The PEAK

Happy Black History Month! This month and every month, the Flagstaff Unified School District honors the extraordinary contributions, resilience, and achievements of Black individuals who have shaped history and continue to inspire us every day. Black civil rights leaders, educators, and beyond, have made an immeasurable impact on our society, shaping a more equitable future for generations to come.

Visit https://blackhistorymonth.gov/ to read articles, view photos and videos, find events, and explore lesson plans for Black History Month!

If you have any activities or events planned for Black History Month, please email the FUSD Communications Department at fusdcommunications@fusd1.org so we can take photos and share a story to our social media.

To our experienced staff,

Thank you for your years of committed service to Flagstaff USD. The positive impact you have made on our community is immeasurable.

As retirement planning may be on your mind, I wanted to invite you to our retirement meeting webinar. This will include a presentation about phased retirement. FUSD has partnered with Educational Services, LLC. (ESI) to provide RetireRehire, a return-to-work service for ASRS members around the state of Arizona. This program allows you to retire, collecting your full ASRS pension, while continuing to work in your current position.

If you are interested in learning more about retiring from FUSD and phased retirement, please join us at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Please use the link below to register!

Please be sure to print off the FUSD retirement information fact sheet and the RetireRehire worksheet. These will be helpful tools for you both during and after the webinar.

If you can’t make it, you are welcome to contact ESI directly at 480-719-3271. You can also check out their website at Retire with ESI.

For additional questions, please contact Kathy Figueroa at kfigueroa@fusd1.org

Thank you for your continued service.

As we continue to navigate the winter season, we want to bring to your attention FUSD’s contingency plan now that school has been canceled for more than the number of make-up days designated in the school calendar.

For the 2023-2024 school year, we have two (2) make-up days designated on the calendar. The first school cancelation this year, on Friday, February 2, will be made-up on April 22. The second school cancelation from Wednesday, February 7, will be made up on May 10.

Now that the number of make-up days has been exceeded, we will transition to a remote workday for 9-month certified and classified staff on cancelation days. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of our team members, to maintain productivity during unforeseen weather challenges, as Negotiated, and as included into our updated Governing Board Policy 4-102.C Staff Alternate Work Assignments, which states:

"Each school year the Board will adopt a school calendar that identifies the number of school make-up days included in the school year (e.g., snow days). Should the Superintendent close schools above the number of days identified in the adopted school calendar, staff will have the opportunity to work remotely. Staff working remotely will be required to complete the telework agreement. The District will establish alternate work activities, such as professional development, for staff members who telework may not be available. Classified staff members will be provided with the opportunity to make up missed hours in the same work week in which the school closure day occurred or upon supervisors' approval."

In anticipation of inclement weather, staff should take home any technology devices which allow for remote work. Please look for a communication from your administrator about how to track your time during a remote workday. Additionally, administrators may designate staff to work on a project, professional learning, planning and prep time, or collaboration time.

Classified staff who have previously identified remote work opportunities with their administrator may clock-in remotely (procedures available here) or submit timecards to their supervisor who will enter their time in TimeClock Plus. As stated above, classified staff who choose not to work remotely or are unable to work remotely, may make up their time in the same work week as the canceled day, if able (e.g. Friday cancelations may not be able to be made up within the work week). Classified have the option to telework on cancelation and delay days provided their job can be completed remotely.

Any staff member choosing not to work, must call off in Frontline and use the appropriate leave.

Employees must seek approval by their administrator to determine if telework is available on snow delay and school closure days. Employees are expected to request telework from their administrator by completing the telework agreement: telework agreement form.

The attendance of some personnel is deemed necessary and essential to ensure that critical functions district wide and at the school sites are carried out. Within a “Safe and Reasonable” manner, these employees should strive to arrive at work sites at their normal times; others, however, may be requested to arrive early to carry out necessary functions (snow removal, etc.). Essential personnel must request leave if they are unable to work. Any essential employee desiring to work remotely must contact their supervisor. Staff are discouraged from going to school sites during school cancelations for weather so that facility staff can safely remove snow and prepare for the reopening of our schools.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and let's hope for smoother weather ahead.

Congratulations to Mia Brokaw, Knoles Elementary School Paraprofessional, for receiving the Exceptional Educator Award! This award recognizes educators that demonstrate the Exceptional Student Services vision every day by developing self-confidence, independence, social connections, and self-advocacy skills in students to lead a self-determined, fulfilled life.

Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open! All FUSD elementary schools are hosting Kindergarten Open Houses at their school sites throughout the month of February. This orientation will allow you to see the school, meet the staff, and learn more about kindergarten. Please see below for the date and time of each school site's open house.

If you have a child entering kindergarten next school year, visit www.fusd1.org/kindergarten to find more information and register your child.

