What's Happening at Griffis
2025-2026
September Newsletter
Dear Griffis Families,
We had such a wonderful start to the school year in August, and it has been a joy to see our students settle into their routines and classrooms with excitement and energy. After enjoying the long weekend, we are refreshed and ready to dive into a new month together.
As September begins, we can already feel the hint of cooler weather in the air, a reminder that change and growth are all around us. Our campus is buzzing with learning, creativity, and connection, and I can’t wait to see all the great things our students and staff will accomplish this month.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support—you play such an important role in making Griffis a place where students thrive. I look forward to celebrating many more successes together as we move into the fall season.
With gratitude,
Michelle Colwell
Principal
Mark Your Calendars
September:
September 5: Grandparent's Day and Lunch on the Lawn (more details next week)
September 5- Spirit Friday- Gold Out for Childhood Cancer Awareness
September 8: Watch Dog launch party @ 5:30
September 9: Boosterthon Kickoff
September 12: 2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
September 12- Spirit Friday- Rope the Raiders (Cowboy and Cowgirl)
September 15- School Board Meeting
September 19: Boosterthon Fun Fun
September 19: Spirit Friday- Game On- Wear your jerseys
September 24 See You at the Pole
September 26- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
September 26- Spirit Friday- U.S. of YAY! Home of the Foxes- Red, White & Blue
October:
October 2 Teacher Prep Day- No School for Students
October 3-6 School Holiday
October 7-10 Celebrating the Past, Creating the Future: CMHS Homecoming Week
Tuesday: The Future is Bright- Wear Neon
Wednesday: Back to the Future- Student/Teacher Swap
Thursday: Futuristic Foxes- Dress like you are out of this world
Friday: Past, Present and Future-- CMHS Pride- garters and mums
October 10- HOCO
October 16- Fall Pictures
October 17- 2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
October 17- Spirit Friday- Foxes on the Hunt- Camo day
October 20 School Board Meeting
October 24- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
October 24- Spirit Friday- Pink Out-for Breast Cancer Awareness
October 30 Griffis Fall Festival
October 31 Prep Day- No School for Students
November:
November 7-2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
November 7- Spirit Friday- Green Out
November 7- Griffis to HS Pep Rally
November 14- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
November 21- Lunch on the Lawn at Griffis
December:
December 6 Christmas Vendor Fair
January
January 16-2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
January 30- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
February:
February 6- Lunch on the Lawn at Griffis
February 13-2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
February 21- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
February 26- Spring and Class Pictures
March:
March 4 TELPAS (Listening and Speaking) grades 2-4
March 5-TELPAS (Reading and Writing) grades 2-4
March 13- 2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
March 25- Kinder Cap and Gown Pictures
March 27- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
April:
April 8-3rd grade RLA STAAR
April 9-4th grade RLA STAAR
April 10-2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
April 10-Lunch on the Lawn at Griffis
April 22-3rd grade Math STAAR
April 23-4th grade Math STAAR
April 24- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
Grandparents' Day and Lunch on the Lawn: September 5th
Griffis Families – Our First Big Event is Here! Friday, September 5th
We are excited to kick off the year by combining Grandparents’ Day and Lunch on the Lawn into one special event!
RSVP Form: https://forms.gle/hojCcZSDAiyg4QbB9
What to Expect:
Grandparents will have the opportunity to visit their grandchild’s classroom and then enjoy lunch together on the lawn.
Parents are also welcome to join their student for Lunch on the Lawn.
Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and let’s make it a fun family day!
This year we will only have 4 Lunch on the Lawn events. The great news—each elementary campus will host theirs on different days, which means smoother food lines for everyone.
Important Visitor Information:
All visitors must check in and receive a sticker to access the soccer fields or classrooms.
RSVP is highly recommended to speed up the process. If you do not RSVP, you’ll need to sign in at the front office. With only one machine available, long lines are expected—and we cannot guarantee you’ll make it to your child’s lunch or classroom on time.
RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, September 3 at noon. (One form per student.)
Plan to arrive early—traffic will be heavy.
Only your student(s) may eat with you. Friends of your child will not be able to join.
Please Note:
This first event will use a Google Form RSVP since the new district-wide RSVP system isn’t ready yet. (Details to come later)
No Fast Passes this year due to our updated process.
Pre-printed badges will not be sent home early.
We’ll share more details soon on the day-of logistics. We can’t wait to celebrate our Griffis families together!
Watch DOGS Kick Off Party
We are a little less than a week away! Click the going button so we can make sure to have enough pizza for you DOGS and kiddos!
Boosterthon
BIG NEWS! Griffis Fun Run kicks off soon! We’re attempting to raise $15,000 for field trips, grade level teacher supplies, staff appreciation, and classroom celebrations and we need your help. Save the date and stay tuned for more details on how you can support our cause.
Register online at MyBooster.com – 08/25/2025
Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 09/09/2025
Event Day – 09/19/2025
Lunch on the Lawn @ Griffis
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!
Check In procedures will be communicated at a later time!
OZ-SOME Griffis Celebration
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.
Bell Schedule
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.
SPIRIT DAYS
Homecoming Week
Box Tops at Griffis
Make a difference at Griffis Elementary! Help us earn money with products you already buy! Box Tops are back and an easy way for you to help us earn money for our amazing school!
Transportation
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.
Caddo Mills ISD CHILD Nutrition
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!
Meal Prices
AlphaBEST After-School Program
Watch D.O.G.S
Watch D.O.G.S Program
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!
