FUSD Newsletter

Photos: Renderings of the new Marshall Elementary School provided in a Design Update Report presented to the FUSD Governing Board on February 29, 2024.

The Flagstaff Unified School District is pleased to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Marshall Elementary School. The event will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 5 at the new Marshall Elementary construction site, located at the lower level by the field.

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We are thrilled to welcome you back for the 2024-2025 school year! It is an honor to serve our community and partner with you in shaping the bright futures of our students.

The Flagstaff Unified School District is committed to creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment where each student can thrive. Our dedicated educators and staff are eager to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and cultivate the essential skills needed for success in today’s world.

We believe that by focusing on Critical Thinking, Communication, Empathy, Initiative, and Resilience, we are equipping our students with the tools to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and become responsible, engaged citizens.

Your child’s safety is our top priority. We are continually enhancing our security measures to provide a secure and nurturing learning space for all. Your involvement in creating a safe school community is invaluable.

We look forward to a year filled with growth, achievement, and collaboration. Let’s work together to make this the best school year yet!

Michael Penca,

Superintendent

Coconino County Superintendent Cheryl Mango-Paget appointed Dr. Aaron Cirzan to the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board. Dr. Cirzan fills the vacant seat left by Kristine Pavlik, who resigned on May 23 due to increasing family and professional responsibilities. Dr. Cirzan was sworn in Tuesday, June 11, before the evening board meeting. His term will run through Dec. 31, 2024.

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Significant progress has been made on the new site for the new Marshall Elementary School.

Justin DiNardi, Director of Operations for Flagstaff Unified School District, explained that efforts on the site continue with site grading and removing older utility infrastructure.

“CORE, our construction partner, intends to begin roughing in new utilities later this month and will proceed with foundation work into the first months of the Fall semester,” DiNardi said.

Rosanna Jumbo-Fitch also emphasizes that site work will be their primary focus over the next few months, particularly on new site utilities and foundation development.

FUSD appreciates the community’s continued support and understanding as they work diligently to create a state-of-the-art learning environment for its students.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES, click HERE.

Sara Z. Owen, KinderCamp Coordinator, highlighted the successes of the KinderCamp program, a vital early education initiative. Coordinated by United Way of Northern Arizona in collaboration with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD), KinderCamp offers a free, targeted intervention for families, preparing children with limited preschool experience for a smooth transition into kindergarten.

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The 3rd-grade summer camp students had a great time on their field trip to Yogaert in downtown Flagstaff. This visit aimed to give the students a behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of running a small business, with a special focus on frozen yogurt. The kids enthusiastically participated in creating their own fro-yo masterpieces, enjoyed frozen yogurt, watched a movie, and spent time with their friends. It was a delightful and informative experience that highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses.

The Super Summer program, funded by Title I, is a free annual initiative designed to support Flagstaff Unified School District students who need extra help with reading. This year, approximately 225 students participated in the 18-day program, which is specifically aimed at students entering Grades 1-5 who have been identified as struggling in reading based on their AIMSweb+ benchmark scores.

The program offers a unique opportunity for students to enhance their reading skills and prepare for the upcoming school year through a variety of creative and interactive educational experiences.

According to Linda Harbottle, Assistant Director of Educational Enrichment, the Super Summer program provides a valuable chance for students to improve their reading abilities and gain confidence as they head into the new school year.

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This summer, Killip Elementary School hosted another successful Summer Language Camp for students in grades 2-8. The camp’s theme, “Our Language Makes Us Strong,” focused on the rich heritage of the Navajo and Hopi languages.

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Kayla Gonzales, an incoming junior at Flagstaff High School, showcased her talents on a national stage after qualifying for the 2024 Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference held in Seattle, WA. This prestigious event, which ran from June 29 to July 3, brought together over 8,000 students, educators, and guests and emphasized leadership development and career exploration.

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In July, FACTS Camp IWANNAGO students had an incredible opportunity to meet Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett and tour City Hall.

The students enjoyed learning about their local government, pretending to be city council members, and even getting a glimpse into the Mayor’s office.

Thank you, Mayor Daggett, for your warm welcome and for taking the time to inspire our young minds.

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Flagstaff Unified School District recently hosted the second annual Camp Indi-Genius from July 15-19, 2024, at Mount Elden Middle School. This unique summer camp, aimed at Indigenous youth entering grades 2-8, was organized in collaboration with the Native American Education Support Program (NAESP), Northern Arizona University’s Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools (PITAS) program, and the non-profit Flagstaff Youth Riders (FLYRS) program.

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Jessica Reeder is the new principal of Cromer Elementary School, bringing with her 13 years of experience in the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD). During her time in the district, she has worked at various schools, including Puente de Hózhó, Leupp, Thomas, DeMiguel, and Knoles, where she taught different grades and served as an instructional specialist and teacher on assignment. Her career began as a second-grade teacher at Salida Del Sol in the Crane School District in Yuma.

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FLAGSTAFF UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

3285 East Sparrow Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

(928) 527-6000 | www.fusd1.org