August 16, 2010

Press Release
 

New TISD Bell Schedule has a Different Ring for Secondary Students 

As parents and students prepare for the start of another school year, it may mean an earlier start to their morning routines.  The Tyler Independent School District has adopted a new bell schedule for the middle and high schools.  Middle schools now will start at 8:25 a.m. and release at 3:40 p.m.; high schools begin at 8:40 a.m. and end at 4:10 p.m.  All elementary schools will still begin at 8:00 a.m. and release at 3:00 p.m.

“We are very excited to begin our school days a little earlier for our secondary students,” said Dr. Randy Reid, Superintendent of Schools. “We made an adjustment to the schedule to add a small amount of instructional time at the middle school level.  By adding the additional 15 minutes, an additional 45-minute class can be added.”

This adjustment will allow for a double blocked class in math, language arts, science or an elective class.  Continuing to meet the fine arts and physical education requirements of the state and provide additional challenging electives is becoming an increasingly difficult task.  Teachers will also have the opportunity to have common planning.  This type of planning schedule is essential as the District moves to a more project-based approach to instruction with technology integrated into the lessons.

The new school year may also mean a change in your drive time routine.  School flashers will be in operation in marked school speed zones beginning Monday, August 23, 2010, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the following exceptions: 

• West Loop 323 near John Tyler High School – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

• South Donnybrook near Robert E. Lee High School – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

• Copeland Road at Hubbard Drive – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A new school speed zone with a speed limit of 35 mph has been added on West Front Street just east of West Loop 323 for the new Jones Elementary School - Wayne D. Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs. 

School crossing guards will be on duty in designated locations during the hours of the school flasher operations.   Crossing guards will raise a hand-held stop paddle and enter the crosswalk in preparation for allowing pedestrians to cross safely.  Motorists are required to stop at pedestrian crossing locations while the school crossing guard is in the street; all vehicles should wait until the crossing guard returns to the curb before continuing through the crossing.

Citizens are asked to review their commute route to avoid unnecessary delays. 

Please remember that the use of hand-held communication devices like cell phones is prohibited in school speed zones. 

For more information about Tyler ISD schools and school schedules, go to www.tylerisd.org.   A list of designated school speed zones is located in the City of Tyler’s code of ordinances at www.cityoftyler.org.

 The first day of school for Tyler ISD students is Monday, August 23.

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