Inclement Weather Instructions for the 2025-2026 School Year

During the 2025-2026 school year, when Fox Chapel Area School District buildings are closed due to cold weather, snow, or ice, all students will participate in online learning from home. Students will have opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous learning. They will be asked to sign in to their Google Classroom (for pre-K through grade 5) or Schoology accounts (for grades 6 through 12) at the beginning of their typical school day to view their schedules.

iPads Going Home with Elementary Students

Unless you requested that your child's iPad not be sent home, an iPad will be included in elementary students' backpacks and sent home on Monday, November 17. iPads should be kept charged and brought to school by your child every day, and they should be taken home at the end of each school day. If you requested the iPad stay at school but have decided you would like it to come home for the winter months, please email melissa_wiest@fcasd.edu.

Due to the potential for these virtual learning days, the district's Office of Educational Technology wants to be sure that parents/guardians have a charger at home that is compatible with their child's district-issued iPad. You do not need to use an Apple-brand charging cord – any brand will work.

If you have an elementary student and need to borrow a USB-C iPad charger, please fill out a charger request form, available at https://bit.ly/FCASDChargerRequest2025-2026.

At-Home Bundles for Pre-K- to Fifth-Grade Students

Our pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students have At-Home Bundles that were sent home earlier this school year. If you have misplaced the bundle, please email your child's teacher for a replacement. Students may be asked to reference those bundles during, after, or in place of virtual learning.

Secondary Devices

Fox Chapel Area High School students will use their district-issued Chromebook or their preferred personal device for online learning. Dorseyville Middle School students will use their district-issued iPad.

Virtual Assistance

On inclement weather days, our technology team will staff a virtual help desk from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to assist students, and our community help desk will be available for parents/guardians requiring technology assistance. Information on how to access the virtual help desk and how to submit a help desk ticket will be included in communications to parents/guardians on inclement weather days.

The school nursing staff will hold virtual office hours from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. when our schools are closed for in-person learning due to inclement weather or other emergencies. Information on how to initiate a virtual session with a school nurse will be included in communication to parents/guardians on inclement weather days.

If you are unable to join a virtual help desk or school nurse session, please email Jill Leonard at jill_leonard@fcasd.edu for assistance.