💜 One Spirit Morning Left — Go Indians Friday, $1 Griffith Tattoos at 7, the 9:30 Parade and Coats for a 38-Degree Saturday Night

Or: Together Forever Thursday Is Done — Last Day of Free Lunch Week, Board Results Still Pending, Everybody Back in Class Monday and a Chilly Bus Stop to Start the Week

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, October 15, 2026

For parents of Gen Alpha kids in the Sequatchie Valley — babies through about age 12 — tonight’s skim is the last homecoming fridge calendar of the week. Together Forever Thursday is done. One dress-up morning is left, and tomorrow morning is the big one for the littles.

Here’s the School News & Calendar update: Go Indians Friday is the final spirit day; Griffith Elementary’s PTO is selling $1 homecoming tattoos from 7 to 8:30 a.m.; the homecoming parade is listed at 9:30 a.m.; free lunch week ends tomorrow; the Board of Education’s Monday results still aren’t posted; Marion and Hamilton kids finish fall break Friday, so everyone is back in class Monday, Oct. 19; and the weather turns from a near-79 Friday to about 38 Saturday night. (Weekend outings and library programs live in the Kid-Friendly Events skim — this piece stays on school.)

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Done: All four dress-up days through Together Forever Thursday.
• Friday, last one: Go Indians Friday — school colors.
• Griffith families: $1 homecoming tattoos, 7–8:30 a.m. in the GES library. Send a dollar in a pocket.
• Parade: Listed at 9:30 a.m. (one library calendar still says 9) — be curbside by about 9 to cover both. Older siblings: football vs. Community, 7 p.m.
• Lunch: National School Lunch Week’s last day Friday. Meal or allergy questions: 423-949-3617.
• Board: Met Mon., Oct. 12 — still no minutes or votes posted as of Thursday night.
• Monday: Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Marion and Hamilton are all in class. Bus stop near 40 — coats on.

💜 Last Spirit Morning: Go Indians Friday (and a $1 Tattoo at Griffith)

Four down, one to go. Sequatchie County Schools’ official homecoming dress-up list ends with:

• Fri., Oct. 16 — Go Indians Friday ← tomorrow morning

Make Believe Monday, Take a Picture Tuesday, Wild West Wednesday and Together Forever Thursday are all in the rearview.

New for Griffith Elementary families: the GES PTO is selling temporary homecoming tattoos for $1 each on Friday, 7:00–8:30 a.m., in the school library. Families are asked to send money with students that morning, and the short window means early arrival matters.

What it means for you: Lay out purple and gold tonight and tuck a dollar in a pocket or backpack zipper so it doesn’t get lost on the bus. If your child usually arrives after 8:30, tomorrow is a morning to leave a few minutes early.

👉 Read more (district: Homecoming Week dress-up themes) · Dunlap.Today: GES $1 tattoos

📣 Tomorrow’s Parade: 9:30 a.m. Listing, Curb by About 9

The homecoming parade is Friday morning, Oct. 16. Dunlap.Today’s homecoming football article lists it at 9:30 a.m., and so does the library’s weekly post; the library’s online calendar still shows 9 a.m. Being curbside by about 9 covers both — and organizers already suggest arriving early for good spots and parking.

New since our last skim: Dunlap.Today posted the high school’s parade guidelines for students. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are encouraged. Students who carry an EpiPen or inhaler should check in with Nurse Stacey before the event. Appropriate face paint is fine, shorts must meet fingertip length, comfortable walking shoes are encouraged, and students are not allowed to ride on floats.

No early dismissal for homecoming Friday turned up in the district calendar or any posting we checked — so plan on a regular school day and watch district alerts in case anything changes.

For older siblings, homecoming football is Community at Sequatchie, 7 p.m. at Indians Stadium. Bring a real jacket if you stay — Friday night drops to about 45 with gusts.

What it means for you: Parade morning should still feel warm, so sunscreen and a hat for little ones on the curb, plus a small bag for candy. Hold onto hats and little flags once the wind picks up. If you need firm drop-off or pickup details, call the district at 423-949-3617 or Griffith at 423-949-2105.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: parade 9:30 a.m. and Friday football) · Dunlap.Today: parade guidelines

🍎 Free Lunch Week’s Last Day Friday

National School Lunch Week wraps Friday, Oct. 16. Still on: Sequatchie serves breakfast and lunch at no cost to families, regardless of income, and the Dunlap-Tribune reported in September that all three county cafeterias scored a perfect 100 on state health inspections.

