Classes to Start Wednesday, Including at High School

A few hours after officials declared Newtown High School ready for the start of classes on Wednesday, Kathy Mason and her family were at the Berkshire Road school taking a look around and trying to familiarize her stepdaughter, Lauren Harrison, an incoming freshman, with the layout.

"When we went for freshman orientation, I was saying there's no way they are going to be done on time," Mason said Tuesday. "It's amazing how fast they can pull it together."

Classes start for all schools Wednesday, though up until about 1 p.m., Tuesday, officials weren't ready to say Newtown High School would be ready for certain. A key stairway that had to be enlarged as part of work on the new school addition still required an inspection from representatives of the fire marshal's office and building department.

That final sign-off was given, clearing the way for the school to open as planned, though the new addition won't be ready for another couple of months. Workers still remained on scene as of late Tuesday afternoon, wiping down the stairway rails and working on the grounds near the new driveway.

The new wider driveway also was a key element to the school, and it appeared substantially complete as of Monday.

"There's a lot of traffic in the morning – hopefully that will help," said Lauren's stepsister,  Jessica Mason, 16, a junior who accompanied her on their informal tour of the school Tuesday afternoon.

Parking at the school will remain a challenge, and officials have said there will be no junior parking this year.

"I can drive to school, I just can't park," said Jessica Mason, who intends to take the bus to school with her sister.

Classes at the high school and Newtown Middle School run from 7:25 a.m. to 1:57 p.m., and students are expected to arrive by 7 a.m.

Classes at Reed Intermediate School run from 8:10 a.m. to 2:44 p.m., and students should arrive by 8:04 a.m.

Classes at Hawley School run from 8:19 a.m. to 2:41 p.m., and students should arrive by 7:59 a.m.

Classes at Sandy Hook, Head O'Meadow and Middle Gate schools run from 9:05 a.m. to 3:27 p.m., and students should arrive by 8:53 a.m.

For information on bus routes, check here.

Editor's note: Classes at all public school, except for afternoon kindergarten, start in the morning. An earlier version of this article had incorrect time designations.