New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School has been awarded the first Expanded Learning Time (ELT) grant for a public school in New Bedford.
Gomes teachers ratified the proposal to apply for the $267,500 per year grant in April. ELT will provide more time on teaching and learning for the students at Gomes as well as additional professional development and common planning time for teachers at the school. The grant will add eight additional days to the school year at Gomes and alter school hours to 7:55 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, adding 322 hours to the school year.
“Additional time on teaching and learning for our Gomes students will give both teachers and students the tools that they need to be successful,” said Superintendent Pia Durkin. “The teachers at Gomes are passionate about building an excellent school for every student and those kids could not be more fortunate. With this grant, nearly 22 percent of New Bedford’s elementary students will now have a full week of school including a full day on Friday. This must be a universal requirement so that every student in the city has that same opportunity for more instructional time, including art, music, physical education and technology every week, in order for the district to reach the heights that every New Bedford child deserves.”
