What's Happening at Griffis
2025-2026
Back To School Information
Important Dates
September 1: Holiday
September 5: Grandparent's Day and Lunch on the Lawn (more details next week)
September 8: Watch Dog launch party @ 5:30
September 9: Boosterthon Kickoff
September 19: Boosterthon Fun Fun
September 24 See You at the Pole
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!
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.
Arrival Procedures and Protocols
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.
Arrival Bike Rider and Walker Safety Procedures and Protocols
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.
Dismissal Procedures and Protocols
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!
Dismissal Bike Rider and Walker Safety Procedures and Protocols
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.
Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms or Severe Weather Dismissal
Important Dismissal Reminders During Rainy or Severe Weather
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:
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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.
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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:
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We will not release any walkers or bike riders.
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All families will need to use the designated car lines to pick up students.
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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!
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
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!
