For the 2025-26 school year, students can expect the starting bell to ring 7 minutes earlier.
The change was made to accommodate the return of teacher professional development (PD) days during the school year and simultaneously meet state requirements, Sophomore Principal Dr. Rick Regina said.
“Because those days were put back in the calendar, in order for us to meet the state requirements for 1,044 hours for the school year, we did have to extend the school day by 7 minutes,” Dr. Regina said.
The day will therefore start at 8:21 a.m. instead of 8:28 a.m.
Dr. Regina said a benefit of the change is higher quality PD days than the ones held in the summer. Teachers who learn something during these days also will be able to incorporate it into their classes immediately.
“I’m excited that, with good professional development, students will see some things, some new strategies, and we’ll get a chance to find a better way to meet student needs,” Dr. Regina said.
Additionally, the reincorporation of school year PD could see greater participation from staff members, Principal Dr. Tracey Waeckerle said.
“It’s tricky in the summer because people’s schedules look different with childcare and things like that when kids aren’t in school,” Dr. Waeckerle said. “It is a part of our professional responsibility, but it also is an opportunity for us to continue to grow as educators.”
A bell schedule has not been finalized, but it is likely that each class will be a minute longer, Dr. Waeckerle said.
“I don’t know that it will be something people will really feel,” Dr. Waeckerle said. “It’s a pretty minimal change for the building.”
Some of the students like Isaac Carstensen, junior, feel differently.
“I feel like it shouldn’t happen. I like how school starts now,” Carstensen said. “But if they are adding more professional school days, I understand that they have to start earlier.”
However, Carstensen said he understands the benefits the change could have for teachers.
“I feel like it would be good for teachers since it allows them to get more work done if they need to,” Carstensen said.
