Carthage elementary students begin school day 30 minutes earlier

Elementary students in the Carthage Central School District now begin classes at 8:30 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:15 p.m., district information says. Last year, the school day ran from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

District officials recommended the schedule change after a study with SUNY Oswego. The district said the earlier dismissal is intended to get younger students home sooner and leave more time for after-school activities. West Carthage Elementary Principal Marcy Petzoldt said the transition has gone well and that staff members have adjusted to the new hours.