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Weather Related School Closure and Delayed Start Information
As we approach the winter months, the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) would like to remind families of our procedures for weather-related schedule changes. These plans are in place to ensure the safety of students and staff traveling to and from school and to provide families time to plan ahead.
When making decisions to delay or cancel school, FUSD considers multiple factors including current and forecasted weather conditions, road closures, the safety of travel routes, the impact on instruction and scheduled activities, and the time required to mobilize buses and communicate with families.
How You’ll Be Notified
If a Delayed Start or School Cancellation occurs, notifications will be posted onFUSD Website and all official FUSD social media platforms as soon as a decision is made.
Families and staff will also receive phone calls, emails, and text messages at 6:00 a.m. on days when a schedule change is in effect.
Delayed Start
- School will begin two hours later than the regular start time for each school site (see chart below).
- Morning buses will run two hours later than normal.
- Afternoon dismissal and bus routes will follow the regular schedule.
- If a Delayed Start occurs on a Friday (Early Release Day), early release is canceled and school will follow the full-day schedule.
- Morning FUSD preschool classes are canceled when a two-hour delay is in effect.
- Please do not drop students off early unless they are already scheduled for FACTS before-school care.
Breakfast: On delayed start days, breakfast will still be available for students two hours later than normal. If breakfast is typically served in the cafeteria at your student’s school, breakfast will be available in the cafeteria as normal. If your student’s school does not serve breakfast in the cafeteria (i.e. breakfast is served in the classroom), we ask that students go to the cafeteria to receive breakfast. Meals are not delivered to classrooms on two-hour delay days.
FACTS Program: The District’s FACTS before and after school program will operate at each elementary school for FUSD students (ages 5-12) already scheduled for FACTS when we have a delayed start. On the delayed start days, the FACTS Program will open at 7:30 a.m. and stay open until the start of school. FACTS will be closed on all Snow Cancellation Days. For more information on FACTS, please visit their website FACTS Website or call (928) 527-6180.
School Cancellation
If school is canceled, all classes and school activities are canceled for students.
Snow make-up days have been designated on the 2025-2026 school calendar. Days will be made up in the following order: April 20, 2026, and May 8, 2026
Transportation and Alternate Bus Stops
Transportation: To view bus arrival information, sign up for Here Comes the Bus at Here Comes the Bus WebsiteHere Comes the Bus Website. You’ll need the District Code (83662) and the 16-digit code found on the back of your student’s bus pass.
Alternate Bus Stops: Winter bus stop locations are subject to change in the Munds Park, Mountainaire, Kachina Village, and Mt. Elden Lookout Road areas. Families that live in these areas will be notified of bus stop changes the night before or the morning of by 6:00 a.m. Any additional information will be shared with these families as needed.
After-School Activities
When necessary, after-school activities may be canceled due to weather predictions that could impact the safety of participants. Communication will be shared with families when after-school activities are canceled.
Two-Hour Delayed Start Times by School
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We recognize that weather-related changes can impact family routines and childcare arrangements. We encourage families to plan ahead now for the possibility of delayed starts or cancellations during the winter season.
If you have any questions, please contact your school office
Recess Guidelines
Outdoor recess is an important part of a child’s school day and schools are highly encouraged to provide students with the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. A school’s plan for recess should provide flexibility for inclement weather. Holding recess indoors should be a backup plan and should not be the norm for a school. Please use the following guidelines provided to determine whether recess is held indoors or outdoors each day:
|
Weather |
Recess Held |
|
Above 32 °F with or without wind chill* |
Outdoors |
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15 °F to 32 °F with or without wind chill* |
Principal Discretion |
|
Below 15 °F with or without wind chill* |
Indoors |
*With or without wind chill means how cold it feels, whether it is caused by wind chill or not. For example, if the temperature reading is 10 degrees without wind chill, or if it's 20 degrees with a wind chill of 10 degrees, recess should be held indoors.
