September
2026
Happy September, Fairview Families!
Thank you for helping us get the school year off to such a smooth start! Fairview is humming with the excitement that comes with a brand new year. Relationships are being built, routines are taking shape, and high quality teaching and learning is well underway. It has been wonderful to see our Falcons settling in and making Fairview feel like home again!
Students are also wrapping up their first iReady Reading and Math assessments of the year. Teachers will use these results to help students understand where they are, celebrate strengths, and set goals for continued growth. We will also use this information to help build our RTI groups. Students with specific areas of need will be matched with an intervention teacher for approximately 25 minutes of targeted instruction, four days each week. Students without an identified area of need will participate in enrichment opportunities designed to extend their learning and provide additional challenge. We anticipate beginning RTI in early to mid October.
As we move through September, please save this newsletter and refer back to it. It includes important information and updates about the upcoming Fairview Fever Festival, CPS Tiger Food Drive, news from our Specials teachers, attendance reminders, and much more.
We have a lot to look forward to, and we are grateful to have your family along for another great year!
With gratitude,
-Tyler
Dr. Tyler Simmons
Principal
Fairview Elementary
Picture Day for Fairview Elementary School is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22nd during the day. Please check your child's backpack for order forms, or you may order online.
This event's "Order Code" is 0513RSF.
All CPS schools use these codes to help track absences:
PN (Parent Notified): This code will be used when a parent contacts us to let us know their child will be absent or when Mrs. Houston reaches out and the parent confirms they were aware of the absence. Please note: PN is considered an Unexcused absence, even if we’ve been notified.
Truancy: If we are not contacted by a parent about an absence, it will be marked as Truancy. This will also trigger an automated robocall.
M (Medical): This code is used when a student is sent home by the school nurse or misses school for a doctor’s appointment. Please make sure to send a doctor’s note so we can mark the absence correctly.
Keeping open communication about absences helps us support your child’s success in school.
Thank you!
Meet Your 2026-2027 PTA Leadership Team
Our new Fairview PTA leadership team is ready and excited to serve our school community this year!
- President: Jennifer Sykes: sykesj@health.missouri.edu
- Vice President: Molly Myers: myersmol1875@gmail.com
- Secretary: LeAnn Rehard: Leann.rehard@gmail.com
- Co-Treasurers: Kellen David: kellenburkett@gmail.com and Bridget Aldrich: bkdy96@gmail.com
- FFF Co-Chairs: Laura Arey (laurarowephoto@gmail.com) and Tammie Rowe (Trowe101069@gmail.com)
Ways to Be Involved
Our PTA plays a tremendous role in making Fairview such a special place for students, staff, and families. From organizing community events like the Fairview Fever Festival and Falcon Friday to supporting teachers, funding special projects, and celebrating our students, so much of what makes Fairview unique happens because dedicated volunteers step up to help.
The truth is, these events don't just happen. They rely on parents and family members who are willing to serve behind the scenes, whether that's leading an event, joining a planning committee, or simply lending a hand for an hour or two.
If you're looking for a meaningful way to get involved and make a difference at Fairview, we'd love to have you! Check out the volunteer opportunities linked here. Please note: This document will continue to be updated throughout the school year as additional events and volunteer opportunities are finalized.
September PTA Meeting
Our first PTA meeting is on Monday, September 14th and will begin at 5:30 PM in the library. Please join us, if you're able! The next meeting will take place on October 12th.
ANOTHER Falcon Friday on September 25th!
Falcon Fridays are special opportunities for Fairview students, families, and staff to connect throughout the school year. On designated Fridays, students are invited to arrive a little early for an all school morning recess while families and staff members have time to visit and build relationships with one another.
Our next Falcon Friday will take place on Friday, September 25, from 7:50 to 8:20 AM. . We hope you will join us for a fun and relaxed start to the day!
Join the Fairview PTA!
The Fairview PTA plays an important role in supporting our students, staff, and school community — and we’d love for you to be part of it!
Your membership dues go directly toward supporting teachers and students, funding classroom needs, school events, and more.
📝 No time for meetings? No problem!
You’re welcome to join and support the PTA without attending meetings.
💙 Every membership strengthens our school. Join today and help make a difference!
