Dear Commerce Families,
You have probably seen news reports or communications from school districts across Oklahoma regarding changes to school schedules for the upcoming year. Commerce Public Schools is no exception, and I wanted to take a moment to explain the change we are making and the reason behind it.
For many years, Commerce Public Schools has provided students in Pre-K through 3rd grade with three daily recess periods consisting of two 15-minute recesses and one 20-minute recess. These opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and unstructured play have long been an important part of the school day at Alexander Elementary.
During the 2026 legislative session, Oklahoma lawmakers enacted Senate Bill 1481, establishing new recess requirements for elementary students. While Commerce has long provided substantial recess opportunities for our students, the new law also changed how school districts calculate instructional time. Under current guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, only 20 minutes of the required recess time may be counted toward the instructional hours schools are required to provide each year.
Because Oklahoma school districts must meet minimum annual instructional-hour requirements to maintain accreditation, districts across the state have been evaluating how to make up those lost instructional minutes. The primary options available are to extend the school day or add additional days to the school calendar.
After reviewing both options, Commerce Public Schools determined that a modest adjustment to the elementary school day would have the least impact on students, families, and staff. Extending the school day allows us to meet state requirements while preserving our current school calendar, holidays, and scheduled breaks.
As a result, Alexander Elementary School will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. during the 2026-2027 school year.
Because the recess requirement applies only to elementary-age students, Commerce Middle School and Commerce High School schedules will remain unchanged and will continue to operate from 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
We understand that even small schedule changes require families to adjust routines, and we appreciate your understanding and support. Our focus remains on providing a positive learning environment, meeting the needs of our students, and complying with state requirements in the most practical manner possible.
Thank you for your continued support of Commerce Public Schools. We look forward to welcoming students back for another successful school year.
Sincerely,
Stephen Moss
Superintendent