PG is changing start and dismissal times with less than 6 months notice

[Anonymous]

If you look at the audit report, they need fewer schools to start at 7:45 not more schools.
Given this new information, my prediction is that ES that now start at 7:45 will move to 7:30 and that some of the high schools that start at 7:45 will move to 8:30.

[Anonymous]

From the Audit
" Approximately half (50 percent in the morning and 45 percent in the afternoon) of all trips are assigned
to schools with bell times of 7:45 AM or earlier in the morning and 1:55 PM or earlier in the afternoon.
....
Given the district currently operates 2,651 trips in the morning, a perfect balance of bell times would
spread out peak demand and require 884 trips per tier in the morning. Based on the current afternoon
trip count of 2,669, perfect balance of bell times in the afternoon would require 889 trips per tier.
This would be the optimal vehicle count no matter where the district chose to define its tiers—but in any
case would require adequate space between tiers and efficient trip pairings to achieve the ideal.
To accomplish optimal balance, 432 Tier 1 trips in the morning would need to move to Tiers 2 and 3,
with 39 additional trips in Tier 2 and 393 additional trips in Tier 3. Likewise in the afternoon, 312 trips
would need to move from Tier 1 to Tiers 2 and 3, with 260 additional Tier 2 trips and 50 additional Tier 3
trips.
Perfect alignment of bell times onto neat tiers as shown in the table (including an allowance for times
earlier than the Tier 1 bell time of 7:45 AM and later than the Tier 3 afternoon bell time of 4:00 PM)
would also create uniform spacing between candidate trip pairs to allow for more optimal pairings."

[Anonymous]

Yes so they finally came out with some clarification although its still not settled for specific schools.

All schools will start at either 730 830 or 930 but not all of the elementary will start at the same time. So there will be groupings (mixed between ES MS HS) that start at 730, and then another group that starts at 830 and then another at 930. So still dont know what schools will look like next year but unless your school currently starts at one of the above times and ends up in the same time "tier" , everyone' s school start and dismissal times will change.

ETA on decision is 4/25 but I am doubtful. The transfer window for teachers already closed and I think thats going to cause a lot of issues.

Yet again, PGCPS communication is awful.

[Anonymous]

" I am writing to provide clarity around shifts in school start and end times connected to forthcoming transportation improvements within our school district. We understand there has been uncertainty surrounding the shifts, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused.



Allow me to clarify, the planned bell time shifts will create three bell time tiers encompassing a mix of school levels. This plan will not shift all elementary schools to 7:30 a.m., nor all middle schools and Pre-K - 8 academies to 8:30 a.m., nor all high schools to 9:30 a.m.



Schools will be notified of bell time shifts no later than April 26. Please note that 90% of schools are expected to have no shift or a shift of 15 minutes or less.



As we work together to improve years of inefficiencies, rest assured our commitment to enhancing the transportation experience for all stakeholders remains steadfast and we remain dedicated to providing clarity and transparency.



More information on transportation improvements for next school year can be viewed at www.pgcps.org/bus.



Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we continue to navigate these improvements together.



Sincerely,

Millard House II

Superintendent"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:" I am writing to provide clarity around shifts in school start and end times connected to forthcoming transportation improvements within our school district. We understand there has been uncertainty surrounding the shifts, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused.



Allow me to clarify, the planned bell time shifts will create three bell time tiers encompassing a mix of school levels. This plan will not shift all elementary schools to 7:30 a.m., nor all middle schools and Pre-K - 8 academies to 8:30 a.m., nor all high schools to 9:30 a.m.



Schools will be notified of bell time shifts no later than April 26. Please note that 90% of schools are expected to have no shift or a shift of 15 minutes or less.



As we work together to improve years of inefficiencies, rest assured our commitment to enhancing the transportation experience for all stakeholders remains steadfast and we remain dedicated to providing clarity and transparency.



More information on transportation improvements for next school year can be viewed at www.pgcps.org/bus.



Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we continue to navigate these improvements together.



Sincerely,

Millard House II

Superintendent"

I am surprised they can do this since the teacher trasnfer window closed. A friend who used to work at HCPSS said their contract stated their schedules had to be known prior to the close fo the transfer window. Can any PGCPS teachers speak to this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" I am writing to provide clarity around shifts in school start and end times connected to forthcoming transportation improvements within our school district. We understand there has been uncertainty surrounding the shifts, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused.



