September 2026 Newsletter

Posted Date: 10/01/26 (01:50 PM)

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Sechrist Newsletter

Monthly Highlights

October 1, 2026

Notes From Mrs. Overton,

Dear Sechrist Families,

I hope you had fun at the Fall Carnival! Fall Break is on the horizon. Please be sure to schedule a conference with your child's teacher if you haven't already. School will release at 11:35 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for Parent/Teacher Conferences. We have so much to share with you about your student's progress during the first quarter. Fall break will take place October 9th and 12th this year. I hope you are able to enjoy the autumn weather and recharge for Quarter 2.

Please see the pictures below of all the learning and activities that have taken place in September!

October brings the Scholastic Book Fair, Grandparents and Special Friends Day and the Halloween Parade. Please be on the lookout for more information on these fun events.

We have invited Principal Tammy Nelson to come to Sechrist on Wednesday, October 7th at 5:00 before the PTO meeting. She is looking forward to sharing information about Mount Elden Middle School and answering any questions parents and families have about the transition to middle school in FUSD. Principal Koenker will be joining us from Sinagua Middle School in November.

If you haven't already started following us on Instragram or Facebook, we would love to share more up-to-date information with you. It is also a great way for our families and friends to see all the wonderful things happening at Sechrist.

September Grade Level Highlights!

(Left) Our morning preschoolers in PE.

(Right) Kindergarteners building Hickory Dickory Dock clocks to wrap up their nursery rhyme unit.

(Left) 1st graders sorting apples at the Pembley Apply Orchard

(Right) 2nd graders dressed up to celebrate the end of their Fairy Tales unit.

3rd graders enjoying their tea party as the culmination of their Classic Tales unit.

(Left) 4th graders building chainmail armor after a visit from a guest speaker on the Medievil Times.

(Right) 5th graders visiting Elden Pueblo to learn about early civilizations from the Flagstaff area.

Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 19th - Oct 23rd

• Before school: 7:30 (playground open) until the first bell at 7:50 (kids must have a parent or guardian with them)

• After school: 2:20 (last bell) until 3:30 (kids must have a parent or guardian with them)

• During library time

Set up your student's eWallet ; eWallet is the easiest way for kids to shop, and it means no loose cash in backpacks. Families and friends add money online, and kids shop the fair on their own.

Please click the link below if you would like to volunteer to help your child's class when they go to the Bookfair during their library time.

Volunteer at the Bookfair!

PTO Updates

Mark your calendars: The next PTO meeting will be held Wednesday, October 7th at 5:15pm in the library. Childcare is available for the kids in the FACTS room. If you are unable to attend in person, but would still like to participate, here is the link to join virtually.

Agenda Topics for Wednesday, October 7, 2026:

Visit from Principal Nelson - Starting at 5:00 PM
Carnival Recap
Scholastic Bookfair
Preschool Playground

Wednesday, October 7th is International Walk to School Day! You are welcome to join in the fun!

Teachers to Celebrate!

Fat Olives, Fat Bagel, and Fat Hen Teacher of the Month

Emily Appel - 4th Grade

FUSD Peak Employee Newsletter Highlight

Kayla Grovenstein - 2nd Grade

FUSD Legendary Teacher Nominees

Tori Gray - Preschool

Stefani Whitcomb - Kindergarten

Katie Pribil - Kindergarten

Kayla Grovenstein - 2nd Grade

Kim Helwig - 3rd Grade (Retired 2026)

David Painter - 4th Grade

Kendra Renyer - 5th Grade

Erin Walton - FACTS

Prescott Pow Wow Give Away Recipient

Jenelle Malone

We are so proud of all our teachers every day! It is really exciting when they get the recognition they deserve.

Students to Celebrate

Readers of the Month

Emmy - 2nd Grade - Ms. Kelley

Graeme - 5th Grade - Mrs. Mimran

CARES Button Recipients

See Picture Below

Every Day Counts!

Being in class each day helps students stay on track with lessons, build strong friendships and develop life skills for the future.

Parents and families play a big role in supporting consistent attendance, which is one of the most important factors in a child's success in school and beyond.

These are some ways you can help support this at home...

Plan vacations and appointments around the school calendar when possible.
Report absences directly to the school's attendance office. (928-779-4029)
Check your student's attendance anytime in ParentVue.

If your family is facing challenges with attendance, we are also here to help. Please feel free to contact our front office or Mr. McCord, our counselor at extension 2918 if you would like any attendance support for your family.

Click the link to learn more.

Sechrist Calendar

Sechrist Calendar Link

Parent Teacher Conferences - Oct. 6th - 8th (Early Release during Conferences, 11:35am)

No School - Oct. 9th & 12th Fall Break

Scholastic Book Fair - Oct. 19th - 23rd

Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Oct. 23rd

FUSD Calendar Link

View the full 2026–2027 school calendar here:

English: 2026–2027 School Year Calendar (PDF)

Spanish: Calendario Escolar 2026–2027 (PDF)

See Ongoing Sign Ups and Helpful Links Below

Arizona Tax Credit

Arizona State income tax credit under Arizona Revised Statutes 43-1089.01. Please consult with your personal tax advisor to determine the application of this credit. Contributions are NONREFUNDABLE. Arizona allows individual state income taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to $200 and married couples filing jointly up to $400 for contributions made to public schools to support extracurricular activities.

Click the picture to make a tax credit donation.

To Volunteer at FUSD, click below

Students arriving before 7:30am must be enrolled in the FACTS program. Use the link below to register.

Please contact the FACT's department with any questions. at (928) 773-6168.

FACTS REGISTRATION

Free & Reduced Meal Application

Pay for student's lunch online

Flagstaff Unified School District invites you to join ParentSquare

To activate your account and confirm that we have the correct email for you, please click the link below. We look forward to utilizing this communication tool to strengthen our school community. Please be sure to allow notifications, otherwise you will not know when information goes out from your teacher. or from the office.

Thank you for joining.

Click the picture for more information.

Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

Front Office (928) 773-4020
Absence Line (928) 773-4029
https://www.fusd1.org/sechrist