WS/FCS seeking feedback on streamlining bell schedules

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is looking for feedback from students, parents and staff regarding school bell schedules.

The district currently has 17 different bell schedules for elementary, middle and high schools. Start and end times can vary by as much as an hour, even within the same grade span. 

WS/FCS officials have been talking about streamlining the bell schedule since last year, and formed a committee devoted to doing just that.

At a recent school board meeting, Superintendent Tricia McManus gave an update on its work. 

“Their first night as a committee they created the survey together to send out to all of our families and employees to just get feedback in general, as we start this process, of are there going to need to be any changes in the future?" she said. 

The survey, which was released last week, specifically asks for thoughts on the existing schedules, the idea of standardizing them and potentially lengthening the school day. 

It’s available on the district’s website in English and Spanish. The last day to submit feedback is Sept. 8.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.