Grizzly Gazette

Granite Mountain Upper Elementary School

1800 Williamson Valley Rd., Prescott, AZ 86305

Phone: 928-717-3253

Fax: 928-717-3284

prescottschools.com

Benchmark Testing Week ~ Sept. 28 to Oct. 1st

October 2nd: NO School for STUDENTS

October 7th: 6th Grade Band/Orchestra and Choir Concert

October 9th: Last Day before Fall Break

October 12th~16th: Fall Break

October 19th: Quarter 2 Begins!

Hello Grizzly Families!

Dismissal Update: Thank You, Grizzlies!

A huge thank you to our families for your patience, flexibility, and cooperation as we’ve adjusted to our new dismissal routines. We know changes take some getting used to, but we are happy to report that dismissal is moving faster AND safer! We are consistently getting all buses and parent pickups completed in significantly less time, with much better traffic flow around campus. Your cooperation is making a real difference!

Please take a look at the photos below. The existing crosswalk through the closed upper playground has received a fresh coat of paint and has been extended to connect directly to our parking lot. The upper playground remains closed during dismissal for both schools. However, families may now safely walk through the designated crosswalk area to get to and from the parking lot.

And one very important reminder: No matter where you choose to meet your child, the adult needs to cross onto campus and safely escort your student back to your vehicle. Please use the designated crosswalks every time. Walking between buses or crossing through the bus area is dangerous, even when it looks like traffic has stopped. We know everyone is anxious to get home, but taking that extra minute to use the crosswalk is worth it!

We also had the hardworking folks from Cornerstone Church on campus this weekend helping us beautify our new "GMUES Parent Waiting Areas." They brought new picnic tables, signs and benches. We appreciate their help and service to our students so much! Enjoy the new space!

Thank you again for working with us, being patient as we made these changes, and helping us make dismissal safer, smoother, and faster for everyone!

Don't forget to register and vote!

• The Last Day to Register to Vote: October 5, 2026
  
• Early Voting Starts: October 7, 2026
  
• Last Day Recommended to Mail Back Your Ballot: October 7, 2026
  
• Election Day: November 3, 2026

Families can visit the PUSD election information page for additional details about the proposed override and bond, including funding, projects, election dates, and frequently asked questions.

PUSD Election 2026 Information

We encourage families to take the time to learn about the measures, review the available information, and participate in the November 3 election if they are eligible to vote.

Warmly,

Karen Hughes, Principal

karen.hughes@prescottschools.com

Don't forget! Clubs will continue right after fall break as usual. They last for the semester and we will change after the holidays.

No Club Days Calendar:

Friday, Oct. 2nd No school, teacher work day

Monday~Friday, Oct. 12-16th Fall Break

Wednesday, Nov. 11th Veterans' Day

Wednesday~Friday, Nov. 25-27 Thanksgiving Holiday

Friday, Dec. 11th LAST DAY of CLUBS

Watch for new clubs the first week we return in January

Dear Parents and Families,

There are just a few days left in our Fundraiser Challenge and we are so close to reaching our goal! Please log in to your child’s fundraising page to check their progress:

RaiseAboveIt.com/GraniteMountain

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. Thank you for your continued support!

Thank you from our GMUES PTO and STAFF!

Dear PUSD Families,

PLEASE APPLY FOR FREE OR REDUCED COST LUNCH

Can you take 10 minutes to do something great for your child’s school? Please fill out an easy online application at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ You may or may not be interested in your child receiving free or reduced-cost meals at school. However, when we have more families complete the application, this increases grant funds available to all our schools. Available funding applies to not only meals, but also for important services like extra reading and math support for all students, as well as after-school programs.

The threshold for helping PUSD qualify for additional funding is surprisingly high. (For instance, a family of five can earn up to $71,558 per year.) This application must be filled out annually. Please go to the link above and help your federal tax dollars come back to your community and to your school.

As a thank you to all of our wonderful students for helping us reach our fundraising goals, the Granite Mountain PTO is hosting a Day of Awesomeness.

We need parent volunteers to help teachers and staff supervise students doing fun bounce house and obstacle course activities on this day. Please use the link below to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AAEAB29A1FEC07-66177085-dayofawesomeness

Parents- Please go into your Synergy account to update what meds the nurse can give your student at school.

Thank you

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k2tT-Za-yMpNwHnus9aNM0eCSL_hMGUDKuXHBnnCo-

Y/viewform?edit_requested=true

Here is a link to the routes for Granite students: https://granitem.prescottschools.com/services/bus-schedules

As you do your back to school shopping for your student, please keep in mind our PUSD Dress Code:

Dress Code:

School regulations PROHIBIT student dress or grooming practices that:

• Present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school. This would include:

• Dangling or large hoop earrings.

• Articles of clothing or jewelry which may cause damage, maintenance problems, or present any safety concerns or school disruptions (ie chains, spikes, etc).

• Nails that are filed in pointed shapes (coffin nails, stiletto nails). Nail length needs to be appropriate to the school environment and setting

• May disrupt and/or interfere with school work, create disorder, or prohibit the ability of a staff member to effectively deliver the educational program. This would include:

• Skirts and shorts should be at least fingertip length — this means when arms are resting at sides, the bottom of your shorts or skirt should reach your fingertips. Clothes should provide full coverage, so please make sure outfits keep everything covered. If a student’s shorts or skirt is suspected of being too short or not meeting this guideline, it may be reviewed individually by school administration. Students may be asked to change if their clothing is determined to be out of dress code.

