Good morning Cannon families,

We had another amazing, but busy week at Cannon! We completed our second round of STAAR testing, celebrated our Teacher and Paraprofessional of the year, enjoyed Earth Week Cannon Style, and hosted our annual First Lego League competition. What a week!

Our Cannon Teacher and Paraprofessional of the year, Paige Summers and Pilar Contreras, were celebrated at GCISD's annual Employee of the Year Luncheon this week. As a collaboration, the Grapevine and Colleyville Chambers as well as our Grapevine Colleyville Education Foundation showered our employees with love and appreciation! A huge congratulations again for Miss Summers and Mrs. Contreras!

Earth Week Cannon Style is always a great way to connect with "Mother Earth!" Our Cannon 4th and 5th grade Gifted & Talented scholars (GT LEADers) guided, and taught, all of our K-5th grade Cannon Cubs through a variety of outdoor learning stations. Our scholars had a STEMtastic time experiencing our school community garden and left their own memorable mark! One fifth grade GT Leader shared, "I have a new appreciation for our teachers. Teaching is really hard!" Please help me give a huge shout out to out GT LEAD teacher Melanie Gable and our GT LEADers for creating such a memorable experience for all of our Cubs!

Our fifth grade First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Teams, Robo H2O, Robots "R" Us, Tech 40, and Aquatic Bots, also competed this past week. FIRST® LEGO® League guides our scholars through STEM learning and exploration. From Discover, to Explore, and then to Challenge, students understand the basics of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and apply their skills in an exciting competition while building habits of learning, confidence, and teamwork skills along the way. It was definitely a showcase of their critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills! Please help me give our FLL Robotics Stars and their coaches, Mrs. Heather Hagar and Mrs. Stefani Donaldson, and our FLL competition announcer, Mr. Peter Doyle, a huge round of applause!

We are gathering information to gauge interest in a Pre-K class at Cannon Elementary for 2025-2026 school year. Please complete this form if your family is interested in this option. Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2025. Next steps will depend on space availability and community interest. Please complete this form if you are interested - Cannon Pre-K Survey

As always, thank you for your parent partnership!

Proud to be your principal,

Dr. Tina Garrett

Two down, one more to go! The next round of STAAR testing is this week! On Tuesday, April 29, we will have the next round of STAAR testing for 3rd-5th grade MATH!

Here are a few reminders we need your help with ~ Our scholars need:

• Get a good night’s rest!

• Eat a healthy, hearty breakfast

• Arrive at school on time (7:40 am)

• Bring charged device with charger

• Bring a dry snack and a water bottle

• All phones and smart watches must be turned off and turned in during testing- please consider keeping them at home on testing days.

Important Information:

• If a student is absent on a testing date, they will have an opportunity to take a make-up test during the specific window for the content test.

• If a student becomes ill or extenuating circumstances arise once they begin their test and they need to be sent home, their test will be paused, saved in the system, and can be finished when they return to school before the end of the testing window date.

• There is no time limit on the STAAR tests, and once our scholars start, we do not want to interrupt their thinking. That said, please do not schedule appointments on testing days. Our campus will be closed for test security protocols Wednesday of this week; this does include no lunch visitors or deliveries.

*5th Grade Math STAAR Message:The Math STAAR test will be administered to all students on Tuesday, April 29. It is important that all 5th grade students are present to test on this date. 5th graders are scheduled to participate in a field trip to the Perot Museum the following day, April 30. Please note that if your 5th grade student is absent for any reason on the 29th, they will remain at school on the 30th to take their make-up Math STAAR test. This is due to the testing window end date of May 2nd and students must test the day that they return to campus. Reach out to Allison Bailey, Assistant Principal, and your student’s teacher with any questions.

Thank you for your support and help to create a positive and secure testing environment. May the STAAR be with you!

Friday, May 9th, is our scheduled Field Day for Cannon Elementary! Students will participate in various events throughout the day. We have a fantastic day planned for all of our Cubs!

Important Information:

🏃‍♀️Events are scheduled from 9:00-2:00

🐾 Students must wear their grade-level color Cannon spirit shirt. Closed-toed shoes and sunscreen are also a must! (Kindergarten orange-; 1st grade-black; 2nd grade-yellow; 3rd-green; 4th-royal blue; 5th-red). Students’ dress should conform to the guidelines set forth in the student handbook. Please, NO white shirts that day. Students should wear tennis shoes that stay on their feet and are tied, and students are NOT to wear cleats.

