The Christensen School Blog

Condolences

2014-09-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Sadly, Christensen's good friend, ever-faithful school crossing guard, and jack-of-all-trades, Don Lisk, passed away after a prolonged hospice stay recently.

He was a good man and well-beloved by all at the school who knew him.

He will be missed.

Condolences

2011-06-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Our friend and fellow former Christensen coworker, Alyce Horsey's husband, Steve, passed away this week.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Steve Horsey on Tuesday, June 7, at 6:30 P.M. at Calvary Chapel, 7725 N. Hwy 89. Refreshments will follow in the church hall. Alyce would like everyone to come. Calvary Chapel is on the right (southeast) side of Hwy 89. There is a Subway sandwich shop across the road. If you get to Horseman’s Lodge you have driven too far.

First Annual Christensen HOMECOMING Open House

2011-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

Former Christensen faculty, staff, and volunteers are invited to a happy time of reunion at the First Annual Christensen School Homecoming Open House on Monday, January 31, 2011, from 5:30-7:30 PM.

If you've been wondering what and how everyone's been doing, this should be a fine time to catch up.

Hope to see you there!

Condolences

2010-11-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

Our most sincere condolences go out to our good friend and coworker, Jeanne Dustman, long-time NAU-Christensen Pre-professional Partnership (Block) Program instructor at Christensen. Her husband, Jack Dustman, died on Sunday, November 14, 2010. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 19, at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM.

Christensen School - Reborn!

2010-11-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Our well-used and well-loved former campus is beginning to be spring back to life. While Christensen will no longer be used as a public elementary school, it will be reused. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, FUSD has begun moving the grades 7-12 Project New Start program into the east wing of the building. What an exciting opportunity for these students and teachers. We trust our fine, old building will serve them as well as it served us!

The Last Staff Picture

2010-11-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Christensen Elementary School Faculty & Staff

2009-2010

It was so windy that morning!
[full size: 1943 x 1347]

More Where Are They Now!

2010-10-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Souris, long-time Christensen teacher wonders:

And, Mrs Smith, our most-excellent school secretary writes:

May I add a couple updates to your list?

Jean Campbell is at Sechrist doing TK
Heather Christopher is TK Aide at Sechrist
Nicole Bershee is TK Aide at Sechrist
Jennifer Rihanha is KG Aide at Marshall with RaeAnn Townsend
Therese Giorsetti is Speech at Sechrist (and just broke her foot!!!)
Gretchen Gooby & Jill Morse are at Kinsey doing preschool speech evaluations
Jessica Knott is now counselor at Cromer (M-TH) and Leupp (Fri)
Ms. Sullivan is now Mrs. Connors :)
Linda Howell is attendance/office aide at Kinsey
Cheryl Martin is SPED Aide at Thomas
Krystina Talayumptewa is SPED Aide at Thomas
Dianne Reed-Long is custodian at Thomas
Tara Scholz is FACTS at Thomas
Marlinda Begay is Cafeteria at DeMiguel
Debra Kamzelski is Nurse at Cromer
Shannon Taylor is Native American Counselor at Cromer
Linda Harbottle & Nancy Pierce are still at Christensen in POD B somewhere . . .
Jennifer Pritchard & Jody Tanner are still at Christensen in the Counselor's office
NewStart (alternative Middle/High School) will move into Christensen Oct. 29th
TAPP(?) or TIA(?) plans to move into Christensen's portables
Family Resource Center will move into Christensen's library and POD B area

Still wondering about:

These were district-wide special area teachers:
Ellen Furr
Lena Cheney
Linda Wilkins
Lindsey Peterson
Kelly Titus
Judy White

These were instructional aides:
Victoria Boone
Pam Cain (maybe with Alyce Horsey at Thomas?)
Andrea Chavez
Charissa Eckert
Deborah Jackson
Sammy James
Casey MacArthur
Jolene Watahomigie
Theresa Myers (maybe at Cromer?)
Susan Palm
Gail Pettinger
Linette Smith
Sunnirae Suqnevahya
Sophie Weiss

These were cafeteria workers:
Lisa Lee
Regina Biah
Laura Smith

So, if you hear about any of these people, please add to our list. Every once in a while, I run into somebody that may know them, too, so I'll keep asking.

Where are they now? [Updated]

2010-08-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well, we think we've finally got a bit of a handle on where many of our teachers and staff members will be working next year, after a looooong summer of waiting and wondering. Suffice to say: It's been a challenging time for most of us. But as things begin to come together, and as classrooms get unboxed and reset in interesting new places, we've seen lots of smiles, and heard lots of happy-talk from everyone about the school year that's soon to come.

Here's the list, so far, of where we're going and what we'll be doing. It's not a complete list. We'll be honest: some of our friends are STILL wondering where they're going to teach next year. We'll hope to add their names to this list SOON as things come together for them, too. If you spot a mistake on the list, or if we've forgotten to include someone, or if something changes between now and whenever, send us a note and we'll make the change ASAP!