Allow me to clarify, the planned bell time shifts will create three bell time tiers encompassing a mix of school levels. This plan will not shift all elementary schools to 7:30 a.m., nor all middle schools and Pre-K - 8 academies to 8:30 a.m., nor all high schools to 9:30 a.m.



Schools will be notified of bell time shifts no later than April 26. Please note that 90% of schools are expected to have no shift or a shift of 15 minutes or less.



As we work together to improve years of inefficiencies, rest assured our commitment to enhancing the transportation experience for all stakeholders remains steadfast and we remain dedicated to providing clarity and transparency.



More information on transportation improvements for next school year can be viewed at www.pgcps.org/bus.



Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we continue to navigate these improvements together.



Sincerely,

Millard House II

Superintendent"

I am surprised they can do this since the teacher trasnfer window closed. A friend who used to work at HCPSS said their contract stated their schedules had to be known prior to the close fo the transfer window. Can any PGCPS teachers speak to this?

Perhaps not coincidentally, we all got an email this morning:

In accordance with the PGCEA Negotiated Agreement pertaining to voluntary transfers, the Division of Human Resources provided an opportunity for all eligible Unit I PGCEA members to apply for a transfer for the 2024 - 2025 school year. As a part of the transfer application process, applicants were required to complete the Unit I Voluntary Transfer Preference Form by selecting all schools of interest for transfer to for the SY25 school year. If you did not complete the Unit I Voluntary Transfer Preference Form already, the deadline to complete the form has been extended to Friday, April 5, 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" I am writing to provide clarity around shifts in school start and end times connected to forthcoming transportation improvements within our school district. We understand there has been uncertainty surrounding the shifts, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused.



Allow me to clarify, the planned bell time shifts will create three bell time tiers encompassing a mix of school levels. This plan will not shift all elementary schools to 7:30 a.m., nor all middle schools and Pre-K - 8 academies to 8:30 a.m., nor all high schools to 9:30 a.m.



Schools will be notified of bell time shifts no later than April 26. Please note that 90% of schools are expected to have no shift or a shift of 15 minutes or less.



As we work together to improve years of inefficiencies, rest assured our commitment to enhancing the transportation experience for all stakeholders remains steadfast and we remain dedicated to providing clarity and transparency.



More information on transportation improvements for next school year can be viewed at www.pgcps.org/bus.



Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we continue to navigate these improvements together.



Sincerely,

Millard House II

Superintendent"

I am surprised they can do this since the teacher trasnfer window closed. A friend who used to work at HCPSS said their contract stated their schedules had to be known prior to the close fo the transfer window. Can any PGCPS teachers speak to this?

Perhaps not coincidentally, we all got an email this morning:

In accordance with the PGCEA Negotiated Agreement pertaining to voluntary transfers, the Division of Human Resources provided an opportunity for all eligible Unit I PGCEA members to apply for a transfer for the 2024 - 2025 school year. As a part of the transfer application process, applicants were required to complete the Unit I Voluntary Transfer Preference Form by selecting all schools of interest for transfer to for the SY25 school year. If you did not complete the Unit I Voluntary Transfer Preference Form already, the deadline to complete the form has been extended to Friday, April 5, 2024.

Hmm 🤔 but you won't know what time the school starts or ends until 4/25. That's suspect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" I am writing to provide clarity around shifts in school start and end times connected to forthcoming transportation improvements within our school district. We understand there has been uncertainty surrounding the shifts, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused.



Allow me to clarify, the planned bell time shifts will create three bell time tiers encompassing a mix of school levels. This plan will not shift all elementary schools to 7:30 a.m., nor all middle schools and Pre-K - 8 academies to 8:30 a.m., nor all high schools to 9:30 a.m.



Schools will be notified of bell time shifts no later than April 26. Please note that 90% of schools are expected to have no shift or a shift of 15 minutes or less.



As we work together to improve years of inefficiencies, rest assured our commitment to enhancing the transportation experience for all stakeholders remains steadfast and we remain dedicated to providing clarity and transparency.



More information on transportation improvements for next school year can be viewed at www.pgcps.org/bus.



Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we continue to navigate these improvements together.



Sincerely,

Millard House II

Superintendent"

I am surprised they can do this since the teacher trasnfer window closed. A friend who used to work at HCPSS said their contract stated their schedules had to be known prior to the close fo the transfer window. Can any PGCPS teachers speak to this?

