The Cannon Connection

Good morning Cannon families,

Happy Labor Day Weekend, and Hello September! This is a reminder that school will be closed for both staff and students on Monday, September 1, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Labor Day is a special day to recognize and celebrate the hard work of all people who contribute to our country as strong local and global citizens. It’s an excellent opportunity to talk with your children about all the different jobs people have—from teachers and doctors to firefighters and farmers. We wish all of our families a safe and restful long weekend!

Cannon was filled with cheer this past Friday! Some of our newly appointed fifth-grade STEMbassadors worked hard to prepare and lead our school community through our beginning-of-year pep rally, paying tribute to National College Colors Day. It was a fantastic opportunity for our older students to shine as role models and show the rest of the school how to be leaders. They led us in cheers, games, and a celebration of our school community. It was great seeing everyone's spirit on display!

Thank you to our PTA for spoiling our staff with sweet treats! Our team is so appreciative of all the kind gestures of appreciation!

To ensure an optimal learning environment for academic and social growth, our Cubs must show strong characteristics of positive behavior. Throughout the year, we expect our scholars to demonstrate Cub PRIDE: Partnership, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Empathy. Please talk with your child about what it means to show Cub PRIDE every day. When our students embody these traits, they make our school a great place to learn and grow!

Starting Tuesday, September 2, we welcome Skyward-approved lunch visitors to join their Cubs for lunch. As a reminder, you may only bring food and sit with your Cub. Please be mindful of our students in the background, so please refrain from taking pictures where other students can be seen in the background. Also, please ensure that you clean your area after eating with your student.

On Friday, September 5, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., our PTA will serve muffins at our first PTA Principal Coffee of the 2025-2026 school year. This is an informal coffee chat to discuss what's happening in our Cannon community and an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have regarding the school. We hope to see you there!

Proud to be your principal,

Dr. Tina Garrett

#BeCannonProud ☮️💗🐻

What is the i-Ready Diagnostic?

The Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that identifies students’ strengths and opportunities for growth.
That information helps determine how to best support their learning. Watch this video to learn more.

How can I access my student’s results?

1. Log in to your student’s i-Ready Dashboard through their Classlink icon and then click on the i-Ready icon.

2. Click on the For Families dropdown and select the For Families report.

Enter your District’s Report Code 9T1CRB.

For more information and support, visit the i-Ready Family Center: Understanding Diagnostic Results.

Thank you again for your continued partnership and support of your student’s learning.
Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Key Life Homes and Trusted Health Insurance for their generous donations to support at STEM teaching and learning mission at Cannon!

The contributions given to Cannon Elementary's Activity Fund will helps us continue advancing our innovative STEM teaching practices, and creating even more opportunities for our scholars to explore, create, and innovate.

We are especially grateful to Cannon Dads Zach Penn and Mario Cordova for being behind these amazing gifts to our school community! ☮️💗🐻

Monday, September 1 - Labor Day - District Closed - Student & Staff Holiday - NO SCHOOL!

Tuesday, September 2 - Skyward Approved Lunch Visitors Begin; No sign up required - Simply use the Kiosk in the front lobby with your Driver's License to verify your admittance into the school.

Friday, September 5 - ☕PTA Principal Coffee 8:30-9:30 am & 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, September 5 - 🏕️5th grade Sky Ranch Camp $130 (plus credit card processing fee) Deposit Due

Thursday, September 11 - Patriot Day; Texas First Responders Day, September 11 Moment of Silence - During the moment of silence we remember September 11, 2001. We also honor Texas First Responders for their bravery, courage, and determination as they assist in emergencies.

Friday, September 12 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, September 12 - STEM Hall of Fame (4th, 5th, STEM) -Applying Past Knowledge

Monday, September 15 - Cannon Campus Excellence Committee (CEC) Meeting - 3:30-4:30 Cannon Learning Commons; We will discuss 2024 & 2025 STAAR Accountability, Campus Improvement Goals, and Plans for the 2025-2026 school year.

Wednesday, September 17 -

• Constitution Day & Citizenship Day -To commemorate the formation and signing on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution and to recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.
• Hector P. Garcia Day - Remembering Mexican American civil rights activist, distinguished doctor, and decorated WW2 hero

Friday, September 19 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, September 19 - STEM Hall of Fame (2nd, 3rd, STEM) -Applying Past Knowledge

Monday, September 22 - Staff Professional Development - No School for Students

Wednesday, September 24 - 🐥🥒PTA General Meeting @ Chicken N Pickle 5:15-7:30 pm

Wednesday, September 24 - Progress Report 1 Grades Post in Skyward; Parent-Teacher Conferences Begin

Friday, September 26 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

• American Indian Heritage Day - Recognizing the historical, cultural, and social contributions of American Indian communities and leaders

Friday, September 26 - STEM Hall of Fame (K, 1st, STEM) -Applying Past Knowledge

Monday, September 29 - 👂👀 Vision and Hearing Screening

Tuesday, September 30 - Fall STEM Book Challenge Launch - Architecture Expo! More information coming soon!

