In a seemingly impossible attempt to find a schedule that makes everyone happy, the District opted for a scheduling overhaul in all three buildings.
The most impactful change was adjusting the starting and ending times for all levels. In the past, the buildings opened at 7:30 AM, the same time teachers contractually arrived, with all students required to report by 7:50. The day also ended at 2:58, two minutes before teachers’ contracts ended. The new schedule maintains the teachers’ regular contract schedule but students report between 8:00-8:20 AM and dismiss at 2:50. This reduced the student school day by thirty-eight minutes.
“I like being able to have the time in the morning to have meetings with people without having to take teachers from their teaching time and having to find cover for them. It is very helpful, says high school principal Jocelyn Curtis.
The time reduction complies with a grammatical update under PA Act 56. This law used to require a minimum of 180 days and 900-990 instructional hours (former elementary, latter secondary), while the new law requires 180 days or 900-990 hours depending on the grade level. This increased flexibility within local districts to accommodate transportation restrictions, technical/vocational enrollment, and internships/work-study availability. Additionally, a proposed law would enforce a later start time after 8:15. Newport’s new schedule already complies with this proposal.
The middle and high school schedules changed drastically during the last two years. An updated flex period replaced last year’s lunch and learn experiment. Students remain divided between the daily independence they enjoyed last year and the stability of a quarter-by-quarter schedule they now have. Some students have expressed dissatisfaction over not being able to choose lunch with their friends or same-aged peers.
The middle and high schools also eliminated a full instructional period but added three minutes to each remaining class period. A previous update to the graduation requirements reduced the number of credits required from 27 to 22, a move that aligns Newport with other schools in the state. “I also like that classes are longer. Although it doesn’t seem like they’re longer, they are on overtime that adds up throughout the school year, giving a little more time back to classes, adds Mrs. Curtis.
High school students still found it difficult to schedule the classes they needed and the classes they wanted. Students who spend part of their day at Cumberland-Perry Area Career and Technical Center also have a tighter schedule. “It’s difficult to schedule makeup work or get the classes we really want because we only spend three periods in the building,” says junior Taylor Smith.
Students anticipate another schedule change for next year.