Mr. Ontiveros - retired
Mrs. Weatherby - retired
Mrs. Lasher - retired, moving to Phoenix
Grandma Gay - "Wandering around, looking for a place to land."
Mrs. Seyler - Knoles - K
Ms. Sullivan - Knoles - K
Ms. Brodman - Sechrist - 1
Mrs. Townsend - Marshall - K
Mr. Macias - Marshall - 2
Mr. Corbett - DeMiguel - 2
Ms. McFall - Marshall - 2
Mrs. Koenig - Marshall - 2
Mrs. Hanno - Killip - 3
Ms. Zwisler - Kinsey - 1
Mr. Thornton - Thomas - Sp. Ed.
Ms. Lunde - Cromer - Sp. Ed.
Mrs. Horsey - Thomas - Sp. Ed.
Mr. Atencio - NAU Praxis Program
Mrs. Atencio - moved to Colorado
Mrs. Cake - Sinagua - 6
Mrs. Henderson - Sinagua - 6
Mrs. B. Campbell - Sinagua - 6
Mr. Laird - Sinagua - 6
Mrs. Grant - Marshall - 3
Mr. Coe - Marshall - 5
Mrs. Cayou - Puente - 4
Mrs. J. Campbell - DeMiguel - tK
Mrs. Knott - Sinagua
Dr. Gallagher - NAU
Mrs. Fix - Thomas (M-Th), Leupp (F)
Mrs. Noyes - Thomas (M-Th), Leupp (F)
Mrs. Lehman - retired, moved to Missouri
Ms. Obrinski - Cromer - RTI specialist
Mrs. Gillis - Knoles
Mr. Bowie - Puente
Mrs. Sanders - Marshall
Mrs. Smith - DeMiguel
Mrs. Wickman - moved to Colorado
Nurse G. - District Office
Mrs. Beale - Killip
Mrs. Harbottle - ??
Mrs. Pierce - ??

All of our classroom aides and other support staff seem to still be up-in-the-air, too. We'll let you know whenever we know more... Stay tuned.

Gone. But not forgotten.

2010-06-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Christensen School may be gone. That's a sad reality. But, we promise: Christensen School will not be forgotten.

Since April 10, 2006, we've made 427 posts to this blog. In the years to come, it's our intention to continue to make a few more. Maybe not every week, as has been our habit. But surely from time-to-time... as noteworthy occasions present themselves... as old memories are evoked... whenever the mood strikes.

Our publication schedule may be a bit up-in-the-air, but our word is good: this blog will continue to exist, just as it always has... as a place for Christensen-folk to find out What's Happening At Christensen School.

In the near future, as things fall into place, we'll also let you know where all your favorite administrators, and office staff, and teachers, and school-support folks have ended up so you'll know what they're up to... And so you'll know where to visit them when you're compelled, one of these days, to stop by, who-knows-where, just to say hello!

We're also going to reopen the Comments Section of this blog... it's been disabled for some time, just because... But now, in view of our need of a forum, of a place to say our piece, we're going to reopen this worthwhile function. We're still going to try to be a little bit responsible about all this, however. So that means your comments will be moderated; they won't post right away until someone (probably Mr. Coe) reads them to ensure they're not SPAM, not filled with vitriol and/or bad-words, and stuff like that. But otherwise, we'd like to encourage you to speak your piece about our school! Tell us what's on your heart and mind. Simply click the 'add a comment' link at the bottom of this, or any other, post.

So, please, stay tuned. Our school may be gone, but our Christensen School Community will endure.

Set a bookmark on this page.

Subscribe to this blog's automated RSS feed.

Friend us on Facebook.

Or sign up below to receive all of our updates via email:

And finally, thanks one last time, from all of us here at Christensen Elementary School, for your support!

We have loved being a part of your lives.

FUSD School Board votes to close Christensen

2010-06-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

This evening, Tuesday, June 8, 2010, the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board voted to close Christensen Elementary School. In addition to our school, Flagstaff Middle School and South Beaver Elementary School will also be closed. The Sinagua campus will be re-purposed as a middle school.

According to the Arizona Daily Sun "District officials will reconvene Wednesday morning to begin discussing new boundaries for the remaining schools."

FUSD Board Meeting - 5:30 PM, Tuesday, June 8 @ Coconino H.S.

