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This year’s Super Summer Camp has been a vibrant success, drawing 195 enthusiastic students from across the district for several weeks of hands-on, inquiry-based learning. With an impressive average daily attendance of 86%, students were engaged and energized throughout the program—despite occasional absences due to minor illnesses or family travel.
Each week of camp featured themed learning experiences that blended academic rigor with real-world application. During Space Week, students built their own solar ovens, learning about renewable energy through direct experimentation. Weather Wonders Week provided students with opportunities to research natural disasters and present their findings through creative projects.
A standout moment this summer was a surprise visit from a Coconino High School soccer player, who led an afternoon soccer clinic for second graders. His mother, a dedicated Super Summer Camp teacher, helped organize the activity, which highlighted the importance of physical fitness and outdoor learning. The event not only got students moving but also reinforced the value of mentorship and community connection within FUSD.
Every morning, students arrived ready to learn—excited to engage in activities that challenged their minds and sparked their curiosity. With dedicated staff, innovative programming, and strong student participation, Super Summer Camp continues to exemplify how learning can be both rigorous and joyful.
View more photos, click HERE
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Dear FUSD Families,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year at the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD)! It is my privilege to partner with you and our incredible staff as we begin this journey together.
Each year feels like a new beginning, but this one feels especially full of promise. I look forward to the extraordinary successes our students will accomplish.
We live in a place of natural wonders and scientific discovery, and FUSD staff want to bring that spirit into every classroom. For our students, this means more than just learning facts. It means asking bold questions, testing new ideas, and discovering their own potential.
Our dedicated educators are prepared to create vibrant, engaging classrooms where curiosity flourishes. FUSD is committed to the physical, social, and emotional well-being of every child, ensuring our schools are secure and nurturing spaces where students feel they belong.
Your partnership is the key to our success. I invite you to join us, whether by attending a parent-teacher conference, volunteering in a classroom, or simply sharing in the excitement of what your child is learning each day. Thank you for entrusting us with your children.
We are ready for a fantastic year of growth and achievement, and look forward to welcoming our students to the first day of school on Monday, August 4, 2025.
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Flagstaff Unified School District is pleased to announce the official launch of its new website on the Smart Sites platform, hosted by ParentSquare. The redesigned site went live on July 1, 2025, and features improved navigation, streamlined access to school pages, and enhanced integration with staff and family communication tools.
The district’s primary website address remains the same: www.fusd1.org. From the homepage, visitors can easily access individual school sites, just as before.
District and school site administrators will continue refining and updating content throughout the month of August. Families, staff, and community members are encouraged to revisit the site regularly for updates and information as the 2025–2026 school year approaches.
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This summer marked a milestone for KinderCamp, a flagship early education program coordinated by United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) in partnership with local school districts, including FUSD. Now in its 20th year, KinderCamp continues to provide children with the academic, social, and emotional foundations they need to embark on their educational journeys with confidence.
Held during June, KinderCamp served nearly 140 students across five communities this summer: Flagstaff, Williams, and Pinetop-Lakeside, along with Joseph City and Holbrook, which joined the program for the first time this year. The program is specifically designed for children ages four and five who have had limited preschool experience and may face additional barriers to success, such as language differences, special needs, or economic hardship.
In Flagstaff, Thomas Elementary School welcomed 65 KinderCamp students from across the community. The program provided meaningful support to a diverse group of learners, including students with special education needs, English language learners, and those in the care of grandparents or foster families.
According to Sara Owens, coordinator of Flagstaff’s KinderCamp program, the experience was transformative not only for students but also for their families.
“Parents told staff they [felt] more comfortable with sending their child to school and that this program helped their entire family prepare for the transition to kindergarten,” she said.
This year’s participants in Coconino County also received a “Teal Ticket” from Coconino Community College, which guarantees free tuition upon high school graduation. Students who complete their associate’s degree at CCC are then eligible to use a “Golden Ticket” from Northern Arizona University (NAU) to earn a bachelor’s degree tuition-free—creating a clear and attainable path to higher education that starts with KinderCamp.
Looking ahead, the new KinderCamp & Beyond initiative will provide ongoing support for participants throughout their K–12 journey, offering guidance, resources, and long-term connections to ensure continued success.
