LIST: Arizona school districts provide in-person and distance learning plans

Schools in Maricopa, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Navajo, Pima and Pinal Counties have posted information about their remote learning and in-person learning plans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on their websites and social media platforms.

Arizona Department of Education: 

Maricopa County:

Agua Fria Union High School District #216

"Due to the resurgence of positive Covid 19 cases in our community, the Agua Fria Union High School District School Board voted last night [Nov. 4] to return to virtual teaching and learning for the remainder of the second quarter. With this determination, classes will move from the current hybrid format to virtual learning starting Monday November 9, 2020 through the close of the second quarter December 18, 2020," stated Superintendent Dr. Dennis Runyan.

Alhambra Elementary School District #68

"The 2020-2021 school year began virtually on Monday, August 17. All students are participating in district-wide Distance Learning."

Avondale Elementary School District #44

"AESD will begin remote learning - with ALL in-person students returning to distance flex model starting Monday, December 14, 2020."

Balsz Elementary School District #31

"Please have your students prepared to work in a virtual environment from November 23, 2020 until January 4, 2021," stated Dr. Arleen Kennedy, Balsz Superintendent.

BASIS Charter Schools

Buckeye Union High School District #201

"BUHSD will be in Distance Learning for all students for, at least, the first two weeks of January.  On January 4th, all schools will follow their late start schedule."

Cartwright Elementary School District #83

As of Oct. 16, the district says they will continue distance learning until January 2021.

Cave Creek Unified School District #93

"Although some communities may have COVID spread, with the mask mandate and cleaning protocols, we are not seeing that in our CCUSD schools. Thank you for helping us keep our students who have chosen in-person school-- in our schools," stated Debbi C. Burdick, Ed.D., Superintendent.

Chandler Unified School District #80

Officials with the Chandler Unified School District have decided to return its students to virtual learning, as teachers threatened a sickout due to concerns over COVID-19, as the state continues to see a surge in new cases. Read more.

Virtual instruction begins Jan. 6 and in-person instruction will resume Jan. 19.

Creighton Elementary School District #14

Deer Valley Unified School District #97

"All DVUSD Schools are open for in-person learning at all grade-levels through December 18. Short-term Virtual for ALL begins January 4. K-8/Early Childhood returns to in-person learning January 19. High School returns to in-person learning January 25."

Dysart Unified School District #89

"Dysart continues to work with state and local health officials to develop best practices for safety, cleaning, and reporting processes for COVID-19. Full-time classroom and full-time online options are available so families can make the educational decisions that are best for them. Remember to mask up, wash your hands frequently, and help keep our community safe."

Fountain Hills Unified School District #98

"All students will be learning via remote instruction the week of January 4-8, 2021."

Fowler Elementary School District #45

"All Fowler Elementary School District students will continue with virtual/online instruction through December 18, 2020. Metrics will continue to be reviewed. The governing board will meet in December to discuss metrics and determine if hybrid "in-person" instruction will start in January."

Gilbert Unified School District #41

"As approved by the Governing Board, Gilbert Public Schools will return from Winter Break 2020 on January 5, 2021, for one week of hybrid learning. Beginning January 11 all schools will return to in-person learning 5 days a week, with the possibility of moving to hybrid temporarily on a school-by-school basis based on the percentages of positive cases at each campus."

Glendale Elementary School District #40

"A reminder that we will have a revised weekly schedule during the week of December 14 through December 18. All classes will be in session for a full day of virtual instruction on Wednesday, December 16. On Friday, December 18, we will have a half-day of virtual instruction before releasing for Winter Break. If you have any questions regarding this schedule, please contact your school office," stated Superintendent Cindy Segotta-Jones.

Glendale Union High School District #205

"Due to the COVID-19 numbers continuing to rise, we will continue operating in our current remote learning from home model when we return for the second semester. All students will continue in the virtual/remote learning from home model on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Please be assured that we will continue providing regular updates to our families and will return to a hybrid learning model when the metrics indicate that it is safe to do so."

Grand Canyon University

Higley Unified School District #60

"The guidelines HUSD is using to determine whether a school campus needs to temporarily suspend in-person learning for a period of one full school week (Monday-Friday) will be determined by each campuses percentage of confirmed positive COVID-19 active cases. During this time students will return to remote learning.  Should this occur you will receive additional communication from the District and your student’s school site(s)."

Isaac Elementary School District #5

"As of November 12, 2020, Isaac School District's overall risk level is: Substantial. Recommended learning scenario is: Prepare for Virtual w/ onsite support."

