The Cannon Connection

Good morning, Cannon families, and Hello March!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Family Engineering Night—the turnout was absolutely fabulous! While our Cannon STEM mission drives our work every day, this week provided a visible showcase of our core beliefs:

"...to empower each unique learner so that they become real-world problem solvers, creative innovators, life-long learners, reflective thinkers, and empathetic citizens!" — Cannon Mission Statement

At Cannon, we know that our "STEMtastic" scholars thrive because of the dedicated adults who guide them every day. We are thrilled to announce our Cannon Teacher of the Year and Paraprofessional of the Year! These individuals embody the Cannon Mission, going above and beyond to empower our students as real-world problem solvers and empathetic citizens.

• Teacher of the Year: Ms. Daniela Contreras

• Paraprofessional of the Year: Mr. Konnor Aitken

Please join us in congratulating them for their unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and our student community!

Congratulations to our 4th and 5th grade STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame Inductees for Being Persistent!

STEM teaching and learning is an instructional approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM education practices, students develop key skills including: problem solving, creativity, and critical analysis. We are PROUD to honor our scholars for exhibiting STEM thinking, and we can't wait to celebrate our next group of inductees Friday, March 6th for Being Persistent.

If your scholar is selected, your teacher will reach out to you with ceremony details about the specific date and time for each grade's ceremony. We hope you will join us in celebrating our young innovators!

Mathematics Telescoping Information: Letters to students in grades 1st - 4th who met rubric criteria to telescope test went home February 17th. For students in 5th-7th, currently telescoped students, and students not initially identified, parents may request data review for testing approval. (This was in the information shared out with families the last several weeks from both the district and below). There was also a parent meeting Wednesday February 25th at 5:30 pm. Mathematics Telescope Testing Registration is March 11 at 8:00 AM - March 25 at NOON in Skyward.

It's going to be another busy week at Cannon, make sure to check out all the details in our save the dates below.

As a reminder, Friday, March 13 is an instructional Planning Day for Teachers, and no school for students. The following week March 16-20 is our🌞Spring Break, and the campus will be closed!

Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community. Let’s make 2026 a year of kindness, curiosity, and growth!

Proud to be your principal,

Dr. Tina Garrett

#BeCannonProud ☮️💗🐻

PDSES $1,500 Grant for Families Opens April 1st!

The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program provides a one-time $1,500 online grant to parents/guardians of eligible students. Parents/guardians who apply can receive an online account where they shop for educational goods and services.

To be eligible for a PDSES grant, students must:

• be currently enrolled in a Texas public school (grades EE-12th),
• receive special education services through an individualized education program (IEP), and
• have NOT received a PDSES grant in the past – PDSES is a one-time only grant.

This school year’s PDSES application opens on April 1, 2026, at 8:00am CST and closes on April 30, 2026, at 5:00pm CST.

For more information about the PDSES program, visit: PDSES.TEA.TEXAS.GOV.

Outreach resources can also be found in multiple languages on the PDSES Outreach Materials webpage.

Kids Heart Challenge started Monday, February 23 at Cannon Elementary and we can't wait for your student to join our team.

We will be celebrating our hearts at school until March 6th, but at home is where the real lifesaving happens. Sign up and learn Hands Only-CPR and how to identify the warning signs of a stroke - skills that can save a life!

How to get involved:

1. Sign up

• http://www2.heart.org/goto/CannonElementary

• Download the app iOS/Android
1. Show your support

• Share your student’s page and impact through texts, socials, or email
• Give or receive a donation if you're able
• Get started on completing Finn's Mission

Excited to share: Any student who raises $50 to fight heart disease and stroke will be in a region wide drawing for a Nex Playground, Active Play System!! Also, any student that completes Finn's Mission will have their name added to the Pup Park Wall at school and get to wear their Hero's Cape to school on Finn's Friday - 3/6/26!!!

Guidance

HONESTY is the character trait we are learning about in February. We are talking about it being truthful in what you say and do. Practicing Honesty helps strengthen our relationships and reduce stress. At home you can discuss the importance of being Honest and work together to create a family Honesty pledge. How can you celebrate HONESTY as a family this month?

Play It Safe - Rescheduled for March 2

We must have your permission in order for your child to participate in this program. Please indicate OPT IN if you would like your child to participate. Parents/guardians must provide an OPT IN or OPT OUT for their child on the form linked below.

Play It Safe Opt-In/Opt-Out Form

Contact Mrs. Coburn

If you would like Mrs. Coburn to contact you or check on your student, you can complete the following link: Request to Talk to Counselor

Please be advised: If you make any changes to your Skyward form for Senate Bill 12 (Counseling Services, Health Services, or Club Participation), you must notify the campus support staff either verbally or via email. The Skyward system does not alert staff of resubmissions, so your communication is necessary to ensure your changes are received.

March - Texas History Month:

• In honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas' History

March 1 - Texas Girls in STEM Day!

March 2 - Texas Flag Day / Texas Independence Day;

• March 2nd is a busy day in the history of Texas! Today we commemorate the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2nd, 1836. This event marked Texas’ independence from Mexico. Today is also the day that Sam Houston was born in 1793. Sam Houston served as commander of the revolutionary army of Texas, President of the Republic of Texas, and a governor of the State of Texas. This day holds a special place in our state’s history as we recognize the courage and determination of those who fought for Texas’s independence.

March 2-5 - Read Across America Week & National Educational Diagnostician Week - Please make sure to send a message to Ms. Cindy Alkire thanking her for all she does for our Special Services Department!

