What's Happening at Griffis
2025-2026
November Newsletter
Letter from the Principal
Dear Families,
Happy November! It’s hard to believe we’re already entering the season of gratitude. This month always reminds me how thankful I am for our amazing school community—our dedicated teachers, our supportive families, and of course, our incredible students who bring so much joy and energy to our campus each day.
I want to take a moment to thank you for partnering with us during parent-teacher conferences. I saw so many positive conversations happening, and it made my heart happy! Your involvement and communication help strengthen the connection between home and school, which is truly the key to every child’s success.
As we move into this busy time of year, let’s remember to pause and celebrate all the growth we’ve seen so far—big and small. November is a perfect time to focus on gratitude, kindness, and community, and I encourage families to find little ways to reflect that spirit at home too.
Thank you for all you do to support our school. We’re looking forward to a wonderful month filled with learning, laughter, and thankfulness!
With gratitude,
Michelle Colwell
Who are you Grateful for?
We know you have a teacher, custodian, paraprofessional, or a member of the office that you are grateful for. Let's let them know!! We love doing this activity for our staff members in the month of November. One of our Capturing Kids' Heart focus is AFFIRMATIONS. We want our teachers to hear affirmations from parents and families also. A kind statement can go a long way. One of my favorite things to see in the classrooms is affirmations notes from staff members, students and parents visible near their desk. It is a reminder that is needed on those hard days. We will print these out for our teachers and share them for them to have. I promise you, it will brighten their day, week and month!
Hot Chocolate Run
Join us for our annual Hot Chocolate Run! It is a great time, you don't want to miss out!
UIL Shirt
t's time to order your Griffis UIL shirt. The online store is open now and will close on Thursday, November 13 at 9:00 a.m. Don't delay, order your UIL shirt today!
Christmas Assistance Program
CMISD Christmas Assistance application is now open. The deadline to complete this application is November 14th, which is a hard deadline. All required documents within the application must be submitted.
Student and Staff Member of the Month
Mark Your Calendars
November:
November 3-7 Griffis Book Fair
November 3- Grandparent's Day at the Book Fair
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
Book Fair
Students will have the opportunity to shop during their special's time. They must bring money to be able to leave special's and shop Monday-Thursday, Nov. 3-7. The Book Fair will close at noon on Friday.
College T-Shirt Day
Griffis Yearbooks on Sale Now!
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!
RSVP link will be sent prior to the event date:
- Parking will be available in both the front and back of the school. Check-in tables will be set up at both locations.
- Please have your QR code ready at check-in to help speed up the process.
- After checking in, you will receive a visitor badge. A visitor badge is required to attend Lunch on the Lawn.
- These are regular instructional days at Griffis; the school schedule has not been adjusted.
- Early sign-outs will be considered unexcused and will follow the district’s unexcused early sign-out policy.
- If you choose to sign your child out early for an unexcused early sign-out, this must occur after their scheduled lunch time.
- After lunch, students are required to line up with their teacher and return to the classroom. Parents/guardians who wish to sign them out must do so through the front office. At that time, staff will call the student from class.
This procedure is in place to ensure the safety of all students and to keep teachers informed of who has been checked out.
Thanks for your help with ensuring our students are safe and accounted for at all times!
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
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!
