Start times at EMS ISD elementary and middle school campuses will shift by 5 minutes beginning with the 2018-19 school year. The added 5 minutes will allow for increased instructional time as well as bank additional days within the school calendar in case of inclement weather or other emergencies that would require the cancellation of schools.

Tier 1 elementary campuses that currently start at 7:35 am will start classes at 7:30 am beginning in August. Tier 2 elementary schools and all middle schools that currently start at 8:25 am will begin classes at 8:20 am. These adjustments will embed three days into the school calendar for these campuses that would not have to be made up in the event of an unanticipated school day closing. 

High school campuses already have enough days built into the current bell schedule and no changes are planned for 2018-19. 

For elementary and middle school campuses, bus runs and teacher start/end times will remain the same as the 2017-2018 school year. In addition, to ensure our earliest arriving students still have plenty of time to eat a healthy breakfast before classes begin, the district is launching a Breakfast in a Bag program at all elementary campuses next school year. Regular breakfast offerings, including hot meal options, will continue to be offered at all EMS ISD schools as they are currently.