East Lyme — A newly reinstated global language program will add 15 minutes to the elementary school day, according to a message Tuesday from Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey R. Newton.

The district's three elementary schools will begin at 9:05 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m. during the upcoming school year, he wrote.

Previously, students started at 9:15 a.m. and were dismissed at 3:30 p.m.　

The schedules for the middle school and high school will remain the same, the notice states.

The Board of Education has approved the program for the elementary schools, and the district is finalizing the elementary grades that will participate, according to the notice.

"We are excited to provide our students with a quality exploratory program of cultural learning experiences, helping them to become more proficient in the languages studied throughout their academic education in East Lyme," he wrote in the message to East Lyme parents and guardians.

He said parents or guardians with questions should feel free to contact their students' principal or central office.