Large-scale bell schedule changes for the 2023-24 school year are being thoughtfully considered due to transportation challenges districtwide. Since September, a task force has been studying possible bell time change scenarios as a result of inefficiencies. The Task Force has conducted analysis into possible scenarios that has allowed the district to synthesize findings into a draft model for consideration. This draft model takes into account all feedback received, with the primary objective of efficiently using transportation resources and getting students to and from school.
Please provide input on a draft bell time schedule model via this survey. This survey will be open for a two-week period, closing on March 31. *Although the School Board reviewed a draft bell time model at their March 20 meeting, an alternate model that takes survey feedback into consideration will be presented at the April 5 School Board meeting. A zoom meeting link will be published here no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
School-based employees are encouraged to provide input on school bell schedules related to their primary school location.
Mobile Users: Rotate your phone horizontally to view the bell time models.
CURRENT Bell Time Model
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DRAFT Bell Time Model
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Draft Elementary Times for 2023-24 School Year
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START TIME
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DISMISSAL TIME
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Current
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Draft
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Change
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Current
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Draft
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Change
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Brouillet
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9:00 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:30
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3:21 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:30
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Dessie Evans
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8:45 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:15
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3:06 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:15
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Edgerton
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Karshner
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Meeker
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9:00 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:30
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3:21 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:30
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Mt. View
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8:25 AM
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7:30 AM
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-00:55
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2:46 PM
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1:51 PM
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-00:55
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Northwood
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Pope
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Ridgecrest
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Shaw Rd
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Spinning
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9:00 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:30
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3:21 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:30
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Stewart
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Sunrise
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Waller Rd.
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Wildwood
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9:15 AM
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7:30 AM
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-01:45
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3:36 PM
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1:51 PM
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-01:45
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Carson
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8:15 AM
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9:25 AM
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01:10
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2:36 PM
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3:46 PM
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01:10
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Firgrove
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8:15 AM
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9:25 AM
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01:10
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2:36 PM
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3:46 PM
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01:10
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Fruitland
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9:15 AM
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9:25 AM
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00:10
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3:36 PM
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3:46 PM
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00:10
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Hunt
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8:45 AM
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9:25 AM
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00:40
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3:06 PM
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3:46 PM
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00:40
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Maplewood
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8:45 AM
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9:25 AM
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00:40
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3:06 PM
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3:46 PM
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00:40
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Woodland
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9:15 AM
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9:25 AM
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00:10
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3:36 PM
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3:46 PM
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00:10
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Zeiger
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8:15 AM
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9:25 AM
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01:10
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2:36 PM
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3:46 PM
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01:10
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Draft Junior High Times for 2023-24 School Year
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START TIME
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DISMISSAL TIME
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Current
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Draft
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Change
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Current
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Draft
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Change
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Aylen
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7:20 AM
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8:20 AM
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01:00
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1:50 PM
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2:50 PM
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01:00
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Ballou
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7:25 AM
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8:20 AM
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00:55
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1:55 PM
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2:50 PM
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00:55
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Edgemont
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7:20 AM
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8:20 AM
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01:00
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1:50 PM
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2:50 PM
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01:00
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Ferrucci
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7:25 AM
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8:20 AM
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00:55
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1:55 PM
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2:50 PM
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00:55
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Glacier View
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7:25 AM
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8:20 AM
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00:55
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1:55 PM
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2:50 PM
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00:55
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Kalles
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7:20 AM
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8:20 AM
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01:00
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1:50 PM
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2:50 PM
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01:00
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Stahl
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7:25 AM
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8:20 AM
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00:55
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1:55 PM
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2:50 PM
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00:55
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Draft High School Times for 2023-24 School Year
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START TIME
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DIMISSAL TIME
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Current
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Draft
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Change
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Current
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Draft
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Change
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Emerald Ridge
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8:15 AM
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9:15 AM
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01:00
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2:45 PM
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3:45 PM
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01:00
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Puyallup
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8:15 AM
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9:15 AM
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01:00
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2:45 PM
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3:45 PM
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01:00
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Rogers
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8:15 AM
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9:15 AM
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01:00
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2:45 PM
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3:45 PM
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01:00
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Walker
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7:50 AM
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9:15 AM
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01:25
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2:20 PM
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3:45 PM
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01:25
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Frequently Asked Questions:
GENERAL
Q: This seems drastic. Why does the district need to adjust bell times to solve transportation problems?
