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Six snow days set aside in FUSD's bank

By HILLARY DAVIS
Sun Staff Reporter
Friday, October 30, 2009

This week's icy chill was expected to be fleeting. But whether it takes a few more days or a few more weeks, winter will soon settle in northern Arizona.

For school kids and their parents, that means the possibility of snow days. Families can expect an early-morning automated phone call from their school district giving a status update when the weather is dicey (or one the afternoon or evening before, if the forecast looks solid). They can also check www.azdailysun.com for snow day status. Here are reminders from the Flagstaff Unified School District on district policies for inclement weather:

-- All-day cancellation: The classic "snow day." District officials say these are called out of safety -- heavy snow and ice can make student transportation difficult. FUSD called five snow days last year, including three in a row during December finals week.

The district builds six snow days into the yearly calendar. If not all of their allotted snow days are used, students get holidays in the spring.

-- Delayed start: Classes and buses begin two hours later than usual to allow roads to clear but not lose a full a day of school. If the district calls a delayed start on a previously scheduled early release day (for elementary schools, that's Friday), the early release will be canceled. On delayed start days, afternoon dismissal times and bus schedules are the same as regular school days.

Morning preschool classes will be canceled when the two-hour delay is in effect, with two exceptions: Killip Elementary morning preschool classes will still be held, and the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool at Puente de Hozho will begin at 9 a.m.

-- Child care: The district provides child care on snow days through its FACTS program. In the event of a full-day cancellation, FACTS will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sechrist Elementary School, 2230 N. Fort Valley Road. Parents should provide a sack lunch. If their children are not regular FACTS participants, parents need to bring immunization records, and be prepared to fill out some paperwork and pay. FACTS care starts at $3 per hour for a single child.

In the event of a delayed start, FACTS is available at every elementary school from 7:30 a.m. until the start of school for students registered with the program.

To see the district's snow day status, check your school's delayed start time, or learn more about FUSD's snow day child care, go to www.fusd1.org and click on "Snow Day Status."

If your child attends a charter school, check with school staff on snow day protocol. Many local charters follow FUSD's lead but some may be more conservative because of limited facilities and grounds staff.

Local media and district phone calls and Web postings will also keep families in Williams informed on snowy days. Williams Unified School District also has a two-hour delay plan. For more on Williams' snow day policies, go to www.wusd2.org.

Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@azdailysun.com or 556-2261.

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