RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
The school bell in Henrico will be sounding off on a new schedule this year. Some students will be waking up earlier, while others will get to sleep in a little bit longer.
School hours for all grade levels have been changed after years of reported requests from teachers for more instruction and planning time.
High schools will begin later at 9 a.m.
"English and science [classes] I always had in the first blocks, and it was very hard to get my work done and stay awake," said Deep Run High School Senior Jamie Dorfman. "I feel like I'll be able to focus more on my first class when I'm not as tired."
However, a later start means a later dismissal at 3:55 p.m. Dorfman says even though sleep is nice, she'd rather have more time after school.
High school and middle school students will also have a few minutes shaved from their day, since the district's hours already surpass state requirements. For middle school kids, that means ten extra minutes of freedom.
"It's just ten minutes. It's not that big of a deal. It'd be better if it was an hour," joked Pocahontas Middle School student Delaney Weston.
Elementary schools will vary in their starting times, some beginning at 8:10 a.m., and others starting at 7:40 a.m. The staggered start times helps to make the bus routes more efficient.
"I don't really like the change very much," said Rivers Edge Elementary School fifth-grader Sam Burbrink. Burbrink will have to leave his home 10 minutes early to walk to school with his brother.
However, something younger kids may be excited about: the extra 15 minutes of class time that's been added to the Henrico elementary school day. That's more than 40 hours of learning a year.
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