GATOR BITES
December 4th - December 10th, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
11/30 -1/12/23- Collin College Dual Credit Information Series Begins (See info below)
12/1-12/22 - FEF Scholarship Application Opens (See info below)
12/5-12/21 - 2nd Semester Transfer Window for Current FISD Students (See info below)
12/5 - Rising Freshman Night @ Wakeland High School, 5:45PM-7:30PM (See info below)
12/6 - Middle School Tennis - Griffin's BYE Week
12/6 - FISD+ Informational Webinar - Morning Session, 8:30AM-9:30AM (See info below)
12/6 - FISD+ Informational Webinar - Lunch Session, 12:30PM-1:30PM (See info below)
12/6 - FISD+ Informational Webinar - Afternoon Session, 4:30PM-5:30PM (See info below)
12/6 - FISD Achieve Mentor Training, 6:00PM-7:00PM (See info below)
12/7 - 8th Grade Girls Basketball vs Nelson Middle School, 5:30PM-8:30PM, @ Griffin MS
12/7 - 7th Grade Boys Basketball vs Nelson Middle School, 5:30PM-8:30PM, @ Nelson MS
12/7 - Library Reconsideration Committee Application Closes (See info below)
12/7 - UNT Now! Dual Credit Program Information Night, 6:00PM-7:00PM (See info below)
12/8 - 7th Grade Girls Basketball vs Nelson Middle School, 5:30PM-8:30PM, @ Nelson MS
12/8 - 8th Grade Boys Basketball vs Nelson Middle School, 5:30PM-8:30PM, @ Griffin MS
12/8 - Child Nutrition Elementary School Open House, 5:00PM-6:00PM (See info below)
Introducing Griffin Middle School New Principal
Dear Gator Community:
It is our honor and privilege to inform you that at the Board meeting on November 30, 2022, Melissa Soileau, currently Assistant Principal at Fowler Middle School, was named the principal of Griffin Middle School.
Ms. Soileau has been the Assistant Principal of Fowler Middle School for 4 years. She began her career in Lewisville ISD in 2004 as an elementary teacher. She transferred to Frisco ISD in 2012 to teach at Fowler Middle School and to act as the district head diving coach. She also served as a 7th grade Science Teacher. Her bachelor’s degree is from University of North Texas and master’s degree is from Argosy University.
She is extremely excited about this opportunity to serve the students at Griffin Middle School and uphold the standards shared by the Gator community.
Ms. Soileau will be sending a letter of greeting to the Griffin families that will include important dates and upcoming opportunities regarding the coming school year.
Thanks for your input and support of Griffin Middle School and Frisco ISD.
High School Rising Freshman Information
On January 24th, your student will meet with their high school counselor and receive a verification of their 9th grade course selections that will include Math & Science teacher recommended courses on your course verification form. They are the classes that your current teachers suggest you take for next year based on their knowledge and information from your 8th grade teachers. However, those decisions are ultimately up to you!
After your 9th grade courses are verified in January, students will have until April 14th to make changes to their 2022-2023 course selections. Changes will not be made after that date (including drops to on-level classes). Exceptions allowed are athletics, band, choir, orchestra, color guard, drill team and Academic Decathlon.
The deadline to enter your High School 4 year Plan in HAC is Friday, December2rd.
High School Rising Freshman Night dates:
- Wakeland HS: Monday, December 5th at 5:45 – 7:30pm.
- Lone Star HS: Monday, January 30th at 6:30pm in the Auditorium.
- Panther Creek HS: Tuesday, March 7th at 6:30pm.
- Memorial HS: Monday, March 6th at 5:45-7:30pm.
- Independence HS: Monday, February 27th at 6:00pm.
- Frisco HS: Thursday, January 19th
Additional Resources:
- Career & Technology Center & Programs…What a 9th Grader Needs to Know
- Generic Fillable 4-yr Plan form, 9th Grade Course Options, and What Counts for What
- FISD 2022-23 Endorsement Pathways
If you have any questions, please email us.
Ms. Jones & Mrs. Renegar
Griffin Counselors
Athletics: WHS Rising Freshman Night 12/5/22
Monday, December 5th, is the WHS rising freshman night. ALL of athletics will meet in the competition gym at Wakeland High School at 5:45pm.
Collin College Dual Credit Information Series Begins
Counselors will share information about dual credit program details, review the enrollment process, and discuss general college course expectations.
FEF Scholarship Application Opens
No exceptions will be made for late applications.
2nd Semester Transfer Window for Current FISD Students
Campus Transfer Requests can only be submitted via the Student Transfer tile in The Gateway.
For: Current FISD Students and Guardians
When: December 5, 2022 -December 21, 2022
FISD+ Informational Webinar - Morning Session 12/6/22
FISD+ offers hybrid and fully-online classes for students in grades 9 through 12.
When: December 6, 2022
Time: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
FISD+ Informational Webinar - Lunch Session 12/6/22
FISD+ offers hybrid and fully-online classes for students in grades 9 through 12.
When: December 6, 2022
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM
FISD+ Informational Webinar - Afternoon Session 12/6/22
FISD+ offers hybrid and fully-online classes for students in grades 9 through 12.
