Greenbrier County Schools announce reduced school schedule for the upcoming school year

LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) — Greenbrier County Schools administrators are making a significant change to their daily schedule for the upcoming school year.

Starting this fall, the school day will be reduced for students for a better approach to education and to maintain instructional time in the classroom. Since the 1970s, Greenbrier County Schools has exceeded the amount of instructional time, even accruing additional minutes. This has provided students with more educational opportunities and even time for sick or make-up days. Due to this, the decision has been made to revise the schedule to better meet the needs of students, families, and staff.

Key Changes:

• Reduced Daily Instructional Minutes: Instructional minutes from the day will be reduced in the new schedule, while still meeting state requirements.
• Maintained Accrued Time for Make-Up Days: Even with the reduction, the schools will still have accrued instructional time for make-up days, inclement weather or other closures.
• Enhanced Balance for Students and Staff: This gives students more time for extracurricular activities, rest, and family engagements, which helps to give them a healthy educational experience.

Benefits of the New Schedule:

• Increased Focus on Quality Over Quantity: The schedule change gives teachers the opportunity to teach engaging lessons without the constraints of an overly extended school day.
• Support for Student Well-Being: A shorter school day can reduce stress and burnout among students, and give them the opportunity to engage in activities that they enjoy and to spend more time with family and friends.
• Enhanced Afterschool Opportunities: Students will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one tutoring, free dinner, and engage in other educational programs, which are optional. These programs will be in afterschool programs at all elementary and secondary schools.
• Staff Professional Development: The revised schedule offers teachers and staff additional time for planning, development, and collaborating giving them an overall better educational and teaching experience.

“We believe this adjustment will benefit our students and staff by providing a healthier balance between academic demands and personal well-being. Our commitment to delivering exceptional education remains unwavering, and we are confident that this new schedule will support that mission,” stated Superintendent Jeff Bryant.

In the state of West Virginia, the required instructional minutes go accordingly by grade level. According to West Virginia State Board of Education Policy 2510, the time is as followed, however, each school in Greenbrier County will continue to obtain more minutes daily by attending 30 minutes longer than required by the Policy.

• Grades K-4: 315 minutes per day
• Grades 5-8: 330 minutes per day
• Grades 9-12: 345 minutes per day

These requirements are to make sure students receive the certain amount of instructional time needed to meet the educational standards and rules. The policy also helps students when addressing their needs, as well as school needs while still meeting the state standards.

The following new schedule for schools in Greenbrier County will start on the first day of the school year.

• August 26, 2024: Students in grades one to 12 return to school.
• September 3, 2024: Kindergarten begins.
• September 5, 2024: Pre-K starts.

The busing schedule can make a difference to each school’s daily schedule.

The following are the schools start times and end times for the upcoming year:

• Alderson Elementary: 7:50 A.M. to 2:35 P.M.
• Crichton Elementary: 7:50 A.M. to 2:27 P.M.
• Eastern Greenbrier Middle: 8:00 A.M. to 2:48 P.M.
• Frankford Elementary: 7:45 A.M. to 2:45 P.M.
• Greenbrier East High: 7:58 A.M. to 3:07 P.M.
• Greenbrier West High: 7:50 A.M. to 3:08 P.M.
• Lewisburg Elementary: 7:55 A.M. to 2:32 P.M.
• Rainelle Elementary: 7:45 A.M. to 2:32 P.M.
• Ronceverte Elementary: 7:50 A.M. to 2:32 P.M.
• Rupert Elementary: 7:55 A.M. to 2:42 P.M.
• Smoot Elementary: 7:53 A.M. to 2:42 P.M.
• Western Greenbrier Middle: 7:50 A.M. to 2:44 P.M.
• White Sulphur Springs Elementary: 7:50 A.M. to 2:27 P.M.

For more information or for additional questions, contact Nancy Hanna, Associate Superintendent, Greenbrier County Schools at 304-647-6470, or her email, nhanna@k12.wv.us.

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