, along with your email, text messages (if you are subscribed), and GCISD social media, for any additional announcements or updates regarding winter weather. Stay warm and safe this weekend!
Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community. Let’s make 2026 a year of kindness, curiosity, and growth!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. Tina Garrett
#BeCannonProud ☮️💗🐻
With flu season underway and several viruses circulating, we are seeing an increase in student absences due to illness.
To report an absence (excused or unexcused), there is no need to call the office if your student is sick. Please email Tahle Cox at piper.cox@gcisd.net to report your student’s absence.
In your email, please include:
Student’s First and last name
Date(s) of absence
Reason for absence (e.g., stomach ache, headache, fever and chills, cough)
For Tarrant County flu reporting, we are required to note flu-like illness, which includes symptoms such as fever, sore throat, or cough.
Providing this information helps ensure absences are coded accurately in Skyward and that our reporting to the district and Tarrant County is correct.
Thank you for your help and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Tahle Cox
Click to order now~
Community Connection
I hope you’re off to a wonderful start to the new year! My name is Katelyn Ashley, and I am the Outdoor Programs Coordinator for the City of Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department. Grapevine Parks and Recreation is excited to announce a Coloring Contest taking place this January in celebration of our upcoming dinosaur event, Prehistoric Park, happening this March.
Prehistoric Park Coloring Contest Details:
Participants will print and color a Megalosaurus coloring page and submit a photo of their completed artwork. One winning design will be selected and transformed into a real animatronic dinosaur, painted to match the artwork and displayed at Prehistoric Park at Meadowmere Park from March 14–29. The winner will also receive free one-day admission to visit the park and see their dinosaur in person.
All entries must be submitted by February 2, 2026. Every participant will also be entered into a drawing to win a ticket to Prehistoric Park.
Additional information about Prehistoric Park and the coloring contest can be found at GoGrapevine.com/PrehistoricPark.
We would love your help sharing this exciting and creative opportunity with your students. Thank you for helping us inspire some amazing dinosaur creations—we can’t wait to see what they design!
Best,
Katelyn Ashley
Outdoor Programs Coordinator
Coburn's Counselor Corner
This month is all about PERSEVERANCE. We are talking about pushing ourselves through challenges and obstacles. Everyone experiences challenges in their lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or we want to give up on a big task. It is essential to develop tools that aid us in navigating those challenging moments. How might you practice perseverance as a family this month?
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.
January 26-30 - Holocaust Remembrance Week
Tuesday, January 27 - 3rd-5th Grade Reading Language Arts STAAR Interim Testing; Campus Closed to all visitors; Please make every effort to have your scholar arrive on time (7:35 am), and do not schedule appointments on STAAR testing days.
January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Thursday, January 29 - 3rd-5th Grade Math STAAR Interim Testing; Campus Closed to all visitors; Please make every effort to have your scholar arrive on time (7:35 am), and do not schedule appointments on STAAR testing days.
Friday, January 30 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!
Friday, January 30 - STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (PreK, Kindergarten, & 1st, STEM) -Growth Mindset Learner
Monday, February 2 - Texas Military Heroes Day and the 100th Day of School
Tuesday, February 3 - 3rd & 4th Reading Language Arts STAAR field test - Closed Campus for Test Security; Please make every effort to have your scholar arrive on time (7:35 am), and do not schedule appointments on STAAR testing days.
Wednesday, February 4 - 5th to MS Parent Transition Event (see below for more details)
Thursday, February 5 - 5th to MS Student field trip expereince
Friday, February 6 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear! 🕵🏼♀️ Hats Off to Learning! $1 wear a hat - All proceeds go toward reducing field trip costs.
Friday, February 6 - STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (4th & 5th , Music) -Listening with Empathy
Friday, February 6 -☃️PTA Snowball Valentines Dance (4th & 5th Graders) 6:30-8:30 -More information coming soon.
Friday, February 13 -❤️ Lunch with a Loved One Picnic Style
Friday, February 13 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!
Friday, February 13- STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (2nd & 3rd , Music) -Listening with Empathy
Monday, February 16 - Staff Professional Development Day- No School for Students
Friday, February 20 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!
Friday, February 20- STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (PreK, Kindergarten, & 1st grade, Music) -Listening with Empathy
February 23 - 27 - ⚙️National Engineering Week & Cannon Book Fair
Friday, February 27- 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!
