Catalayah Elementary

School Times Changing in 2026-27 

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all public schools in Oklahoma must adjust daily school schedules. This change is the result of a new law passed during the 2026 legislative session, Senate Bill 1481, which requires all students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade to receive 40 minutes of recess each day. Under the law, part of this recess time does not count toward the state's required instructional minutes, meaning schools must extend the day by 20 minutes to maintain learning time. 

After evaluating several options, the district determined that adding 20 minutes to each school day best preserves instructional time, avoids adding days to the calendar, and minimizes disruption to family schedules. 

We recognize that even small changes to the school day can affect family routines. By adding 10 minutes at the beginning and end of the day, the district can comply with the new state law while minimizing the impact on students, families, and staff. Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as Claremore Public Schools implements this statewide requirement. The table below shows updated start and end times for each school. If you have questions, contact your child's school office. 

These changes will take effect on the first day of school, August 20, 2026, pending approval from the Board of Education during our regularly scheduled meeting on August 10, 2026. We wanted to provide you with as much advance notice as possible.

For the 2026-2027 school year,

• PreK AM students may enter the building at 7:15 a.m., with classes beginning at 7:40 a.m. and dismissing at 10:30 a.m.

• PreK PM classes begin at 12:05 p.m. and end at 3:05 p.m. On Fridays, they will begin at 11:50 a.m. and dismiss at 2:10 p.m.

• Kindergarten through 5th grade may enter at 7:15 a.m., with the school day running from 7:40 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Monday through Thursday and dismissing at 2:10 p.m. on Fridays.

• Grades 6-8 may enter the building at 7:50 a.m., begin at 8:05 a.m., and dismiss at 3:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with Friday dismissal at 2:50 p.m.

• Grades 9-12 may enter the building at 7:50 a.m., with classes beginning at 8:05 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2:50 p.m. on Fridays.