Decision on in-person learning to be re-evaluated in first quarter according to health data

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona - The Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board approved a recommendation to have all students begin the 2020-2021 school year, on August 17, 2020, in Flexible Remote Learning and Distance Learning options only and delay the start of In-Person Learning at school sites at least through the first quarter (October 9, 2020).  The recommendation to move entirely to online remote learning was based on significant levels of spread and positive cases of COVID-19 in local communities and the state of Arizona, and the District’s commitment to the health and safety of students, FUSD staff, and vulnerable members of our communities.

“Making this decision now provides more certainty about the start of the school year, and enables staff to focus solely on preparing for high quality remote and distance learning,” said FUSD Superintendent Michael Penca. “We know this decision impacts our students, families, and community, and we appreciate their understanding and flexibility as we deal with the implications of this global pandemic.”

In Flexible Remote Learning, FUSD teachers will support students’ learning through learning management systems, such as Canvas or Google Classroom, with daily live engagement between students and teachers.  Students will be able to interact with classmates and staff through interactive videoconferencing and all FUSD students (K-12) will be provided with iPad technology devices and internet hotspots are available as needed.  Participation and attendance of students is expected and student progress will be supported with feedback and grades.  Social emotional support and accommodations and services will continue to be provided while special education services will be determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team.  Students may participate in modified extracurricular activities and events offered at their home FUSD school. 

As another option, FUSD students in grades 5 - 12 may enroll in Northern Arizona Distance Learning (NADL) for an entire semester or school year.  NADL is approved for Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) and offers core and elective courses aligned to state and national standards and has been an FUSD school offering since 2005.  All courses are developed by highly qualified Arizona educators and all credits earned will transfer to any FUSD school.  Additionally, all Arizona colleges, universities, military programs, and NCAA recognize credits earned through NADL.  Instruction through NADL is provided entirely online and students can work at any time of day as their attendance is monitored as they log in and complete coursework. Technology devices from FUSD will be offered and internet hotspots are available as needed.

“I am proud of the collaborative efforts and the countless hours of planning that staff have put in since May to prepare for three different learning models,” said Superintendent Michael Penca.  “This recommendation is based on the current conditions of COVID-19 in Flagstaff and surrounding communities and a commitment to the safety of our students, families, and staff.”  

Prior to the end of the first quarter, or when it is determined safe to resume in-person learning, FUSD will engage parents and students in the process for transitioning back into schools.  Parents and students will have the option of continuing in remote or distance learning throughout the entire school year based on student’s health needs or parent preferences. 

Additional information regarding class schedules, registration, supports and services, meal programs, and technology distribution will be provided to FUSD families.

For more information on the FUSD Safely Forward Plan, please visit www.fusd1.org/safelyforward

Reston, VA – Catherine Robinson, a Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educator at Flagstaff High School in Flagstaff, Arizona, is one of two Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) adviser recipients who will be recognized with the 2019-2020 Educated Adviser Award. FCCLA will honor Catherine at FCCLA's first-ever Virtual National Leadership Conference, July 7-9, 2020. 

FCCLA's Educated Adviser Award recognizes the performance of a current chapter adviser who exceeds all expectations in their professional development activities and participation throughout the school year. To be considered for this award, advisers must complete a minimum of 5 CEUs, or 50 PDUs, from FCCLA specific events. 

"I am constantly amazed by our FCCLA advisers," said Sandy Spavone, Executive Director of FCCLA. "Specifically, Educated Advisers are individuals who lead by example in and out of the classroom. They are fully committed to representing FCCLA's purpose through hard work and dedication, and they symbolize everything FCCLA stands for." 

Educated Advisers embody FCCLA's mission to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Science education. Their work ethic is an epitome for all FCCLA students and advisers across the nation. These noteworthy individuals dedicate themselves to FCCLA to ensure members develop strong characters and skills that work to serve their school, community, and state.

About FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has more than 182,000 members and 5,253 chapters from 48 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 

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FLAGSTAFF, Arizona - Flagstaff Unified School District #1 will be participating in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. As part of this program, Flagstaff Unified School District #1 will offer healthy meals every school day. Breakfast will cost $1.75; lunch will cost $3.00 (Elementary Schools) or $3.10 (Middle and High Schools). Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Reduced-price meals cost .30 for breakfast and .40 for lunch.

