Monday, September 29, 2025

Optimistic October!

 You can join the Optimistic October Challenge!  Click HERE for details.

Technology Integration from Superintendent Penca:

Let's work together to create educational environments where our digital tools are not devices for passive consumption, but gateways for students to inquire, create, and collaborate. This is how we prepare them for the future they deserve. (See guidelines below)



Family Conferences:

Conferences are a time to touch base with families on how their student is progressing through the school year academically. Any information shared should not come as a shock to families, as we need to maintain regular connection with them throughout each quarter.


  • Conferences are offered to all families to provide information on academics.
  • Meeting Options: In-person, virtual, or over the phone
  • Conference Times: 20 minutes each
  • Conference Times: Tuesday: 12:00-2:50, Wednesday: 12:00-6:30, Thursday: 12:00-2:50
  • Late Night: Wednesday, October 8th, 3:00-6:30 pm No Dinner provided
  • The above times that are offered by all staff, if you would like to schedule them before school or starting before Tuesday, as that works better for families, that is okay.
  • Create your sign-up through ParentSquare-directions below.
  • If families are not signing up through ParentSquare, contact them via email or phone to set up a time with them. We need to reach out and connect with families.
  • Complete Document with Conference Numbers HERE

For individuals who stay late on Wednesday, October 8th, and have completed or have makeup conferences scheduled with families. You may leave early on the 9th once your conferences are complete.

MCSO will provide snacks for our families when they walk in and Student Council (supported by MCSO) will be coming around with the Woot Woot Wagon on Tuesday to spoil our teachers!  Special area teachers are setting up a display at the entrance and continue to try to engage with our families.  Thank you all (especially the Connect Crew) for elevating our conference experience. 


ParentSquare Instructions

ParentSquare makes it easy to create appointment sign-ups, allowing families to select a time that works best for them. Please follow the step-by-step instructions linked below to set up your sign-ups:

TIP: In your post regarding conference sign ups, you can ask families to notate in the comments if they will be attending in-person or virtually when they select a time slot.

Virtual Conference Option: Microsoft Teams

To accommodate families who prefer virtual conferences, you can set up meetings via Microsoft Teams. You can create a Microsoft Teams meeting and share the link with parents through ParentSquare. Here are instructions on how to use Microsoft Teams set up your virtual meetings:

TIP: You can choose to do a single Teams meeting for all of your conferences with a waiting room, and only admit families into the meeting when their time slot begins. Or, you can create a separate meeting for each family that requests a virtual meeting.

ParentSquare Tech Support

ParentSquare provides a comprehensive customer support service through chat or email. If you have questions about using ParentSquare, start a chat with their customer support team by clicking the question mark in the upper right hand corner of ParentSquare and selecting “Chat With Us.”


For FUSD technical support with ParentSquare and/or Microsoft Teams, submit a ticket via FMX here or call the Technology Help Desk at (928) 527-6300.

Thank you for your continued dedication to ensuring our families are well-supported and engaged in their children’s education. 


Optional Learning & Salary Advancement Classes
Learn About Math Through U of A--
Link Here

Learning through the County: Professional Learning Opportunities for 2025–2026 – See attached or Canva Catalog FY 26


Restorative Practices in Canvas - 10 hours toward Sal. Advancement

If you are interested in learning about or refreshing your knowledge on Restorative Practices, you can self-enroll into this Canvas course!! The course is self-paced, and you can earn 10 hours of salary advancement by signing up through Frontline.

  • Details: Fall Session 2025

  • Format: Self-paced, online via Canvas

  • Hours: 10 hours Salary Advancement

  • Enrollment: Click here to self-enroll in Canvas

  • PD Credit: Sign up in Frontline to receive credit

If you choose to enroll and would like to discuss any of the topics or need anything, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Knott.


The 2025–26 Webinar Series

MLC Webinars provide practical, just-in-time support for Bridges classrooms.

Each live session focuses on a specific topic, often aligned with seasonal needs or common questions that arise during the school year. Sessions are facilitated by the MLC team and include strategies, demonstrations, and opportunities for participant questions.


The first webinar in this year’s series, Starting Your Year Strong with Bridges, takes place on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 3:00–4:30 PM PT. This session will highlight ways to build a learning community, pace instruction, and establish routines to support a strong start—whether you’re just beginning or have been in school for a month.

Register for the webinar


Recordings will be available after each webinar so you can revisit content or catch up if you miss the live event. You can also view the full schedule of upcoming webinars and explore the topics we’ll cover throughout the year on our website.


