Schools

Portsmouth Looks at Starting School Late for Teacher Development

The Portsmouth School Committee is considering a proposal to start school 75 minutes late once a month. The late start would give teachers time for professional development.


The Portsmouth School Committee is expected to vote in June on a proposal to start school late one day per month next year, according to a release on the school district's Web site Wednesday. 

The proposal, if approved, would result in all Portsmouth schools beginning  one day per month during the 2012-2013 school year. 

The delays would result in a total reduction of 11.25 hours for the school year. 

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Superintendent Lynn Krizic presented the proposal before the School Committee Tuesday night. 

According to the meeting's highlights, the plan would give teachers and administrators the opportunity for professional development. 

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The plan provides teachers and administrators with the opportunity to meet once per month (second Wednesdays beginning in September and ending in May) for approximately 75 minutes to discuss in department/grade level(s) professional learning communities District wide initiatives (e.g., new math and science curriculum); School level school improvement efforts; Curriculum alignment discussions; Implementation of Common Core Standards, Power Standards and Proficiency Scales; and provide the opportunity for staff to analyze student work and student data on a timely basis.

The late starts would be held on the second Wednesdays of the month, September through May. The selected dates are Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10 and May 8. 

The school district last year. According to the school district, "64 percent of families did not believe late starts would be problematic for their families." 

Students who would need to be brought to school at the regular time would be kept in "supervised study halls." 

"Supervision at no cost to families would be provided to students whose parents need to bring them to school at their regular start times," according to the district's press release. 

"...Each school will also provide supervised study halls for students whose parents need to bring them to school at their regular school hours.  can accommodate keeping students an additional hour at no cost to their families."

Changes to the bus schedule will cost $20,000, according to the school district. 

The school committee is expected to vote on this proposal on June 12. 


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