(Originally published in the January 2013 Connections)

Beginning in fall 2013, the Puyallup School District will no longer schedule early school dismissal and late arrival each Wednesday. Rather, all schools will start one hour later each Monday that school is in session.

The change in school calendars is being made to increase instructional time for students.

Elementary students will have an increase of up to approximately six hours of instructional time each year.  Secondary students will see an increase of up to approximately six hours of instructional time each year.

Both morning and afternoon kindergarten will be held on Mondays; however, kindergartners will attend school for a slighter shorter time than on their Tuesday

through Friday school schedule.

Developmental pre-school students will attend school up to four days a week depending upon their Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).  Parents with questions about the pre-school schedule should call Roger Smith, assistant director of special services at 841-8845.

Additionally, there will be nine or 10 half days of school scheduled for all grade levels throughout the 2013-14 school year for staff training. These half days will be scheduled and announced on the district website once school calendars are approved.

The school board was scheduled to consider the 2013-14 student calendars at its regular meeting earlier this month.

Pending State Board of Education approval, two waiver (no school) days also will be added to the 2013-14 school calendars.

Because budget deliberations by the state legislature continue, the district is unable to publish a final draft of the 2013-14 calendar and bell schedule.  Once the legislature has finalized the state budget, a final draft will be published on the district website.

Italicized above is information added to the original article which can be found on page three of the January 2013 issue of Connections.