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REGISTER NOW, For The Student Start/End Time Listening Session II - October 24, 2024

Thank you to all the families, staff, and community members who attended the August 15, 2024, Listening Session. Below is a summary of the key points discussed regarding the Student Start/End Times, and important next steps.

We value your continued engagement and invite you to join us for the next Student Start/End Time Listening Session II, which will be held on:

Date: October 24, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Harmon Middle School, 12410 Harmon Road, 43147

Click the link below to register for the second Listening Session:  
https://forms.gle/PYAyYthXrVPWkzLKA

 

Update & Summary from August 15, 2024 
Student Start/End Times Listening Session 

Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/huIRstx3xSQ?si=tLXrxtCbFzJatzDP

The Pickerington Schools Listening Session focused on potential changes to school start and end times. The session covered concerns such as the effects on extracurricular activities, student focus, transportation, and childcare. National trends on later start times improving academic performance were discussed, particularly for adolescents. The forum was designed to gather input from the community before making any decisions about changes, with feedback welcomed throughout the process.

The discussion began with two scenarios posed “What if your child were to start school 10-45 mins earlier or later?”. The open mic forum began with participants sharing their thoughts on how these changes could affect their daily routines and overall schedules. Participants raised concerns about the impact on families, particularly regarding transportation, extracurricular activities, and student well-being. Concerns about safety, such as children standing at bus stops in the dark, were also highlighted. Parents and teachers offered feedback on the current schedule and provided suggestions for optimal start times based on various levels (elementary, middle, and high school). Several participants emphasized that adjusting times could negatively affect extracurricular activities and childcare logistics. The conversation also touched on how shifting start times would influence family routines and the importance of gathering data to understand the broader impact on the community.

Participants expressed concerns about how transportation issues, such as bus delays, have impacted the effectiveness of school schedules. The conversation explored whether the district could potentially shorten the school day without compromising educational outcomes. Additionally, discussions covered the balance between school schedules and family time, particularly in light of Pickerington's longer school day. Suggestions were made to gather comprehensive data on the impact of current transportation systems and how other districts have managed similar changes. The conversation closed with a focus on the need for careful planning and research before implementing any changes.

Here is a summary of the main concerns raised during the discussion about changing school start times in Pickerington, along with the number of times each issue was raised during the discussion:

Topics

# of Mentions

Summary

Impact on Family Schedules

8

Many participants discussed how changes in school start times, particularly earlier starts, would affect their work schedules, childcare, and daily routines.

Difficulty for Adolescents with Early Start Times

6

Concerns were raised about the negative impact of earlier start times on junior high and high school students, especially regarding their sleep, focus, and physical and mental health. Participants emphasized that early starts would worsen issues for students, particularly those with health challenges or adolescents in puberty.

Effect on Extracurricular Activities

5

Parents pointed out that later end times could interfere with extracurricular activities like sports, adding to students' already long days, especially those involved in athletics, which often run into the evening.

Bus and Transportation Issues

5

Several people expressed concerns about long bus rides, late arrivals, and bus route inefficiencies. The lack of sidewalks and safety of students waiting in the dark were also raised.

Sibling Caregiver Dynamics

3

A few participants mentioned the reliance on older siblings for childcare. Changing the start time for different grade levels could disrupt this arrangement.

Impact on Working Parents

3

Working parents, especially those with early shifts, highlighted how start time changes could complicate childcare and work schedules, particularly for those who cannot adjust their work hours.

Safety Concerns (Weather/Darkness)

3

Several participants were concerned that earlier start times would require students to wait for buses in the dark during winter months, increasing safety risks.

Potential for Increased School Cancellations Due to Weather

2

Some parents noted that earlier start times might lead to more school delays or cancellations due to weather conditions.

Impact on Educational Services (Music, Arts, Gifted Programs)

2

There were concerns that consolidating school schedules might affect the availability of teachers who travel between schools to offer specialized programs.

Community and Infrastructure Growth

2

Some participants mentioned the rapid growth in housing and infrastructure in Pickerington and how it adds to the congestion and challenges in managing school schedules and transportation.

Audience Questions:

  1. If we move start times for the earlier grades, would younger kids be standing at the bus stop in the dark?
  2. What’s a common age for people to have their children babysitting?
  3. When does the OCC require that our teams are available for scheduling?
  4. What would later start times mean for infrastructure (e.g., public transportation, traffic)?
  5. Should we shorten the school day instead of shifting start times?
  6. What do our parents’ work schedules look like? Do they work at 7 a.m., 9 a.m.?
  7. Are we including all extracurriculars, like youth groups, church, band, etc., not just sports?
  8. What did the data show when we made this kind of schedule change 17 years ago?
  9. How many minutes are our kids spending on the bus?
  10. Does reducing staggered times impact services like music, the arts, and gifted services?