J. O. Combs Unified School District #44

"As the COVID-19 case numbers continue to increase statewide, our District is not only monitoring the county data shared by the Arizona Department of Health Services (AzDHS), but also zip code and District specific data. We continue to see a reported increase in both metrics, which prompt us to remind all students, families, and staff that we need your help to reverse these trends. We know that our community is experiencing pandemic fatigue, and that we are all anxious to return to some sense of normalcy in our schools and everyday lives. It is an unfortunate reality however that in order to do so, every member of our Combs community must continue to consistently practice mitigation strategies to protect the health of our students, staff, and community, as well as our ability to provide in-person learning," stated Dr. Gregory A. Wyman, Superintendent.

Kyrene School District #28

"Circumstances and guidance related to COVID-19 may continue to evolve throughout the coming school year, and Kyrene School District has built a plan flexible enough to respond to those evolutions. These are extraordinary times, but Kyrene is committed to delivering excellence in education under any circumstance."

Laveen Elementary School District #59

"At the November 12 Governing Board meeting, the Board approved criteria for moving back to virtual learning based on levels of community spread: if the community health benchmarks, provided by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health for the Laveen Elementary School District, show that Cases per 100K and Percent Positivity are both in the Substantial category for two consecutive weeks, the District will move back to virtual learning for all students."

Legacy Traditional Schools (Avondale, Goodyear, Laveen)

Liberty Elementary School District #25

"At the December 14th Governing Board meeting, the district's health benchmarks were revised to more closely align to Arizona Department of Health Services guidelines. The range for the Moderate threshold for Benchmark 2 - Percent Positivity will be expanded to 5-10% positivity. The criteria for the district's overall benchmark threshold at the Minimal level will continue to be two benchmarks at Minimal, and the overall threshold to meet the Substantial threshold will be three benchmarks at Substantial. The district will evaluate the Maricopa County Public Health data set and the AZDHS data sets to determine the district's health benchmark threshold. Data will be monitored weekly. If a new threshold is reached for two consecutive weeks, then a change in delivery model will occur the following Monday. At the Minimal threshold, the delivery model will be traditional, allowing all students to return to school. At the Moderate threshold, some students will learn at home through the choice of Distance Learning or Online School, and some students will learn in person through the choice of In-Person Learning. At the Substantial threshold, the delivery model will be virtual delivery for all students."

Litchfield Elementary School District #79

Littleton Elementary School District #65

"..the governing board voted to continue with distance learning using our dynamic digital platforms through January 15, 2021."

Madison School District #38

"If the COVID metrics indicate it is safe to do so, K-8 grade students could return to hybrid learning on January 25, 2021 (virtual learning will continue when we return from winter break on January 4, 2021).

On January 12, 2021, the Governing Board will meet to look at trend data to discuss and possibly decide on the official metrics that will be used to return K-8 students to hybrid learning.

I wish to emphasize that January 25 is an aspirational date and may be pushed back to a later date if the trend data continue to indicate substantial community spread of the virus. After the winter break, the Governing Board will meet as often as necessary to monitor the metrics," stated Superintendent Kenneth R. Baca, Ed.D.

Maricopa County Community College District

Mesa Public Schools #4

"When we return for second semester, all students in the district will begin in the remote learning model from Jan. 4-15, 2021*. During these two weeks, we will re-establish our school-level database of positive COVID-19 cases. Our COVID-19 tracking team will use this data, along with the district and zip code metrics, to confirm a return to five-day modified in-person learning on Tuesday, Jan. 19," stated Dr. Andi Fourlis, Superintendent.

Murphy Elementary School District #21

"At our November 9th Governing Board meeting, the Murphy School District Governing Board voted to remain in Phase 2 of our Return to School Plan until at least January 19, 2021. We will also reevaluate our status weekly as the Maricopa County metrics/benchmarks are released."

Nadaburg Unified School District #81

Osborn Elementary School District #8

Palo Verde Elementary School District #49

Paradise Valley Unified School District #69

"After many conversations, in-depth reviews of the data, and careful consideration, we will start the second semester using the virtual online learning model that is currently in place. We will continue this mode of learning while carefully monitoring the spread of the virus. We are committed to returning to in-person learning when students and staff can occupy our campuses with minimal health risk. With the vaccine on the way, along with public health mitigation protocols, we remain optimistic about the future for our students. While we anticipate this will allow students to return to in-person learning sooner, we understand community spread may require us to continue our virtual online learning model through the third quarter," said James P. Lee, Ed.D., Acting Superintendent.