✅If guardians/parents would like to attend OR volunteer, you must have an approved background check on file for the year. Background checks must be conducted each year. Get a jumpstart and complete your background check today! Apply Online. Click here if you plan to attend- Fast Pass.

🐾 We ask that all parents attending field day show their Cub PRIDE by wearing Cannon Spirit Gear! Our Cubs should wear their grade-level spirit shirt (color)

🚻🚽 Adults must use the Staff/Adult Restrooms; Student restrooms are for students only.

☀We ask you to remember to put sunscreen on your child that day (even if it is a cloudy day) and send it with them if they need to reapply.

🧤Students may bring gloves if they wish for Tug of War.

🌭We will be using our Cafe for a station, so lunch breaks will be in grade-level living rooms and are a time for our classes to take a break from the festivities. We will not have lunch visitors on this day. The cafeteria will serve sack lunches on Field Day. Children may prefer to bring a sack lunch from home.

💧Students need to bring a labeled refillable water bottle, and should be reminded to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day and to take care of their trash and recycling.

🍧Each student will receive a popsicle treat! Please note, concessions will not be sold.

Calling all parents! It's time to sign up for CAREER DAY! We are looking for individuals to come present for students K-5 on Friday, May 16th. Parents will be scheduled in their child's classroom as well as other classes. On the form below please indicate the times you are available to volunteer. All presenters are also required to complete a GCISD background check. Please click HERE to complete the background check ASAP so we can verify that you are cleared to present. Career Day Interest Form

Our hope is for students to gain knowledge about a variety of possible careers/jobs and the college and/or experiences required to obtain these professions. We would love for you to bring any activities, demonstrations, hands on materials, or pictures that will help the students better understand your job/career. All presentations must be reviewed and approved prior to the presentation. Please upload your slideshow to THIS FOLDER by May 12th for review. Presentations should only be a total of 30 min each.

We will provide breakfast and lunch for presenters that will be on campus during those times.

Contact Mandy Coburn, Cannon Counselor, if you have any questions.

(817) 251-5684 or amanda.coburn@gcisd.net

New and Returning Students Must Register Before May 16~

Registering your student for the 2025-2026 school year before May 16. The earlier you register, the better we can plan as campuses are staffed based on registration numbers. Registering now helps GCISD avoid last-minute hiring or staff relocations when the school year begins.

• Returning students: Register via Skyward Family Access

• New families: Request a Skyward Family Access account first

• Pre-K: Complete the pre-K online application first

• New siblings: Log in to Skyward Family Access and add a new student by selecting the “New Student Online Enrollment” tab.

April 28-May 9 End of Year iReady Diagnostic Testing

Tuesday, April 29 - 3rd-5th Math STAAR - Closed Campus for Test Security (No visitors allowed on campus).

• Please do not schedule appointments on this day. Once scholars begin, they must take their time to complete tests.
• Make sure your Cub has a rested and has a hearty breakfast,
• Send your scholar to school with their district issued charged device, charger, snack, and water bottle.

Thursday, May 1 - Cannon Choir Concert 6:30-7:15 pm in our Cannon Cafe

Friday, May 2 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, May 2 -📚 All Library Books DUE📚

Friday, May 2 - STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame (4th, 5th, Specials) - Striving for Excellence - 2:35 pm Cannon Amphitheatre

May 5-9 - National Teacher Appreciation Week! MAKE SURE TO SHOW OUR TEACHERS SOME LOVE! A message from cannon pta - Good afternoon, We are seeking several volunteers for May 5th to assist with the Teacher Appreciation lunch. Outside food will be brought in for the teachers. We require volunteers to help pick up food from various locations and transport it to the school.

We need 3-6 volunteers for lunch duty that day, with time slots starting at 10:50 for Kindergarten and concluding by 1:20 for 5th grade. We are more than happy to divide these time slots if necessary. Please note that this is a working lunch duty to enable teachers to enjoy their lunch, and it does not involve lunch with your child. Please help us make this day run smoothly and give these dedicated teachers a wonderful luncheon. Please use sign up link below. https://signup.com/go/EgeJwtD

Tuesday, May 6 - We Are GCISD 👖 Day! - 🐾Wear your Cub Gear!

Wednesday, May 7 - National School Nurse Appreciation Day! Show our Fabulous Nurse Kendra some LOVE!