• Shirts including crop top, belly or 1/2 shirts that do not reach the waistband when seated. (Midriff/torso must be covered at all times)

• Clothing that is offensive or inappropriately revealing, such as transparent clothing, straps more narrow than a credit card, low cut shirts, and pajamas/flannel pants/onesies. No athletic clothing (leggings, sweatpants) that skin can be seen through (Straps more narrow than credit card must be covered at all times) (Pajamas/Flannel Pants/Onesies are meant to sleep in, not go to school in)

• Exposed underwear, such as bras and boxer shorts/briefs or anything resembling underwear, such as bralettes, sports bras, tube tops, etc.

• Pants/shorts that are not worn or secured at the waistline.

• Pants/shorts that have rips or holes higher than mid-thigh (Holes must be below your fingertips when your arms are at your side).

• Headgear may ONLY be worn during recess outside, such as caps, beanies, hoodies, with the exception of religious headgear.

• Body piercings which cause damage, maintenance problems, or present any safety concerns or school disruptions (ie chains, spikes, etc).

• Students are not allowed to draw or write on themselves, others, or clothing.

• Make-up, hair color, hair styles must not potentially disrupt the educational environment including but not limited to lipstick, eyeshadow/eyeliner, face paint, etc. (natural-looking mascara is acceptable).

• Costumes, including tails, ears, headbands with ears or accessories, etc. are only allowed to be worn as allowed on spirit days.

(Masks are never allowed to be worn on campus due to safety reasons, including partial face masks)

• Clothing that has wording or images that are not school-appropriate.

• Cause excessive wear or damage to school property. This would include:

• Shoes with heelys (rollers), cleats, or studs.

• Prevent students from achieving their educational objectives.

• Clothing and/or accessories that are gang style or represent membership in a gang.

• Clothing and/or accessories that have statements, pictures, or symbols that represent prejudice, obscenity, vulgarity, sex, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.

PUSD Cell Phone Policy

Why do we have rules around cell phones?

Cell phones are valuable and important communication devices in today’s world. Prescott Unified School District schools are committed to an academic environment where students are engaged in their learning, actively participating, and building academic endurance. However, use of cell phones during the instructional day severely impedes and distracts from the learning process.

For more information:

• https://districtadministration.com/cellphone-policy-difficult-call-school-district-leaders/

Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Headphones/Electronic Devices/Toys

Cell phones are only allowed for use after the final dismissal bell has rung AND the student is at their pickup location sitting and following directions from staff members. Cell phones need to be put in backpacks or purses during the school day. Students may not have them in their pockets or on their person. Any changes to pickup location that needs to be communicated to students please contact the school office to get a note to your child. If a parent/guardian needs to get a hold of their student during the school day, please contact the front office at 928-717-3253.

If electronic devices are found in violation of this policy, the item will be confiscated by a staff member and students will have to follow the policy on the confiscated item document to have the item returned.

• 1st offense - Student may pick up confiscated item in the office at the end of the day. Student was informed and understood the 2nd offense.

• 2nd offense - Student may pick up confiscated item in the office the next day if this form is signed by a parent/guardian and turned in.

• 3rd offense - Student's parent/guardian must claim confiscated item in office. (Parent/Guardian may claim the item in the office between 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

• 4th offense - Disciplinary action will be taken for Defiance of Authority; Cell Phone Contract will be enacted.

• Headphones (airpods, bluetooth headphones, etc.) of any kind are not permitted for use on campus at any time.

• Electronic devices such as iPods, iPads, MP3 players, gaming systems, etc. are not allowed at school or on field trips.

Bicycles, Scooters, and Skateboards on Campus

Students may ride bicy­cles, scooters, and skateboards to and from school, but GMUES accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any bicycle, scooter, or skateboard. Always lock bicycles, scooters, and skateboards and never ride them on school grounds. This includes the sidewalks at Abia Judd Elementary School. Bike racks and skateboard racks are provided outside the front office. Please note that scooters are NOT allowed on the PUSD buses. Students riding a scooter to school then taking a bus must find an alternative placement for their scooter after school. Skateboards are allowed on PUSD buses as long as students are responsible with them.

Items prohibited at school

Students should not bring valuables or large amounts of money to school. Other non-permitted items include, but are not limited to: gum, fidget spinners, tech decks, caffeine and/or coffee drinks, fireworks, laser pointers, aerosols/sprays, noise makers, silly string, Airsoft guns, squirt guns, paintball guns, any other toy resembling a weapon, tobacco, electronic cigarettes/vapes, weapons and blades, lighters, matches, rollerblades, rolling shoes (heelys), and other unapproved toys/items. Items not allowed on school grounds may be confiscated and stored in the office to be picked up by parents.

Food Service/Free and Reduced Meal Program

Students may purchase their breakfast or lunch at school or bring food from home. Lunch menus are posted monthly on the school's website at http://www.pusdonline.com/food-menus/. Parents can send money to the school cafeteria with their child(ren) or establish a meal account via PUSD Food Service Breakfast is $1.50 per meal and lunch is $2.75 per meal. Students can also purchase milk for $0.50. An applica­tion for free or reduced price meals is sent home with each student during the first week of school. They are also available in the office. Complete and return the application to the cafeteria manager. An application can also be found at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx

Food and Drinks/Cafeteria

During lunch students are only allowed to eat in the cafeteria. Students will have recess time to go to the blacktop/field to play/socialize. During lunch students are expected to:

• Deposit all litter in the trash

• Leave the area around the eating space clean

• Stay seated at their table

• Students who carry their own lunch should keep all food in their backpacks throughout the day unless a teacher grants the student permission to take it out during class.

• Food and drinks should not be shared due to health concerns and allergies

Water bottles (containing water) are the only drinks allowed on campus outside of the designated eating areas. Caffeinated drinks or energy drinks are not allowed to be consumed at school. This includes during the lunch period. Please do not bring energy drinks or caffeinated soda to school.