School opening & closing times revised at select schoolsEleven schools will receive extended learning opportunities

School opening & closing times revised at select schoolsEleven schools will receive extended learning

opportunities

By Cathleen Brenna, Public Information Office

Today, the School Board of Broward County, Florida, approved revisions to the Opening and Closing School Times for the 2013/14 school year.

Schools are scheduled to open and close at times that will best utilize existing resources to provide transportation services and accommodate student and program growth. Staggered bell times minimize operational cost impact to the District.

Revisions to School Opening and Closing Times for the 2013/14 school year are necessary to meet state requirements for extending instructional time beyond the normal school day.                                This requirement applies to schools identified as being among the “100 Lowest Performing Elementary Schools” in the state based on 2013 FCAT 2.0 Reading results. This year, 11 Broward County Public Schools are required to extend their school day by one hour to provide additional intensive reading instruction and enrichment activities.

In addition, the changes to Opening and Closing Times for the 2013/14 school year also include five schools that, based on improvements in their reading scores on the 2013 FCAT 2.0, are no longer required to extend their school day beyond regular hours.

Schools receiving extended instructional time

Broward Estates Elementary, Charles Drew Elementary, Deerfield Park Elementary, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Larkdale Elementary, North Side Elementary, Riverland Elementary, Rock Island Elementary, Royal Palm Elementary School, Tedder Elementary and Westwood Heights Elementary.

Schools making improvements in FCAT Reading scores and no longer required to extended instructional time – 2013/14 (com-pared to 2012/13)

Cypress Elementary, Dillard Elementary, Markham Elementary, Park Ridge Elementary and Plantation Elementary

While Dillard Elementary is no longer required to extend its school day a full hour, as one of the District’s schools participating in a federal School Improvement Grant (SIG), Dillard Elementary will have an extended school day of 30 minutes in 2013/14.

Additional Information on School Opening and Closing Times is available on the District’s website, browardschools.com.