It's going to be a period of adjustments with the longer school days. The idea is to have students spend less time on buses and eventually save the school district some money.
Registration is already underway in Galveston, and parents are also getting the news to have those pre-K kids and elementary students to school early, 15 minutes earlier than last year.
"Actually, some people have to take their children themselves, to school and they're not gonna have anybody to do it for them," said parent Yazmin Villareal.
The new start time applies whether kids are dropped off at school or take the bus, and the change is because of transportation. An audit concluded bus schedules could be better coordinated and student ride times lessened if the school hours were changed
It's called a staggered stop system.
"In which the middle school and elementary schools will be starting at different times will help bus drivers get to the particular schools in the most efficient and timely manner for the kids to start their day," said Spokesperson Johnson Farrow with the Galveston ISD.
Some elementary school dismissal times will be staggered during the week. Middle schools will have time added, as will high schools; 30 minutes more, with dismissal at 4pm. It may more efficient, but one student with whom we spoke doesn't like it.
"Actually, just found out today, this morning. It really stinks because no one likes to stay there that long," said high school student Kaleb Hatton. "They're just doing it now, and it's crazy, I think."
The extra 30 minutes in high school will be used for an additional course, which students can use for electives or remedial reading.
The complete list of changes is as follows:- Elementary schools, excluding KIPP: 7:30am-3:15pm
- Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School: 7:30am-3:15pm
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KIPP Coastal Village: 7:45am (all grades)
Pre-K dismissal: 3pm (Monday-Friday)
K-2nd and 5th Grades: 5pm (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)
3:45pm (Wednesday and Friday) - Austin Middle School: 8:30am-4:30pm
- Central Middle School (Grades 7 and 8): 8:30am-4:30pm
- Weis Middle School (Grades 5 and 6): 7:30am-3:15pm
- Galveston Early College High School: 8am-4pm
- AIM College and Career Preparatory: 8am-4pm
- Ball High: 8am-4:00pm
- Ball High: 7-8am
- Weis: 6:45am-7:30am
- Central Middle School: 7-8:30am
- Austin Middle School: 7-8:30am
- Elementary schools: 6:45am-7:30am