All children who turn five years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year are eligible to enter kindergarten. A child who will turn five years of age in the month of September may be allowed to enter kindergarten based on an early entrance screening. The Educational Enrichment Department can assist in setting up a screening at (928) 527-6156. An FAQ on Early Kindergarten Entrance can also be found here.

Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed online through ParentVUE. For further instructions on how to register online, please visit www.fusd1.org/onlineregistration.

Each of the following documents and forms will need to be submitted to complete online registration:

• Child’s birth certificate
• Child’s current immunization record signed by health care provider
• Pupil Registration Form
• Arizona Residency Documentation Form with proof of home address such as a driver’s license, utility or phone bill, rental agreement, bank or credit statement, etc.
• Kindergarten Transportation information
• Student Health History
• Primary Home Language other than English Form
• McKinney-Vento Form
• Title VII Student Eligibility Certification
• FUSD Student Emergency Information Card

Interested in KinderCamp? KinderCamp is a targeted intervention program which runs in the month of June and is provided for free. It supports successful transitions for students going into kindergarten who may have minimal preschool experience. To have your child considered to attend KinderCamp, please fill out an ELEYO registration form at https://fusd1.ce.eleyo.com AND register your student for kindergarten by April 26, 2024. Notification of your child’s KinderCamp enrollment status will be emailed to you by the first week of May.

For any additional questions regarding kindergarten registration, please contact your child’s school site.

Certified Staff - Are you interested or currently working on obtaining a degree in special education? The GETSET program is an opportunity to apply for tuition assistance through the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and the Arizona Department of Education. Applicants may be awarded up to $3,000 per year for the first 60 credit hours toward degree completion, not to exceed $15,000, with up to $1,000 textbook reimbursement per year. Applications must be submitted to FUSD through this form no later than February 21, 2024.

Teachers must be working towards getting their certification in early childhood special education, mild/moderate disabilities, moderate/severe disabilities, hearing impaired, or visually impaired to apply. Teachers must have also been employed by Flagstaff Unified School District for two (2) full school years by June 30, 2024, in order to be eligible for the program.

Teachers who receive tuition reimbursement must commit to working for FUSD in a special education capacity for a minimum of two (2) full years upon completion of the program and receipt of the special education teacher certification.

Candidates will be notified of their application status no later than April 8, 2024.

We are pleased to offer electronic delivery of your W-2 for the 2023 calendar year.

Here are instructions on how to access your W-2 via iVisions (Employee Access):

1. Click here to log into the iVisions website.
1. If you have never signed into iVisions before, please review the instructions on how to do so here.
2. Once you are logged into iVisions, click ‘My Pay’ on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Click on ‘Pay and Tax Information.’
4. Scroll down and locate ‘Tax Documents’ on the right-hand side of the screen.
5. Use the drop down arrow next to ‘2024’ and click on ‘2023.’
6. Click on the PDF – ‘W2 for Tax Year: 2023.’
7. Download or print your W-2 using the icons in the upper right-hand corner.

If you need to update your W-4 for 2024, you can do so in iVisions. Here are the instructions on how to update your W-4:

1. Click here to log into the iVisions website.
1. If you have never signed into iVisions before, please review the instructions on how to do so here.
2. Once you are logged into iVisions, click ‘My Pay’ on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Click on ‘Pay and Tax Information.’
4. Click the Edit button next to 'W4.'

Please note that if you have had a change or name or address, you will need to complete the Change Form and submit it to Human Resources at hr@fusd1.org. The changes will then be made by HR in iVisions and will automatically be updated on your tax forms.

If you need additional information on your W-2 or W-4, please contact the Payroll Department at:

Theresa Ruiz (Last Names A-L) - (928) 527-6054
Linda Romero (Last Names M-Z) - (928) 527-6053

As a reminder, any certified teacher working in an elementary school is required to obtain their endorsement no later than August 1, 2028. Teachers can get the endorsement through college coursework (2 3-credit courses in the science of reading) or through an approved vendor. In Flagstaff, we are encouraging teachers to receive LETRS training, which is one of the approved vendors. Currently, we have teachers in all of our schools who have received this training or are in the training now. Partnering with the county, we plan to continue to offer this training to all of our teachers. For additional questions regarding the LETRS training, please contact Nancy Pierce at npierce@fusd1.org.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has shared some valuable information with our community regarding the Literacy, K-5 Endorsement. ADE compiled a comprehensive FAQ document to address common queries and provide insights into the Literacy, K-5 Endorsement.

To access the FAQ document, click here. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Certification Unit.

Thank you for your ongoing support in promoting literacy education in our community.

On November 28, 2023, the FUSD Foundation issued a second round of grants totaling $12,780.47 from the Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund and the Mini-Grant.

The Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund recipients included Karen Whitaker of Coconino High School, Linda Stamer of Marshall Elementary School, and John Mistler of Coconino High School. The recipients of the Micro-Grant included Francy Solarte and Nicole Taylor of Coconino High School, Julie Bouck of FUSD's physical therapy services, Katie Krause of Marshall Elementary School, Scott Godwin of Mount Elden Middle School, Tamra Ayala of Marshall Elementary School, and Vanessa Billegas of Flagstaff High School, Coconino High School, and Summit High School.