When: December 6, 2022
Time: 4:30 - 5:30 PM
FISD Achieve Mentor Training 12/6/22
Please RSVP below to attend this event. Training Location: FISD Administration Building; 5515 Ohio Drive, Frisco, TX 75035. Park in rear of building, enter training room entrance, enter Training Room A.
When: December 6, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00PM
Where: Frisco ISD Administration Board Room5515 Ohio Drive, Frisco, Texas 75035
Questions, please contact:
Randall Ford
Email: fordra@friscoisd.org
Library Reconsideration Committee Application Closes 12/7/22
Individuals may apply to join the reconsideration committee pool by completing an application.
The application window for the 2022-23 school year will be open from November 15, 2022 through December 7, 2022.
Deadline: December 7, 2022
UNT Now! Dual Credit Program Information Night 12/7/22
The UNT North Texas Now! program involves students taking a half-day of dual credit classes at the UNT Frisco campus and then spending the remainder of the day at the home campus. The program is a collaborative, 2-year, interdisciplinary, project-based learning experience designed to allow students to see the relevance of course content as they apply it to solve real-world problems. Students can only begin the program in at the start at their Junior year. Upon successful completion of the program, high school graduates will have earned 42 college semester credit hours from a Tier 1 Research Institution that is transferrable towards bachelor's degrees.
For: 9th & 10th grade students and their families
When: December 7, 2022
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Frisco ISD Administration5515 Ohio DriveFrisco, Texas 75035
Child Nutrition Elementary School Open House 12/8/22
For: Elementary School Students and Parents
When: December 8, 2022
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: Service Center I12050 Rolater RoadFrisco, TX 75035
Dallas Cowboys Class Act Program
Cowboys Class Acts honors teachers that constantly encourage, lead and strive for excellence in the classroom. This year the Dallas Cowboys and Reliant will recognize a teacher in the DFW area for their phenomenal work empowering our youth each month from September-February.
Six (6) teachers recognized as a Class Acts teacher of the month will each receive a $4,000 grant. It is our hope that these funds will allow them to continue to impact their students and further their mission of education.
Below is the nomination link. The application period is now open and will close on January 31st, 2023.
Data Clerk Updates
Procedures for Student Check in / Check out:
- When picking up your student, please come to the front door, ring the bell, show your driver’s license, request your student by name and we’ll call your student from class. You will wait outside during this time. Your student will meet you outside.
- When arriving late, student only (no parent/guardian) must check in through the front office with or without a note and print a pass for class.
- It is not necessary to inform us ahead of time that your student will be picked up early or arrive late.
Attendance
All absences must be submitted through the Griffin Middle School website by clicking the Report an Absence tab (top right-hand corner of the site). You will be asked to complete a quick form with some basic information (student full name, date of absence, reason for absence, etc). Additionally, you can upload doctor’s excuses at the same time by attaching a picture/scan of the note.
Some additional attendance information for all students:
- Students are allowed 4 parent excuse notes per semester for a total of 8 per year - submit parent excuses through the Report an Absence tab.
- Always submit a doctor’s excuse when available to save parent excuses - submit doctor’s excuses through the Report an Absence tab or your student can turn note into the front office.
- You have three school days following an absence to submit an excuse (parent or doctor excuse).
- COVID related absences will be handled differently and will be discussed with a parent by the nurse and Assistant Principal when applicable.
- If a student is absent due to illness for more than 4 consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required to excuse the remaining days of the illness.
- Check your student’s HAC to verify attendance coding and absences.
- Per the State of Texas, students must be in class 90% of the time (excused and/or unexcused absences) to receive credit for the class period
- Excessive unexcused absences could result in truancy filing
If you have any attendance questions, please contact Pam Zarfoss at zarfossp@friscoisd.org.
Athletic Game Expectations and Conduct
Gator Fans,
We are excited about the Fall/Winter athletic seasons, and wanted to remind all of our students and families about our athletic game expectations.
- School dress code applies at all school events, including games.
- Students should remain in the stands to watch the games and limit their trips to the concession and restroom areas to halftime and between games. Students should not loiter/hang out around the concessions, restrooms or other areas away from the football stands (baseball/softball fields, parking lots, etc.) where supervision is not available.
- Once students leave the game, they are not allowed to return.
- Students’ conduct should promote sportsmanship and reflect Griffin in a positive and respectful manner. Conversations should be appropriate, and profanity is prohibited.
- Tobacco and/or alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- Students should not have the following items or similar items with them: football, soccer ball, basketball, tennis ball, skate board, scooter, etc. Please leave items such as these in the car or at home. These items will be confiscated if brought the stadium/gym.
- Students must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the conclusion of the game in order to attend future extracurricular events. Students are encouraged to call parents at the beginning of the last quarter/set to pick them up, rather than waiting until the game is over. Administrators will wait with students until they are picked up to ensure student safety.
- Students not meeting these expectations may be asked to sit with their parents (if parents are present), or to call their parents to pick them up. Students may also not be allowed to return for future extracurricular events.