Perhaps not coincidentally, we all got an email this morning:

In accordance with the PGCEA Negotiated Agreement pertaining to voluntary transfers, the Division of Human Resources provided an opportunity for all eligible Unit I PGCEA members to apply for a transfer for the 2024 - 2025 school year. As a part of the transfer application process, applicants were required to complete the Unit I Voluntary Transfer Preference Form by selecting all schools of interest for transfer to for the SY25 school year. If you did not complete the Unit I Voluntary Transfer Preference Form already, the deadline to complete the form has been extended to Friday, April 5, 2024.

Hmm 🤔 but you won't know what time the school starts or ends until 4/25. That's suspect

True, but we are always told to apply for transfer EVERY year, no matter what. Every principal I"ve ever worked for has told us that!

It's a stupid system because they make you select the schools you want to transfer to. Since you don't know what schools will even have openings, you always just have to select all the schools to keep them open as possibilities. I don't know what the purpose is to making you select the schools in advance of knowing the openings. But anyone who is concerned about a possible time change at their school should definitely fill out a transfer application.

[Anonymous]

I am a PGCPS teacher and a PGCPS parent of an elementary, middle and high schooler. Honestly, we will all adapt. Not all schools will change. They will determine which schools need to change. This is truly based on the opt in and opt out poll regarding needing a bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drive your kid. Problem solved.

No its not solved because my kid needs to exercise. He is high energy and it helps him focus for the day. I am doing what is best for my child. Bugger off with the driving and congestion in neighborhoods.

Then stop complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What PGCPS needs to do (and no one wants to talk about) is eliminate the specialty programs at elementary school level. That eliminates a ton of bussing and the county would have more than enough drivers.

As someone who works at one of these specialty programs, I 100% agree. These programs tend to perform higher academically that the regular public schools and its free! The least the parents can do is provide transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What PGCPS needs to do (and no one wants to talk about) is eliminate the specialty programs at elementary school level. That eliminates a ton of bussing and the county would have more than enough drivers.

As someone who works at one of these specialty programs, I 100% agree. These programs tend to perform higher academically that the regular public schools and its free! The least the parents can do is provide transportation.

The PP is saying that the programs themselves should be eliminated, not just the bussing. But I like your idea of eliminating bussing for school choice options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What PGCPS needs to do (and no one wants to talk about) is eliminate the specialty programs at elementary school level. That eliminates a ton of bussing and the county would have more than enough drivers.

As someone who works at one of these specialty programs, I 100% agree. These programs tend to perform higher academically that the regular public schools and its free! The least the parents can do is provide transportation.

The PP is saying that the programs themselves should be eliminated, not just the bussing. But I like your idea of eliminating bussing for school choice options.

Yes, That's what I was saying. We spend entirely too much money on K-,6 speciality programs that could be used to strengthen our local ES.
But to the PPs point about bussing....that was proposed years ago during a budget debate and people about lost their minds. I think the idea was to provide bussing to FARMS eligible families and make non- farms kids pay a monthly fee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What PGCPS needs to do (and no one wants to talk about) is eliminate the specialty programs at elementary school level. That eliminates a ton of bussing and the county would have more than enough drivers.

As someone who works at one of these specialty programs, I 100% agree. These programs tend to perform higher academically that the regular public schools and its free! The least the parents can do is provide transportation.

The PP is saying that the programs themselves should be eliminated, not just the bussing. But I like your idea of eliminating bussing for school choice options.

Yes, That's what I was saying. We spend entirely too much money on K-,6 speciality programs that could be used to strengthen our local ES.
But to the PPs point about bussing....that was proposed years ago during a budget debate and people about lost their minds. I think the idea was to provide bussing to FARMS eligible families and make non- farms kids pay a monthly fee.

I have a rising K who I would like to send to an immersion school (waitlisted for both), and I would be ok with this solution.

[Anonymous]

I live in another state so my opinion doesn't matter. But our public does the opposite. MS/HS start time is 7:25am and 2:25pm dismissal. That means my kids are up at 6am and on the bus at 6:40am. After school they have club meetings and sports practice. So my varsity track kid is finished on practice days at 5:15pm. We currently have 2 in HS and they both head upstairs to "bed" at 9pm and are asleep by 10:30pm!! The elementary kids start at 9am and are out at 3:30pm. It isn't perfect but it works better than the little kids starting early.