Published in the August 24, 2018 edition
The following information has been submitted by Cindy Taymor, superintendent of Melrose Public Schools.
MELROSE — A permanent change to the daily start and end times will go into effect on Wednesday, August 29, the first day of school for students attending Melrose Public Schools.
The new start and end times for students will be as follows:
• Franklin Early Childhood Center: Preschool/PreK: 8:30 – end time dependent upon program
• Franklin Early Childhood Center: Kindergarten: 8:30 a.m. – 2:37 p.m.
• Elementary Schools: 8:03 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.
• Secondary Schools: 8:15 a.m. – 2:41p.m.
In order to ensure a smooth and orderly implementation, the following will outline some areas of interest to families:
Access to extra help for students:
During the 2017-2018 school year the district piloted a middle and high school schedule with flex blocks two times per week that provides time during the day for extra help, makeup, retesting, etc. Contract language requires teachers to be available before and/or after school twice a week for 30 minutes of extra help.
Extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, etc.):
At the secondary level, many academic, performing arts, interest, and social action clubs already meet before and/or after school. Clubs will continue to meet both before and after school, as determined by the individual club. Athletic practices will be limited to after school. There is a possibility that hockey and swim may occur before school only if it is a necessity determined by renting ice or pool time.
Supervision of students who arrive prior to start time:
The elementary schools currently provide Early Bird programs for students who arrive early for a small fee. The program opens one hour prior to the start of school. The middle school will add a morning monitor for student supervision. The high school and middle school will add an expanded breakfast option for students arriving early.
After School Supervision – Elementary Schools:
The Elementary Schools will add short-term after school supervision similar to Early Bird so that students waiting for an older sibling to walk him/her home can be supervised until the secondary campus dismisses. This service will provide supervision from 2:10 to 3:10 p.m. for a small fee.
Education Stations:
The Education Stations’ schedule has been revised to start in accordance with the new dismissal time. Activities at the start of Education Stations will be adjusted to provide transition activities and student “down time” immediately following dismissal and then moving onto different activities.
Advanced Placement exams:
Exams begin at 8 a.m. as is the current practice and therefore meets the College Board’s scheduling requirement.
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
There will be no changes to current practices regarding conferences.
If you have any questions, please contact your building principals.
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Following is more information on the first week of the 2018-19 school year.
● All students in grades 1-5 will meet their teachers at 7:53 a.m. in the designated area. They will line up by class and enter the building at 8:03 a.m.
● Kindergarten students will meet their teachers at 8:20 a.m. in the designated area. They will line up by class and enter the building at 8:30 a.m.
● The purpose of the later start time for Kindergartners is to help ease the transition on the first day of school for our youngest students.
On Thursday, August 30: Teachers will meet all K-5 students in the designated area at 7:53 a.m. and enter the building at 8:03 a.m. The school day ends at 2:10 p.m.
All schools will be closed on Friday, August 31 and Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 4 at its normal time.
Middle School: Grades 6-8 – The school day begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 2:41 p.m.
On Wednesday, August 29 (only):
• All students in grade 6 should report to the auditorium at 8:15 a.m.
• All students in grade 7 and 8 should report to their homerooms for extended homeroom.
• Homeroom, Team assignments, and schedules will be mailed home during the first week in August
All schools will be closed on Friday, August 31 and Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 4 at its normal time.
High School: Grades 9-12
Wednesday, August 29: All students should report by 8:15 a.m. to their A Block class. The school day ends at 2:41 p.m.
All schools will be closed on Friday, August 31 and Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 4 at its normal time.
Franklin School: Kindergarten and Preschool – The school day for kindergarten and all full day preschool classes at the Franklin begins at: 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:37 p.m. The school day for all ½ day classes at the Franklin begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 12 noon. Arrival and dismissal procedures will be shared at the Great Start and Sneak Peek Events and can also be found here: https://www.melroseschools.com/franklin-early-childhood-center/policies-procedures/pages/arrival-and-dismissal-procedure
• Great Start Welcome Back Parent Night (adults only) is Monday, August 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sneak Peek meet and greet for students and an adult family member is Tuesday, August 28, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Franklin Dates can also be found here: https://www.melroseschools.com/franklin-early-childhood-center
First day of school:
Wednesday, August 29: All Kindergarten, all 3, 4 and 5 day and 2 day Monday/Wednesday programs begin
Thursday, August 30: 2 day Tuesday/Thursday program begins
Before school care for full day classes will not be offered on Wednesday, August 29. The first day of school is a great day to meet your Franklin friends for a photo opportunity.
