🏫 Go Indians Friday: Parade at 9:30, Homecoming vs. Community at 7

Or: School Colors, a $1 Tattoo, a Curbside Wave and Friday Night Lights

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, October 16, 2026

Good morning. It’s homecoming day in Sequatchie County. Purple and gold are coming out of every closet, and the band is somewhere warming up.

This is the Friday porch talk — the last homecoming fridge note of the week. Read it once with your coffee and the day will run itself.

Here’s what’s happening: today is Go Indians Friday, the last 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., and the Indians host Community at 7 p.m. The Lady Indians lost a close one, 4-3 to CSAS, in Thursday’s district tournament match. School board minutes from Monday are still not posted. The district set a Nov. 9 special education meeting for private-school and homeschool families. National School Lunch Week ends today. Seniors still have free ACT windows next week and a Nov. 2 TN Promise deadline. And a frosty Sunday morning comes before everyone — Marion and Hamilton included — is back in class Monday.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• TODAY, Oct. 16: Dress theme is Go Indians Friday — school colors. Griffith families: $1 tattoos, 7–8:30 a.m. in the GES library.
• Parade: Listed at 9:30 a.m. (one library calendar line still says 9). Be curbside by about 9.
• Football TONIGHT: Community at Sequatchie, 7 p.m. at Indians Stadium. Bring a jacket — low near 45°F with gusts.
• Soccer: Lady Indians fell 4-3 to CSAS Thursday. Record 14-2-1.
• Board: Met Monday, Oct. 12. Minutes still not posted. Working session Oct. 27; regular meeting Nov. 2.
• Homeschool or private-school family? Special education consultation Mon., Nov. 9, 3 p.m.
• Seniors: ACT Event 2 online window Oct. 19–23. TN Promise due Nov. 2.
• Weekend: Saturday night near 37°F; areas of frost Sunday morning. Everybody’s in class Monday.

💜 TODAY: Go Indians Friday — and a $1 Tattoo at Griffith

Sequatchie County Schools’ official Homecoming Week dress-up list ends today with Go Indians Friday. Make Believe Monday, Take a Picture Tuesday, Wild West Wednesday and Together Forever Thursday are all in the rearview.

For Griffith Elementary families, the GES PTO is selling temporary homecoming tattoos for $1 each, 7:00–8:30 a.m., in the school library. Families were asked to send money with students this morning. The window is short, so a few minutes early helps.

What it means for you: Purple and gold on, a dollar in a front pocket — not loose in a backpack, where dollars go to hide like barn cats. School dress rules still apply.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County Schools: Homecoming dress-up themes)

📣 Parade This Morning — Listed 9:30, Curbside by About 9

Dunlap.Today’s homecoming article and the library’s weekly post list the homecoming parade at 9:30 a.m. One library calendar line still shows 9 a.m., so being curbside by about 9 covers both. Organizers suggest arriving early for good spots and parking.

The high school shared parade guidelines for students. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are encouraged. Students who carry an EpiPen or inhaler should check in with Nurse Stacey first. Appropriate face paint is fine, shorts must meet fingertip length, and comfortable walking shoes are a good idea. Students may not ride on floats.

What it means for you: Bring a folding chair, a hat and a small bag for candy. The wind picks up through the day, so hold on to little flags. For firm drop-off or pickup details, call the district at (423) 949-3617. We haven’t seen an early dismissal posted, so plan on a regular school day and watch district alerts.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Homecoming parade guidelines)

🏈 Homecoming Football Tonight — Community at 7

The Indians are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in region play, according to MaxPreps. Tonight they host the Community Vikings (0-8, 0-3) at 7:00 p.m. CDT at Indians Stadium in Dunlap.

The homecoming court includes senior queen candidates Diana Alarcon-Landeros, Ashtyn Douglas, Kenzie Henley and Ainsley Pickett. Class representatives are Ella Spralls (junior), Jasmine West (sophomore) and Denali Caldwell (freshman).

What it means for you: Think of today like a two-act play — parade curb in the morning, stadium lights at night. Bring a real jacket for the stands. Country Roads 93.3 FM usually carries Indians games if you’re listening from the porch.

👉 Read more (MaxPreps: Community at Sequatchie County, Oct. 16)

⚽ Lady Indians Fall 4-3 to CSAS in a Close One

MaxPreps reports that Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences beat Sequatchie County 4-3 in Thursday night’s district tournament match in Dunlap. CSAS led 3-1 at the half, and the Lady Indians won the second half 2-1 to make it close. The loss ended a seven-game winning streak. Sequatchie County stands at 14-2-1.

