Inclement Weather Policies

This policy brief provides protocols for cancellations, clarity on when classes should and shouldn't be canceled, and also clarifies our policy on make-up classes. (See Class Cancellations and Make Ups section for policy change)

When class will be canceled:

Snow 

-if the parking lot has not been plowed and there are over 4 inches of snow, we will cancel class

-if heavy snowfall, we will cancel class

-if white out conditions, we will cancel class

-if the power is out at the studio, we will cancel evening classes, but still host day time ones

Wildfire and Smoke 

-if smoke is too thick to exercise with the bay door closed, we will cancel class

-if wildfire conditions are dangerous for travel via major roadways, we will cancel class

-if wildfire is close to the studio, and the neighborhood is on SET or GO, we will cancel class

Monsoon Activity 

-if the major roadways to the studio or studio is flooding, we will cancel class

-if it’s hailing with hail large enough to be damaging to people and vehicles, we will cancel class

-if the power is out at the studio, we will cancel evening classes, but still host day time ones

When classes will NOT be canceled:

-if the parking lot and major roadways are clear

-if it’s lightly snowing, classes are still on

-if it’s moderately snowing, and visibility is okay, classes are still on

-if it’s raining, classes are still on

Cancelation Decision Making Protocol

We will plan on continuing to have classes if major roads have been plowed, in the case of snow, or are clear in the instance of other weather conditions. We understand that sometimes neighborhood roads will not have been plowed, but if major roadways are clear, we will host classes.

We will attempt to cancel classes on a case by case basis, relying on hourly weather forecasts for guidance, before canceling classes studio wide for the day. Even if FUSD and NAU or the City / County closes, we will attempt to continue to offer classes as we are able. This is because oftentimes during the day the plow is able to clear our parking lot and the city plows are able to clear the city streets, making our classes accessible by the afternoon. 

If the weather is borderline, and there is a possibility of needing to cancel a class (but classes have not been canceled studio wide), we ask instructors (or admin staff) to reach out to their cohorts to see how many students would come if we host class. If half of your students can come, please still plan on having class. If over half the students cannot attend, you may choose to do a make up. You can also plan a make up if that would work better for your cohort. Please keep in mind that if other classes are also being canceled, scheduling make-up classes may become an issue. 

Class Cancellations and Make Ups 

Sometimes class cancellations are unavoidable. We do our best not to cancel classes, but sometimes it is not safe or possible to host class. In semesters where we do not have a lot of canceled classes, it is easy to schedule make ups, and therefore not generally a problem. For semesters where there are a lot of cancellations due to weather, we need instructors to touch base with admin staff about your make up classes. Try to be proactive and avoid waiting until the end of the semester to get make ups on the calendar so that scheduling does not become difficult. If staff have a personal preference not to drive in the snow, but the major roadways are clear and students are able to attend, an instructor can get a sub so that classes can continue. 

Policy Update on Make Ups 

If classes are canceled due to weather, one of these classes does not need to be rescheduled. You can send your students to Open Gym, Conditioning or Flexibility. If it’s Open Gym, you can give them a review plan verbally, or via text/email that details what you’d like them to practice in open gym. If there are more than 1 class canceled for a level based class, instructors need to do a make up. 

For example: 

Laurel is teaching Lyra 1b (15 week semester). There are 2 out of 15 days that are canceled due to snow. Laurel will instruct her class to attend one Open Gym, Flex, or Conditioning class, and she will schedule a make up for the other canceled class. This is because, at a certain point, the students need the instruction hours for their level classes, but there is generally one week on each level that is a review day before the skills check.