Understanding the Mathematics we Teach

The Big Place Value Episode with Eric Sisofo

Unitizing: The Theme That Runs Through Elementary Mathematics with Beth Hulbert

How You Say It Matters: Teacher Language Choices that Support Number Sense with James Brickwedde

Making Sense of Fractions with Susan Empson


Cultivating Positive Mathematics Identities

Practical Ways to Build Strength-Based Math Classroomswith Beth Kobett

Breaking the Cycle of Math Traumawith Kasi Allen

Affirming our Students’ Math Identitieswith Karisma Morton


Strengthening our Instructional Practices

Inside Out: Examining the Meaning and Purpose of our Questionswith Vicki Jacobs

Posing Purposeful Questionswith DeAnn Huinker

Recording Student Thinking During a Math Discussion with Nicole Garcia

Strengthening Tasks Through Student Talk Amber Candela and Melissa Boston


Equitable Practice in Action

Exploring a Framework for Equity in the Math Classroomwith Pam Seda and Kyndall Brown

Principles for Responsive Curriculum Usewith Corey Drake

Grouping Practices that Promote Efficacywith Peter Liljedahl

Extending Opportunities for Engagementwith Megan Shaughnessy



From your special area teachers:

For the week of October 6th, here is the Specials Schedule:

Monday, October 6th - regular schedule
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, October 7th -9th 
      Third Grade 8:05-8:45
      Fourth Grade & XCat 8:55-9:35
      Fifth Grade 9:45-10:25
Kindergarten, First and Second Grade will have Specials during the early release days in March.

Walk to School Day 

Walk to school day is coming up on October 1st. We are looking for some volunteers to help make this experience memorable. Walk to School is no longer something the city puts on, so the only thing that's going to make it special is us! I know your students would love to see your face in any capacity. Students will be walking from the tree park (Jim CUllen Memorial Park located at 519 W. Piute Dr.  7:30am.

From A.Ramirez      

Week of Sept. 29th -

Special Area teachers should prepare grades.


Friday, October 3rd -

End of quarter 1 - Teachers, please wait to print Standards Reports until attendance has rolled over.


October 7-9

Conferences - Please have Standards Reports available to families.

Friday, October 17th

Grade Book will close

Please be sure to "Mark all students complete" by this date.

All changes after this date will need to go through Lynette Hammit at the district office.


Reminders:

  • If a child has an IEP or 504, Standards Reports cannot indicate this in any way. To support this, Accommodations and Modifications indicators have been removed from standards reports. Families will receive progress reports on goals from their child's case manager.

  • If a standard has not been assessed yet, standards reports must have an X, please do not leave any boxes blank.

Although principals and district leadership recognize the need for more clarity when it comes to grading practices and our new curriculum guides, you are encouraged to follow the grading practices discussed with your team until further discussion is had at the district level. 

Finally, here is the Grade Book Canvas course again with "How To" videos from entering grades to preparing Standards Reports and more.


 Please reach out with any questions. 

Thank you AR


Professional Communication & Device Use  

Did you know????


Email & Other Communication-Please be mindful of all communication, including email, Teams, Google, ParentSquare, and other district platforms. District communication could be reviewed if necessary, even if messages are deleted.


Computer & iPad Use- District devices, as well as personal devices connected to the district network, could be viewed if necessary. This includes files, photos, and internet activity. To protect your privacy, please avoid storing personal information on district laptops or iPads.


Personal Information- Many employees store personal information on district devices. Remember that anything on district devices could be viewed if necessary.

Keeping personal items off these devices helps maintain privacy and security.



Data Collection October 2nd and 6th

Classroom teachers will be asked to collect data on how students arrived at school on the morning of October 2nd and 6th. The Safe Routes to School Community group is collecting this information from all schools in Flagstaff on these two days. The objective of this assessment is to identify current transportation conditions, barriers to safe walking and biking, and provide up to three priority opportunities for improving multimodal access to each school. 

This initiative supports the goals of enhancing student safety, promoting active transportation, and informing future infrastructure planning and policy development.


Parent Square Message - AIMSWeb+

It came to my attention that an automated message came out to all families surrounding individual student AIMSweb+ Data. It states whether their student is well below/below average/above average/well above average in reading and in math with no other information. If you have parents reach out, please let them know that you will be going into detail about student achievement during parent teacher conferences.


Halloween 
Finally on a Friday!!!!  We do not have to endure the day after! Please check out the "Halloween 3-Pronged Policy"  below.  No surprises here, just common sense. 
 

Marshall's 3-Pronged Policy -----E   (get it?)
1.  Any Halloween activities must be aligned with standards and instruction.
 
