FUSD Announces Three Options For Parents As Students Set To Possibly Return To School August 13th

The Flagstaff Unified School District announced a plan to possibly return to school Thursday, August 13th, with options for parents. Superintendent Michael Penca announced three options for parents to choose from when students return to school. Option one is in-person learning, or a return to classrooms for K-through-12. Penca says there will be safety guidelines in place with that option. Students will go through daily health screenings and temperature checks, along with hand washing and social distancing when possible. The wearing of face coverings will be mandatory when they can’t social distance and when they are outside of the classroom. There will be limited visitors at the school, students would have to provide all of their materials, and masks and social distancing will be necessary while riding a school bus. Option Two is a flexible remote learning plan for students K-through-12. With this plan, students would start out at home and can transfer into school if need be. Parents who select option one will have the option to switch the student into option two. Option Three is distance learning through Northern Arizona Distance Learning. The program has been available for grades seven through 12, but the district is petitioning the state to include fifth and sixth graders. Penca also says there will be one nurse and one counselor at each school in the district. The plan is “living document” and could change as conditions with COVID-19 warrant. The plan was not adopted and the board will discuss it again in a special session next Wednesday at 5 p.m.