What's Happening at Griffis

Dear Griffis Families,

We hope you have enjoyed a summer filled with rest, laughter, and time together with loved ones! As the first day of school approaches, we are excited to welcome back our returning families and extend a warm welcome to those who are new to the Griffis community. We can’t wait to partner with you as we begin an incredible new school year!

While we are thrilled for the year ahead, we also recognize that our campus has experienced change. We have said goodbye to some of our beloved staff members and students who have joined KKE. They will always be part of our extended Griffis family, and we wish them all the best in their new adventures. Change, while sometimes bittersweet, opens the door for new opportunities to grow and shine together.

This year, our theme is “There’s No Place Like Home.” Griffis is more than a school—it’s a home where students are valued, staff members pour their hearts into their work, and families are partners in every step of the journey. As we move forward, we will continue to plant seeds of learning, connection, and impact, knowing that together, we can create something truly magical for our students.

Our custodians have worked tirelessly to make our building sparkle, our teachers have been preparing to welcome their new classes, and our PTO is ready to connect families with opportunities and fun events throughout the year. The stage is set for an amazing year of growth, learning, and relationships.

At Griffis, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and inspired to achieve their very best. With your support, we know this year will be full of success stories and memories we will cherish.

It’s a GREAT Day to be a Fox—because there’s no place like home!

With excitement for the year ahead,

With gratitude and excitement!

Michelle Colwell and Brittany Cobb

Griffis would like to welcome Brittany Cobb to our campus! She will joining our campus as our new Assistant Principal. We are excited for her to join our wonderful team!

REGISTER NOW for the 2025-2026 school year!

If you have any questions about registration or are having problems with your account, please send an email to hkuhlmann@caddomillsisd.org or call the office at 903-527-3525.

Bring your school supplies to drop off with your homeroom teacher.

If you ordered school supplies through 1st Day School Supplies, your supply box will be delivered to your homeroom teacher and in your classroom on Meet the Teacher night. If you still need to get your supplies, click the link below.

• Doors open at 7:15
• Parents may walk students in Wednesday and Thursday ONLY!
• Friday begins normal drop off procedures.
• Dismissal at 3:20

Elementary and Intermediate will be hosting 1 Lunch on the Lawn for parents each 9 weeks. Good NEWS: We are staggering the dates for each of these campuses! Hopefully this will help out with picking up food for you students!

Bring your picnic blankets and come enjoy lunch with your student. If the weather does not permit, it will not be rescheduled.

Check In procedures will be communicated at a later time!

We are excited to continue our monthly student recognitions with our OZ-SOME Griffis Celebrations! Students that are receiving an award for that month will be invited by their child's teacher. These will be quick celebrations right after announcements. We are excited to start this at Griffis this year.

We don't have staff members on duty until 7:15. Please do not drop students off on the front porch prior to doors opening at 7:15.

Car Rider Arrival:

Doors will open at Griffis at 7:15 a.m. Pre-K through 1st grade students will be welcomed to school in the FRONT drive thru. 2nd grade through 4th grade will enter in the BACK drive thru. No one will be allowed to park and walk their students to the door. ALL students will be received in the car line. If you are a family with multiple students at Griffis in various grade level drop off locations, only ONE drop off is needed per family. Use the youngest siblings drop off area. (Ex: 1st grader and a 3rd grader need to be dropped off together, the front drive thru would be their drop off location.)

Parents will be allowed to walk their students to their classroom on Wednesday and Thursday the first week of school. Normal drop off procedures begin on Friday, August 15th.

We don't have staff members on duty until 7:15. Please be mindful of this when your students are walking and riding their bikes to school without parent supervision.

Please do not drop your students off on Seabiscuit by the playground fence and the Griffis walker sidewalk. If you are in a vehicle, you will need to follow car rider arrival procedures.

ALL students that are walkers or bike riders will need to come to the FRONT of the building for arrival. A crossing guard will stationed for Stonehaven walkers and bikers.

Car Rider Dismissal:

School is dismissed at 3:20. Pre-K through 1st grade student car riders will exit the school in the Front drive thru. 2nd grade through 4th grade car riders will be released in the BACK drive thru. Please follow signage for directions of line formations. Use the youngest siblings pick up area for multiple siblings. Car rider tags will be provided. Please display them clearly on your car windshield. Please do not line up prior to 2:45 to allow the buses to be in place for the district transportation schedule. No walk ups. Please do not block the crosswalk.