2.  Aligned Halloween activities must not impact or interrupt other school programs, schedules, or special classes, including but not limited to RTI.

3.  Costumes must be school appropriate following the guidelines below.  If your students wish to come in costume, please make sure you pass along and monitor these guidelines.  

  • If costumes are in any way unsafe students will be required to remove them.  
    • No attire may be worn which would in any way impede the student from moving safely and quickly out of the building in the event of an alarm.
    • If students must change, they will be sent to the nurse's office or  they will be required to stay in the office until parents arrive with a change of clothes.
  • Costumes must not obstruct vision or movement or in any way present a hazard to the student or other classmates. 
    • Masks may not be worn.  Not even outside the classroom.
  • No fake knives, swords, or guns of any kind may be used as a part of any costume. 
    • Such items will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension from school.
  • Costumes must not be overly gruesome and overtly violent.
  • Inflatables must be deflated inside to safely move around the building.  They may inflate outside for play. 
Also, please keep in mind: many of our constituents find the celebration of Halloween to be offensive, contrary to their religious beliefs, or just a distraction from what should otherwise be a normal, productive day of school.  In planning to incorporate Halloween into your teaching next week, should you choose to do so, please recognize and honor each individual's position on this issue and their right to hold it.  You may not choose to exclude from instruction students who choose not to recognize Halloween.  Please keep in mind: a separate-but-equal instructional program for such students is most often neither.

Thank you for you help in enforcing the "Halloween 3-Pronged Policy".  Please share your educational ideas and photos with the rest of us. 


Coming Up

Monday, Sept 29
~ 4;00-5:30pm Reasor at District Calendar mtg
Happy Birthday Holly Thompson!

Tuesday, Sept 30
~ 11:00am Reasor construction meeting

Wednesday, Oct 1
~ Walk to school day!
~ 9:15am -1:30pm Fisher to Buffalo Park

Thursday, Oct 2
~ 4:00-5:30pm Keys to Literacy #2 at Marshall Library

Friday, Oct 3
~ Mustang Gallop!
~ End QTR 1

Monday, Oct 6
~ 9:00-10:00am MTSS
~ 12:00-4:30pm Reasor at Admin Council

Tuesday, Oct 7
~ 11:00am Reasor construction meeting
~ Family Conferences - Early Release

Wednesday, Oct 8
~ Family Conferences - Early Release
~ Marshall's late night for conferences

Thursday, Oct 9
~ Family Conferences - Early Release

Friday, Oct 10 and Monday Oct 13 - Fall Break! Enjoy your days off!


Tuesday, Oct 14
~ 11:00am Reasor construction meeting


Wednesday, Oct 15
~ 8:00-11:30am Reasor at ELETEAM ~ 3:00-4:00pm Reasor at Health and Safety Mtg
~ 5:30-6:30 Marshall CSO in the library

Thursday, Oct 16
~ Principal Partner visit in the AM
~ Bus evacuation drill

Friday, Oct 17
~ Principal Partner visit in the AM
~ Gallop Funds are due
Happy Birthday Andrea Huffmon!

Monday, Oct 20
~ 9:00-10:00am MTSS
~ Tutoring begins at FRC for elementary students from 3-4pm

Tuesday, Oct 21
~ 11:00am Reasor construction meeting


Wednesday, Oct 22


Thursday, Oct 23
~ Kinder at Walnut Canyon

Friday, Oct 24
~ Picture Day Make Ups
Happy Birthday Christina Janeway!

Monday, Oct 27
~ 4:00-5:30pm Reasor at District Calendar Committee
~ 12:00-4:30pm Reasor at Admin Council

Tuesday, Oct 28
~ 11:00am Reasor construction meeting
~ Schultz Pass - Fisher

Wednesday, Oct 29
~ Schultz Pass - Mears
Happy Birthday Nurse Chelsea!
Thursday, Oct 30
~ Schultz Pass - Ayala
~ 4:00-5:30pm Keys to Literacy #3

Friday, Oct 31 - Halloween




Oct 2 - National Custodian's Day
Oct 3 - Mustang Gallop
Oct 3 End QTR 1
Oct 7-9 Parent/Teacher Conferences
Oct 10&13 - Fall Break
Oct 24 - Picture retakes
Nov 11 -veterans day
Nov 14 - BOLD training
Nov 20 - Thankful for you luncheon
Nov 20 - Marshall's open house for all alumni
Nov 24-28 thanksgiving break
dec 11 early release elementary
dec 16 - ribbon cutting ceremony 12pm
dec 19 end qtr 2
dec 22-jan 2 winter break
jan 5 first day in new school! wow!!!!


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