A: Transportation resources are not being used efficiently. Every day, bus runs are delayed, doubled-up, or canceled altogether. Our current bell time model does not support an efficient use of resources. As a result, students do not have access to fair and equitable bus services. By moving to a different bell schedule model, the district can ensure that each school bus is used at least three times every morning and afternoon to increase efficiencies.
Q: How long has a change in bell times been discussed? It seems like this is all happening very quickly.
A: In September of 2022, the School Board commissioned an advisory committee (Bell Schedule Task Force) to study and evaluate bus transportation efficiencies throughout the district. Since that time, regular communication has been made to stakeholders, in addition to regular School Board reports as that work has evolved.
Q: I’ve been following the Task Force work, and this draft bell schedule model is different than the scenarios that were being discussed. Why is that?
A: Scenarios that the Task Force reviewed were to initiate discussion and address concerns and challenges. This draft bell time model is a synthesized version of those scenarios including the community feedback that the task force has been analyzing over the last several months.
Q: Are these bell times final?
A: Actual bell time start and end times may have minor adjustments, but the order in which school levels are displayed on the drafted bell time model will likely not change. The school board will review the district’s recommendation and vote to adopt the recommendation or not at the April 5 school board meeting.
Q: Has it been discussed to rearrange grade levels at schools? Like moving 6th grade to Junior high and then moving 9th grade students to high school?
A: Our district has unique transportation challenges due to the way our schools have grade levels configured. Many factors need to be considered when discussing a transition to a middle school model, which has been studied in the past. This draft bell schedule model helps with a possible transition to a future middle school model when the time is right.
Q: When will this bell schedule model be approved? Will there be any adjustments to this or is this pretty final?
A: The school board will review the district’s recommendation and vote to adopt the recommendation or not at the April 5 school board meeting. The recommendation will include all analysis to date, including quantitative and qualitative data received through surveys. The feedback received through the second community survey that is open now through March 31 may prompt minor adjustments that will be presented to the School Board.
Q: What is some of the research about sleep cycles and needs for children and adolescents and how would changing bell times support that?
A: Research has shown that children of different ages have different sleep needs and circadian rhythms, which can impact their ability to learn and perform in school. As a result, many experts recommend different start times for elementary, middle (junior high), and high schools.
For elementary schools, many experts suggest starting school earlier in the morning, around 7:30 or 8:00 am, as younger children tend to have earlier bedtimes and wake-up times. For middle (junior high) and high schools, many experts suggest starting school later in the morning, around 8:30 or 9:00 am, as teenagers tend to have later bedtimes and wake-up times due to changes in their circadian rhythms during puberty. Research suggests that starting school later can improve academic performance, reduce absenteeism and tardiness, and improve mental health among teenagers.
Supporting articles:
• “Later School Start Times Better for Adolescent Development” by Charlie Plain (2017). As high school officials across the country are debating if later start times are better for the health and performance of students, a new School of Public Health study shows that later starts are indeed associated with improved mental and behavioral health for adolescents. Later School Start Times Better for Adolescent Development - School of Public Health - University of Minnesota (umn.edu)
• “4 Benefits of Later School Start Times” by Anayat Durrani (2022). Experts say adolescents are biologically wired to stay up later than younger kids and having to get up early for school contributes to them being chronically short on sleep. But delaying school start times can help. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/benefits-of-later-school-start- times
• “Earlier School Times Don’t Hurt Elementary Students’ Learning, Research Shows” by Caitlynn Peetz (2022). Starting classes earlier in the day doesn’t negatively affect elementary school students’ academic performance, which could be another incentive for some districts that need to stagger start times to delay school start times for secondary students, according to new research. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/earlier-school-times-dont-hurt-elementary- students-learning-research-shows/2022/10
• “Sleepmore in Seattle: Later school start times are associated with more sleep and better performance in high school students” by Dunster et all (2018). Most teenagers are chronically sleep deprived. One strategy proposed to lengthen adolescent sleep is to delay secondary school start times. This would allow students to wake up later without shifting their bedtime, which is biologically determined by the circadian clock, resulting in a net increase in sleep. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aau6200
Changing school bell times to accommodate later start times for junior high and high school students can have significant benefits for both student health and academic performance. Research suggests that teenagers are biologically programmed to sleep and wake later, and that starting school later can help them get the sleep they need to perform at their best. By adjusting school bell times, we can create a more efficient and reliable transportation system that also supports the well-being and success of our students. While implementing such changes require careful planning and collaboration among stakeholders, the benefits of a healthier and more alert student body make it a worthwhile endeavor.