Fairview Family Directory-- Sign Up Today!
Would you like to connect with other Fairview families outside of the school day? Consider joining our optional Family Directory!
This is a great way to make it easier to coordinate playdates, birthday parties, or stay in touch with classmates’ families. You can choose to share as much or as little contact information as you’re comfortable with. If you opt-in, please be sure to submit a response for each of your children who attend Fairview.
✅ Participation is completely optional
📱 Here’s the link to sign up: Fairview Family Directory 2026-2027
We hope this helps strengthen connections within our amazing Fairview community!
We are looking for volunteers to help with our annual Fairview Fever Festival on Friday, October 9, from 4:00–7:00 PM. Volunteers will help with carnival games, activities, and other parts of this fun community event. This is a great opportunity for families and students who need volunteer or service hours or who simply enjoy working with younger students and giving back to the community.
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/fff26-volunteers
Our Grounds Department has asked schools for a little extra help keeping our campuses free of litter. Because litter pickup is not included in our mowing contract, trash left around the grounds can make it difficult for crews to mow thoroughly and keep our campus looking its best.
This is also a great opportunity for our students to practice being good stewards of their school and community! Throughout the year, you may see Fairview classes heading outside for a quick cleanup walk. If your family is visiting our playground, walking the grounds, or simply notices litter while coming or going, we would appreciate your help picking it up and disposing of it properly as well.
Fairview is typically mowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, so Mondays and Tuesdays are especially helpful times to give our grounds a little extra attention. Thank you for helping our Falcons take pride in the place we share!
Fairview is excited to participate in the 4th Annual CPS Tiger Food Fight! During the week of September 14–19, we will have large collection bins in our front vestibule for families who would like to donate food to the Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri.
The most needed items include peanut butter, canned fruit, canned meats, and canned soups or meals. Please do not send any items in glass containers.
Families can also make a monetary donation using Venmo or a credit card by scanning the QR codes on the flyer. If donating electronically, be sure to select or list Fairview Elementary so your donation counts toward our school total!
There is even a little friendly competition involved! The CPS school that raises the most money and collects the most pounds of food will earn a special Mizzou themed prize and may even receive a visit from Truman the Tiger! Most importantly, this is a great opportunity for our Fairview community to come together and help families across our community. Let’s fill those bins, Falcons!
From the Home School Communicator
Welcome back to school, Fairview families! My name is Stephanie Wyatt, and I am the Home School Communicator for the Fairview community. My job is to support any student who is struggling at school - with anything from behavior support to ensuring basic needs are met to being a smiling face at school. If your family is needing support, please reach out to me by calling Fairview at (573)214-3590, texting me at (573)260-2721, or emailing me at swyatt@cpsk12.org.
Some available community resources are:
● Voluntary Action Center’s Holiday Program - Sign up deadline is 10/9
Provides assistance in making sure the Winter holidays keep their magic for kids
● The Food Pantry’s Buddy Packs & School Market
Ensuring all kids have access to food
● The Children’s Closet (formerly Operation School Bell) - Sign up deadline is 9/28
Provides qualifying students with clothing and coats for winter weather
● The Wardrobe Shoe Coupons
Coupons sold for $5.00, families can purchase shoes up to $60 at no additional cost
From the Media Center and Technology
Welcome to Technology Specials! I’m Mrs. Reese, new to this position but not new to Fairview. I’m excited about my new role. We are off to a great start. We are reviewing expectations for computer and iPad use. Looking ahead, students will be learning about Digital Citizenship, practicing keyboarding in Typing club, and some grades will be using Schoology in their activities.
In the Media Center, Mrs. Harre and Mrs. Weber return to their same roles. Students are excited about new books we received! We are reviewing checkout procedures and book care. We will continue with skills to help students find great books and build reading excitement!
From the Media and Technology Team:
Kimberly Reese, Karen Weber and Valerie Harre
From the Counselor
Hi Falcon Families. My name is Lillian Hoell (pronounced “Hale”) and I am the full-time School Counselor for Fairview. This is my 21st year as a School Counselor and my 15th year at Fairview. Sydney Ridgeway will again be joining me on Tuesdays.
