School System Changes Include Length of Year and Days and New Bell Schedules

Students in Barrow County will experience some changes this new school year, which begins Monday, Aug. 13. 

The school system is moving to a . To meet state requirement to have a calendar equivalent to 180 days of attendance for students, school days have been lengthened by 15 to 20 minutes, with elementary school students spending 7 hours at school and middle and high school students 7 1/2 hours. 

Bell schedules for schools will also change, with school beginning for elementary students at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. and class starting for middle and high school students at 7:20 a.m. and ending at 2:50 p.m. 

Last year's bell schedules had elementary school students starting class at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 2:25 p.m., middle school students attending school from 8:35 a.m to 3:35 p.m. and high school students starting at 8:20 a.m. and ending at 3:20 p.m. 

The school system is also implementing , which means students in middle and high school living within a 1.5-mile radius from their respective school will not be eligible for school-provided transportation to and from school. 

School lunch prices will also change for the 2012-13 school year.  to read more. 

Read a letter to the editor from a concerned parent regarding some of these changes. 

Does your child attend or ? Here's at both schools. 

What do you think about the changes to the school calendar and bell schedules? How will these changes affect your family? Tell us in comments. 

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