Dear Families,
We are so excited to begin the 2025-26 school year! We want to say welcome to our new families and staff members. We are honored to have you join our Callison family and look forward to working with you. Here at Callison, our priorities include safety and academic/social/emotional preparation, growth, and achievement. We look forward to partnering with you during the school year. You will receive an email or phone call from your child’s teacher prior to Back to School Night.
Please note some upcoming dates:
Friday, August 8th, 5:30pm- 6:30pm - supply drop off/ meet the teacher night
Thursday, September 4th; 5:15 - 6:00 or 6:15 - 7:00 (you choose your time) - Open House
Monday, September 1st - Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 22nd - Student Holiday; Staff Professional Development
Tuesday, September 23rd - Student Holiday; Staff Professional Development
Monday, October 13th - Student Holiday; Parent Conferences
A safe drop off and pick up of approximately 670 students are high priorities at our school and it takes everyone to help make this happen. Families may use the car rider line or walk students to the front door. Students are not permitted to walk across the front parking lot without a parent. Parents are welcome to park in the side parking lot or the street in front of the and walk their children to the front door of the school. School staff will be outside to help monitor the process. If you have questions, please let us know. For the safety of all of our students, please be patient, cautious, and diligent in following the procedures. We will use our dismissal card process again. New numbers and cards will be available for pick up at Back to School night on August 8th or before and after school in front of the school. These cards will be a different color this year and new numbers will be assigned. You may also stop by the office during the day to pick up your cards. ID from a guardian will be required for pick up. We know the first day in the car rider line is often a little more difficult. Please make sure you have your dismissal card before getting in the line. Please consider taking a picture of your dismissal card for Front of School parent pick up. We know these cards often get misplaced and having a picture on your phone works just as well and will save you time coming into the office to get a new card.
Guardians will be invited to walk their child to class on the first two days of school this year. Please do not linger when dropping your child off. We know it’s hard, but the teacher will need to start class. We will have staff monitoring our youngest Cougars to support and help as needed. A form will be sent out to pre-register to save you time and allow you to go straight through without going into the office. This only works if you visited our school during the previous school year. If you are new to Callison - welcome! Please feel free to stop by before school starts - or at Back to School Night - and we will scan your ID for you to get you into our system. Once you pre-register, you need only to show your ID at the tables outside, pick up your visitor sticker, and enter the building with your child. Please remember that checking identification is for the safety of all the children in the building and a RRISD policy. You will always need ID when coming into the school building. If you are picking your child up early but not entering the main building, ID or your dismissal card is required.
We are beginning an exciting new year at Callison Elementary School. Please consider becoming part of our awesome PTA and school volunteer program. We would love guardians to sign up as a volunteer at the beginning of the year so they are prepared for all events and field trip opportunities. You only have to apply once and it is good for the entire year. Please watch for volunteer opportunities! It is a great way to support your child and our school.
We are excited to continue our Callison House tradition. Four Houses, One Family. We will induct our new students into their House on August 29th throughout the day. Our first House Activity Day will be on October 3rd. At Callison, we traditionally wear our House colors on Fridays. Students are welcome to wear any shirt in their House colors. We also have House Shirts available for purchase and order for $12. We will have these available for purchase (or order if we are out of your needed size) at Open House on September 4th.
Everyday we strive to give our best and positively change the world. We understand that childhood is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. We want our students to be well prepared for their “next steps” and life beyond school. We want to thank you in advance for being our partner in these accomplishments and endeavors. Anything is possible when we work together...we have seen the results of what teamwork can accomplish.
If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to call the office at (512) 704-0700. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Laura Ihonvbere, Principal
Amanda Arguijo, Associate Principal
Olivia Ortega, Assistant Principal