Our program provides support through classroom lessons, individual and small group counseling, collaborating with educators, parents, and community agencies, and referrals for mental health. We help kids make friends, solve problems, deal with stressful situations or life changes, appropriately express or regulate emotions, etc.
Classes in September will focus on reconnecting with students, helping them know us, and having them think about themselves (strengths, interests, feelings, etc.). For more information about our Counseling program, check out my website: http://counselorhoell.weebly.com/ or feel free to reach out at any time lhoell@cpsk12.org.
The beginning of the school year can be a hectic time for some families! I’m including a list of quick, fun ways to connect with your kiddos in 5 minutes of less.
Looking for other parenting tips or support? Check out ParentLink at https://cehd.missouri.edu/parentlink/ or call their WarmLine 573-882-7323 to visit with professionals who can assist you in thinking through solutions to your parenting concerns and/or help you obtain community service and other resource information.
I’m looking forward to an amazing year!
Lillian Hoell
From the Music Room
Hello Fairview Families! My name is Sara Dexheimer, and I am the Music Specialist at Fairview. This is my 20th year teaching at Fairview, and I absolutely love being a Falcon. Our Fairview musicians have started the year off with a bang! All grade levels have sang, danced, played instruments, and most importantly, created music! Check out our music room website at www.fvemusic.com
I’m looking forward to a great year! Feel free to contact me any time.
Mrs. Dexheimer
From the Art Room
Hello Fairview Families! I am Lindsay Robb the Art Teacher here at Fairview, this is my 23rd year teaching art in CPS. All classes are off to an amazing start in art as we are learning routines and starting our schoolwide art project. Students were introduced to an L.A. street artist by the name of Thank You X who uses isometric cubes in many of his works. Students and staff are designing their own cubes, and they will be put together to create one large mural. I am excited to see all the creativity that will take place this year! Please reach out anytime.
Mrs. Robb
From the Gym
Greetings Fairview Families!
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year. My name is Andy Wright, and I’ll be teaching PE this year. As I told your students, I went to school here at Fairview from K-6th grade and I’m entering my 22nd year of teaching. I’m proud to say all the years have been at Fairview! My wife, Kim, is an instructional mentor at West Blvd. Elementary. I’ve got 2 kids; Max is a sophomore at Mizzou and Hattie is a sophomore at Rock Bridge. I’ve got 2 pets; Kody is a 3-year-old golden retriever and Lenny is a 9ish year-old leopard gecko. They get along great! I’ve also got a mowing business which has kept me plenty busy!
Classes are working hard to get back into the routines as well as learning some new and playing some familiar PE games. So far so good!
PLEASE try to help your students participate by wearing tennis shoes. I know the schedule is not ideal, meaning PE is usually not on the same day each week. Our classroom teachers are very helpful with PE reminders for the next day. Let’s work as a team to get them to school with them on! I encourage them to wear tennis shoes every day 😊
There are 2 simple rules for the gym…. Be safe and have fun! We’ll work to practice that as the year goes on.
Again, welcome, and here’s to a great school year!
Please reach out with any questions or thoughts you might have throughout the year.
Take care, Andy
Raptor System
The Raptor Visitor Management System allows schools to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools. Upon entering a district building, visitors will be required to present a valid-government issued ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork. The visitor management process will only be used during school hours.
Thank you for your cooperation on keeping our campuses safe.
For more information on the Raptor Visitor Management System, please visit their website.
- Monday, 9/14: 1st PTA Meeting, 5:30 PM
- Tuesday, 9/22: School Picture Day
- Friday, 9/25: Falcon Friday (all-school morning recess from 7:50 AM- 8:20 AM. Families are welcome!)
- Wednesday, 9/30: Early Release @ 12:50 for Teacher Collaboration
- Friday, 10/9: Fairview Fever Festival
- Friday, 10/16: Teacher Collaboration Day, NO SCHOOL
- Friday, 10/23: Falcon Friday (all-school morning recess from 7:50 AM- 8:20 AM. Families are welcome!)
- Friday, 10/30: Teacher Collaboration Day, NO SCHOOL
Dr. Simmons
Mrs. Salas
Contact or follow us
Email: jhouston@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/16
Location: 909 South Fairview Road, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: 573-214-3590
Facebook: Follow us here!
Twitter: @FVEFalcons