October - Down Syndrome Awareness & Bullying Prevention Month

Senate Bill 12, passed during the 89th Legislative session, requires school districts to obtain parent permission for student club participation as well as health services and school-based counseling and support services. It also contains requirements for sharing instructional plans and the prohibition of assisting with social transitioning. The new laws go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Families should review the information below and log into their student’s Skyward account to complete the pop-up permission forms.

Student Club Participation

SB 12 requires that parents give written consent before a student may participate in a student club authorized or sponsored by the school. School districts may not authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity. All clubs authorized or sponsored by GCISD will be in accordance with all applicable laws and policies.

If a parent does not give general permission, they will be contacted about each individual club or activity for which their student expresses interest in attending. A paper permission form will be sent home and must be completed and returned to the school prior to the student being permitted to attend or participate in any club meetings.

Health Services

SB 12 requires that staff must have parent consent before providing a student with any care, unless it is a life-threatening emergency. This includes:

• Assessment of minor injuries and providing basic first aid (like a scraped knee)

• Assessment and management of common health issues and illnesses

• Checking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and pulse oximetry

• Monitoring chronic conditions and implementing care plans as appropriate

• Provide general health teaching to students on topics such as hygiene, illness prevention, and healthy habits

• Proving state mandated screenings

• Administration of epinephrine delivery system for anaphylactic reaction or an opioid antagonist, such as Narcan or naloxone, in accordance with TEC and GCISD Board Policy

• Application of topical preparations such as Aloe Vera gel, first aid spray, Benadryl cream, etc.

Additionally, you will find a full list of detailed services provided by GCISD campus nurses within the form in Skyward.

School-Based Counseling Services and Support Services

SB 12 requires that parents give permission prior to student participation in school-based counseling and support services. This includes setting academic goals and creating academic plans, guidance lessons, developing social well-being, and access to our character education curriculum, known as Character Strong.

What Support May Include:

• Setting academic goals and creating academic plans

• Developing social well-being

• Checking in about emotions, challenges, or concerns

• Learning coping strategies and managing stress

• Addressing school-related issues (e.g., attendance, test anxiety, behavior, peer conflict)

• Building friendship and conflict-resolution skills

• Guidance lessons utilizing the Character Strong program

• Participating in short-term individual or group sessions on school-related topics*

*Parents/guardians will be notified and asked for additional consent if individual or group counseling is recommended.

School Counseling Does Not Include:

• Therapy or long-term mental health counseling

• Assistance with social transitioning

Sharing Instructional Plans

SB 12 requires that teachers share an instructional plan or course syllabus with parents at the start of each semester. Teachers will email parents directly using email addresses provided in Skyward.

Prohibition of Assisting with Social Transitioning

SB 12 prohibits school district employees from assisting students with social transitioning, which includes helping them change their name, pronouns, or other expressions of gender identity that differ from their biological sex at birth.

Any applicable GCISD policies will be amended to be in alignment with state law.

Parents, do you have a technology question or issue? Whether it's a concern with your own parent access into Skyward or Canvas, or a technical issue your student is experiencing, we've got you covered!

GCISD Technology will be hosting its first online open office session on September 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to get one-on-one help with any technology concerns you may have. Technology specialists from key areas will be online and available to assist you.

Click here to see the session information and join link.

We are excited to try this new drop-in format and hope to offer more events like this, including after-hours sessions, in the near future to better support our community. We look forward to seeing you online!

Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School Menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department website here.

More information including menu item nutritional information and allergens may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.

In accordance with program guidelines, the Free and Reduced application will be available online as part of skyward registration. The free and reduced application should be filled out electronically at https://www.nlappscloud.com/. For those parents that still would like to complete a paper application, they may download an application on the website or stop by the Nutrition Services office at 5800 Colleyville Blvd.

Procedure for Students with Unpaid Meal Charges

Parents/Guardians shall monitor their student’s school meal account to ensure that they always have a positive balance. In the event that a student does not have a positive balance, the student may charge up to 5 meals to their account. Only reimbursable meals may be charged. A la carte items may not be charged. Communication about a negative meal balance will be sent to parents/guardians via email/text. Students who have exceeded the 5 charged meal limit, will be offered an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.

If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5618 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net.

Meal Prices

• Pk-8 Breakfast - $1.85

• High School Breakfast - $2.05

• Reduced Breakfast* - $0.00

• Adult/Guest Breakfast - $3.25

• Elem. Lunch - $3.10

• Middle Lunch - $3.30

• High School Lunch - $4.00

• Reduced Lunch* - $0.40, after Sept. 1, No cost

• Adult/Guest Lunch - $4.75

*(Reduced priced at GHS, CHHS, Bridges is $0.30 breakfast, $0.40 lunch)

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to ensure you are receiving all updates and information from your campus, teachers, or extracurriculars. If your student’s teacher uses Rooms as a communication tool, all messages and announcements can be found right in the GCISD mobile app, alongside other district and campus news and events! You can download this app on both Apple and Android devices.

Click here for a step-by-step sign up guide. If you have not yet received a text message or an email inviting you to sign up, your student is not yet assigned to a class within Rooms. Teachers are still in the process of setting up those groups, so you could expect to get notifications over the first few weeks if Rooms will be utilized for two-way communication.

Finally, click here if you need assistance troubleshooting any issues or email info@gcisd.net.

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.

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

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