Friday, February 27- STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (4th & 5th grade, Art) - Being Persistent
Friday, February 27 - Family Engineering Night - 6:00-7:15
Monday, March 2 - Cannon Campus Excellence Committee Meeting 3:30-4:30 (New Date)
Attention 5th Grade Families!
Corrected flyer -
Learn more about AVID In GCISD - Click Below
Updated Year at a Glance Parent Engagement CAN Activities
News From our CAN PTA!
Ordering is open now until February 5. Cheese, Meat, and Veggie Options - $12 each
Pizza Kit Pickups will be on Thursday, February 12, from 4-7 at Wise Guys!
Snowball Valentine's Dance (4th & 5th graders Only) Friday, February 6, 2026
Click for more information, and to RSVP!
Support Our Schools and Win at Blingo 2026
Join the Grapevine Colleyville Education Foundation BLINGO FUN!
JOIN US FOR THE BLINGO FUN! February 12, 2026
Please join The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation (GCEF) us for a night of community and celebration at our upcoming "Blingo" Fundraiser!
Blingo isn’t your typical fundraiser. Hosted at Chicken N Pickle Grapevine on February 12, it’s a high-energy, casual evening designed to be "low-key and high fun." Join us for a night of Bingo games with chances to win some amazing prizes. Since it falls during the week of Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect opportunity for a "Galentine’s" night out with friends or even date night!
What to Expect:
Casual Fun: No formal wear required! Enjoy the relaxed, vibrant atmosphere of Chicken N Pickle.
Prizes That Sparkle: We’ll be playing for some incredible prizes (the "Bling" in Blingo!), as well as door prizes! We want everyone that attends to be a winner, enjoy some good food and a few drinks!
Direct Impact: Most importantly, 100% of the funds raised go directly back into our schools. From classroom grants to district-wide initiatives, the money raised at this event is reinvested in the work you do every day.
Join Us! We would love to see our GCISD staff and administrators in the crowd!
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Chicken N Pickle Grapevine
Let’s come together for a night of Bingo, Bling, and Brighter Futures. We hope to see you there!
Tickets are $30.00 each.
Join the fun & support your foundation! Tickets are available now. Sign up here!
Community Invited to Review, Provide Feedback about 2026-2027 Mathematics Instructional Materials
GCISD is reviewing mathematics instructional materials for implementation in the 2026-2027 school year. All stakeholders may preview state-approved resources and provide feedback until January 31, 2026. Instructions on how to view the resources online are included on the GCISD Mathematics webpage. Print versions of the materials can be reviewed in person at the GCISD Administration Building, located at 3051 Ira E. Woods in Grapevine, TX 76051, on the following dates:
Feedback can be provided using this Feedback Form. For questions, please reach out to GCISD Director of Mathematics emily.powell@gcisd.net.
Tuition-Based Pre-K Application Period Now Open
Applications for GCISD’s tuition-based pre-kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year are now available through the following dates:
PK-4 (pre-kindergarten four year olds). Application period closes Friday, January 30
PK-3 (pre-kindergarten for three year olds). Application period closes Friday, February 6
GCISD’s pre-k program offers limited open enrollment to:
Children of employees of the cities of Grapevine and Colleyville
Children GCISD employees
Grandchildren of GCISD residents
Children who reside within the city boundaries of Grapevine or Colleyville but not within the boundaries of GCISD
For more information on tuition, pre-k qualifications and to apply, visit www.gcisd.net/page/pre-kindergarten.
2026-2027 Instructional Calendar Approved
The GCISD Instructional Calendar for the 2026-2027 school year was approved by the Board of Trustees at its December 15 Regular Meeting. GCISD’s first day of school will be Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The calendar meets the minimum 75,600 instructional minutes required for students, includes the contract length required for staff and meets other parameters set by the Texas Education Agency, including state assessment dates. The presented calendar was developed following review and input sessions with the District Leadership Team, campus leadership, campus team leads, and the District Excellence Committee.
Now that the GCISD Instructional Calendar has been approved, iUniversity Prep and Collegiate Academy will develop calendars specialized to the specifications of their programs, and those will be shared with their students and families.
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.
Volunteers and Visitors
We welcome our parents to engage in our events throughout this school year! Any parent attending or supporting an event during the school day must have a cleared background check. That includes field trips, holiday parties, field day, and volunteering on campus during the school day!
Background checks must be completed each year! Click here to learn more: GCISD Volunteer Page
Click here to complete your volunteer background check for the 25-26 school year
Would you like to shout out your Cub on our Cannon Marque?
Would you like to be displayed on our Parents in STEM Cannon Hall of Fame Wall?
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