FUSD is proud to be a continuing partner in this impactful program, and we thank UWNA and the many community sponsors and educators who make it possible for Flagstaff’s youngest learners to start strong and dream big.
View more photos, click HERE.
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Flagstaff Unified School District was proud to host Camp Indi-Genius once again, a culturally enriched summer camp for Indigenous youth, held from July 14 to 18, 2025, at Mount Elden Middle School. Now in its third year, the weeklong camp continues to inspire and empower students in grades 2–8 through a celebration of identity, community, and culturally grounded learning.
Camp Indi-Genius is a powerful collaboration between FUSD’s Native American Education Support Program (NAESP) and Northern Arizona University’s Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools (PITAS) program. The camp serves two meaningful purposes: it provides a culturally responsive learning experience for Indigenous students and helps future Indigenous educators complete the practicum hours required for their teacher certification.
This year’s camp was led by 16 qualified Indigenous instructors working toward their degrees and certifications. These future educators came from across the Southwest, including communities such as Winslow, Burnt Corn, White River, Kirkland, Farmington, Moencopi, Jeddito, Dilkon, Keams Canyon, Chinle, Window Rock, and Rock Point. With deep experience in both tribal and public school systems, they served as inspiring role models for campers while gaining hands-on teaching experience.
Camp activities were designed to foster cultural pride, academic engagement, and joyful learning. The camp’s name, Indi-Genius, is a creative expression of the belief that every Indigenous child carries within them a spark of brilliance—one that can thrive when nurtured through identity-affirming education.
The continued success of Camp Indi-Genius is made possible through the collaboration and dedication of many stakeholders and partners, including the Flagstaff Unified School District, the leadership at Mount Elden Middle School, the Northern Arizona University – PITAS Program, and Flagstaff Youth Riders (FLYRS).
Camp Indi-Genius is offered free of charge to Indigenous students in the Flagstaff community, highlighting FUSD’s and NAU’s shared commitment to equity, cultural celebration, and growing the next generation of Indigenous educators and leaders.
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As we prepare for the first day of school on Monday, August 4, 2025, the Flagstaff Unified School District would like to remind families of important changes to arrival and dismissal times for the upcoming school year.
These adjustments are designed to better support instructional time and transportation logistics across our district. Please review the chart above for your school’s updated schedule, including early release times on Fridays:
Note: Early release times listed above also apply to parent-teacher conferences, finals, and elementary grading days.
If you have any questions about your child’s arrival or dismissal time, please contact your school’s main office directly.
Download the 2025–2026 School Calendar
To stay informed about important dates—including holidays, breaks, and conference days—please review the full academic calendar in English and Spanish.
We look forward to a great school year ahead—see you on August 4.
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Flagstaff Unified School District is proud to welcome Dr. Jaime Festa-Daigle as our new Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. A lifelong educator and passionate advocate for equitable access to education, Dr. Festa-Daigle officially assumed her role on July 1, 2025, bringing with her a wealth of experience from across Arizona.
Originally from the Phoenix area, Dr. Festa-Daigle has spent the past 24 years in Lake Havasu City, where she served in a wide variety of educational roles—from classroom teacher and student council advisor to school principal and director of human resources, technology, and student achievement. She began her career teaching English Learners in the Deer Valley Unified School District and has also taught at both Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University.
Dr. Festa-Daigle holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Grand Canyon University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from GCU. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher and currently serves as the president-elect of the Arizona Rural Schools Association.
In her new role, she is focused on supporting continuous improvement across all FUSD schools, ensuring high-quality teaching, and developing student pathways that lead to success beyond graduation.
“I believe that schools are learning organizations, and we are always on a path of continuous improvement. I am most excited to support students, educators, and school leaders to ensure [FUSD] is the premier school system in Arizona,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with staff to ensure quality teaching that serves and fulfills our community’s needs.”
Outside of work, Dr. Festa-Daigle enjoys CrossFit, yoga, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Her son, a senior at NAU, will be working as a paraprofessional in the district this year, while her daughter is a physical therapist based in North Carolina.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Festa-Daigle to the FUSD family.
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Flagstaff Unified School District is pleased to welcome Kyle Hofmann as the new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Coconino High School. Officially beginning his role on July 1, 2025, Hofmann now joins the school’s leadership team alongside Principal Tadd Ragan, and Assistant Principals Ninon Wilson and Jonathan Corbus.
