http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110326/NEWS02/703269909
Published March 26, 2011 in the Rutland Herald
Springfield school board looks at hours and busing
By Christian Avard
SPRINGFIELD — Could there be new elementary and high school hours in the Springfield School District? According to the superintendent, the conversations have already started.
Superintendent Frank Perotti told School Board members that Vermont school districts are discussing whether elementary school pupils should start earlier in the day and high school students later in the day. According to Perotti, conversations are taking place within the district and at River Valley Technical Center’s sending schools.
The Springfield School District serves the high school, Riverside Middle School, and Elm Hill, Park Street and Union Street Elementary Schools. RVTC sending schools include Springfield, Green Mountain, Black River, Bellows Falls and Fall River high schools.
Perotti said high school students function better by sleeping longer and starting later. Elementary students function better by starting earlier and ending earlier.
“It is the natural rhythm of students,” Perotti said. “School systems across the country are looking at this. It’s a long way off, but high schools are having the conversation. One district can’t do it alone.”
Perotti reassured the School Board that no steps have been taken to change school hours. The goal is to stimulate discussion. Should the School Board continue the discussion, Perotti suggested the School Board investigate how the potential school hour changes will fit in with the district’s busing operations.
“There are implications we need to look at,” Perotti said.
The School Board is seeking two transportation committee members to handle the district’s transportation needs. Chair Scott Adnams said the committee will be tasked with investigating and implementing a future transportation model and a new busing contract.
The catalyst was the Elm Hill School Parents-Teachers Association, which created a transportation committee of its own. According to vice chairwoman Jeanice Garfield, the PTA-driven committee has been effective and the school district saw value in starting its own.
Garfield suggested the subcommittee application process be open to all residents. She recommended an ad in the newspaper and reaching out to PTA members, bus drivers, parents, and various stakeholders. Board Chairman Adnams said two residents expressed interest but may not be able to make the time commitment.
Anyone interested in becoming a committee member should contact the School Board district office at 885-5141.
Springfield school board looks at hours and busing
By Christian Avard
SPRINGFIELD — Could there be new elementary and high school hours in the Springfield School District? According to the superintendent, the conversations have already started.
Superintendent Frank Perotti told School Board members that Vermont school districts are discussing whether elementary school pupils should start earlier in the day and high school students later in the day. According to Perotti, conversations are taking place within the district and at River Valley Technical Center’s sending schools.
The Springfield School District serves the high school, Riverside Middle School, and Elm Hill, Park Street and Union Street Elementary Schools. RVTC sending schools include Springfield, Green Mountain, Black River, Bellows Falls and Fall River high schools.
Perotti said high school students function better by sleeping longer and starting later. Elementary students function better by starting earlier and ending earlier.
“It is the natural rhythm of students,” Perotti said. “School systems across the country are looking at this. It’s a long way off, but high schools are having the conversation. One district can’t do it alone.”
Perotti reassured the School Board that no steps have been taken to change school hours. The goal is to stimulate discussion. Should the School Board continue the discussion, Perotti suggested the School Board investigate how the potential school hour changes will fit in with the district’s busing operations.
“There are implications we need to look at,” Perotti said.
The School Board is seeking two transportation committee members to handle the district’s transportation needs. Chair Scott Adnams said the committee will be tasked with investigating and implementing a future transportation model and a new busing contract.
The catalyst was the Elm Hill School Parents-Teachers Association, which created a transportation committee of its own. According to vice chairwoman Jeanice Garfield, the PTA-driven committee has been effective and the school district saw value in starting its own.
Garfield suggested the subcommittee application process be open to all residents. She recommended an ad in the newspaper and reaching out to PTA members, bus drivers, parents, and various stakeholders. Board Chairman Adnams said two residents expressed interest but may not be able to make the time commitment.
Anyone interested in becoming a committee member should contact the School Board district office at 885-5141.
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