New state law increases recess time for elementary students
A new Oklahoma law, Senate Bill 1481, doubles the required daily recess time for elementary students from 20 minutes to 40 minutes, effective next school year. Bartlesville Public Schools has adjusted elementary schedules to meet this requirement while preserving instructional time.
What's Changing at Elementary Schools
The elementary school day will begin and end 5 minutes earlier and later, respectively — adding 10 minutes of instructional time.
Lunch schedules will be adjusted to add the remaining 10 minutes of instructional time. Students will have the same amount of time designated for lunch as previous years. The time of each grade's lunch is determined by the school and may shift based on scheduling; however, every student will have a minimum of 20 minutes to eat.
Together, these changes offset the additional 20 minutes now dedicated to recess, so elementary students will receive a full 40 minutes of recess each day without losing instructional time.
What's Changing at Secondary Schools
Middle school and high school instructional days and class schedules will not change.
Secondary campuses will open their doors 5 minutes earlier so bus routes can run on time to elementary schools following middle school drop-off.
2026-27 Bell Schedules
Elementary school day begins and ends 5 minutes earlier/later to add instructional time
Doors Open / Drop-off — 8:30 a.m.
Classes Begin — 8:45 a.m.
Classes End / Dismissal — 3:45 p.m.
Middle School doors open 5 minutes earlier to support elementary bus routes
Doors Open / Drop-off — 7:30 a.m.
Classes Begin — 8:00 a.m.
Classes End / Dismissal — 2:50 p.m.
High School doors open 5 minutes earlier to support elementary bus routes
Doors Open / Drop-off — 7:45 a.m.
Classes Begin — 8:10 a.m.
Classes End / Dismissal — 3:09 p.m.