The last bell will ring two and a half hours later for 2,000 of the city’s sixth graders starting this fall.
A pilot program will provide additional literacy training at 20 middle schools with high-needs students, including five in Queens, according to the Department of Education (DOE).
The schools are also part of a 40-school expansion of the Middle School Quality Initiative (MSQI), which provides extensive literary instruction in grades six through eight.
“We are committed to ensuring that all students are prepared for college and 21st century careers, and the Middle School Quality Initiative has been central to this mission,” said Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott.
The Queens schools participating in the pilot are P.S./I.S. 116 William C. Hughley in Jamaica, Waterside School for Leadership in Rockaway, P.S. 043 in Far Rockaway, Queens United Middle School in Springfield Gardens and Village Academy in Far Rockaway.
The $6.2 million for the MSQI expansion comes from the City Council and DOE along with contributions from the Robin Hood Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fight poverty, and other groups.
“We are confident that a daily dose of extra tutoring for students struggling with English language arts will significantly increase students’ ability to comprehend at [their] grade level across all subjects,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
However, Patricia Simmons, a school aid at P.S./I.S. 116, believes money can be allocated in better ways.
“If they’d just give the schools the supplies they need, then they wouldn’t need to extend the time,” she said. “So many classes don’t have enough textbooks or workbooks.”
Another faculty member was concerned about the age of the students in the program.
“For the little kids, it’ll be too much, but the older ones will be able to handle it,” said a teacher who wanted to remain anonymous.
Tedric Simpson, a former student, also agreed the pilot might be taxing on the sixth graders.
“It’s too much school for one day. They could maybe do it from Monday to Wednesday, but not every day,” she said.
For parents, the benefit went beyond learning.
“Some parents can’t afford babysitters, so the extra hours could be good for them,” said Jean Elie.
With additional reporting by Johann Hamilton
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