With over two decades of experience in education and athletics, Hofmann brings a deep commitment to student success, both in and out of the classroom.
“My ‘why’ for teaching and coaching is seeing former students and student-athletes successful in their lives years down the road,” he said. “Witnessing them become great husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and positive members in their communities.”
Hofmann began his teaching career in 2004, following his graduation with a BA in Secondary Education from Arizona State University. His journey has taken him to high schools in Glendale, Peoria, Napa, and Vacaville, as well as collegiate coaching positions at Phoenix College, the University of West Florida, Tennessee State University, and, most recently, Northern Arizona University. He holds administrative credentials in both Arizona and Florida and earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.
In his new position, Hofmann will oversee campus facilities, school safety, and the full scope of athletic programs. His goals for the coming year are focused and ambitious: foster a positive school and athletic culture, achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher for all varsity teams, and bring home the AIA 4A Sportsmanship Award.
Outside of work, Hofmann enjoys mountain and gravel biking, snowboarding, cooking, reading, and spending time with his wife. Having joined FUSD in January 2024, he is excited to deepen his role and continue contributing to the success of the Coconino Panther community.
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Flagstaff Unified School District is pleased to announce that Frank Alvillar Jr. has been appointed as the new Assistant Principal – Dean of Students at Flagstaff High School, effective July 1, 2025. He joins the school’s leadership team alongside Principal Libby Miller, Assistant Principal Matthew Barquin, and Athletic Director Jeannine Brandel.
Alvillar is already a familiar face at FHS, having served as a Teacher on Assignment with administrative responsibilities during the 2024–2025 school year. In that role, he supported the school community through his work in safety, discipline, and restorative practices. Prior to that, he was a valued member of the FHS History Department, where he taught AP U.S. Government, U.S. History, Economics, and PLATO courses since 2017. He has also coached wrestling at FHS since 2019, demonstrating a strong commitment to student engagement both in and out of the classroom.
Before joining Flagstaff High School, Alvillar taught social studies and world history at Baboquivari Unified School District in Sells, Arizona. He holds a Bachelor of Science in History and a Master’s in Education, both from Northern Arizona University.
Known for his leadership, dedication to student well-being, and deep ties to the Flagstaff High School community, Alvillar brings both experience and passion to his new role. As Assistant Principal, he will continue to support student success and school climate through strong relationships, clear expectations, and a restorative approach to discipline.
Please join us in congratulating Frank Alvillar on his new leadership role at Flagstaff High School.
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Flagstaff Unified School District is excited to welcome Matthew “Matt” Griffith as the new Instructional Coach at Coconino High School. Officially starting July 23, 2025, Matt has already begun supporting teachers through curriculum planning and coaching.
Originally from Phoenix, Matt began his education career student teaching at Coconino High School while earning his bachelor’s degree in math education from Northern Arizona University. He later earned a Master of Public Administration and an MA in Social Justice and Human Rights from Arizona State University, and is currently completing a master’s in educational leadership.
After a decade of teaching and instructional leadership roles in Colorado and the Glendale Union High School District, Matt is excited to return to where it all began. In his new role, he’ll partner with teachers to enhance instruction and promote professional growth.
Outside of school, he enjoys running, pickleball, and board games with friends. Welcome back, Matt.
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Flagstaff Unified School District is proud to welcome Janet Chavez-Vesely as the new Instructional Coach at Flagstaff High School.
A Flagstaff native, FUSD graduate, and 22-year veteran educator, Chavez-Vesely has spent her career teaching English at both Mount Elden Middle School and Coconino High School. She now brings her passion for teacher support and instructional growth to FHS.
“My goal as an instructional coach is to be a partner in the professional journey of all teachers,” she said. “Whether it’s co-planning lessons, modeling strategies, reflecting on instruction, or simply being a thought partner—I’m here to listen, learn, and grow alongside them.”
Chavez-Vesely holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and is completing a master’s in Educational Leadership, both from Northern Arizona University. A proud FUSD parent, her daughter graduated from CHS, and her son currently attends FHS.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, reading, watching sports, and spending time with her family—including her two chocolate labs. She is honored to serve in this new role and looks forward to supporting the FHS teaching community.
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FLAGSTAFF UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
3285 East Sparrow Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
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