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08/10/2021 12:30 PMWhen the school bell rings for the first day on Tuesday, Aug. 31, students attending East Haven Public Schools (EHPS) will be ending their days 30 minutes later. School hours for the 2021-’22 school year are as follows:
• East Haven High School: 7:25 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
• Melillo Middle School: 8 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
• East Haven Academy: 8:05 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
• Elementary schools: 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Discussion about lengthening the school day began last winter as the Board of Education (BOE) discussed ways of “responding to the educational needs of our students in light of pandemic disruptions,” according to a letter from BOE Chair Michele DeLucia.
The BOE sought input from staff, students, family groups, and more, reaching out through the district newsletter, surveys, and inviting the public to take part in stakeholder feedback sessions. DeLucia thanked the “many individuals, from students to families and community leaders, who took part in 15 hours of stakeholder feedback to ensure we were addressing the needs of the community in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
At a curriculum workshop on Feb. 9, the BOE presented ways that funding could be used in order to support students. The BOE also then proposed extending the school day to help in implementing the supports, in addition to the fact that EHPS’s instructional day was shorter than the surrounding towns and similar communities.
Momauguin Elementary School then ran a pilot program with the proposed extended day and at the May 11 meeting, Principal Diane MacKinnon presented findings on the program to the BOE, “explaining the positive impact of a targeted 30 minute intervention block to give students what they needed.” On May 18, Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti presented strategies that could be used by utilizing the American Rescue Funds ESSER grants with an extended day as well as the implications for students.
According to DeLucia’s letter to families, “School administration worked with impacted bargaining units to discuss needs, and ensure compensation for the hard work our educators put in every day. This decision was not made lightly, and it was due to the honest feedback from our families and focus group participants who were able to share their insight to collaborate on our plan to support students.”
The full calendar and other information is available on www.east-haven.k12.ct.us. The YMCA offers before- and after-school care for students. For information, call 203-481-9622.