BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Bridgeport Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carmela Levy-David announced on Thursday that the district’s school start and end times will be modified beginning on Sept. 16.
The changes come in response to community feedback. The district aims to better support its personnel and families by going back to the 2023-2024 schedule.
Elementary and middle schools will start at 8:50 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. beginning on Sept. 16. That day, the high schools will begin starting at 7:53 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m.
Times for the Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet Campus will be determined by campus administrators, and the Read School will have staggered start times, which will be announced by building administrators.
In a release, Levy-David thanked the community for its input and acknowledged the importance of having open discussion. She expressed gratitude for the community’s support regarding recent changes.
“I truly value your input, and I hear you,” Levy-David said. “Ensuring that teachers feel confident and empowered will ultimately benefit the well-being of our students.”
The district will also enable the departmentalization for grades four, five and six. It says principals will support teachers as well by mapping out the school day based on past practices to allow for a smooth transition.
Levy-David added that it’s important for teachers to be prepared and for the district to be committed to student success.
“If the changes we implemented create distress for teachers and families, then we’re not helping students, so we need to pivot,” Levy-David said.
The district said it looks forward to having more discussions regarding improving student outcomes throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Last year, the district increased the number of teachers and counselors, enrolled more students, expanded magnet school programs and strengthened community partnerships with academic organizations such as Housatonic Community College and the University of Bridgeport.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m., a Parent Advisory Council meeting will be held at Central High School at 1 Lincoln Boulevard to further discuss the changes and gather more feedback.
Parents can share their thoughts by emailing TalkToUs@bridgeportedu.net.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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