School Schedules
2010-11 School Start and End Times
For the 2010-11 school year, all students in grades K-5 will have the same start and end times.
Elementary K-5
Start: 9:30 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.
YMCA before-and-after-school childcare is available at most schools. Please call 733-8630 ext. 106 for details.
Middle Schools
(includes Grade 6 Geneva)
Start: 8:30 a.m.
Dismissal: 3 p.m.
High Schools (Options/GRADS schedule varies.)
Start: 7:45 a.m.
Dismissal: 2:15 p.m.
Please click here for the schedule for the regular kindergarten program of every other day, full-day or the option of every day, full-day.
Questions and Answers
Last Updated: June 21, 2010
Will the district’s elementary school schedule for next school year meet the state’s legal requirements for physical education instruction?
Yes. Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.230.040 authorizes the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to prescribe the standard. OSPI establishes the required 100 instructional minute average per week as stated in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-410-135.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.210.365 sets several state goals for food choice, physical activity and childhood fitness without providing additional funding or resources to help school districts meet these goals. The Bellingham School District already meets many of these goals and will continue to strive to provide healthy, well-rounded learning environments for all children. One of state’s goals is also to have appropriately certified instructors provide health and fitness instruction. An appropriately certificated instructor would be any elementary teacher with a valid K-8 teaching certificate. These are the same teachers that provide instruction in reading, writing, math and science and are more than qualified to teach physical education and health. In addition, the district’s new elementary school schedule for next year will provide all students in grades K-5 weekly time with a physical education specialist. Under the existing conditions and resources, we will meet the spirit and intent of these requirements.
Will my children get the amount of instructional time that is required by law?
Yes. Both the current schedule and next year’s school schedule for children in kindergarten and grades 1- 12 exceed Washington state’s basic education requirement for instruction as defined by RCW28A.150.220.
Why is health, wellness and nutrition part of the district’s physical education program?
Our program uses the state’s K-12 learning standards as a guide for teaching the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). There are four EALRs for health and fitness:
EALR 1 captures movement, physical fitness, and nutrition.
EALR 2 recognizes dimensions of health, stages of growth and development, reduces health risks, and promotes safe living.
EALR 3 analyzes and evaluates the impact of real-life influences on health.
EALR 4 analyzes personal information to develop an individualized fitness plan.
To learn more, please visit: http://www.k12.wa.us/HealthFitness/Standards.aspx
How much time will my elementary student have each week for physical education and music instruction?
We are currently working with closely with the Bellingham Education Association on a schedule that will provide weekly physical education and music instruction for K-5 students and planning time for elementary school teachers. Once this schedule is developed, we can complete the hiring of staff and schools can finalize their instructional schedules.
Will there be fewer early release days next school year?
Yes, we are reducing the overall number of early release days for all students for next school year. In 2009-10, we had 10 early release days for staff to work together to improve student learning and have heard from parents that this was too many. For 2010-11, we have applied for a state waiver to combine some of the early release days into three no school days for students, plus we are reducing the remaining number of early release days. In addition, the elementary and middle school early release conference schedule will remain the same for next school year, and the two early release days prior to Thanksgiving and winter break will also continue. Elementary, middle and high school staff members use the time on early release days to improve student learning by planning and working with their colleagues on instruction, curriculum, assessment, professional development, parent/family/teacher conferences and communication. Please click here to view the 2010-11 school year calendar.