Five FUSD schools (Killip Elementary, Kinsey Elementary, Leupp Elementary, Thomas Elementary, and Summit High School) will offer healthy meals every school day at NO COST to the students due to the implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for school year 2020-2021. Students will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a school meals household application.

Qualifications for children to receive free or reduced price meals include: belonging to a household whose income is at or below the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines, belonging to a household that receives public assistance, or if the child is homeless, migrant, runaway, or foster,

Household size and income criteria are used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits if the household does not receive assistance or the children are not in the other categories mentioned above. Children can get free or reduced-price meals if the household’s gross income falls at or below the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guideline chart.

Federal Eligibility Income Chart for School Year 2020-2021

To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households can fill out the application online (http://fusd1.schoollunchapp.com) unless the household has already received notification that their children are approved for free meals this year (2020-2021). Applications include a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children and what is required to complete on the application. Applications are also available at most FUSD schools as well as the FUSD Administration Center (Food Service office) at 3285 E Sparrow Avenue in Flagstaff.

Only one application is required for all children in the household and the information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by the school or other program officials. An application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions. In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

Families can apply for benefits at any time. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should re-apply for meal benefits with the new household information. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the Federal Guidelines. Contact Leslie Nichols (928-527-6094 or lnichols@fusd1.org) at any time with questions.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, Leslie Nichols will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Bob Kuhn, 928-527-6010 or bkuhn@fusd1.org.

When known to Flagstaff Unified School District #1, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free meals if they are members of households receiving assistance from the:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); or
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), if the State program meets Federal standards.

An application is not required for free meal benefits for Assistance Program participants and all of the children in the household are eligible for free meal benefits. If any children were not listed on the notice of eligibility, or if a household does not receive a notice of eligibility, the household should contact the Food Service office (928-527-6094) to have free meal benefits extended to them. Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but they will need to turn in an application including household size and total income.

When known to Flagstaff Unified School District #1, households will also be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals if the individual child is considered “Other Source Categorically Eligible”, because the child is categorized, as defined by law as:

• Foster
• Homeless,
• Migrant,
• Runaway,

If any children were not listed on the notice of eligibility, the household should contact the Food Service office (928-527-6094) about their eligibility through the list above, or should submit an income application.

Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the Food Service office (928-527-6094) if the household chooses to decline the free meal benefits.

For more information, you may call Leslie Nichols at 928-527-6094 or e-mail lnichols@fusd1.org.

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information requested in order to verify your children’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. If you do not provide the information or provide incomplete information, your children may no longer receive free or reduced-price meals.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Site will offer resources for elementary aged students interested in summer learning opportunities.

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona - The Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) will be providing a Super Summer Learning Hub for incoming first through fifth graders and English Language Learner (ELL) students. The Super Summer Learning Hub will be available beginning on Monday, July 13th, 2020, and will stay open for students to utilize until the start of the 2020-2021 school year.  

“FUSD has historically had a really robust summer program,” shared FUSD Director of Educational Enrichment Frank Garcia. “We wanted to make sure families still had access to learning opportunities and believe this will be a helpful resource for our students and families.”

The hub will include three weeks worth of educational content for each grade level; including ELL lesson plans and educational choice boards. The choice boards will provide reading, writing, math, and STEM resources, along with additional fun activities to supplement students' summer learning. Students can participate in interactive work such as reading passages, comprehension activities, math worksheets, math games, science activities, art projects, virtual field trips, and theme based activities. 

Each week, the Super Summer Learning Hub lessons will have a different theme to engage all students including themes such as Space is the Place, Soak Up the Sun, and Water, Water Everywhere. 

For any additional questions or assistance with the Super Summer Learning Hub, families can email supersummer@fusd1.org.

