Herkimer Central School District has announced changes to the school day hours.
This fall, the students’ school day schedule will be as follows:
Herkimer Elementary School: 8:45 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. (Students may enter the building at 8:40 a.m. They may not enter prior to 8:40 a.m.)
Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School: 7:35 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. (Students may enter the building at 7:25 a.m. They may not enter prior to 7:25 a.m.)
While the start and end times for middle and high school students remain the same, the elementary school will start later than it has in the past. This schedule change is a result of multiple factors.
In response to COVID, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) provided funding to schools to implement programs to help close learning gaps for the past three consecutive years (2021-2024). Herkimer Central School District used this federal money to extend the Elementary School’s day. With the end of ARP funding in September 2024, the Elementary School day returns to its prior length of time, which is reflected in the new start time.
Maintaining the 7:35 a.m. start time at the Jr./Sr. High School is beneficial for approximately 40% of our upperclassmen students who take advantage of off-campus learning opportunities like CTE (i.e. Cosmetology, Welding, Culinary, Heavy Equipment, Early Childhood, Criminal Justice, etc.) and VP-TECH classes at BOCES, as well as Project Lead the Way (i.e. engineering). It allows these students to participate in an additional class period, accruing a credit towards graduation. In addition, it ensures that a 30-minute lunch is built into their schedules, where in the past these students may have to eat on the bus ride or in a scheduled class.
Our afternoon transportation schedules run more efficiently when the Jr./Sr. High School dismisses first due to less students requiring transportation. This allows our buses to all be at the Elementary School in a timely manner and leads to a more consistent dismissal at the Elementary School. This also allows for older students to get home before their younger siblings, if and when they are needed to provide after school care.
We recognize that changes in school routines are not easy to make and we appreciate your understanding. We will continue to evaluate our scheduling and programming to promote maximum efficiency and access for our students.
Herkimer Reformed Church School’s Out Childcare – Morning Childcare
Based on family interest, the “Herkimer Reformed Church School’s Out Childcare” is offering a morning program during the 2024-25 school year for children in grades K-5. The program would run Monday through Friday beginning at 7:15 a.m. until the Elementary School pick up. The cost of the program would be $30 per child/week with a discount offered for siblings as well as children enrolled in the after school program. The deadline to sign your child up for morning (AM) care is Aug. 9, 2024. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
Interested families are asked to contact:
Herkimer Reformed Church-School’s Out Childcare
Jane Guzewich
315-219-2775