For the first time MSAD 1 had a late entry day for teacher in-service. While it’s not uncommon for schools downstate to do this, it was a change from our typical early release in-service schedule. The hope was that teachers would have the morning to focus, and that it would address scheduling issues for half day kindergarten and pre-k.

District Curriculum Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Bourassa says that with every change there are logistical problems that can arise such as how we feed students lunch or busing.

“We came up with this idea to even out the sessions between morning and afternoon kids for pre-k and kindergarten kids,” Bourassa said.  “We are not switching those sessions like we used to anymore.”

The next late entry in-service is February 1. Bourassa emphasized this is just something to try. If it doesn’t work then we won’t do it again, but if it does work, next year the late entry in-service days could occur up to three times.

Social Studies teacher George Knox expressed concern that students are just not going to show up in the afternoon. He conceded, however, that logically, late entry to school is an experience SAD1 students know due to winter weather.

“It’s no different than a two hour delay from a snow storm,” Knox said.

Hunter Stubbs ‘21 lives up the street from the high school so it’s no problem for him to get to school. He would rather have the morning off than have a whole day off and then have school later into summer. “I’d rather have the afternoon off than the morning off,” Stubbs said. “It’s just harder that way.”

Kaci Bates ‘19, says she woke up around the same time on Friday. The late entry gave her time to make breakfast for her mom’s birthday. “The day just feels so long,” Bates said.

Anna Robinson ‘19 lives eight miles out of town and has animals to care for. In the mornings she’s rushed and waits in the evening before she can take care of her animals because of practice after school. She appreciated the extra time at home on Friday morning.

“If it was an early release I would have had thirty minutes to eat,” Robinson said. “I also would clean my animals’ stalls and then rush back in town for practice at three.”

Health teacher Kevin Malenfant said the late entry did not affect him at all. He said that his day started at 8 am and ended when school got out. However, he noticed that the students were phased by it. “They just seemed discombobulated,” Malenfant said. “It was just a confusing day for them.”

The late entry schedule did have some notable effects for some students and staff. Changes can be difficult, and it can take a few times through a new routine to get the schedule in order.