What's Happening at Griffis
2025-2026
January Newsletter
January Principal Update
Dear Griffis Families,
As we welcome a new year, January invites us to pause, reflect, and move forward together with renewed purpose. The start of a new semester is always a time of fresh beginnings, hope, and goal setting—but this year, it also finds us holding space for deep gratitude and remembrance.
Our Griffis family recently experienced the heartbreaking loss of one of our third-grade students, Jordyn Rios. She was a kind, sweet spirit whose smile and presence touched many lives. She will always be a part of our Griffis story, and her memory reminds us of the incredible importance of caring for one another. During this time, I have been profoundly moved by the compassion, support, and love shown by our students, staff, and families. It is in moments like these that the strength of our community shines brightest.
At Griffis, we believe that relationships matter. School is more than academics—it is a place where children feel safe, known, and loved; where friendships are formed; and where we learn not only lessons from books, but lessons of empathy, kindness, and grace. We are committed to caring for the whole child and supporting one another through both joy and sorrow.
As we move into the second half of the year, we will continue to hold high expectations for learning and growth. We will finish the year strong, focused on academic excellence and helping every child reach their potential. At the same time, we remain grounded in what is truly important—the people we share each day with and the way we show up for one another.
Thank you for trusting us with your children, for partnering with us, and for being such an important part of our Griffis family. May this new year bring healing, hope, and continued connection as we walk forward together.
With gratitude and care,
Michelle Colwell
Principal, Griffis Elementary
Student and Staff Member of the Month
Mark Your Calendars
January
January 7 - 23 MOY CLI PK Monitoring
January 12-30 K- 2 Amplify Window (1st Grade Screener)
January 13- FIT Performance
January 16-2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
January 17- Robotics Competition- Caddo Mills
January 23- UIL Awards Assembly
January 24- Robotics Competition-Greenville
January 30- Pre K-1st Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
February:
February 4 Superintendent Leadership Meeting
February 6- Lunch on the Lawn at Griffis
February 6- Father Daughter Dance
February 10- 4th Grade Program @ Griffis
February 13-2nd-4th Oz-Some Awards-Parent invite only
February 14- Robotics Competition- Greenville
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
May:
May 8- Griffis Field Day @ Ed Locker Stadium
Griffis FIT Performance
Please join us as our Foxes in Training perform at our Caddo Mills Varsity basketball games. If you are not performing, please come and cheer your classmates on.
**This is for students who signed up to participate and have stayed after school to practice with Mrs. Sargent and Mrs. Mann.**
Robotics
UIL Award's Ceremony
4th Grade Music Program @ Griffis
Elementary Father Daughter Dance
BIG NEWS, FOX FAMILY!
Lee, Griffis & KKE are joining forces to host a district-wide Elementary Father Daughter Dance!
We are bringing all CMISD Pre-K through 4th-grade girls together for a night of dancing, laughter & memories that will last a lifetime! You won’t want to miss this "three-schools, one-heart" celebration!
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, February 6th
LOCATION: Caddo Mills High School
WHO: Pre-K - 4th Grade Girls & their Fathers (or father figures!)
Get your dresses ready & clear your calendars, it’s going to be an amazing evening!
Stay tuned for ticket information and more details coming soon!
Library Corner
January Reading Challenge
Return to Mrs. Givens in January for a prize!
January Breakfast and Lunch Menu
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.
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!
