Having published a research article on adolescent sleep and school start times (Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2007) I know that there is overwhelming evidence that later school start times, especially in middle school and high school, result in dramatic improvement in grades, test results, attendance, and countless non-academic outcomes. I recognize that there are logistical issues (bus schedules and after school activities and sports) with starting schools later, but they are issues that can be resolved and this issue is important enough to take the time and money to tackle these issues. - Noah L. Spaulding, Boston, MA, Feb 22, 2012
What's the point of scientific research if we don't use the results to benefit
humanity? Please start school later. Listen to the kids "biological clocks" and
help them become achievers! - Patrician Oulette, West Suffield, CT, Feb 6, 2012
I lost a child, he was hit by a driver because it was dark and the driver states that he couldn't see him. I raised my son for 15 years and now he is no longer with us! ALOT OF AREAS don't have enough street lighting and sidewalks. You should not be putting KIDS AT RISK! I now live with depression and pain everyday! Please Start School Later! Holly Ford Cape Coral, FL SIDEWALKS4KIDS, Feb 6, 2012
yes!! I agree our children should be our priority..they are our future for running this country and it seems that society today wants to keep pushing us beyond our limits. - Vickie Leone, Pasadena, MD, Jan 28, 2012
As an educational psychologist, it is amazing to me how we can simply
ignore what research tells us about sleep and brain functioning! Want better
grades? Start by getting more sleep! - Lori Perez, Severna Park, MD, Jan 28, 2012
us routes for our high school students start at 6:15 a.m The school district
admits that the reason our high schools start so early is for transportation
reasons and athletics. Our country has its priorities wrong if they allow
school districts to do this. When does it end? How early are school districts
going to go for start times? Right now it is 7:30 a.m. Not year they are
proposing 7:15 a.m. It's sad that we have to legislate something like
this. - Stephanie Alvendia, Oswego, IL, Jan 27, 2012
Starting the school day too early is an issue, kids simply need to start at a reasonable
hour so they can perform up to their potential.
– Andre Rush, Abingdon, MD, Jan 27, 2012
I have watched with shock the immediate impact on my son. He was a kid who never
fell sick in Elementary school; in 8 months of Middle School he has been sick 12
times and he is always tired. I try to be a sleep advocate and push him to bed
early, but I have also observed that he cannot start sleeping at a very early
time too. I think the morning sleep is key to feeling completely refreshed and I
feel so sad that my son is deprived of this just to meet some bus productivity!
Just watch the kids trudging to the bus stops in total darkness in the
winter..it looks like they are going to do some hard labor work, and not to get
some fun education. And finally, the early start hours also lead to early lunch
hours - lunch at 10 am in the morning?? I believe this has an impact
too!
– Leena Palav, Sussex, WI, Jan 27, 2012
Starting high school later is better for our children. An 8:00 or 8:30 start is
reasonable for all. Stop considering bus usage and focus on the well being of
all the children.
– Denise C. Luccarelli, New Canaan, CT, Jan 27, 2012 _http://signon.org/sign/promote-legislation-to.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by
Please help our teens have the best chance to be successful and
academically engaged. No teenager is capable of doing their best work when they
are exhausted by unnecessary and arbitrary school start times. As a
psychologist, I say please look at the research on teenage development
regarding sleep and it's affects on mood, intellectual capacity and motivation.
Thank you. - Kara Kritis Harper, Florence, MA, Jan 25, 2012
Teens are notorious for staying up late, no matter how early they need to get up. After
school hours and early evening are likely the time when teens might have more
freedom at home (unsupervised) than they should have. (My guess is that this is
the time period that most teens take the greatest risks due to lack of
supervision.) Sleeping later will help teenage students be better prepared for a
day of effective education. Avoiding two hours of unsupervised time at home
after school (from 3-5pm) will help to ensure that they "stick to the plan"
since adults are likely home by 6pm. Send the elementary school kids to school
at 8:15am, the middle schoolers can start at 8:50am and the high school students
can begin at 9:25am. Teachers should work on site for their entire paid shift.