What it means for you: Last call for a thank-you drawing for the cafeteria crew. Allergy or special-diet note to update? Call (423) 949-3617.

👉 Read more (Dunlap-Tribune: cafeterias receive perfect grades)

🏫 Board Results Still Not Posted — Plus a New November Date for Homeschool Families

The Sequatchie County Board of Education met Monday, Oct. 12, at Griffith Elementary. As of Thursday night, the district’s board page still shows only the Oct. 12 agenda — no minutes or vote results. We won’t guess what passed. The items most families of littles have been watching were first readings on medicines at school, an emergency allergy response plan and opioid antagonist use; a first reading isn’t a final vote.

New on the district’s news feed (posted Oct. 13): a Special Education Consultation Meeting for parents and guardians of students in private schools or homeschool programs — Monday, Nov. 9, at 3:00 p.m. at the Sequatchie County Board of Education. It’s a chance to ask about special education services the school system can provide and how eligibility is determined. Can’t make it? Call 423-949-3617.

What it means for you: EpiPen or school-medicine family? Keep watching for those board outcomes; next dates are the working session Tue., Oct. 27 and the regular meeting Mon., Nov. 2. Homeschooling a little one you’re wondering about — speech, reading, development? Pin Nov. 9.

👉 Read more (board agendas) · District news & events (special education consultation notice)

🧸 Neighbors’ Break Ends Friday — Everybody Back Monday, Oct. 19

Marion County and Hamilton County finish fall break Friday (Oct. 12–16). Bledsoe took the same break week as Sequatchie (Oct. 5–9). That means on Monday, Oct. 19, all four counties are in class at the same time.

What it means for you: Mixed-county households get simpler mornings next week — one schedule, one alarm. Friday is the last day to cover cousins or step-siblings who are still home. Expect regular school-bus traffic on every road Monday.

👉 Read more (Hamilton County Schools: fall break) · Marion County calendar overview

🧥 Warm Parade Morning, Then Coats — Saturday Night Near 38, Monday Bus Stop Near 40

The National Weather Service Dunlap forecast (updated 6:06 p.m. CT Thursday) calls for:

• Tonight: Clear and calm, low near 63
• Fri.: Increasing clouds, high near 79; south wind turning north in the afternoon, gusts as high as about 25 mph
• Fri. night: Mostly cloudy, low near 45, gusts to about 25 mph
• Sat.: Mostly sunny, high near 60, gusty north wind; Sat. night clear, low near 38
• Sun.: Sunny, near 65; Sun. night near 39
• Mon.–Thu.: Sunny and warming — about 70, 73, 76 and 78

What it means for you: Friday: T-shirt and sunscreen for the parade, a sweatshirt in the backpack for the windy afternoon. Weekend: real coats for evenings. Monday: Sunday night’s low near 39 means a cold bus stop — coat, hat or hoodie for the walk, layers that come off by recess as it climbs toward 70. Write names in jackets now; lost-and-found season starts this week. Recheck weather.gov before Friday’s curb wait.

👉 Read more (NWS Dunlap forecast)

🗓️ School Fridge List — Fri., Oct. 16 Through Thu., Oct. 22

• Fri., Oct. 16: Go Indians Friday (last spirit day). GES $1 tattoos 7–8:30 a.m. Homecoming parade listed 9:30 a.m. — curb by about 9. Lunch week ends. No early dismissal verified. Football vs. Community 7 p.m. for older siblings. ~79, gusty afternoon.
• Sat.–Sun., Oct. 17–18: Weekend — Sat. night near 38. (Kid-Friendly Events skim covers outings.)
• Mon., Oct. 19: Regular school week; Marion and Hamilton back too. Chilly bus stop.
• Tue., Oct. 20: Regular school day.
• Wed., Oct. 21: Regular school day.
• Thu., Oct. 22 (new in our window): Regular school day. No school dates are marked for Oct. 19–22 on the district calendar we checked — watch district alerts. (The public library is closed Thursdays; the Friends’ book sale that day is in the Kid-Friendly Events skim.)
• Looking ahead (pin lightly): Red Ribbon Week is nationally Oct. 23–31 — Griffith has done themed dress days in past years, but 2026 themes aren’t posted yet, so watch folders. Board working session Tue., Oct. 27; regular board Mon., Nov. 2; special education consultation (private/homeschool families) Mon., Nov. 9, 3 p.m.; Veterans Day Wed., Nov. 11 — no school (Marion is off too); district calendar lists Wed., Nov. 25 as an in-service day, then Thanksgiving Break Nov. 26–27 (call ahead to confirm Nov. 25 childcare needs; Marion’s Thanksgiving break starts Nov. 24).

