The Cannon Connection

Good morning Cannon families,

It’s been another whirlwind of a week here on campus, filled with academic milestones and plenty of school spirit. From serious focus to serious fun, our students have truly stepped up to the plate!

Highlights from the Week:

• STAAR Field Testing: Our students showed great stamina and focus during the STAAR field testing. These sessions are vital for helping prepare our Cubs for the upcoming spring assessments, and we are so proud of their hard work.

• 100 Days Smarter: We celebrated the 100th Day of School in style! It was wonderful to see the creative costumes and activities as we looked back on how much our students have grown since August.

• The Valentine’s Snowball Dance: Our 4th and 5th graders closed out the week with an unforgettable evening at our PTA Snowball Dance. The energy was electric, the outfits were dazzling, and the dance floor was packed!

A Huge Thank You! Events like these don't happen without a village. A massive shout-out goes to our fabulous PTA for their incredible work organizing, facilitating, and chaperoning the Snowball Dance. Our 4th and 5th graders were dressed to impress and had an outstanding time dancing and laughing with their friends!

We also want to extend a special thanks to DJ Robbie Balbaugh for keeping the music pumping and making sure our students had a blast!

In the midst of all the dancing and testing, we also took time this week to celebrate National School Counseling Week. It’s the perfect moment to shine a light on the incredible impact our school counselor, Mrs. Mandy Coburn, has on our students and staff.

From providing social-emotional support, restorative support strategies, and guidance lessons to being a steady, encouraging presence in the hallways, our counselor truly does it all. She plays a vital role in helping our students dream big and stay grounded. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated advocate in our corner! Special thanks to Mrs. Coburn for all she does for our Cannon Community!

February is CTE Month! GCISD is so grateful to have one of the best Career and Technical Education programs that prepares students with real-world opportunities, valuable lifetime skills, and college, workforce or military readiness.

In alignment with our campus Cannon STEM mission and in celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, we were honored to welcome students from the Grapevine High School Robotics team to our campus this week!

The GHS students led incredible, interactive sessions, for all PreK-5 students, that brought innovative learning to life for all of our scholars. This visit perfectly illustrated our Four Core STEM Pillars:

• Curriculum: Students saw real-world applications of their classroom lessons.

• Culture: We fostered a sense of curiosity and "hands-on, minds' on" spirit.

• Community: We strengthened our bond with the GHS "big kids" who inspire our younger learners.

• CCMR (College, Career, & Military Readiness): Our scholars caught a glimpse of the exciting pathways awaiting them in secondary education and beyond.

The innovative, hands-on learning didn’t stop with the robotics visit! Throughout the week, I spotted engaging and memorable STEM teaching and learning experiences happening across every grade level. From our youngest learners exploring foundational concepts to our older students tackling complex problem-solving, it is clear that the STEM spirit is alive and well in every corner of our building.

Congratulations to our 4th and 5th grade STEM Habit of Mind Hall of Fame Inductees for Listening with Empathy!

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, February 13th for Listening with Empathy.

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!

We also had an extra reason to cheer this week: one of our amazing Cubs took to the court for the first round of Special Olympics Basketball! We are so proud of our athletes' hard work, sportsmanship, and heart.

It's going to be another busy week at Cannon! Please review the save the dates below for more information. We hope everyone can join us for Lunch with a Loved One - Picnic Style - this Friday! Families will use the Kiosk machine in the front foyer to sign in, so please arrive early to give yourself time to check in. Our lunch times are thirty minutes for each grade level (provided below) and take place back to back. Please come prepared for a picnic style lunch with blankets or soft floor seating and eating.

As a reminder, our Cubs may exchange Valentine's Cards on this day Any candy or food attached to the cards may NOT be consumed at school. If you choose to attach treats to cards, please send nut-free options. Parents and guardians, please check your Cubs' cards before allowing them to enjoy any treats.

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 ☮️💗🐻

KCan Take 2!

If your scholar is interested in joining our broadcast crew for the Spring semester or would like a 2nd turn, please fill out the application below. Applications will close February 17th and assignments will be emailed out for the remainder of the year by the 18th. KCan is a 4 week commitment with filming taking place on Friday afternoons from 3:00- 3:30. Link to KCan Application

It’s time to get excited! Our next Book Fair is coming February 23–27, and students will be shopping during their regularly scheduled Specials block as well as on Family Engineering Night!

