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NYC schools change up arrival, dismissal times for students
By
Jessica Gould
Published Aug 14, 2023
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By
Jessica Gould
Published Aug 14, 2023
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Some students in New York City will see their days start earlier — or in some cases later — this year as schools across the five boroughs change up their arrival and dismissal times, according to city officials and school parents.
The timing tweaks are intended to allow for professional development and planning, which were provisions outlined in the city’s new contract with the United Federation of Teachers that was ratified earlier this summer.
At PS 154 in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, the first classes will begin at 8 a.m. on Mondays and 8:20 a.m. the rest of the week — a shift from the school’s previous 8:30 a.m. start time. Students at the school will get out at 2:20 p.m. on Mondays and 2:40 p.m. on Tuesdays, instead of last year’s dismissal time of 2:50 p.m.
Parents at other schools reported slight shifts as well. Education department officials said the changes were tied to the new contract.
“Each school determines their own start and end time provided that the work day for teachers does not start before 8am or end after 3:45pm (or 4:20 on certain days for single session high schools) in compliance with the UFT contract,” said an education department spokesperson.
New York City schools officials have historically had discretion to adjust their arrival and dismissal times within limits set by the teachers' contract.
As part of the contract approved this summer, staff at each school could vote for one of several options on how to distribute 100 minutes required each week for professional development and planning, according to the UFT. Staff could elect to put that time at the beginning of the day, at the end of the day, or some combination of both.
“Students’ school day remains the same length: six hours and 20 minutes,” said UFT spokesperson Alison Gendar.
Still, some school parents said they were surprised by the schedule changes.
Penny White, a parent at PS 130 in Brooklyn, said she got a note that her school’s dismissal will move about 10 minutes earlier. She said she was worried some parents across the city may struggle to afford or arrange changes to their childcare.
“All employers want more hours on both sides so I am assuming all families are challenged,” White said.
Tagged
new york city
education
brooklyn
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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