My name is Martin  Cole, and I am deeply connected to Sedgefield Middle School in Dillworth, not only as a community member but as a student who is thriving under the current bell schedule. The existing schedule has proven beneficial for students, teachers, and parents alike, creating a well-structured, productive environment that nurtures learning and engagement while allowing for logical morning routines for families with siblings in neighborhood elementary schools or the high school associated with Sedgefield.  

Changing the bell schedule could disrupt the harmony and routine that many families and staff have come to rely on because moving it from 7:30-2:30 to 9:15-4:15 creates logistical challenges for all.  For students, a stable daily routine is crucial for academic performance and emotional well-being. Schedule disruptions can lead to increased stress levels, decreased focus, and poorer academic outcomes. For teachers, the current schedule allows adequate time for lesson planning, student interaction, and professional development and (importantly) a traffic-free commute . For parents, it aligns seamlessly with work schedules and family responsibilities, facilitating a balanced home and school life.  More specifically, the existing Sedgefield bell schedule (7:30-2:30) aligns well for family schedules with two of the big elementary schools where younger siblings would attend (Dilworth at 8:00-3:00 and Eastover at 8:15-3:15), and the high school where older siblings like my brother attend (Myers Park at 7:15-2:15).   Moving our middle school to 9:15-4:15 creates an unmanageable gap in sibling morning and afternoon schedules.  I think this will be especially difficult for working parents to manage.  

Also, for students who participate in school sports and afterschool extracurriculars, this proposed new bell schedule will have them finishing school sports practices at 6:00pm, and that is way too late. Balancing home and school sports will be tricky with this new bell schedule.

One major concern is that a new schedule may not consider the needs and routines of our diverse school.  I believe that maintaining the current schedule could lead to a larger satisfaction rate among parents and school staff, as it supports optimal teaching and learning conditions.

For families who use carpool drop-off, this proposed schedule will heavily disrupt the flow with parents having to get to work by 9:00 am (or earlier) while navigating drop-off for a 9:15 bell and rush hour traffic.  For many, this would have them getting to work past the necessary time.

For teachers who graciously come from neighboring counties to teach at our school, they will have to carve extra time out of their day to commute to school because of rush hour, which is not prevalent in our current bell system.

I urge the CMS board to reconsider any proposals for changing the bell schedule. By preserving the current schedule, we ensure logistical and scheduling continuity and safeguard an education model that has proven successful and resilient.

Please sign this petition to keep Sedgefield Middle School's bell schedule unchanged and support our children's education and our community's wellbeing. Your voice matters!