Optimistic October 2026
All about Family Conferences
Specials Schedule during Family Conferences:
As a reminder, during the Fall PT Conferences 3rd, 4th, 5th & XCat get Music, Art & Library; K, 1st & 2nd get PE. (For Spring Conferences: K, 1st & 2nd to get Music, Art & Library; 3rd, 4th, 5th & XCat to get PE)
Specials Schedule for the week of October 5th, 2026:
Monday, October 5: normal day for all specials
Tuesday, October 6: 4th grade 8:05-8:45, 3rd grade 9:00-9:40, 5th grade 9:50-10:30 (Early Release - 2nd, 1st & K no Music, Library or Art)
Wednesday, October 7: Early Release - XCat normal times for Music & Art
Thursday, October 8: 4th grade 8:05-8:45, 3rd grade 9:00-9:40, 5th grade 9:50-10:30
We need teachers to assist with the following 3 items:
1. School Supplies - Only $1200.00 out of the $12,000.00 has been recovered. Please have a handout available for families to donate to supplies (QR code provided).
2. Volunteer Sign up policy. This must be completed EACH year in order for families to even chaperone a field trip. Please have handout available for families to sign up (provided). Details below.
3. Attendance Letters were created and printed on Tuesday for families. Please draw attention to FUSD's focus on attendance. Superintendent's goals are below.
3. Fill out Family Conference Completion Form for Superintendent Penca's report.
Message to Families About Volunteering:
Whether they chaperone a field trip or lend a hand with other school activities, volunteer time makes a huge difference.
To make getting started as easy as possible, here is a simple quick-start guide to the registration process:
Step 1: Register on Axe of Service
Complete your initial registration through Axe of Service and "Become a Fan" of our school to receive updates on upcoming needs.
Step 2: Fill Out the FUSD Volunteer Form
Complete the FUSD Volunteer Form to submit your contact details and select your volunteer level.
Step 3: Background & Fingerprint Verification
Depending on your selected volunteer level (1, 2, or 3), complete a BIB background check or submit an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Step 4: Start Volunteering!
Once approved, you can sign up for open roles directly through Axe of Service or respond to direct school outreach.
Woot Woot Wagon for staff and small refreshments for families will be provided thanks to the MCSO!
Report your conference percentages HERE .
Supporting Student Transitions to Middle School
District middle school visitation events are scheduled for our 5th grade students for their home school.-
- MEMS Visitation: DeMiguel, Kinsey, Leupp, Marshall and Sechrist
- SMS Visitation: Cromer, Killip, Knoles (walk), PdH, Thomas.
- Pickup at 9:30 am arrive by 10:00 am, Depart 1:00 pm. arrive back by 1:30 pm
- Lunch will be provided at the MS for 5th graders
- Schools are asked to avoid planning field trips or transportation-dependent activities during these times.
- More information will be forthcoming on evening/family showcase events for each school.
2026–2027 District Attendance Targets (From Superintendent Penca)
October Bus Evacuation Drills & Safety Video Requirement - NEW
As part of our annual bus safety program, all students will participate in bus evacuation drills in October. A new DPS requirement also requires every student to watch a 10-minute bus safety video before their scheduled drill. Please play this video with your class before our drill on October 21st. The drill will start at 9:155am, and we will call classes down as we have busses open up. Thank you for your flexibility. We will call grades down (Schedule TBD). DPS Video
Our local Masonic Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Arizona are supporting public schools with the following two programs.
2026 Classroom Grant Program: The Grand Lodge will provide funding up to $250 for projects submitted by classroom teachers serving grades K - 8.
Student Community Service Award: Nominate students in grades 3-8 who are making a positive difference in their schools and communities through service to others. Students selected as statewide winners will receive a certificate of recognition and a monetary award.
Applications are due on November 30, 2026, and may be submitted to Tom Carpenter at carpentertom85@gmail.com.
See email from 9/22/26 at 4:11pm for fillable applications.
Marshall's Spelling Bee
It is time for the annual spelling bee. The spelling bee can be such a fun way to get your students excited about spelling. The only commitment is sending home study lists & holding a classroom spelling bee (can be optional for students, does not need to be entire class). If you are interested in joining this year's spelling bee, please see the timeline below and let me know if you are in!
