For Immediate Release

Monday, Feb. 26, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose Public Schools to Implement New Start Times in Fall of 2018

Middle and High School to Start Later, Elementary Schools to Begin Earlier

MELROSE — Superintendent Cyndy Taymore announces that after nearly three years of research, study and deliberations, Melrose Public Schools will implement new start times at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year.

On March 22, 2016, the Melrose School Committee voted to approve later start times for secondary schools and slightly earlier start times for elementary schools. Less than one year later, on March 13, 2017, the Melrose Education Association signed a memorandum of agreement for this initiative.

Beginning in September, the start and end times will be a permanent change to the district’s schedule, unless the School Committee votes to rescind or modify the order.

The new start and end times for students will be as follows:

Franklin Early Childhood Center: 8:40 a.m., end time dependent on program

Elementary schools: 8:03 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

MVMMS and MHS: 8:15 a.m. to 2:41 p.m.

“Over the last several years, as more research has indicated the impact lack of sleep has on older students, we felt that adopting this change was in the best interest of our children, especially young adolescents who will benefit from an extra half hour of rest,” Superintendent Taymore said. “This has been a long process, and after working with parents, the community, School Committee members and faculty, I’m confident we’ve created a schedule that will work well for everyone.”

The Middlesex League Superintendents, which consists of leaders of 12 school districts, released a statement in 2016 concurring that the start time for high schools should be between 8-830 a.m. Along with Melrose, Burlington, Stoneham and Watertown have made the commitment to implement the change at the start of the 2018-19 school year. Winchester and Lexington school districts are currently discussing how to make the change feasible.

Details surrounding Melrose’s transition are currently being finalized between the district and the Melrose Education Association. Plans have been put in place to accommodate extracurricular activities, bus schedules, the METCO program and students who arrive prior to start time.

In March, Superintendent Taymore will send out a letter to parents and guardians outlining the finalized logistics surrounding new start times.

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