Potential Bell Time Change Consultation

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is seeking public input on potential changes to school bell times.
This consultation process is intended to assist in aligning the bell times of both the WCDSB and the WRDSB.

NEW Public Consultation Session:
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 at 7:00p.m. in the gymnasium.
St. Nicholas Catholic School
525 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo

All transportation for students in the Region (Public and Catholic) is planned and carried out by Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. Routes are integrated and buses are used to transport students from both boards.

Bell time alignment with the public school board has benefits for both school boards by optimizing transportation routes to be as efficient as possible. This is done by maximizing the use of the vehicles by using them as many times as possible in any one day. Often, a vehicle is used at least twice each morning, and in some cases three and four times. Alignment of bell times will create further efficiencies.

Elementary school proposal:

  • The WCDSB’s first starting bell will be no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and no later than 8:45 a.m.
  • Most schools will be starting earlier than they are now, with a few minor exceptions.
  • About half of the WCDSB’s elementary school bell times will be shifted by less than 20 minutes.

Secondary school proposal:

  • No school will start earlier than 9:15 a.m. and no later than 9:45 a.m. -- and no school will finish later than 3:45 p.m.

Why is this being proposed?:

  • Tangible financial savings for WCDSB amount to approximately $1,000,000 per year, which will be used to offset classroom expenditures and, where possible, enhance programming.
  • Research indicates that younger children learn better earlier in the day and that teenagers learn better later in the day.
  • Improved service levels mean fewer buses on the road to manage.

Survey for Parents and Students:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BellTimes

Future Dates:

Interim Report to the Board: January 30, 2012
Public Consultation: February 7, 2012
Online Survey Closed: February 15, 2012
Focus Group Meetings: February 22, 2012
Report to Board: February 27, 2012
Decision by: February 27, 2012
If Accepted, Implementation: September 2012

Additional Information:

www.facebook.com/wcdsbbell
Public Consultation Session PowerPoint
Minutes from January 16, 2012 Public Session
Minutes from January 17, 2012 Public Session