Des Moines School Bell Times: When, Why They Will Be Changing

DES MOINES, IA — Teens in the Des Moines school district will get to sleep in longer beginning next school year as the district adjusts bell times at all buildings, but elementary students will be out the door and heading to school 45 minutes earlier when the new school year begins. The divisive issue of bell times was announced this month by Superintendent Thomas Ahart after the school board earlier declined to take action on the matter and left the decision in his hands.

"The new school hours will be a change from what we’ve become comfortable with over the years, but it is a change that puts our students’ health and academics first," Ahart said in a notice to families posted on the district website. He said the time changes will "improve our ability to give students the greatest chance to succeed."

When bell time discussion has come up in recent years, educators and advocates for the change have said putting younger kids in classes earlier and starting classes for teens later in the morning better aligns with sleep patterns of children at different ages, which in turn enhances academic and social engagement in the classroom. Des Moines, the state's largest public school district, had considered the change in the spring, but the school board ultimately tabled plans to alter school start times after some parents objected.

The district has twice surveyed parents on the issue with no clear or overwhelming support for either side. A staff survey found 60 percent wanted to see bell times change.

When the school board was asked to consider the matter again last month, it pushed back and said the decision is within the superintendent's role. Ahart made the time changes official last week.

Aside from affecting students' sleep schedules, the new bell times also will affect work hours for teachers and staff, and shift start times for morning and afternoon schedules for extracurricular activities and events. It also could change enrollment in the Metro Kids program that provides before- and after-school care for children, often when parents have to be at work before they can drop their children off at a school. District officials said the new bell times will allow for enhanced afternoon programming within Metro Kids.

Central Campus, which is home to several advanced and career and technical programs, also will begin the school day later, which will affect neighboring districts that send students to the downtown Des Moines facility for classes. In addition, buses will run from each Des Moines high school directly to the agriculture, horticulture and aviation programs held throughout the district "in order to maximize the student sleep benefits," the announcement said.

Ahart said school staffs will begin addressing bell time changes with families soon. He said the district will provide information on its website and in weekly newsletters in the coming months to address schedules for everything from the free breakfast program at elementary schools to transportation to Metro Kids sites.

The district also has provided a number of online resources and research studies that were considered when studying changing bell times, along with tips for a "bedtime routine" and video commentary from a physician with Blank Children's Pediatric Clinic. Additionally, there is a link on the website where families can submit questions about the changes.

School hours for the 2018-19 school year will be:

• Elementary: all schools, including Cowles and Smouse: 7:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
• Middle schools and Ruby Van Meter: 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.
• High schools, including Central Campus and Central Academy: 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.

The change in bell times does not change the amount of class time or the length of the school day at any grade level.

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