2010-06-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

THIS week at Christensen - May 17-21, 2010

2010-05-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

4-Sight Testing ALL WEEK

Wednesday, May 19

Ms. Zwisler's class to Petco, 12:30-3:00

Thursday, May 20

Fifth grade D.A.R.E graduation ceremony in the Activity Room, 2:00

Friday, May 21

Mrs. Townsend's class Spring Program in the Library, 10:00
Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25
Faculty meeting for teachers in the Library, 1:00

THIS week at Christensen - May 10-15, 2010

2010-05-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, May 12

Mrs. Grant's class to the The Arboretum at Flagstaff, 9:30-3:00

Thursday, May 13

Faculty meeting for teachers in the Library, 7:50
Accelerated Reader Store in the Library, all day
Mrs. Connor's and Mrs. J. Campbell's classes to Willow Bend Environmental Education Center
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by Federated Community Church in the Activity Room, 11:30-1:00
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in the Library, 6:00-7:30

Friday, May 14

Accelerated Reader Store in the Library, all day
Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25
Classroom placement meetings in the Library, 1:45

Saturday, May 15

4-6th grade Native American awards assembly at Kinsey School, 10:30

THIS week at Christensen - May 3-7, 2010

2010-04-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 6

All Kindergarten classes to the Phoenix Zoo, 7:00-6:30
Western BBQ lunch in the Cafeteria, 11:15-1:05

Friday, May 7

Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25

THIS week at Christensen - April 26-30, 2010

2010-04-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

Teacher Appreciation Week

Monday, April 26

FUSD middle school registration for sixth graders at Christensen, 9:00
FUSD Social Health classes for fifth graders begin, 9:00

Tuesday, April 27

Teacher Appreciation Week breakfast in the Activity Room, 8:00-8:40
Ms. Mcfall's class to Out Of Africa Wildlife Park, 8:00-3:15
Mr. Coe's class to Elden Pueblo, 9:00-2:00

Wednesday, April 28

Mrs. Lasher's and Mrs. Grant's classes to Arizona Science Center, 6:45a-6:30p
Mrs. Cayou's class to Elden Pueblo, 9:00-2:00

Thursday, April 29

Band, Choir, Strings concert in the Gym, 6:00

Friday, April 30

El Dia de los Ninos celebration in Mrs. Townsend's class, 10:00
Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25
Teacher Appreciation Lunch in the Library, 12:30

THIS week at Christensen - April 12-16, 2010

2010-04-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 13

AIMS Day 1: Writing Test, all day

Wednesday, April 14

AIMS Day 2: Math and Reading Tests, all day
Annual Open House Night, 6:00-7:30

Thursday, April 15

Faculty meeting for teachers in the Library, 7:55
AIMS Day 3: Math and Reading Tests, all day

Friday, April 16

Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25

REMINDER: Kindergarten Registration Open House - TONIGHT - Wed., Apr. 7, 2010 - 4:30-6:30 PM

2010-04-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

FUSD Parent Satisfaction Surveys Available Online

2010-04-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Christensen Parents,

How are we doing? What can we do better? We want to know your opinion!

Please let us know by completing the Flagstaff Unified School District Parent Satisfaction Survey. It's available online in both English and Spanish. The surveys will remain open through the end of May.

English Version:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fusd_parent_satisfaction_survey_2010

Spanish Version:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/la_encuesta_de_satisfaccion_2010

THANKS!

REMINDER: Kindergarten Registration Open House - NEXT WEEK - Wed., Apr. 7, 2010 - 4:30-6:30 PM

2010-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

THIS week at Christensen - April 5-9, 2010

2010-04-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Macias for being honored by the Coconino County Coalition for Children and Youth with their Caring for Children Award!

Tuesday, April 6

AIMS Training session for teachers in the Library, 8:00

Wednesday, April 7

Kindergarten Open House Night, 4:30-6:30

Thursday, April 8

Mrs. Hanno's and Ms. McFall's classes to City Hall and Thorpe Park, 10:00-2:00

Friday, April 9

Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25

REMINDER: Friday, April 2, is a REGULAR School Day

2010-03-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

Per the FUSD calendar, this Friday, April 2, 2010, is a regular school day, NOT a holiday.

News from Mrs. Taylor, our Native American academic advisor

2010-03-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Tribal Clothing has arrived! A parent needs to come by the school and sign for it. If you have any questions please call or come by and see me in the morning before school begins.

Also, the district-wide Native American Family Fun Night will take place in the Gym at Christensen this Thursday evening from 6:00-7:30. Hope to see you there!

Shannon R. Taylor

Native American Academic Advisor

Christensen: 773-4140, mornings

Cromer: 773-4150, afternoons

THIS week at Christensen -- March 29 - April 2, 2010

2010-03-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Monday, March 29

ESL class for parents in the Activity Room, 8:15-11:15

Wednesday, March 31

Spring Picture Day in the Activity Room, all day

Thursday, April 1

Mrs. Hanno's, Mr. Macias, and Ms. McFall's classes to the Flagstaff Police Department, 12:00-2:30
District-wide Native American Fun Night in the Gym, 5:30-8:00

Friday, April 2

Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25

Kindergarten Registration Open House - Wed., Apr. 7, 2010 - 4:30-6:30 PM

2010-03-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

THIS week at Christensen - March 22-26, 2010

2010-03-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Monday, March 22

ESL class for parents in the Activity Room, 8:15-11:15

Tuesday, March 23

Willow Bend Day at Christensen, all day

Friday, March 26

Early release for school improvement and planning every Friday, 12:25
PTIO Spring Bingo Night in the Gym, 6:00-7:30

Mark your calendar:

Spring Picture Day, Wednesday, March 31, all day