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The Pleasantville School District has decided to push back class start times for the upcoming academic year. The school board approved the change during a meeting on Tuesday (August 26), aiming to give students more time in the mornings and improve their overall performance. High school classes will now begin at 8 a.m., middle school at 8:30 a.m., and elementary school at 8:55 a.m.
Superintendent Dr. Marilyn Martinez explained that the new schedule aligns with research showing that students benefit from later start times. She emphasized the district's efforts to inform families about the change through various communication methods, including social media and direct notifications. "Using social media, letters to parents, robo calls, smoke signals if we need to," Martinez said.
The change has sparked mixed reactions among parents. While some appreciate the additional morning time for their children, others worry about the impact on their work schedules. Nayeli Juarez, a parent in Pleasantville, expressed concern that the new schedule might cause parents to start late for their jobs.
To ease the transition, the district will allow elementary students to be dropped off as early as 8:30 a.m. for free breakfast. Additionally, the new schedule creates a 30-minute gap between middle and high school start times, which is expected to reduce congestion during drop-off and pickup times, as the schools are located next to each other.
The first day of school is set for September 4, and the district is working to finalize updated bus routes and other logistical details before then. The change in start times is part of a broader national discussion about the benefits of allowing students more sleep, with some New Jersey schools already adopting similar measures.