A new school schedule that starts earlier in the day and ends later – except on Thursdays – is aimed at allowing staff more time for professional development, but not all students and teachers are excited about it.
Classes next year will start at 8:15 instead of 8:25 a.m. and will continue to 3:30 instead of 3:15 p.m. At upper grades, students will get five minutes between classes, instead of three, and some students will see a shorter lunch.
Thursday’s early release for professional development would start at 1:50 p.m.
Principal Rene Martin said the administration sought the change in order to “streamline meetings and afternoon obligations” and make more meaningful use of information teachers receive during in-service trainings.
For example, the district is adopting a new, cloud-based computer “learning management system,” called Canvas that included one training at the start. That’s not enough time to implement the program or add things to it, Martin said.
“This will provide time to revisit and work on your practice and utilize your tools,” Martin said. “Otherwise, you end up not utilizing it as best you can.”
Also, the Thursday time will allow for staff meetings, freeing up time the rest of the week for meetings with parents and students.
Teachers’ union president Lisa Andriesen said staff “in general” like the idea of an early-release day for professional development. “I haven’t had too many negative comments,” she said. “I think they realize we have to make up the minutes somewhere.”
But she also understands teacher concerns that the earlier start in the day would pinch teachers’ preparation time before class. “It’s going to be pretty tight. I don’t know what to do about that. I don’t know if it would work to go later in the day.”
There’s also concern about the bus schedule and leaving time in the morning for students’ breakfast, Andriesen said.
High school junior Autumn Gross said this week that the schedule was “kind of weird.” Extending the school day pushes back sports and activities and cuts into time for family and homework, she said.
Sophomore Dylan Palmieri questioned the school’s assertion that Thursday’s early dismissal would encourage people in the community to start activities for students. From the student’s perspective, the schedule wasn’t broken, so why fix it, he asked.
Principal Martin said she’s sensitive to research that teenagers should start later in the day rather than earlier, but such a schedule would be a burden to parents of elementary students who need to get to work earlier in the day. “A later start for high school is not feasible,” she said.
The district also is returning to a schedule of five minutes between classes instead of three minutes. The three-minute “passing period,” in place for three years, led to increased tardiness, Martin said.
Increased time between classes allows students to speak with teachers, check their lockers and use restrooms without cutting into class time.
“That’s the goal. We’ll revisit it at the end of the year,” Martin said.