MaxPreps lists the next match as a trip to Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Tournament schedules can change, so confirm with the school before you plan around it.

What it means for you: A one-goal game against a good team is nothing to hang a head over. If you see a player at the parade this morning, a “great season so far” goes a long way.

👉 Read more (MaxPreps: CSAS at Sequatchie County, Oct. 15)

🏛️ Board Minutes Still Pending — Plus a Nov. 9 Meeting for Homeschool Families

The Sequatchie County Board of Education met Monday, Oct. 12, at Griffith Elementary. As of Friday morning, the district’s board page still shows only the Oct. 12 agenda — no minutes or vote results yet. We won’t guess what passed. Items families have been watching include first readings on medicines at school, the emergency allergy response plan and opioid antagonist use. A first reading is not a final vote.

New on the district’s news page (posted Oct. 13): a Special Education Consultation Meeting for parents and guardians of students in private schools or homeschool programs. It’s Monday, Nov. 9, at 3:00 p.m. at the Sequatchie County Board of Education. The district will explain the special education services it offers, answer questions and walk through how eligibility is decided. Can’t make it? Call 423-949-3617.

What it means for you: If you homeschool and have wondered about speech, reading or another learning need, this meeting is the open door. Write Nov. 9 on the calendar. For board results, next dates are the working session Tue., Oct. 27 and the regular meeting Mon., Nov. 2.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County Schools: Special education consultation notice)

🍎 Last Day of National School Lunch Week

National School Lunch Week wraps today. The School Nutrition Association’s 2026 theme is “Cafeteria Circus.” Closer to home, The Dunlap-Tribune reported in September that all three Sequatchie County school cafeterias scored a perfect 100 on state health inspections, and that breakfast and lunch are served at no cost to families, regardless of income.

What it means for you: Today’s the day for a thank-you note or a kid’s drawing for the cafeteria crew. Meal or allergy questions go to (423) 949-3617.

👉 Read more (Dunlap-Tribune: perfect cafeteria scores)

📝 Seniors: Free ACT Next Week, TN Promise by Nov. 2

Tennessee still offers public high school seniors a free school-day ACT retake. ACT’s Tennessee schedule lists the remaining windows:

• Event 2: online window Oct. 19–23
• Event 3: paper on Oct. 27; online windows Oct. 27–30 and Nov. 2–6

Each school picks its own date. Ask the SCHS counseling office which day your senior uses.

Tennessee Promise — the state’s last-dollar scholarship for community college or a Tennessee College of Applied Technology — is due Nov. 2, 2026 for the Class of 2027, through the THEC Student Portal at collegefortn.org. The 2027–28 FAFSA opened Oct. 1. Sequatchie County seniors are coordinated through tnAchieves.

What it means for you: Enjoy homecoming tonight, then spend 15 minutes this weekend on the TN Promise application. Seventeen days goes fast.

👉 Read more (TN Promise overview)

🧥 Warm Parade, Chilly Stands, Frost by Sunday

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap (updated 1:26 a.m. CDT Friday) calls for increasing clouds and a high near 80°F today, with northwest wind gusts up to about 20 mph. Tonight is mostly cloudy with a low around 45°F and north gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday is mostly sunny and much cooler, near 60°F, then a low around 37°F Saturday night. Areas of frost are possible before 8 a.m. Sunday, then sunny near 67. Monday looks sunny near 70.

What it means for you: T-shirt and sunscreen for the parade, a real coat for the game. Before Saturday night, bring in porch plants and unhook garden hoses. Monday’s bus stop will be chilly — set out coats Sunday night.

👉 Read more (NWS: Dunlap point forecast)

🚌 Everybody’s Back in Class Monday

Marion County and Hamilton County schools finish fall break today (Oct. 12–16). Sequatchie and Bledsoe have been back since Oct. 12. On Monday, Oct. 19, all four counties are in class on the same schedule.

What it means for you: Mixed-county households get one alarm and one routine next week. Expect regular school-bus traffic on every road Monday morning.

