MCCSC is starting school this year with different start and end times. Here's what to know
The Monroe County Community School Corp.’s 2022-2023 school year begins Aug. 3. As a reminder to families, especially those with students riding the bus, the corporation’s start and end times will be different from last year.
The following start and end times will be implemented:
High schools: 7:45 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
Middle schools: 8:10 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Group 1 of elementary schools: 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Group 2 of elementary schools: 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Group 1 includes Arlington, Binford, Childs, Highland Park, Fairview and Rogers elementary schools. Group 2 includes Clear Creek, Grandview, Lakeview, Marlin, Summit, Templeton, Unionville and University elementary schools.
The MCCSC school board voted this April to change the times due to a shortage of bus drivers, which led to some students riding the bus for multiple hours a day and sometimes missing class instruction time. The corporation hopes the new four-tier bus system, which requires fewer drivers, will alleviate these problems.
MCCSC implementing new bus technology, app for families
Families with bus-riding students are encouraged to download the MyStop app, which will track students as they ride the bus to and from school. The app has a dropdown menu for families with multiple students and will provide push notifications when each student boards and departs the bus or if a bus is arriving late.
Starting this school year, students will be expected to carry ID cards when boarding the bus to help drivers keep attendance. However, if a student loses their ID, the driver will still be able to manually take attendance for them.
If a student boards the wrong bus and scans their ID, the driver will be notified, and the MyStop app will update to follow the student on whatever bus they board.
Some parents have expressed concern on social media and at recent school board meetings about how effective the new bus system will work.
Tabetha Crouch, a mother of students at Bloomington High School North and Marlin Elementary School, said at the July 26 board meeting her students are still estimated to be on the bus for 1.5 hours every morning, according to the family’s Skyward account, which keeps track of student information.
“That doesn’t sound like an improvement,” Crouch said.
Additional bus information, such as how to access Skyward, how to find a student bus card, and how to install the MyStop app, can be found on the MCCSC’s website under the transportation tab.
How to apply for MCCSC's extended day care program
The MCCSC also plans to double the capacity and extend the hours of its elementary extended day program for the 2022-2023 school year.
By doubling its capacity, the corporation plans to serve 560 students compared to 280 students this school year, according to a letter sent out to families this spring. The day will also run 15 minutes later after school, meaning all students in the program can be dropped off at 7 a.m. and picked up by 5:45 p.m.
Several extended care locations have already doubled their capacity and continue to receive requests from parents, Debra Prenkert, assistant superintendent of elementary education, said in an email.
Prenkert did not say how many students or staff members are in the program, as the corporation is still finalizing hiring and waiting for families to accept enrollments. She also declined to answer if there is a waitlist.
Families interested in applying for the extended care program can apply at mccsc.edu/Page/4537 by selecting the enrollment form link. Any families who qualify for free or reduced lunch and textbook assistance can attend the program for free. Prices for other families can be viewed on the same extended care page.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County Schools to start 2022-2023 year with new schedule