The Best Way to Shop: Digital Gift Cards

To keep things stress-free, we strongly encourage, but do not require, using online gift cards via literati.com/store instead of sending cash.

• No Lost Money: No more worrying about cash falling out of pockets or being misplaced!

• Direct Delivery: The gift cards come straight to me digitally, so I’ll have them ready and waiting when your student arrives to shop.

• Simple Setup: It only takes a few minutes to connect to our school and set a spending limit.

Hello, Heart Heroes! Are you ready?! Kids Heart Challenge is coming to our school soon! We have exciting things planned this year to get us moving, help others and have fun. Get a head start by signing up today and join the NFL PLAY 60 Family Challenge by getting active together as a family for 60 minutes a day! Visit our school page at http://www2.heart.org/goto/CannonElementary or download the AHA Schools app! Our Kickoff Pep Rally will take place on February 23rd. More details will be shared soon. Any questions, please direct to Coach G at julianna.gregston@gcisd.net.

In order to be proactive in our delivery of education concerning Growth & Development our district uses several resources and programs for the elementary school health curriculum.

Puberty programs used in the elementary school:

• Just around the Corner (4th grade girls) - This upbeat and catchy video is shown to 4th grade girls to introduce them to the changes the body will experience during preadolescence. It will be shown to 4th grade girls only.

• Growing Up! For Boys (5th grade boys) and Growing Up! For Girls (5th grade girls) - These videos present basic information about male and female reproductive anatomy and functioning - and the physical and psychological changes that are a normal part of growing up.
• Growing Up! For Boys (shown to 5th grade boys only) provides advice on health, hygiene and good grooming. It points to sources of reliable information and fosters the self-esteem that comes with accepting new responsibilities.
• Growing Up! For Girls (shown to 5th grade girls only) takes a realistic look at the responsibilities of adulthood and promotes dialogue with trusted adults, promoting self-confidence as girls face the challenges of change and growth.

Starting February 9, 2026 through February 20, 2026 4th grade girls and 5th grade parents may preview these videos from a non-district device by following the directions Linked here.

If you have concerns, or need more information, please contact Nurse Kendra.

Every Parent will be asked to fill out a form indicating their preference of participation for their child. If a form is not received from the parent, then your child will not be able to participate.

The form to indicate your choice of Participation is attached to this message.

Here is the link to the form: English/Spanish

This month is all about PERSEVERANCE. We are talking about pushing ourselves through challenges and obstacles. Everyone experiences challenges in their lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or we want to give up on a big task. It is essential to develop tools that aid us in navigating those challenging moments. How might you practice perseverance as a family this month?

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.

Tuesday, February 10 - 5th Grade GIRLS - Spinal Screening; REMINDER: Girls need to wear a sports bra or swim top under clothing.

Wednesday, February 11 - 5th grade AVID Applications Due

Wednesday, February 11 - 💗Wear RED on Wednesdays in February for Heart Health! Healthy habits for a strong heart: Tips for kids - When kids and teens get a headstart on heart-healthy habits, it can set them on the right path for years to come. Choices like limiting screen time and enjoying outdoor activities build the habit of staying active. Going grocery shopping and cooking together teaches them how to create a healthy meal. And modeling healthy sleep supports their heart health, too.

Friday, February 13 -❤️ Lunch with a Loved One Picnic Style

• Pre Kindergarten: 10:40-11:10
• Kindergarten: 10:50-11:20
• First Grade: 11:10-11:40
• Second Grade: 11:30-12:00
• Third Grade: 11:50-12:20
• Fourth Grade: 12:20-12:50
• Fifth Grade:12:50-1:20

Friday, February 13 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, February 13- STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (2nd & 3rd , Music) -Listening with Empathy

Monday, February 16 - Staff Professional Development Day - No School for Students

Wednesday, February 18 - 💗Wear RED on Wednesdays in February for Heart Health!

Friday, February 20 - 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, February 20 - STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (PreK, Kindergarten, & 1st grade, Music) -Listening with Empathy

February 23 - 27 - ⚙️National Engineering Week & Cannon Book Fair

Monday, February 23 - Kids Heart Challenge Begins

Wednesday, February 25 - 💗Wear RED on Wednesdays in February for Heart Health!