Wednesday, May 7- Progress Report 4 Posts in Skyward; Progress Reports will be available in Skyward this week. 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 2024-2025 Progress Report 4”

Thursday, May 8 - STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame (2nd, 3rd, Specials) - Striving for Excellence - 2:35 pm Cannon Amphitheatre

Friday, May 9 - 🏃‍♀️🥈Cannon Field Day! Students must wear their grade-level color Cannon spirit shirt. Closed-toed shoes and sunscreen are also a must! If guardians/parents would like to attend OR volunteer, you must have an approved background check on file for the year. Background checks must be conducted each year. Get a jumpstart and complete your background check today! Apply Online. Click here if you plan to attend- Fast Pass.

Thursday, May 15 - STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame (Kinder, 1st, Specials) - Striving for Excellence - 2:35 pm Cannon Amphitheatre

Friday, May 16 -👩‍🔬Cannon Career Day👨‍🚒 🧑🏻‍🔬 Students in grades kindergarten through 5th are invited to dress up as their career of choice. (No superhero, princess costumes, masks, or weapons will be allowed.)

Friday, May 16 - School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day!

Friday, May 16 - PTA Parents Night OUT! 6:30-8:30 at Cannon!

Sunday, May 18 - National Speech Pathologist Appreciation Day! Show Mrs. Harlow and Ennis some LOVE!

Thursday, May 22 - Last Day of School - Early Dismissal 11:45 - School's Out for Summer!

Final Report Card Posts in Skyward!

Start your engines, GCISD families! Registration for new and returning students, pre-K through 12th grade, is officially open and we want to have a great opening lap.

Why Race to Register Now?

• Helps Team GCISD with Planning - Campuses are staffed based on registration numbers. Knowing numbers before the summer minimizes last-minute hiring or the relocation of staff once the school year begins.

• It’s a Speedy Lap Through Skyward - Most cells in Skyward for returning students are pre-populated so parents can zoom through the registration process.

• Cruise into Summer Knowing Your Student Is Registered - Once you’ve crossed the registration finish line, you can shift into end-of-school year mode, knowing your student is ready for the next school year.

What are the links to register?

• Returning students register through Skyward. Families enrolling in pre-K must first complete an online application available here.

• New families should first request a Skyward account. Families who only need to register a sibling and already have a Skyward account can do so from their existing account. When registering, please be sure to select the 2025-2026 school year for enrollment.

Cross the finish line early and help GCISD gear up for another winning year!

Get ready for an unforgettable summer! Registration for GCISD Summer Programs is now open. Whether your child loves sports, adventure, hands-on learning, or making new friends, we have something for everyone!

Extended Day Program

This summer will be unforgettable and action packed at EDP with:

• Amazing Race Challenges – Compete in exciting adventures!

• Special Interest Clubs – Explore new hobbies and skills!

• Splash Days – Cool off with water-filled fun!

• Time Travel Adventures – Journey through time in engaging, learning activities!

• Check out the full calendar here of fun themes and weekly activities.

New: EDP Mini Camps

Choose mini camps only or add them to your EDP experience for the ultimate summer adventure.

• Soccer Mini Camp (ages 5-8), June 2-6

• Quest for the Minibeast: Science Exploration (ages 7-12), June 9-13

• Art on the Wild Side (ages 5-7), June 23-27

• Volleyball Mini Camp, (ages 8-12), July 7-11

• Superhero Story Camp (ages 5-7), July 7-14

• One Act at a Time (ages 8-12), July 7-11

• Comic Book Creativity (ages 8-12), July 14-18

• Unique Careers: When Science and Art Collide (ages 8-12), July 14-18

Calling All Future MVPs and Sports Superstars

Want to train with the best? GCISD’s top-notch coaches are running sports camps all summer long! No matter your age or skill level, we’ve got a camp for you. Get ready to run, jump, and score your way to an amazing summer.

• Check out our full listing of camps. More athletic camps will be added throughout spring and summer.

Academic Summer Program Opportunities

• Need a summer academic boost? We’ve got you covered:

• Courses for middle school students

• Secondary summer school (high school)

• Summer Bridges courses

Summer is calling. Register today while space is available.

Do you know a GCISD employee who goes above and beyond for students and staff? Nominate them for the Stars of GCISD program! Every nomination is also shared with the nominee’s supervisor and they are entered for a chance to be honored as the district’s Star of GCISD! Submit your nomination now at www.gcisd.net/starsofgcisd.

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. Background checks must be completed each year!

Get a jumpstart and complete your background check today! Apply Online

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