Pendergast Elementary School District #92

"As you know, since last March, we have remained in distance learning mode due to the high number of COVID-19 cases
within our district and in Maricopa County. We have carefully followed the benchmarks set forth by the Arizona
Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. They have recommended that all
schools and district remain in distance learning mode to protect the health and safety of all. The data from these sources
reflects a strong surge in cases with Pendergast District seeing an uptick in the number of cases and the district and
schools labeled as substantial and not recommended to return to in-person learning," stated Superintendent Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux.

Peoria Unified School District #11

"Last night [Dec. 10], our Governing Board voted for students to return from Winter Break on Monday, January 4 in our current instructional models, offering both in-person and virtual options for students," stated Superintendent Dr. Jason Reynolds.

Phoenix Union High School District

"All zip codes in Phoenix Union are in the substantial risk category with positivity rates rising. Unfortunately, because of this spread, we will not be able to offer in-person learning on January 4, 2021. We willl remain in distance learning as we have since August," stated Chad E. Geston, Ed.D., Superintendent.

Queen Creek Unified School District #95

Riverside Elementary School District #2

Roosevelt School District #66

"..our district team has made the difficult decision to delay the start of an in-person learning option until at least the beginning of 3rd trimester, which occurs in mid-February, data permitting. For now, we believe that it is the right decision for our school district to remain in an all-virtual learning setting. We understand the importance of in-person learning and are committed to offering an experience, once it is safe to do so. Additional details and information will be provided in January 2021," stated Quintin Boyce, Ed.D., Superintendent.

Scottsdale Unified School District #48

"As the health conditions change in our area, SUSD will reopen campuses in a phased approach."

Tempe Elementary School District

"As of November 30, TUHSD is operating in a virtual learning model. Please see here for a communication from TUHSD to parents/families regarding this shift, as well as some frequently asked questions."

Tempe Union High School District #213

"Our metrics received from Maricopa County Department of Public Health have increased even further in the wrong direction, yet I know that won’t surprise anyone as we are seeing and hearing of this in the news daily.."

Tolleson Elementary School District #17

"For the final week of learning in 2020 before Winter Break, we have full days of Virtual/Distance Learning December 14-17.  Friday, December 18 is scheduled for early release. Then our schools and Virtual/Distance Learning will be closed for two weeks, and we will resume Virtual/Distance Learning on Monday, January 4, 2021. At this time, we are scheduled to resume In-School Learning on January 19 following the Dr. Martin Luther King JR holiday on January 18. We will keep you updated as that date approaches," stated Dr. Lupita Hightower, Superintendent.

Union Elementary School District #62

"Out of an abundance of caution, and after consulting with MCPHD, the Board has voted that all classes (in-person and online) will start online the first week after Winter Break (Jan. 4-8). This one-week break from in-person instruction will allow us to track the virus and determine if it is safe to resume the in-person model.  It will also allow us time to make sure our campuses are fully prepared to welcome students back. Based upon that first week’s data, we may find it necessary to continue a second week online before resuming in-person. We will notify you as soon as possible," stated Superintendent Kristine Morris.

Washington Elementary School District

"Due to the continued increase in the spread of COVID-19 in the community, we will remain in the online learning model when we return from Winter Break on Monday, January 4th, and into the new year," stated Dr. Paul Stanton, Superintendent.

Wickenburg Unified School District #9

"School resumes January 4, 2021.We anticipate being able to continue to operate in-person learning at all sites. If that should change we will notify families as quickly as possible. Remote Learning remains an option for students. If you feel your child(ren) would be better served by attending school remotely, please contact the school to request that change."

Xavier College Prepatatory

Apache County:

Alpine Elementary School District #7

Chinle Unified School District #24

Concho Elementary School District #6

Ganado Unified School District #20

McNary Elementary School District #23

Red Mesa Unified School District #27

Round Valley Unified School District #10

Saint Johns Unified School District #1

Sanders Unified School District #18

Vernon Elementary School District #9

Window Rock Unified School District #8

 

Cochise County:

Apache Elementary School District #42

Ash Creek Elementary School District #53

Benson Unified School District #9

Bisbee Unified School District #2

Bowie Unified School District #14

Cochise County Community College District

Cochise Elementary School District #26

Double Adobe Elementary School District #45

Douglas Unified School District #27

Elfrida Elementary School District #12

Fort Huachuca Accommodation District

McNeal Elementary School District #55

Naco Elementary School District #23

Palominas Elementary School District #49

Pearce Elementary School District #22

Pomerene Elementary School District #64

St. David Unified School District #21

San Simon Unified School District #18

Sierra Vista Unified School District #68

Tombstone Unified School District #1

Valley Union High School District #22

Willcox Unified School District #13

 