Wednesday, February 25 - Progress Report 3 Grades Post in Skyward: Progress Reports will be available in Skyward this week. To view your student’s progress report, please follow the instructions below:

• Visit www.GCISD.net and click “Quick Links” at the top of the page

• Click the Skyward icon and the “Log In Here” box in the middle of the page

• Click “Progress Reports/Report Cards” on the menu to the left

• Choose 2025-2026 Report Card 3”

Thursday, February 26 - 📸Spring Pictures

Friday, February 27- 🐾Cannon Spirit Gear Friday - Wear your Cub Gear!

Friday, February 27- STEM Habits of Mind Hall of Fame Ceremony (4th & 5th grade, Art) - Being Persistent

Friday, February 27 - Family Engineering Night - 6:00-7:15; This is our Open House/Showcase night Cannon Style! It is a spectacular opportunity for our families to experience our four core STEM pillars (Curriculum, Culture, Community, & College, Career, Military Readiness) and the engineering design process with your Cub(s)! It's going to be a STEMtastic Night!

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; More Information Below-

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

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!

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, 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 about the talent show and auditions coming soon...

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 K-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)

Please join The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation (GCEF) us for a night of community and celebration at our upcoming "Blingo" Fundraiser!

Blingo isn’t your typical fundraiser. Hosted at Chicken N Pickle Grapevine on February 12, it’s a high-energy, casual evening designed to be "low-key and high fun." Join us for a night of Bingo games with chances to win some amazing prizes. Since it falls during the week of Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect opportunity for a "Galentine’s" night out with friends or even date night!

What to Expect:

• Casual Fun: No formal wear required! Enjoy the relaxed, vibrant atmosphere of Chicken N Pickle.

• Prizes That Sparkle: We’ll be playing for some incredible prizes (the "Bling" in Blingo!), as well as door prizes! We want everyone that attends to be a winner, enjoy some good food and a few drinks!

• Direct Impact: Most importantly, 100% of the funds raised go directly back into our schools. From classroom grants to district-wide initiatives, the money raised at this event is reinvested in the work you do every day.

Join Us! We would love to see our GCISD staff and administrators in the crowd!

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

• Location: Chicken N Pickle Grapevine

• Let’s come together for a night of Bingo, Bling, and Brighter Futures. We hope to see you there!

• Tickets are $30.00 each.

Join the fun & support your foundation! Tickets are available now. Sign up here!

Cink here -

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.

Elementary and middle school families interested in GCISD’s math telescoping program for their child in the 2026-2027 school year are invited to attend a parent meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, at the district’s Professional Development and Education Center (PDEC) 5800 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville, TX. Telescoping is a process by which a student may accelerate in math beyond their enrolled grade level. Students must take an exam to show mastery of the skipped grade level. Registration for the exam, which costs $40, will be held March 11-25, with testing taking place in April and May. Learn more about who can test, exam registration and testing dates on GCISD’s Math Telescoping Information webpage or view the mathematics telescoping flyer.

As part of GCISD’s commitment to continuous improvement, GCISD is conducting its second annual Parent Engagement Survey to seek parent insights that will guide our campus and department efforts in goal-setting and strategic planning. This survey aligns with our Balanced Scorecard performance objective of parents and families satisfaction and engagement. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete.

The survey invite link for each individual student was sent to the primary contact on file in Skyward on Monday, February 2. If you don’t see the survey email in your inbox and you are the primary contact on file, please check your spam or junk folders. If it’s still missing, feel free to contact us at info@gcisd.net, and we’ll ensure it reaches you.

If another parent or guardian besides the primary contact on file would also like to complete the survey independently, please email info@gcisd.net with their full name and the name(s) of your GCISD student(s). The survey is available in English and Spanish.

We value your feedback and appreciate the time you’ll take to help us grow. Your insights play an essential role in building a brighter future for all of our students, and we are grateful for your partnership.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at info@gcisd.net.

Thank you for helping us shape the future of GCISD!

The GCISD Bilingual Services Department is hosting two parent sessions this month:

• STAAR/TELPAS Parent Information Session – Wednesday, February 12, 12:30–2:00 p.m.

In this session, we will explain what TELPAS is, the requirements for reclassification, give an overview of STAAR, and share strategies families can use at home to support their child’s success as an emergent bilingual learner.

• Community Engagement Event – Wednesday, February 18, 12:30–2:00 p.m. (rescheduled from January 28)

In partnership with TEA, this session will highlight community events and programs that provide helpful resources and skills for parents, families, and emergent bilingual students.

Both sessions will be held at the JPS Building, 3050 Timberline Dr., Grapevine, TX 76051.

We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s success!

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