Schools should follow the below precautionary measures if holding recess outdoors:
Precipitation: snowy and icy conditions outdoors should be evaluated for student safety
Student preparedness: students should have appropriate outdoor attire (i.e. beanies, jackets, gloves, boots, etc.) to stay warm and dry during outdoor recess
Playground safety: assess the playground equipment and surfaces for snowy or icy conditions to determine whether students can safely play outdoors
|
Weather |
Recess Held |
|
Heat index of 90 °F or below** |
Outdoors |
|
Heat index between 91 °F and 94 °F** |
Principal Discretion |
|
Heat index above 95 °F** |
Indoors |
**Heat Index takes into account both air temperature and relative humidity.
Schools should follow the below precautionary measures if holding recess outdoors:
Activity level: students should participate in only light to moderate physical activity in a high heat index
Student preparedness: students should wear appropriate attire and sunscreen if possible during warm weather
Playground equipment: the playground equipment and surfaces should be checked prior to recess to ensure that students do not play on equipment that is extremely hot to the touch
Water access: students should have access to water before, during, and after recess
Other considerations: On warm weather days, schools should designate a shaded area as a cool down area for students who need a break from exposure or activity.
Where to check weather temperatures? Weather
High air quality index(AQI)/ozone days can be dangerous, and schools should proceed with caution on these days. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concerns. There are a number of health impacts to the general public due to poor air quality, such as decrease in lung function and inflammation of airways with the symptoms of coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and pain and burning in the chest when taking a deep breath. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are more susceptible to the effects of ozone exposure. In Northern Arizona, air quality can be affected during fire season and when US Forest Service are conducting control burns.
To find current air quality information please visit Airnow
If the air quality index is in the orange, an index between 101-150 indoor recess options should be available for students and staff with respiratory issues. Outdoor activity requirements should be modified and an indoor option be made available for these same individuals as well.
If the air quality index is in the red, an index between 151-200 all recess and outdoor activities should be moved indoors.
If the air quality index is in the purple or maroon, an index between 201 or higher, all recess and outdoor activities are required to be indoors.
-
Outdoor recess is an important part of a child’s school day and schools are highly encouraged to provide students with the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. A school’s plan for recess should provide flexibility for inclement weather. Holding recess indoors should be a backup plan and should not be the norm for a school. Please use the following guidelines provided to determine whether recess is held indoors or outdoors each day:
Weather
Recess Held
Above 32 °F with or without wind chill*
Outdoors
15 °F to 32 °F with or without wind chill*
Principal Discretion
Below 15 °F with or without wind chill*
Indoors
*With or without wind chill means how cold it feels, whether it is caused by wind chill or not. For example, if the temperature reading is 10 degrees without wind chill, or if it's 20 degrees with a wind chill of 10 degrees, recess should be held indoors.
Schools should follow the below precautionary measures if holding recess outdoors:
Precipitation: snowy and icy conditions outdoors should be evaluated for student safety
Student preparedness: students should have appropriate outdoor attire (i.e. beanies, jackets, gloves, boots, etc.) to stay warm and dry during outdoor recess
Playground safety: assess the playground equipment and surfaces for snowy or icy conditions to determine whether students can safely play outdoors
-
Weather
Recess Held
Heat index of 90 °F or below**
Outdoors
Heat index between 91 °F and 94 °F**
Principal Discretion
Heat index above 95 °F**
Indoors
**Heat Index takes into account both air temperature and relative humidity.
Schools should follow the below precautionary measures if holding recess outdoors:
Activity level: students should participate in only light to moderate physical activity in a high heat index
Student preparedness: students should wear appropriate attire and sunscreen if possible during warm weather
Playground equipment: the playground equipment and surfaces should be checked prior to recess to ensure that students do not play on equipment that is extremely hot to the touch
Water access: students should have access to water before, during, and after recess
Other considerations: On warm weather days, schools should designate a shaded area as a cool down area for students who need a break from exposure or activity.
Where to check weather temperatures? Weather
-
High air quality index(AQI)/ozone days can be dangerous, and schools should proceed with caution on these days. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concerns. There are a number of health impacts to the general public due to poor air quality, such as decrease in lung function and inflammation of airways with the symptoms of coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and pain and burning in the chest when taking a deep breath. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are more susceptible to the effects of ozone exposure. In Northern Arizona, air quality can be affected during fire season and when US Forest Service are conducting control burns.
To find current air quality information please visit Airnow
If the air quality index is in the orange, an index between 101-150 indoor recess options should be available for students and staff with respiratory issues. Outdoor activity requirements should be modified and an indoor option be made available for these same individuals as well.
If the air quality index is in the red, an index between 151-200 all recess and outdoor activities should be moved indoors.
If the air quality index is in the purple or maroon, an index between 201 or higher, all recess and outdoor activities are required to be indoors.