District calendar: sequatchieschools.net district calendar · Printable overview: tennesseeschoolcalendar.com

✅ Your Gen Alpha School Fridge Checklist

• ✅ Purple and gold laid out tonight for Go Indians Friday.
• ✅ A dollar in a pocket for GES tattoos, 7–8:30 a.m.
• ✅ Curbside by about 9 for the 9:30 a.m. parade listing — sunscreen, hat, candy bag.
• ✅ Older sibling with an EpiPen or inhaler in the parade? Check in with the school nurse first.
• ✅ Thank-you drawing for the cafeteria crew on lunch week’s last day.
• ✅ Coats by the door for Saturday night and Monday’s chilly bus stop; names written in jackets.
• ✅ Mixed-county household? Friday is the last childcare day — everyone’s in class Monday.
• ✅ Pin Oct. 27 and Nov. 2 (board), Nov. 9 (homeschool special ed meeting), Nov. 11 no school and Nov. 25–27.
• ✅ Bookmark Dunlap.Today and sequatchieschools.net.

Practical rule: Tomorrow is three things — school colors, a dollar for a tattoo, and a curb spot by 9. Then coats for the weekend and one easy Monday morning.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English School Glossary

• Spirit days / dress-up days: Homecoming Week themes — Go Indians Friday is the last one.
• PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization): The parent-and-teacher group that runs school fundraisers like Friday’s $1 tattoo sale.
• Homecoming parade: The morning community parade before Friday night football — the best fit for little kids.
• First reading: The first time the school board considers a new or changed policy. Nothing is final until a later vote.
• Special education consultation: A meeting where the school system explains services it can offer students with disabilities who attend private school or are homeschooled.
• In-service day: A work or training day for teachers and staff on the school calendar.
• Red Ribbon Week: A national late-October week (Oct. 23–31) when schools encourage kids to stay drug-free, often with themed dress days.
• Frost risk: Clear, calm nights near 40 or below — bundle up early outings and bring porch plants in.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the dress-up theme Friday?

Go Indians Friday — the last of the five homecoming spirit days. Together Forever Thursday wrapped today.

When and where are the Griffith homecoming tattoos?

Friday, Oct. 16, 7:00–8:30 a.m. in the Griffith Elementary library, $1 each, sold by the GES PTO. Send money with your child that morning.

What time is the homecoming parade?

Dunlap.Today’s homecoming article and the library’s weekly post list 9:30 a.m.; the library’s online calendar still shows 9 a.m. Be curbside by about 9. For firm drop-off details, call 423-949-3617 or Griffith at 423-949-2105.

Is there an early dismissal Friday?

None verified in the district calendar or postings we checked Thursday night. Plan on a regular school day and watch district alerts.

Did the school board post Monday’s results?

Not as of Thursday night. The agenda included first readings on medicines at school, an emergency allergy response plan and opioid antagonist use. Next: working session Oct. 27, regular meeting Nov. 2.

We homeschool. Is the Nov. 9 meeting for us?

Yes, if your child is homeschooled or in private school and you think a disability may affect their learning. It’s Monday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. at the Sequatchie County Board of Education. Questions: 423-949-3617.

When is everybody back in school?

Monday, Oct. 19. Marion and Hamilton finish fall break Friday; Sequatchie and Bledsoe have been back since Oct. 12.

Any days off coming up?

Nothing marked for Oct. 19–22. Next: Veterans Day, Wed., Nov. 11 (no school), then an in-service day Nov. 25 and Thanksgiving Break Nov. 26–27 on the district calendar.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Today
• Sequatchie County Schools · 878 Cordell Drive, Dunlap · 423-949-3617
• Griffith Elementary · 173 Jones Drive · 423-949-2105
• District calendar
• Homecoming Week dress-up themes (official)
• Dunlap.Today: homecoming parade guidelines
• School board agendas
• Printable 2026–27 calendar overview
• NWS Dunlap forecast

🏡 One More Morning, Then a Quieter Week

Homecoming week ends tomorrow with school colors, a tattoo, a parade and a cooler wind. After that comes a regular school week with every county on the same schedule — and coats by the door. For the next calm school skim and more Valley news for families, keep reading Dunlap.Today.