Plan offers three options for families and flexibility for safety considerations

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona - At the July 1, 2020 Governing Board Meeting and Work Session, the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) approved the ‘Safely Forward’ return to school plan for the 2020-2021 school year.  FUSD has developed plans for three instructional and operational models which prioritize quality learning experiences for all students and safety:  In-Person Learning, Flexible Remote Learning, and FUSD Distance Learning with Northern Arizona Distance Learning (NADL).  Offering three models of instruction and operations allows parent/student choice and impacts the number of students who may attend in-person at schools. 

“We understand the concerns of students, families, team members, and the community regarding the rising cases of COVID-19 in our state and communities and the impact on returning to school in-person this fall.” said Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Michael Penca.  “This plan should provide more certainty about how FUSD will continue quality learning and support for students while prioritizing student and staff safety.  We appreciate the stakeholder input and guidance from the Arizona Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health agencies, and other sources which this plan is based. This plan will guide our continued work throughout the summer as we prepare to welcome students back in August.”

Operation and Learning Models

In-Person Learning:  Instructional and operational model is most similar to past operations of schools with additional safety and operational accommodations including the wearing of masks by students and team members, clear expectations for hand washing, daily health screenings, limiting visitors on campuses, and enhanced cleaning procedures.  FUSD will decrease class sizes to allow for more physical space between students in classroom settings and minimize the mixing of students with alternative schedules to the extent possible.     

Local or state conditions may require intermittent closures of schools throughout the 2020-2021 school year, which will require students and staff to transition to Flexible Remote Learning if the need arises.

Flexible Remote Learning:  FUSD families will have the opportunity to start the 2020-2021 school year learning remotely at home due to student health conditions or parent preference.  Students can transition from Flexible Remote Learning to In-Person Learning at a FUSD school at quarterly intervals during the school year or upon administrator approval. 

FUSD Distance Learning with NADL: Students in grades 5 - 12 may enroll in NADL for an entire semester or school year.  NADL is approved for Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) and offers core and elective courses aligned to state and national standards.  NADL has been an FUSD school offering since 2005 and all courses are developed by Highly Qualified Arizona educators.  All credits earned will transfer to any FUSD school.

FUSD will continue to provide social-emotional and unique supports for students regardless of the academic setting.  Plans are being finalized for the allocation of resources in providing direct student support and training team members to operate in In-Person, Flexible Remote, and FUSD Distance Learning with NADL models.

Decision Making

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) recommend that reopening and closure decisions be driven by the current prevalence of COVID-19 in the community.  FUSD will operate In-Person Learning when it is safe to do so or will transition solely to Flexible Remote Learning and Distance Learning, when the need arises due to COVID-19, at the classroom, school, or district levels.  Decisions will be made in collaboration with the Governing Board, Superintendent, and in coordination with state and local health officials.

Parent Online Forum Tuesday, July 7

To answer additional questions regarding the learning models and next steps, FUSD will be hosting a Facebook Live Parent Forum on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m..  The forum will be available on the FUSD Facebook page www.facebook.com/FUSD1.  

Family Survey Next Week

Beginning July 7, 2020, parents will have the opportunity to indicate their preference for each student so that classroom rosters, schedules, and staff assignments can be adjusted to lessen the number of students in classrooms to the extent possible prior to the first day of In-Person Learning.

For more information regarding the ‘Safely Forward’ school reopening plan, please visit www.fusd1.org/safelyforward. 

Last day for students Friday, May 22, 2020

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona - The Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) Governing Board approved changes to the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year calendar.  The last day for students is now scheduled on Friday, May 22, 2020.  The revised schedule shifts the three (3) remaining optional make-up days, originally scheduled for May 6, 7, and 8, to the end of the school year.  Those days will now be considered as school/learning days for students and work days for all FUSD team members.  New content to FUSD’s Digital Learning Hub will continue to be added each week including for the week of May 18.

“The decision to modify the calendar was made with input from our families and team members,” said Superintendent Michael Penca.  “By modifying the calendar, we are able to continue our established remote learning routine for the next three full weeks and then end the school year prior to Memorial Day.”

The determination to make the change followed a survey of FUSD families and team members.  There were 1,575 responses to the survey with 86% of respondents favoring the change.  

For more information regarding the FUSD response to COVID-19, please visit www.fusd1.org/coronavirus.