Adjusted School Start Times Mulled By Falls Church School Board

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church City Public Schools students could start school later if a proposal to the Falls Church School Board is pursued further.

On Tuesday, the School Board had a discussion about considering a later start time for Meridian High School and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, which would also affect elementary and preschool start times. No action was taken on the proposal.

The presentation to the School Board pointed out research suggesting high school not getting enough sleep is tied to early school start times and may impact health and academic performance.

Currently, middle and high school students start the school day at 8:05 a.m. and are dismissed at 3 p.m. Jessie Thackrey Preschool arrives at 8:15 a.m. and dismisses at 2:20 p.m. Mt. Daniel and Oak Street Elementary Schools arrive at 8:50 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:50 p.m.

In the morning, buses complete the secondary school runs, followed by Jessie Thackrey Preschool from the earliest secondary drop-offs and latest elementary pick-ups. Elementary school runs are completed last.

In the afternoon, preschool runs are completed first, followed by secondary school runs and elementary school runs. Late buses are also provided each day at the secondary campus.

One proposal shared with the School Board was an 8:30 a.m. start time for the middle and high school — 25 minutes later. The secondary campus late bus would move to 5 p.m. — 25 minutes later. The preschool start and dismissal times would change to 20 minutes later — 7:55 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.

When considering start and dismissal time changes, FCCPS must account for an agreement with Fairfax County that Mt. Daniel Elementary may not start before 8:50 a.m. and must end by 4 p.m. Under the proposal, elementary school times would shift to 10 minutes later — 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Potential time changes raise various scheduling concerns for students, staff and families. The staff presentation to the School Board noted the times would not be aligned with the Arlington Career Center schedules for FCCPS students who take courses there.

The changes could also impact athletics, as student athletes could potentially miss one full instructional block in the afternoons, and coaches may seek before-school practices. In addition, coaches are also classroom teachers who would miss the final instructional block when leaving for away game travel.

A later start time for the secondary campus also raises a concern of less school staff being available for after-school activities if they are not done until 5 p.m., according to the presentation.

Other potential concerns could be conflicts with jobs outside of FCCPS, impacts to commutes from neighboring localities and family child care arrangements.

School Board Chair Laura Downs noted the "competing interests" that factor into changing the start and dismissal times and that outreach to teachers, staff, administrators, parents and students would be needed.

"It's sort of push and pull," said Downs. "We know that sleeping later is better for our teens, but there are those operational pieces that are challenging."

Downs said she, Vice Chair Tate Gould and Superintendent Peter Noonan will continue discussions and determine next steps.

In other School Board news, an update on collective bargaining discussions was given, as well as a mid-year update on the FCCPS Strategic Plan. New School Board member Jerrod Anderson was sworn in after being selected to fill the vacant seat of Phil Reitinger, who resigned in January. Anderson will complete the term through Dec. 31, 2023, as the seat will be up for election again on Nov. 7, 2023.