Portsmouth School District Seeks Parents' Input on Starting School Late

The is seeking parents' input on instituting "late start days" for the next school year.

Once or twice a month, school in Portsmouth would start 90 minutes later than usual in order for teachers to receive professional development training, according to school officials. Buses would also start 90 minutes late.

Outgoing Superintendent of Schools Susan Lusi released the following letter about "late start days" to parents via e-mail on Tuesday afternoon. A link to the survey is available at the end of the letter:

Dear Portsmouth Parents and Guardians,

The Portsmouth School Department is considering instituting Late Start Days 1-2 times per month for the coming school year.

The purpose of late start days would be to provide teachers with professional development time without putting substitute teachers in our children's classrooms so frequently. This would also allow the School Department to provide professional development without paying additional funds to pay either for teacher time or for substitute teachers.

Late Start Days would be 1-2 days per month when schools would start 90 minutes later than usual. Buses would run their same routes, but 90 minutes later than usual. Morning K would end 45 minutes later than usual and afternoon K would start 45 minutes later than usual so that each session would have equal time.

The School Department would like your feedback regarding Late Start Days.  A link to an electronic survey is below. There is additional information on Late Start Days at the beginning of the survey. It will take about 5 minutes to complete.

This survey is intended for families of children in the Portsmouth public schools.  One response per family, please. 

Please take 5 minutes of your time to share your opinions with us.  The survey will close at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 26.

 Thank you.

Regards,

Sue Lusi

http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AQAAI9B