Reply and let Meghan Mears know if your class will be participating by Monday, October 19th
Give your participants the classroom spelling bee study list (you will receive this from me)
Complete classroom spelling bee and email me the winners (1st and 2nd place) by Friday, November 20th
Give your classroom winner and runner up the school spelling bee study list (you will also receive this from me)
School wide spelling bee - Friday, December 4th
All grade levels are invited to participate!
State 48 Posters:
FUSD has created State 48 posters for all classrooms/learning spaces as a reminder of the alignment work we are doing this year. A poster will be delivered to you. Please find a place to hang it up before leaving for Fall Break.
Picture Make Up Day
Mark your calendar- Make up Picture Day is Friday, October 23rd!
Professional Development through FUSD
FUSD CyberSecurity Trainings to be completed by Oct. 30th.
@ District Office on Oct. 22nd from 3-4:30pm. Attendants will receive 1.5hrs of salary advancement credit. Please use the link below to sign up.
DnA Module 3 (From Mike Vogler)
DNA Module 3 covering DnA reports is now available in the Canvas course
https://fusd1.instructure.com/enroll/YHLLAW. This course is part of our district data PD on October 16th. As a grade level team, please collectively determine whether you would like to take the class before the PD day or during the PD time.
Free Math Tutoring Resource: (From Claudia)CRR is providing free math tutoring for K–12 students across Arizona. I have attached the flyer and included the website for your convenience. Please feel free to share this information with families at your school.
Thank you for helping us share this resource with our families!
https://crr.math.arizona.edu/tutors
Just in Flu shot opportunity!!
Coming Up
Monday, Oct 5
~ Full day
~ Reasor at Admin Coucil 12:00-4:30pm
Tuesday, Oct 6 - Early Release Family Conferences
~ Reasor appt at 2:00pm
Wednesday, Oct 7 - Early Release Family Conferences
~ Reasor OUT
~ Walk to school day - Marshall is not participating in organized walk this year.
Thursday, Oct 8 - Early Release Family Conferences
~ Reasor OUT
~ Vera flu vaccines on site!
Friday, Oct 9-12 FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL!
Sunday, Oct 11 Happy birthday Kaitlyn Arminio!
Monday, Oct 12
~ Indigenous People's Day
Tuesday, Oct 13
~ Welcome back from Fall Break! Let's crush 2nd quarter!
Wednesday, Oct 14
~ 9:15-11:00am Dr. Jaime Festa-Daigle visit
Thursday, Oct 15
~ 7:00-11:00 am Reasor at DeMiguel for ELETE
~ 1:00-1:45pm Reasor in Title I Budget Mtg
Friday, Oct 16 Happy birthday Pennie Chaney!
~Friday Early release schedule (click on Marshall tab)
Saturday, Oct 17 Happy birthday Andrea Huffmon!
Monday, Oct 19
Tuesday, Oct 20
Wednesday, Oct 21
~ 9:15am Bus Evacuation Drill
~ 5:30-6:30pm MCSO in Library
Thursday, Oct 22
~
Friday, Oct 23
~ 8:15-8:45am THINK assembly "H"
~ 9:00am Picture Retake Day in Suzuki Rm
~Friday Early release schedule (click on Marshall tab)
Saturday, Oct 24 Happy birthday Christina Janeway!
Red Ribbon Week
Monday, Oct 26
~ 8:30-9:30am Reasor Cabinet Mtg
~11:00am-12:00pm MTSS
Tuesday, Oct 27
~ Fisher Schultz Area field trip
Wednesday, Oct 28
~Ayala Schultz Area field trip
Thursday, Oct 29 Happy birthday Chelsea Dohse!
~Mears Schultz Area field trip
~ 10:20-11:00am Joust the Musical
Friday, Oct 30
~Kinder Halloween Walk 9:00-11:00am
~Friday Early release schedule (click on Marshall tab)
Saturday, Oct 31 - NO KIDS FOR HALLOWEEN (day of nor day after!!!!!)
Oct 6-8 Parent/Teacher Conferences
oct 9-12 Fall Break
Picture retakes
oct 23 - think assembly
nov 6 - veterans day assembly
nov 11- veterans day
nov 19 thankful for you feast
nov 23-27 - thanksgiving break
dec 10 -early release elementary
Dec 14-18 spirit week
dec 17 - music & arts family night
end qtr 2
dec 21-jan 3 winter break
