Newport Schools Start Sept. 7 with Later Opening Bells for Rogers High and Pell Elementary

NEWPORT, RI—The 7 a.m. opening bell at Rogers High is history. The high school students catch a break on school mornings when classes start for the fall semester on Sept. 7, thanks to a later opening bell.

The Newport School Committee approved a change in start times after a public debate last year about whether school day started much too early and flying in the face of research that shows students who sleep more are better students and learners.

The start time at Rogers High School is now 8:15 a.m. (The students used to start at 7 sharp.) Thompson Middle School's new time is 7:45 a.m, which is actually 15 minutes earlier than last year, while Pell Elementary School opens at 8:45 a.m., 15 minutes later than last year.

The Pell Annex opens at 9 a.m.

Besides the time changes, the high school students this year will have a new option to earn community college credits in cybersecurity. The Pathways in Technology Early College High School program, P-TECH, for short, is being offered through the career and technical center.

Under P-Tech, the Rogers students could take classes at the Community College of Rhode Island's Newport campus after they complete their freshman year in high school. The option could save students money on college tuition and also prepare them for high-paying technology jobs.

Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said in response to questions prepared by WPRI and shared with Patch that there is a comprehensive community effort focused on the new strategic plan. It's called "One Newport," and it's "where all members of our community make education a priority and we work collaboratively and collectively as a district and City to provide a strong educational program for our students."

"We want our students to be able to walk the stage with a diploma, certification, and a plan when they leave high school," Jermain said. "The district has increased its graduation rate, expanded its career and technical school programs- almost all entering classes are full for this year, and RHS was selected as 1/3 high schools in RI to start the new PTECH program for freshmen."

Meanwhile, Jermain said that the district is expanding STEAM programs and technology classes at the middle school and the elementary school is "buzzing with excitement and our internal data shows student achievement is increasing."

For more information about the changes in Newport this year, check out WPRI's comprehensive coverage of back-to-school in all of Rhode Island's cities and towns.