Monday, March 2 - Cannon Campus Excellence Committee Meeting 3:30-4:30 (New Date)

Friday, March 6 - 🕵🏼‍♀️ Hats Off to Learning! $1 wear a hat - All proceeds go toward reducing field trip costs.

Friday, March 6 -☕ PTA Principal Coffee - 8:30 am Cannon Cafe

Friday, March 6 - STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (2nd & 3rd, Art) - Being Persistent

Saturday, March 7 - Cannon Spirit Night with the Brahmas Hockey Team! See below for more details -

Monday, March 9 - Cannon's Got Talent Show Participation Forms Due; Make sure to sign up below-

Monday, March 9 - First Grade Musical Performance: 2:20 Cannon Cafe

Mathematics Telescoping Testing Registration (In Skyward) March 11 at 8:00 AM - March 25 at NOON.

March 11 and March 12 - Growth and Development Presentations: Girls (4th/5th) 3/11, Boys (5th) 3/12

Thursday, March 12 - STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (PreK, Kinder, 1st, & Art) -Being Persistent

Friday, March 13 - No School for Students/ Instructional Planning for Staff

March 16-20 🌞Spring Break!

Do you know a family interested in a transfer to Cannon? Help spread the word about our upcoming campus tour dates.

https://cannonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/store/22174

We are thrilled to host a Cannon Spirit Night with the Brahmas Hockey team on March 7. This special evening gives families the chance to enjoy a fast-paced hockey game while giving back to our PTA. With our promo code (Cannon), tickets are only $10, and $5 from each ticket purchased will be donated back to Cannon PTA. We hope to see our community out in full force, showing school spirit and supporting the programs that make Cannon such a special place. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making a difference for our students and teachers!

Ticket Link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/79608204/lone-star-brahmas-vs-amarillo-wranglers-north-richland-hills-nytex-sports-centre?gclid=

Talent Show & PTA Meeting — Mark Your Calendars! Join us for one of our favorite nights of the year—Cannon’s Annual Talent Show—on March 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM! Our talented students will take the stage to showcase their creativity, confidence, and hard work, and it’s always an evening full of fun and school spirit. More information below...

Before the show begins, we will also hold our General PTA Member Meeting, which will include the election of our new board members for the upcoming year. We encourage all members to arrive early, participate in this important process, and then stay to cheer on our amazing performers. We hope to see you there for a night of leadership, talent, and community celebration!

The talent show is open to Cannon Elementary students in grades PreK-5

● Soloists and groups are eligible.

● Students may perform in only ONE act.

● One entry per group must be submitted no later than Monday, March 9th. Entry form completion will include selecting an audition time. No walk-ins will be accepted on the day of auditions.

● If you are sick or absent from school on the day of your performance, you may not take part in the Talent Show that night.

● Rated G, please! Lyrics, costumes, and performances should comply with the district dress code of conduct and be appropriate for al elementary school age groups. You are expected to review the lyrics and content of the songs submitted.

● Single acts are limited to a maximum of 1 minute and 30 seconds, and group acts can be 2 minutes.

● Lip-syncing is permitted ONLY if the act includes choreographed dance steps or lip-synching is incorporated into a skit.

● SINGERS: We want YOU to be heard so please make every effort to avoid singing over an artist’s voice for your performance. A karaoke digital file is recommended.

● Music must be included in the shared Talent Show Google Drive. Include specific start and end times. We play all songs from a single computer; We cannot play off another device, YouTube, or the Internet.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Participant Entry Form Deadline: Monday, March 9th, 2026

Show and MC Auditions: Monday, March 23, 4:30-6:30 Cafe (At least one parent must be raptored and present with the auditioning act.)

DRESS Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 25, from 4:30-6:30 Cafe (At least one parent must be raptored and present with the auditioning act.)

Cannon’s Got Talent Show: Friday, March 27 from 6:30-8:30 (6:00-6:30 General PTA Meeting)

Cink here -

GCISD is exploring expanding the Extended Learning program to offer more services and opportunities for students. Your feedback through our Extended Learning Survey will help us design offerings that truly meet the needs and interests of GCISD families through meaningful enrichment opportunities and flexible learning experiences.

Additionally, GCISD is exploring the development of an enrichment program designed to serve homeschool families in the DFW metroplex. Please help us get the word out by sharing this Community Feedback Form with any families you know whose children do not currently attend a GCISD school.

Nutrition Services is calling all heroes to National School Breakfast Week: March 2nd – 6th! Your quest? Fuel up with magical breakfasts!

Here’s what’s on the menu each morning this week:

🥓 Monday (March 2): Begin your journey with a Hero’s Breakfast Sausage Biscuit!

🦄 Tuesday (March 3): Try something magical — our Unicorn Parfait!

🥣 Wednesday (March 4): Conquer the day with Sweet Cinnamon Quest Bites!

🧇 Thursday (March 5): Claim the mighty fluffy Golden Waffles!

🧁 Friday (March 6): Complete your quest with the Explorer’s Chocolate Chip Muffin!

Bonus Quest: Any hero who eats breakfast with us this week will earn a chance to win a FREE snack at lunch – your very own treasure!

Sharpen your forks, ready your appetite, and let’s make this National School Breakfast Week an epic adventure!

Elementary and Middle School Parents: Please see the Mathematics Telescoping flyer for information regarding telescoping testing for the Spring 2026. Additional information is also available on the mathematics telescoping website.

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