Please see maps for specific details of traffic flow and double line formations. Reminder no cell phones in the car line to ensure safety for all!

Vehicles are not allowed to park on Seabiscuit by the playground fence. If you are picking up your student in a vehicle, you will need to join the dismissal car line spot for their grade level.

• All bike riders will be dismissed from the front
• ALL walkers will be dismissed from the playground gate.
• Pre K-2nd walkers will need a guardian to meet them at the playground gate pick up spot.
• Please show your walker sign with your student's name.
• 3rd-4th walkers and younger siblings will be able to walk on their own.
• Cars will only be permitted in the car line in the back of Griffis. No cars will be allowed in the parking lot area in the back of Griffis during dismissal time due to student safety.

As we navigate the unpredictable Texas weather, we want to make sure every student gets home safely. Here’s what to expect during rainy, stormy, or severe weather dismissal:

1. Walkers
If your child normally walks home, you have two options on rainy or stormy days:

• Option 1: You can still meet your child in person. Due to weather, students will exit through the front entrance rather than the playground fence.

• Option 2: You may choose to join the car line and pick up your child by vehicle.

Please note: For safety, walkers and bike riders will not be released without a guardian present, regardless of grade level. If your child needs to change their transportation plan, please call the front office as soon as possible.

Car rider signs help us speed up the process. If you don’t have one, feel free to make your own — we appreciate anything that helps dismissal go smoothly!

2. Severe Weather & Lightning
If there is lightning or other severe weather near Griffis, the administration may change dismissal procedures for everyone’s safety. In that case:

• We will not release any walkers or bike riders.

• All families will need to use the designated car lines to pick up students.

• We will notify families promptly if this change occurs.

Thank you for your flexibility and support in keeping our Griffis students safe — rain or shine!

7:15 Doors open at Griffis

7:45 Tardy Bell/ Class Starts

3:20 Dismissal Bell

Students not in the building by the 7:45 A.M. bell are considered tardy. Please refer to our campus handbook regarding our tardy policy. If your child is tardy, please do not drop your child off. For their safety, your child should be signed in. Please come to the front to sign them in.

Parents - you can access bus route information 3 ways:

1. Download the Stopfinder App

2. Go to the district website to the transportation home page

3. Check Skyward under the transportation tab

Any questions about bus service to please contact the transportation office at 903-527-6133.

Now Accepting Free & Reduced Meal Applications for 2025–2026!

Caddo Mills ISD is now accepting Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications for the upcoming school year. ALL families are encouraged to apply—just one application per household is needed.

Apply online for the fastest processing: schoolcafe.com/caddomillsisd

Paper applications are also available at the front office of each campus.

Already qualified through Direct Certification? No need to apply—we’ve got you covered!

New this year! Thanks to recent legislation passed in Texas, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will now receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost.

Learn more on our Child Nutrition webpage: www.caddomillsisd.org/page/food-services

If you have any questions, contact your campus or the Child Nutrition Department. Let’s work together to ensure every student starts the day with a nutritious meal!

Caddo Mills ISD is excited to partner with AlphaBest to offer an after-school program for students in grades Pre K-4. The program will be housed at both elementary campuses. Check out the attached flyers for additional information, or click the link below.

We are excited to continue this program with Griffis Elementary PTO this coming this year!

The Watch D.O.G.S. Program brings male role models such as dads, stepdads, grandpas, uncles, etc. into the school for the betterment of the school, the students, and the community!!

Are you interested or know someone who may be?

We ask for a commitment of a partial or full school day just ONCE per year! Of course, you can volunteer more often!

More information on how to volunteer and our Kick Off meeting will be posted at a later time.

For more information visit the website at: https://dadsofgreatstudents.com/

Thanks for your support, we look forward to seeing you on campus this year!

Website: https://www.caddomillsisd.org/
Location: 3639 Farm to Market Road 1565, Caddo Mills, TX, USA
Phone: 903-527-3525
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kathryn-Griffis-Elementary-Official-291701637518892