Tartesso Elementary School

🍬 Candy Challenge Ends Tomorrow! 🍬

Families, our Candy Challenge wraps up tomorrow at 3:30 PM! So far, we’ve collected 75 lbs of candy toward our school goal of 693 lbs — the size of the largest pumpkin ever grown in Arizona! 🎃

Let’s see if we can get closer to that goal! All candy collected will be donated for the Trunk or Treat at the Sports Park tomorrow night.

And don’t forget — the winning class will get to choose the color Mr. Garcia dyes his hair! 💇‍♂️💥

Bring in those sweet donations and let’s finish strong, Tartesso! 🍭

Big Smiles Dentist Visit – Oct. 23 & 24 🦷
Big Smiles Dental will be visiting our school on October 23rd and 24th! If your child didn’t bring home the permission form, no worries — you can easily register online using the link below.

👉 https://www.myschooldentist.com/TESMAZ_sch

This is a great opportunity for students to receive dental checkups right here at school!

Join us LIVE NOW with Dr. Winters. (bit.ly/smusd) Please feel free to submit questions (https://forms.gle/jBCYhnCViLfsi1Nt8). We look forward to sharing more information with you about the Bond and Override election. Thank you for supporting Saddle Mountain Unified School District.

Thank you to our community members who were able to join us at the community forums. We appreciate the questions and time spent together. In response to those questions, we have created the following charts to share about district Bond/Override spending. We have also included the preliminary designs for the new school construction. In addition, we have decided to host a LIVE YouTube Question and Answer session TONIGHT (Oct 16) at 5:00 p.m. Please feel free to submit questions (https://forms.gle/jBCYhnCViLfsi1Nt8). You will also be able to submit questions live using the same link. We look forward to sharing more information with you about the Bond and Override election. Thank you for supporting Saddle Mountain Unified School District.

Parent Survey Reminder
Dear Parents,
Our teachers need a parent survey completed for each student, and we’re still missing a few!
Your feedback helps us better support your child — and it only takes a few minutes.
📋 Please scan the QR code below and fill out the Parent Survey today!
Your responses make a big difference in planning and improving our classrooms.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts — we appreciate you! 🍂
🧡 With gratitude,
Tartesso Elementary School

🍬 Candy Challenge Is in Full Swing! 🍬

We’re on a sweet mission! Our Candy Challenge is happening now through October 24th, and we need your help to reach our school goal of 693 pounds — the size of the largest pumpkin ever grown in Arizona! 🎃

📦 Drop Off Location: Tartesso’s front office
🍭 What Happens: Candy donations will be added to your student’s class total.

All collected candy will be used for our Trunk or Treat event at the Sports Park on October 24th!

🏆 Prizes:

If our school reaches the 693 lb. goal, everyone earns an extra recess!

The class with the most candy donated will get to choose the color Mr. Garcia dyes his hair! 💇‍♂️

Let’s show our Tartesso spirit and crush this candy goal!
Go Tartesso Tigers! 🐯🍫

Dear Families,

Don’t wait, sign up TODAY! Kids Heart Challenge starts soon, and I’m proud of our school for supporting the American Heart Association to help save lives! Our school can also earn funding and PE equipment along the way!

1. Sign Up at http://www2.heart.org/goto/tartesso or download the AHA Schools app
2. Make a personal gift to kickstart your efforts
3. Send 5 texts or emails asking for support


Students who raise $150 before kickoff will earn limited edition, Victor!

Click the image below to meet Heart Survivor, Ridge and hear how you can learn lifesaving skills and help kids with special hearts through Kids Heart Challenge. Thank you for being a Heart Hero!

https://youtu.be/5kwG_XovVnA?si=e4v8p32Q68BYXHRi

Thank you to our community members who were able to join us at the community forums. We appreciate the questions and time spent together. In response to those questions, we have created the following charts to share about district Bond/Override spending. We have also included the preliminary designs for the new school construction. In addition, we have decided to host a LIVE YouTube Question and Answer session on Oct 16th at 5:00 p.m. Please feel free to submit questions (https://forms.gle/jBCYhnCViLfsi1Nt8). You will also be able to submit questions live using the same link. We look forward to sharing more information with you about the Bond and Override election. Thank you for supporting Saddle Mountain Unified School District.

You can join us live at this link - https://youtube.com/live/rN_aqJir6QY?feature=share

Please take a look at our second installment of our "Day in the Life" video series. This one features Jesus Oyarzabal, the cafeteria manager at Winters' Well Elementary.

https://youtu.be/CY4mIqF4SzE

Please see the attached letter from our principal.
Thank you
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19M6KG6gDb4xpxj9S55HpjS_k4ViDsFg3-LSdoxEpmuc/edit?usp=sharing

Parents please read this important message from our Principal.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19M6KG6gDb4xpxj9S55HpjS_k4ViDsFg3-LSdoxEpmuc/edit?usp=sharing

Reminder!
Today and tomorrow are Half Days! 🎒
All students will be released at 11:15 AM.

Please make sure pickup arrangements are made on time.
Thank you for your cooperation!

Tonight will be a historic first for the Saddle Mountain Unified School District. Tonight's board meeting will be livestreamed to YouTube. Tonight's meeting and all future board meetings will be publicly available on the Saddle Mountain YouTube channel.

🎉 October is National Principals Month! 🎉

Families and students,
October is National Principals Month, and we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate Dr. Scales for all of her hard work, dedication, and the care she shows our students and staff every day! 💙

Dr. Scales works tirelessly to make our school a welcoming, safe, and fun place to learn and grow. Let’s show her how much we appreciate her!

Here are a few simple ways students and families can join in:
🌟 Write her a thank-you card or note
🌟 Draw a picture to brighten her day
🌟 Give her a friendly smile or high five in the hallway
🌟 Share kind words or a memory that shows how she’s made a difference

Let’s come together as a school community to show our gratitude and appreciation for all Dr. Scales does to make our school the best it can be!

🍬 The Candy Challenge is On! 🍬

Dear Families,

It’s that time of year again—our annual Candy Challenge has begun! We’re asking each class to help collect candy for our Trunk or Treat event happening on Thursday, October 24, 2025, at the Sports Park.

All the candy collected will be passed out during this fun community event. The class that brings in the most candy donations will earn a special treat from administration! 🎉

How you can help:
🍭 Send in bags of individually wrapped candy with your student.
🍫 Make sure the candy is unopened and school-appropriate.
🍬 Turn in donations by Wednesday, October 23rd so we can have everything ready for the big night!

Let’s make this year’s Trunk or Treat the sweetest one yet! Thank you for helping make our event fun and successful for all our students and families.

With appreciation,
Tartesso Elementary School PTO

Here's a glance at what's going on this week.

✨ Our 2nd graders had a blast exploring and learning at the Arizona Science Center today! 🧪🔬 Big thank you to our amazing chaperones for helping make this trip possible. 💙 Happy Friday! 🎉 Don’t forget—our Family Dance is tonight from 5–7 PM. We can’t wait to see you there! 🕺💃

Please help us finish off our fundraiser on an amazing and positive note. Our students and families did great and we want to close out the sale and be able to distribute prizes.
Thank you for your support,
Tartesso Elementary

Don't forget tomorrow night is Tartessos Fall Family Dance. Bring the whole family for some fun! Please remember that kids can not attend the dance without a parent.