The document outlines the process used to determine start and end times for schools in the Vista Unified School District for the 2013-2014 school year. A superintendent's advisory committee with representatives from various stakeholder groups analyzed attendance data and transportation presentations to recommend a new schedule. The recommended schedule includes earlier start times for some elementary schools, shifting some schools from early to late schedules, and aligning kindergarten schedules across the district using an early bird/later gator model. The superintendent supports the committee's recommendation and will communicate the new schedules to families by May 2013.

1. Start Time Schedules 2013-14
Vista Unified School District
Devin Vodicka, EdD
Superintendent
April 18, 2013

2. Background
• Start and End Times for schools in grades K-8
were not established for the 2012-13 year
until August 8, 2012. The first day of school
was August 20, 2012.
• The Superintendent’s commitment to the
community was to establish start/end times
no later than May 2013 for next year.

3. Process
• Superintendent’s Advisory Committee of nine members
representing Del Norte PTA, District Parent Advisory Group,
Administrators, Certificated (VTA), and Classified (CSEA)
• Meeting Dates
– Feb. 11,
– Feb. 26
– April 2
• Analyzed attendance data
• Presentations from Transportation were provided
• Reviewed 7 scenarios for start/end time
• Recommendation to Superintendent on April 2, 2013

5. Regular Daily Schedule (Simplified)
Daily Schedule 2013-14
Early Elementary Schools
Beaumont
Breeze Hill
Hannalei
Foothill Oak
Lake
Olive
Temple Heights
Grades 1-5 Kindergarten
Early Birds Later Gators
7:45-1:48 7:45-11:51 9:25-1:31
Late Elementary School
Alamosa Park
Bobier
Empresa
Grapevine
Maryland
Mission
Meadows
Monte Vista
Grades 1-5 Kindergarten
Early Birds Later Gators
8:30-2:33 8:30-12:36 10:10-2:16
Middle Schools Grades 6-8
Madison
Rancho
Minerva
Roosevelt
Washington
8:55-3:33

6. Major Changes
• Early Start Elementary Schools move from
7:35am to 7:45am
• Some Elementary schools shift from Early to
Late schedule
• Kindergarten schedules are aligned at every
site in the district using “Early Bird / Later
Gator” Model
– Incorporation of lunch into the day extends the
student experience

7. Notes from Advisory Committee
• 1 Committee member preferred current
schedule and suggested one more year before
making any changes
• Concerns exist about inequities in morning
program options between early/late start
elementary schools
• Committee did not extensively analyze
kindergarten models—research and analysis
was conducted by VUSD Administrators

8. Kindergarten Considerations
• Extended Day Kindergarten model violates Education
Code Section 46111
• Exceptions can be made if local Board Policy exists to
support “Early Primary Program” specified in Education
Code 37202 which also requires a resolution pursuant
to Education Code 8973
• “Affected bargaining units should be consulted and
agree to modifying the length of the school day for the
participating students at the participating schools”
• Source:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/extendaykinder.asp

9. Research on Extended Day
Kindergarten
• Full Day Kindergarten Effects on Later Academic Success
(Milligan, 2012):
– “There were no significant differences in students who attended
all-day kindergarten program and students who attended a
traditional kindergarten program”
• Effects of Full-Day Kindergarten on Academic Achievement
and Social Development (Cooper et al, 2010)
– “A meta-analysis found that attending a full-day … kindergarten
had a positive association with academic achievement … at the
end of the kindergarten year. But the association disappeared
by third grade.”
– “Children may not have as positive attitude an attitude toward
school in full-day versus half-day kindergarten and may
experience more behavior problems.”

10. Public Policy Institute of California
(2009)

11. Desired Focus
• http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderinfo.asp

12. Kindergarten Plans: Win/Win
• Use partnerships with ASES, AM/PM, Boys &
Girls Club, etc. to provide enrichment
opportunities for kindergarten students
before and afterschool.
• Shift attention in kindergarten to
implementation of Common Core State
Standards and the learning experiences of
students.

13. Conclusion
• Superintendent supports the Advisory
Committee recommendation to implement
“Option 7” for the 2013-14 School Year.
• Superintendent will implement aligned
kindergarten schedules for 2013-14 School
Year with encouragement to sites to expand
before/afterschool options for all students.
• Communication to families will be distributed
no later than May 2013.