Congratulations, microgrant recipients!

The Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) 2024-2025 school year academic calendar was formally adopted at the January 9, 2024, Governing Board meeting. Additionally, the FUSD Governing Board voted to approve all FUSD school sites (elementary, middle, and high school) to have early releases on Fridays next school year.

The 2024-2025 calendar is now available on the FUSD website here. Please see below for highlights from the 2024-2025 calendar and for additional information on early release days.

2024-2025 Calendar

This calendar is similar to the current 2023-2024 calendar, except both the Fall and Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences early releases have been reduced from three (3) days to two (2) days. The school year begins on August 7, 2024, and ends on May 22, 2025. The calendar includes two (2) make-up days for weather or other school cancellations.

• Staff In-Service/Work Days - August 5 - 6, 2024
• First Day of School - August 7, 2024
• Labor Day Holiday - September 2, 2024 (no school)
• Professional Development Day/All Staff - September 16, 2024 (no school)
• End of First Quarter - October 7, 2024
• Parent-Teacher Conferences - October 8 - 9, 2024 (early release)
• Fall Break - October 10 - 11, 2024 (no school)
• Veterans Day - November 11, 2024 (no school)
• Thanksgiving Holiday - November 27 - 29, 2024 (no school)
• End of Second Quarter/Semester 1 - December 20, 2024
• Winter Break - December 23, 2024 - January 3, 2025 (no school)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday - January 20, 2025 (no school)
• Presidents’ Day Holiday - February 17, 2025 (no school)
• End of Third Quarter - March 5, 2025
• Parent-Teacher Conferences - March 6 - 7, 2025 (early release)
• Spring Break - March 10 - 14, 2025 (no school)
• Last Day of School - May 22, 2025
• Graduation/Teacher Work Day - May 23, 2025
• Make Up Days will be made up in the following order: April 21, 2025, and May 9, 2025

Early Releases

FUSD values and incorporates early releases for students into its weekly schedules to provide opportunities for staff preparation time, collaboration, and professional learning. Currently, FUSD releases early on Wednesdays (middle and high school, PdH) and Fridays (elementary). The feedback from FUSD staff and families was overwhelmingly in support of transitioning the district to a single and consistent early release day, Fridays, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.

Thank you to all of our staff that provided feedback for the 2024-2025 calendar. We value your time and input.

Congratulations to DeMiguel Elementary School and Marshall Magnet Elementary School for achieving "A" ratings for the 2022- 2023 school year.

Ginni Biggs, principal at DeMiguel Elementary School, thanked everyone involved. "I am grateful for the dedicated team of teachers and staff at DeMiguel for creating a learning environment focused on high expectations for all learners," said Biggs. ''Their continual effort, innovative teaching practices, and genuine care for our students are the cornerstone of our success." "I also want to recognize the support provided by our parents and guardians," added Biggs. ''Their partnership in the educational journey of our students is invaluable, and we appreciate their ongoing involvement and commitment to academic success. Congratulations! Together, we have maintained an 'A' School Designation once again."

Janelle Reasor, principal at Marshall Magnet Elementary, is also incredibly proud of her students, staff, and families for their dedication to student achievement and collaborative commitment to meeting the diverse needs of all their students. ''This 'A' school achievement validates our unwavering commitment to high-quality instruction, strategically organized multi-tiered systems of student supports, and our culture of inclusive art and science-based opportunities for our Mustangs," said Reasor. ''Together, we strive to pave the way for excellence, fostering a safe environment where all students can succeed. I hope we can all take a moment to celebrate where we are as we continue to push our collective growth. We are going for a threepeat! Together, we rise!"

Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Michael Penca also expressed his appreciation. "I am grateful and proud of the daily efforts of the teachers and staff at DeMiguel Elementary and Marshall Magnet Elementary to address the needs of each student at their schools," said Penca. "It takes a commitment to quality instruction, staff collaboration, and using achievement data to provide targeted intervention to have both schools repeat these A ratings for consecutive years."

Spring Break - March 11, 2024, to March 15, 2024

Please note that the following days are PTO black out dates:

Friday before Presidents' Day - February 16, 2024

Day before Spring Break - March 8, 2024

Day after Spring Break - March 18, 2024

Staff members may only request time off on the above dates if they have received prior approval from their administrator.

Employee calendars for the 2023-2024 school year are available here.

Join the FUSD Wellness Committee!

Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the Flagstaff community are invited to join the FUSD Wellness Committee.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 22, at 3:00 p.m. in the FUSD District Office Board Room located at 3285 E Sparrow Ave.

All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please contact Steve Rhode at (928) 527-6010 or srhode@fusd1.org.