Centre County school district mulls shorter school day for students
For the 2020-21 school year, Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District students could be starting their days later and ending earlier, though administrators say time spent learning will remain the same.
Last month, the district announced it was considering shortening the school day so that it would run from 8:15 a.m.-2:55 p.m. for secondary and elementary students. If approved, teachers would begin their days 40 minutes before the students, allowing them to have a preparation period, which is included in their contract. Citing research that shows later start times are better for adolescents, district officials think the curriculum would improve and said the change would align P-O’s schedule with neighboring schools.
“Our secondary principals have been able to produce a schedule where no instructional time will be lost,” P-O Superintendent Gregg Paladina wrote in a letter that was sent to parents. “These changes are being proposed with the best interests of students in mind.”
Under the existing schedule, secondary students attend school from 7:15 a.m.-2:35 p.m., and elementary students’ days run from 8:15 a.m.-3:35 p.m. If the shortened school day is enacted, elementary students’ eight-day special rotation schedule would change to a five-day rotation.
“Elementary schools are on an eight-day rotation because we share specialists between the two schools,” Paladina said. “Every teacher needs a preparation period; therefore, we end up with specials such as ST Math, which is an excellent program, but it can be done in the classroom.”
With a shorter day, students would take gym, library, music, computers and art as specials — almost double the instructional time than what they currently receive.
About one-third of P-O students in grades 11-12 attend the Clearfield County Career and Technical Center. In the fall, West Branch and Moshannon Valley school districts implemented a shortened school day, and with these changes, P-O said students could miss at least a half hour of required instruction at CCCTC.
“The changes will bring our day in line with other schools, and in some cases, it is still longer,” Paladina said.
If the change is approved, P-O will restructure its bus schedule to ensure secondary students come home at the same time or before their younger siblings. The district plans to put high school students on their own bus, but middle and elementary students could be mixed. Students will be assigned seats and separated by age.
For students without older siblings or a parent or guardian to meet them after school, Paladina said the district is working to coordinate alternative solutions.
“We are allowing parents to drop off their students 40 minutes early for breakfast before school, and we are working with the YMCA and staff members to help parents with coordination of care,” Paladina said.
P-O’s board of directors will vote on the schedule change at the Feb. 25 meeting.
