HISD moves to uniform start and end times for school days
School days in Houston’s 300 schools would start and end at uniform times beginning this fall if school board members approve proposed changes Thursday.
Right now, students in the Houston Independent School District begin their day at 19 different times — as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late at 9 a.m. — and end their day at 21 different times, ranging from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for non-alternative schools.
For instance, school lets out at Yates High School at 3 p.m. each day, while the final bell rings at Wheatley High at 4 p.m.
Creating uniform start and end times would mean fewer routes for buses, saving more than $1 million, the district says.
Under the proposal, elementary schools would start at 7:30 or 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:45 or 3:45 p.m., resulting in a seven-hour, 15-minute instructional day.
For some schools, the change will mean more instruction time, and for some others, less instructional time. The move would shift start and end times at some HISD schools by as much as an hour-and-a-half earlier or later. (View the proposed changes per elementary school here.)
For middle and high schools, the proposed changes would allow for seven-and-a-half hours of instructional time. All high schools would start at 7:45 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m. All middle schools would start at 8:45 a.m. and end at 4:15 p.m. (View the proposed changes for middle schools here and high schools here.)
HISD trustees are expected to give the proposed changes final approval Thursday.
The school system is attempting to save money as it prepares for anticipated budget cuts of up to $348 million a year from the state.
HISD trustees have already approved eliminating more than 250 central office staff positions and are also considering closing four elementary schools, Love, McDade, Grimes and Rhoads, as well as possibly consolidating more than 10 other elementary and middle schools.
Trustees are expected to discuss the proposed bell schedule changes Monday evening at a board workshop. Follow @TexasWatchdog on Twitter for live updates from the workshop Monday and the board meeting Thursday evening.
***
Contact Lynn Walsh at 713-228-2850 or [email protected] or on Twitter at @lwalsh.
Keep up with all the latest news from Texas Watchdog. Fan our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Scribd, and fan us on YouTube. Join our network on de.licio.us, and put our RSS feeds in your newsreader. We’re also on MySpace, Digg, FriendFeed, and tumblr.
Photo: Students pile out of Wheatley High School in Houston’s Fifth Ward when the final bell rings at 4 p.m. on a recent spring day. Jennifer Peebles/Texas Watchdog.
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,708,523,085 |
| Stories: | 8,450,546 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
