FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2011
For more information contact
Valerie Terando
Ames Community Schools
515.268.6651
valerie.terando@ames.k12.ia.us
AMES—The Ames Community School District (ACSD) will not be making any changes to school start and dismissal times for the 2011-2012 school year, according to ACSD superintendent, Dr. Tim E. Taylor.
Citing the need to further discuss and address transportation issues associated with reversing the start times at the elementary and secondary levels, Dr. Taylor said it is best for ACSD families and the District to maintain current start and dismissal times for next (school) year. Dr. Taylor added, “This decision is in the best interest of our families, who need to plan now for child care and other concerns for the upcoming school year.”
In recent weeks, the Board and District administration had discussed having ACSD elementary schools begin their school day approximately 30 minutes earlier, while having Ames Middle School and Ames High School moved back by as much as 55 minutes.
During the discussions, Dr. Taylor pointed to a body of research indicating younger students perform better academically earlier in the day, while older children and teens are more productive later in the day.
Dr. Taylor said the conversations regarding start times will continue, and the new arrival/dismissal times will be implemented beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.
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