TRANSPORTATION
Q: Would it be possible to rearrange school parking lots, to make bus and parent pick-up easier and to alleviate community-wide traffic concerns?
A: Pick-up and drop-off staging patterns are being considered to help buses get in and out of school parking lots on time.
Q: What is being done to make bus driver positions more appealing to attract more people to apply?
A: Our driver shortage directly correlates to what is happening nationwide. This shortage is not unique to Puyallup. In addition to offering a fair and competitive pay for drivers, we continue to evaluate ways in which we can retain and recruit bus drivers.
ELEMENTARY
Q: How was it decided which elementary schools were assigned to each tier?
A: A variety of criteria was used in determining what schools were assigned to each tier. Stakeholder feedback was considered when determining what tier elementary schools were assigned to, in addition to the availability of bus fleet resources.
Q: I’m concerned with how long my child may need to wait for the bus in the dark with this new bell time model. Did the district consider this?
A: We realize that more elementary students may wait for the bus in non-daylight hours during fall and winter season. Our current bell schedule has some elementary students going home at dusk, or close to dusk hours.
SECONDARY
Q: Why are you considering having the junior and high schools start after the elementary schools?
A: Quantitative and qualitative feedback received so far has noted that our secondary schools currently start too early. There are many operational benefits of having our bus fleet service most of our elementary schools first. In addition, research shows that adolescent brains require an adequate amount of sleep for ultimate learning to occur. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention share that “Adolescents become sleepy later at night and need to sleep later in the morning as a result in shifts in biological rhythms. These biological changes are often combined with poor sleep habits. During the school week, school start times are the main reason students wake up when they do. The combination of late bedtimes and early school start times results in most adolescents not getting enough sleep.” In some states, secondary schools are mandated to not start earlier than 8:30 a.m. for high schools, 8 a.m. for junior highs.
Q: What about 9th grade students who access advanced courses at the high schools?
A: We realize a change in bell times may impact the time of day our ninth-grade students access high school courses. This model supports transporting ninth grade students to advanced courses at the high school either in the morning or afternoon.
Q: These draft late dismissal times make it difficult for students who work. Has that been considered?
A: We realize a later dismissal time may impact a student’s ability to work. The district offers an early dismissal work release option for students who are interested in receiving credit. Worksite Learning is a great fit for students 16 years of age and older who have junior or senior status and are working at least 10 hours per week. Options to consider include a 1st period for a late start, 6th period for early release, or 0 hour if a full 1-6 period schedule is needed. High School Career Specialists can provide more information.
PROGRAMS
Q: How do these bell changes impact students in highly capable programs?
A: Transportation additions and/or increased efficiencies for students enrolled in programs such as QuEST and Dual Language will be fair and equitable.
Q: Will transportation change for students enrolled in highly capable programs?
A: No. Students enrolled in highly capable programs like QuEST and Page will still be serviced.
Q: Will transportation be offered to elementary school students enrolled in the district’s dual language program?
A: Yes, transportation will be offered to elementary school students enrolled in the district’s dual language program starting in September 2023.
ATHLETICS
Q: I have a high school student athlete. I am very concerned about the impact of late dismissal times on sports participation.
A: This has been a shared concern of the Task Force, staff, and families. We will continue to partner with community and district stakeholders in seeking solutions that address how a shift in bell times will impact athletic practices, games, and other extra-curricular activities.
Q: Some teams practice and hold games at fields with no lighting. Considering that the timing of everything may shift, what is the plan to light fields for athletes?
A: We realize that a shift in dismissal times, may impact practices and events at non-lit fields during seasons of limited daylight hours. There are discussions of returning to 3:30 practices and event start times, like what occurred during the pandemic.
CHILDCARE
Q: This bell schedule model means that I need childcare for my elementary child in the afternoon. What resources can the district provide?
A: We realize that a number of families may have a need for childcare based on this bell time shift. District leadership has kept Right At School apprised of the task force work and they are prepared to respond to the needs of the community if new bell times are implemented for the new school year.