👉 Read more (Hamilton County Schools: Fall Break)

✅ Your Homecoming Friday Fridge Checklist

• ✅ Go Indians Friday — purple and gold on.
• ✅ Griffith kids: $1 tattoo, 7–8:30 a.m. in the GES library.
• ✅ Curbside by about 9 for the 9:30 a.m. parade — chair, hat, sunscreen, candy bag.
• ✅ Student in the parade with an EpiPen or inhaler? Check in with the nurse first.
• ✅ Football: Community at 7 p.m. — bring a real jacket.
• ✅ A “great season” for the Lady Indians — 14-2-1 after a 4-3 battle with CSAS.
• ✅ Thank the cafeteria crew on Lunch Week’s last day.
• ✅ Homeschool or private-school family? Pin Nov. 9, 3 p.m.
• ✅ Seniors: free ACT window Oct. 19–23; TN Promise by Nov. 2.
• ✅ Plants in and hoses off before Saturday night; coats out Sunday night for Monday.

Practical rule: Today is three things — school colors, a curb spot by 9 and a jacket for 7. Everything else can wait until Monday.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English School Glossary

• Homecoming: A school tradition of spirit days, a parade and a big home football game that welcomes back alumni and the whole community.
• Homecoming court: Students chosen by classmates to represent their class during homecoming, including senior queen candidates.
• PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization): The parent-and-teacher group that runs school fundraisers like today’s $1 tattoo sale.
• District tournament: The first playoff round among schools in the same district.
• First reading: The first time a school board looks at a new or changed policy. It votes again before anything is final.
• Special education consultation: A meeting where the school system explains services it can offer students with disabilities who attend private school or are homeschooled.
• ACT Senior Retake: A free, state-paid chance for public school seniors to take the ACT again during the school day.
• TN Promise: A last-dollar scholarship that can cover tuition and mandatory fees at a Tennessee community college or TCAT after other gift aid.
• Areas of frost: Patchy frost in low, open spots on a clear, calm morning — tender plants can get nipped.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the homecoming parade?

Dunlap.Today’s homecoming article and the library’s weekly post list 9:30 a.m. One library calendar line still says 9 a.m., so be curbside by about 9. For firm details, call the district at (423) 949-3617.

What time is the homecoming game, and who’s playing?

Sequatchie County (4-3, 2-1 region) hosts Community (0-8) tonight at 7:00 p.m. CDT at Indians Stadium in Dunlap.

What should my child wear today?

Go Indians Friday — school colors. School dress rules still apply. Parade walkers should wear comfortable shoes, and shorts must meet fingertip length.

How did the Lady Indians do Thursday?

They lost 4-3 to CSAS in the district tournament after trailing 3-1 at halftime. They’re 14-2-1. MaxPreps lists a match at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 20 — confirm with the school.

Have the school board results been posted?

Not as of Friday morning. Only the Oct. 12 agenda is on the district’s board page. Next: working session Oct. 27 and regular meeting Nov. 2.

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

Yes, if you think your child may have a disability that affects learning. It’s Monday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. at the Sequatchie County Board of Education. Questions: 423-949-3617.

Is there school Monday for everyone?

Yes. Marion and Hamilton finish fall break today, so Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Marion and Hamilton are all in class Monday, Oct. 19.

🔗 Other Resources

• Sequatchie County Schools: Homecoming Week dress-up themes
• Dunlap.Today: Homecoming set for Oct. 16 (court, parade, game)
• Dunlap.Today: Homecoming parade guidelines
• Dunlap.Today: Go Indians Friday and Griffith $1 tattoos
• MaxPreps: Community at Sequatchie County, Oct. 16
• MaxPreps: CSAS 4, Sequatchie County 3
• MaxPreps: Lady Indians soccer
• Sequatchie County Schools: Board agendas
• Notice of Special Education Consultation Meeting
• Sequatchie County Schools: Special Education department
• National School Lunch Week (School Nutrition Association)
• Dunlap-Tribune: cafeteria perfect scores
• ACT: Tennessee Senior Retake dates
• TN Promise overview (collegefortn.org)
• tnAchieves: high school seniors
• NWS Dunlap point forecast
• Hamilton County Schools: Fall Break
• Marion County Schools calendar

🏠 Keep Learning — Stay Calm

Homecoming Week ends the way it should: school colors, a wave from the curb and a Friday night under the lights. Bring a jacket, cheer loud, and let next week start easy with every county on the same schedule.

For more calm, practical Valley news you can use, keep reading Dunlap.Today.