- Students and any other spectators are not to bring food or drink into either of the gyms. Bottles of water are allowed in the gym.
- Students are not to loiter in the hallways near the concession stand/restroom area. Students are to remain in the gym, watching the games, and limit their trips for concessions/restrooms to halftime and between games.
Thank you for your support of our Griffin Gator athletes, families and spectators – we’ll see you at the games!
Go Gators!
2023-2024 Cheerleading Tryouts
Cheerleading Tryouts
If your child plans to try out for cheerleader for the 2023-24 school year, please be advised that cheerleading tryouts for Frisco ISD High School Cheerleaders will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 and tryouts for Frisco ISD Middle School Cheerleaders will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Specific times and tryout locations for each campus will be shared at a later time, but we wanted to advise parents of the dates so you and your family can plan accordingly.
FISD: BACK TO PAID MEALS 22-23
School Cafeteria Returns to Paid Meals
In the 2022-23 school year, our cafeteria will return to charging for school breakfast and lunch based on eligibility for meal benefits. The federal waiver that allowed schools nationwide to offer free meals to all students regardless of income has expired.
Breakfast will be $2 and lunch will be $3.75. Families with low household income are encouraged to apply for meal benefits. Visit www.schoolcafe.com/FriscoISD or download the app to:
Create a café account
View menus
Make payments
Apply for free & reduced meals
Set purchase restrictions
STUDENT SAFETY - IMPORTANT TRAFFIC FLOW INFORMATION!!!
Here are a few reminders to help keep our students safe and expedite the pickup and drop off process at Griffin Middle School.
- The speed limit on campus is 10 MPH at all times.
- All lanes must stop at the stop sign on the west side or back of the building and the stop sign on the east side of the building before the cross walks.
- Pay attention to the cross walk locations to avoid stopping or parking on them. Stopping on the cross walks can be dangerous as it forces students to cross where you may not expect them.
- Please pull forward in the carpool lines to keep the line moving and to allow other cars to enter the parking lot.
- There are 2 lines to enter the south entrance off Lenox and one line for exiting. Do not enter on the exit lane as this could cause a backup or accident.
- Pickup and drop off your students ONLY in the designated lanes to the right hand side. Follow the traffic flow map for afternoon pick-up.
- Remember, parking on the school side of Lenox is not permitted between 2:00-4:00PM. Parking on Lenox has caused a backup onto Eldorado which is unsafe.
- Morning drop off is either in the front of the school or on the cafeteria side. Cafeteria doors open at 7:45AM. The front doors open at 7:45AM.
- In the morning, please avoid dropping your child off inside the fire lane in the front of the school, this space is reserved for buses.
- Afternoon pick-up: 8th grade is North side by Eldorado, 6th and 7th grade is South side by Cafeteria. Only buses should be in the front (East side) of the building. Map is also attached.
- Please remember your vehicle must be at a complete stop in a school zone if using your cell phone. If the car is in motion, using your phone is against the law.
- Lastly, please remember to be patient and courteous to your fellow parents. We understand pick up and drop off can be hectic due to the sheer volume of cars on campus during these times.
Support the Frisco Education Foundation through Amazon Smile
You can support the Frisco Education Foundation by shopping on smile.amazon.com. Choose the Frisco Education Foundation as the recipient and .5% of the purchase price will go straight to the FEF.
The Frisco Education Foundation is the 501(c)3 not-for-profit that exists solely to benefit the students and staff of Frisco ISD. Click here to learn more about the FEF.
FRISCO ISD Fine Art “Musings” Newsletter
Click here to find the latest newsletter or sign-up for the newsletter to get it directly in your inbox.
FRISCO ISD PODCAST
Check Out the FISD Podcast
In the third episode of The Frisco ISD Podcast, Managing Director of Guidance and Counseling Dr. Stephanie Cook joins us to discuss social-emotional learning. In this episode, we discuss its meaning and how parents can support their students throughout their SEL journey. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.
FISD Printable Calendars
Get to Know the Calendars on the District Website
The Frisco ISD calendar section has numerous functionalities. You can customize your calendar to include only the district calendars that are applicable to you before printing, subscribing or syncing to your Outlook. For example, high school athletics and middle school fine arts can each be specified by campus and activity.
Check out the FISD Community Folder
Check Out the Community Folder
The community folder area of the District website is full of advertisements and links to information about goods and services that may be of interest to the FISD community. You can find everything from discounts on kids’ camps to volunteer opportunities. The folder does not represent the viewpoint of the District and is not an endorsement of the advertiser, products, or services listed.
GRIFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL HOURS
SCHOOL HOURS: 8:25 AM - 3:45 PM School doors to the main entrance and cafeteria will open at 7:45 AM each day.
A.M. tutorials begin at 7:55 AM and P.M. tutorials end at 4:05.
HELPFUL LINKS AND GMS CONTACT INFORMATION
Bennett and Alma Griffin Middle School
Email: griffin@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/middle-school/griffin/calendar
Location: 3703 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
Phone: 469-633-4900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffingatorpta/
Twitter: @GriffinMSGators