Longer Day at Collins to Start Sept. 3, Questions Answered on Wednesday

Parents will have a chance on Wednesday to hear more about the extended learning time program at Collins Middle School.

A parent information meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria, according to a notice distributed by the School Committee. There will be childcare and translation services available at the meeting.

The extended day will be funded by a $120,000 state grant that will add about 90 minutes to the school day, with school starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 3:35 p.m.

The extended learning time will include additional time to work on math and reading and also include an enrichment time. A total of 300 additional hours will be added during the course of the school year.

The extended day is for all Collins students and there is no option to opt-out.

The move to add extended learning times comes after Collins has been a Level 3 school for the past three years, based on MCAS scores, with Level 1 being a top school.

Glenn Burns is the school’s new principal and has taken over after the retirement of long-time Principal Mary Manning in June.

Burns comes from a middle school in Fall River where he worked on extended learning time.

The extended learning time will start on the first day of school on Sept. 3.