Changing School Start Times? I Guess It's NOT Just a Rumor

Update:

It appears that Transportation is putting forth a three-tier schedule to operate all routes but with fewer drivers (as it has been and remains difficult to find enough drivers). Whether this is official or not, it is likely that this will be the informal schedule. 

They are working with different partners like Athletics and community groups to work this out.

Suggested schedule on this matter:
  • April 18: Letter to families about the proposed transition to a three-tier schedule
  • April 21: School Board Operations Committee considers three-tiers and assembled feedback
  • May 4: School Board meeting, introduction of the Transportation Standards
  • May 18: School Board meeting, Board vote on Transportation Standards

So if you play this out, it would seem that elementary schools would have to start at 7:30 am instead of 7:55 am which is very early (and means that teachers contract would include a 7:00 am start for teachers). 

You may remember over the last decade how Transportation was seeking ways to cut costs. Did they ever, truly? And it might appear that if they did, the money saved may have gone to consultants. Every time I get a public disclosure request filled, I see consultants working.

end of update

Apparently the district is considering changing start and end times for the next school year. I found this on a group's email:

The school district is looking at changing start and end times due to changes in school bus transportation. Join us for a conversation to learn about the potential changes.

It's April! Parents need to know about this NOW! For parents who have to arrange childcare, this seems a big deal (plus if they have older kids looking after younger sibs). 

I would suggest making your thoughts known to the Board (even if it doesn't make a difference, given how they appear to not be interested in input). The address is:

spsdirectors@seattleschools.org 

schoolboard@seattleschools.org (will also go to Superintendent and senior staff)

Also, FYI if you missed this notice about testing your student for COVID after Spring Break.

We strongly encourage testing before returning to school on Monday, April 18, to help ensure a healthy and safe return to in-person learning.  

Students and staff are getting a box of two iHealth COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. Tests should be taken on Sunday, April 17, or in the morning before school on Monday, April 18.    


Comments

Unknown said…
Also i hear that SPS is deciding whether to sign a new multi-year contract with First zStudent. Please consider writing to the board to ask them to choose a different company.
4/19/22, 10:19 PM
Brian Aker said…
Given that a majority of Seattle elementary school children already walk to school in Seattle, and that the current start time already robs children of precious sleep time,... isn't the answer for each parent to decide when their child will arrive each day?
If you look at the attendance numbers across the US, and recent articles in the NYT/etc..., we learned during the pandemic that school attendance doesn't need to be based on a set of hours derived from when a parent once upon a time had to show up to work.
The public school system is aware a shift is happening, just look at the proposals for funding public education that were brought up in the Legislature this year.
4/21/22, 7:39 PM
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