SCHOOL DISTRICT EXAMINING SCHOOL
START TIMES
T
his school year, the Fox
Chapel Area School District
has continued to examine
the possibility of changing
school start times across the district.
The district’s site-based management
team, which includes parents, students,
teachers, support staff, administrators,
and community members from each
school, has been meeting during the
past year to study the implications
of adjusting start times so that high
school students can start school later.
Members of the Fox Chapel Area School District administration summarize questions raised during
The group has heard presentations
the February districtwide site-based team meeting.
from health professionals and district
employees; discussed and asked
questions about the possible impact
of changing school start times; and brainstormed positive
outcomes and potential challenges. Topics discussed at the
meetings included ramifications at the high school level, the
effect on transportation, and financial implications across
the district. Future topics of discussion will include the
impact at the elementary and middle school levels, as well
as potential implications for athletics.
The district has been exploring one mutually-agreed-upon
schedule option during this school year. That option involves
Dorseyville Middle School and Hartwood Elementary
students arriving at school at 7:35 a.m. and departing at 2:45
p.m.; O’Hara Elementary students arriving at 7:35 a.m. and
departing at 2:40 p.m.; Fox Chapel Area High School students
arriving at 8:20 a.m. and departing at 3:40 p.m.; and Kerr and
Fairview students arriving at 8:20 a.m. and departing at 3:20
p.m. Because the option is still being examined, these times
are approximate. There is a possibility of the group examining
additional scenarios and schedules, and the arrival and
departure information mentioned above is subject to change.
Changing school start times has both benefits and challenges.
Sleep experts and research say that insufficient sleep in
Business Manager Kimberly Pawlishak discusses possible financial
implications related to transportation if a change to school start times is
implemented.
adolescents is a critical public health issue. They say starting
school starting school later can have positive effects on the
mental health of students, and allowing adolescents to get
more sleep can lead to improved grades, focus, and behavior.
However, starting school later is expected to add at least
$700,000 to the district’s transportation budget, which would
be an annual recurring cost to taxpayers. Additionally, some
elementary school students could be picked up prior to 7 a.m.;
some elementary students could be at bus stops at the same
time as high school students; and a number of elementary
students would be dropped off in the afternoon prior to high
school students arriving home.
The examination of school start times in the Fox Chapel
Area School District began a few years ago when a group of
parents approached district administrators and requested that
a potential adjustment to start times be examined.
Fox Chapel Area High School Lead Principal Michael Hower, Ed.D.,
discusses scheduling options with parent Cory Siri.
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FOX CHAPEL AREA
Additional information on the district’s study of the school
start time topic is available under the “Examination of School
Start Times” tab on the district’s website at www.fcasd.edu.