Coconino County:

Flagstaff Unified School District

Fredonia-Moccasin Unified School District

Grand Canyon Unified School District #4

Maine Consolidated School District

Northern Arizona University

Page Unified School District #8

Tuba City Unified School District #15

Williams Unified School District #2

     

    Gila County:

    Globe Unified School District #1

    Hayden-Winkelman School District #41

    Miami Unified School District #40

    Payson Unified School District #10

    Pine-Strawberry Elementary School District #12

    San Carlos Unified School District #20

    Tonto Basin Elementary School

    Young Public School

     

    Graham County:

    Pima Unified School District #6

    Safford Unified School District #1

     

    Greenlee County:

    Blue Elementary District

    • No district website available
    • 928-865-2822

    Duncan Unified School District #2

    Morenci Unified School District #18

     

    La Paz County:

    Bicentennial Union High School District #76

    Bouse Elementary School District #26

    Parker Unified School District #27

    Quartzsite Elementary School District #4

    Salome Consolidated Elementary School District #30

    Wenden Elementary School District #19

     

    Mohave County:

    Kingman Unified School District #20

     

    Navajo County:

    Blue Ridge Unified School District

    Heber-Overgaard Unified School District #6

    Holbrook Unified School District #3

    Joseph City Unified School District #2

    Show Low Unified School District #10

    Winslow Unified School District #1

     

    Pima County:

    Ajo Unified School District #15

    Altar Valley School District #51

    Amphitheater Public Schools #10

    Catalina Foothills School District #16

    Continental Elementary School District #39

    Tanque Verde Unified School District #13

    Tucson Unified School District #1

    University of Arizona

     

    Pinal County:

    Apache Junction Unified School District #43

    Mammoth-San Manuel Unified School District

    Maricopa Unified School District #20

    Oracle Elementary School District #2

    Ray Unified School District #3

    Red Rock Elementary School District #5

    Stanfield Elementary School District #24

    Superior Unified School District #15

     

    Santa Cruz County:

    Nogales Unified School District #1

    Patagonia Public Schools

    Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District #35

     

    Yavapai County:

    Ash Fork School District #31

    Bagdad Unified School District #20

    Beaver Creek Elementary School District #26

    Camp Verde Unified School District #28

    Canon Elementary School District #50

    Chino Valley Unified School District #51

    Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School District #3

    Congress Elementary School District #7

    Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary School District #6

    Crown King Elementary School District #41

    Hillside Elementary School District #35

    Humboldt Unified School District #22

    Kirkland Elementary School District #23

    Mayer Unified School District #43

    Mingus High School District #4

    Prescott Unified School District #1

    Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District #9

    _____

    Statement from Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman on June 29:

    "Today’s announcement from Gov @dougducey delays in-person instruction until August 17th but allows schools to offer distance learning per their regular schedules. This will allow all of us to continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and plan appropriately.

    In the meantime, @azedschools will continue to help districts develop their distance learning plans and advocate that our schools receive all necessary resources to keep students and staff safe upon a return to school facilities.

    What Arizona’s numbers will look like by August 17th remains unclear. But one thing is for certain: if efforts are not taken across the entire state to curb the spread of this virus, our schools will only continue to face complications in re-opening their facilities."

    Ducey's executive order states:

    • If a school chooses to begin the school year on its regularly planned start date through distance learning, a district or charter school shall submit a distance learning plan as required by the Arizona Department of Education no later than the start date of the distance learning program or August 14, 2020, whichever is earlier.
    • A school district or charter school may delay benchmark testing until the first six weeks after in-person classes are allowed to begin.
    • District or charter school students shall be considered as an AOI (Arizona Online Instruction Program) student for purposes of school funding calculations while participating in distance learning.

    Continuing Coverage

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    Gov. Ducey orders closure of bars, gyms, movie theaters, water parks, and tubing; delays first day of school

    In an effort to stop a massive surge in new coronavirus cases, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered bars, nightclubs, gyms, movie theaters and water parks around the state to be closed for at least 30 days starting at 8 p.m. on June 29.

    FOX 10 is working to keep you up to date with local and national developments on COVID-19. Every weekday on FOX News Now, our live coverage begins at 7 a.m. MST reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.

    You can watch live in your FOX 10 News app or on fox10phoenix.com/news-now.

    You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com

    In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends: 

    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.