After-school educational programs for elementary aged students can be
supplemented with funding by parents, including after-school sports/education
and daycare if needed. (Perhaps college students seeking teaching degrees can
provide homework assistance as part of their curriculum.) – Cynthia R. McIntire,
Sammamish, WA, Jan 24, 2012
This is one of the best things that can be done for our children's health and education. It maybe a difficult switch but for how long must our children endure our errors, in this case of not being aware of their biological clocks, that are so sensitive and impact their lives in such a broad way. - Christine Ellin, Seattle, WA, Jan 24, 2012
I support high schools starting after 8:00am. My 16yr old just arrived home and went
straight to bed to take a nap due to exhaustion. He needs full energy to do his
homework and study to keep his straight A's. – Michele Whittington, Woodinville,
WA
Our high school starts at 7am, forcing our kids to get up extremely early, losing
valuable sleep, and many are walking to the bus stop in the dark, making it very
unsafe for them. – Debbie Blake, Woodinville, WA, Jan 23, 2012
There is really only tradition and red tape holding this back. Neither is
a good reason. - Brad Wolgast, Folsom, PA, Jan 21, 2012
My Grandson is an A student who has to get up early to get to school on
time leaves school at 3:00pm and works after school at Barnes and Noble from
4:oopm to 10:00pm and then stays to put all the books away and clean up for at
least another hour. That leaves him little time to do all his homework and get
a good night's sleep and keep up his good marks in school. He is trying to make
something good of himself and follow in his father's footsteps. He is a good
young man who even quit wrestling and the band so he could hopefully get a
scholarship on his grades. All he needs is a little more time to sleep in the
morning. I never had to get up as early as he has to to shower and eat just so
I could get to school so early. Grabbing a donut is not a healthy breakfast so
his father has to get up at 5:00 AM to see that his son eats a decent breakfast.
So 2 members of the same family are losing sleep because the school system puts
saving money before caring for the well being of our next generation of leaders. What a
shame! - Naomi Eileen Keyles, Sun City Center, FL, Jan 20, 2012
My teenagers are constantly struggling to get up at 5:30 & 6:30am for an
unnecessarily early start time - in a period of their lives during which they
often need more sleep in order to grow and function properly. They are often up
late finishing copious amounts of homework (not coordinated among teachers, so
it can often all fall due on the same day) and struggle to even make it through
the day without falling asleep, so that less of what they are taught is being
absorbed. Standards are high and leniency is often lacking. This causes stress
levels to increase and a sense of overwhelming and depression to set in.
Something needs to be done & a later start would certainly help. The early
start time seems antiquated and short-sighted. – Lisa Culane, Woodinville, WA,
Jan 19, 2012
7 am is just to early, especially with the burden of after-school programs to replace
those no longer offered in school. The students need their rest, not caffeine. –
Sheila Bouri, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 19, 2012
Please change the start date for students, particularily the high
school student. Adding an hour or an hour and a half to their sleep will help
with the retention and health of those students. – Leslie Brown, Bellingham, WA,
Jan 19, 2012
As a teacher, I understand the need for children to get the sleep required for their
minds and bodies. Fortunately, I work in a school system that has changed start
times for the better. Hopefully, this will catch on. – Kelly Ricahrds, Fort
Worth, TX, Jan 19, 2012
IT IS HEALTHIER FOR FAMILIES IF SCHOOLS START AT A REASONABLE TIME. THERE SHOULD BE
TIME FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE A HEALTHY BREAKFAST AND NOT BE STRESSED! – Laura
Harris, West Palm Beach, FL, Jan 19, 2012
Yeah! My son has to get on the bus at 6:30 am when it is pitch black outside. I know
we would all be happier, healthier and more productive with a later start time.
– Marcy Bliss, Mulica Hill, NJ, Jan 19, 2012
I'm a mother of a child with ADHD. Consistant sleep patterns for her are difficult enough without school schedules screwing with it. Education should be focused on the best interest of the child and nothing more. - Theresa Portal, Morrisonville, NY, Jan 15, 2012
Our next generation is going to be a mess with the lack of sleep they
get. - Nicole Maynard, Santa Ana, CA, Jan 12, 2012
I speak for all high schoolers/students when I say that the time school begins needs to be later. Elementary school students begin school
around 8:30 in NJ. High school begins at 7:45. The average high schooler is in bed between 11 and 1 and gets up between 6 and 6:30. That's 7 and a half hours at most, 4 nights a week. Add this to the stress of being a student and it creates a bad situation. - Peter Bialer, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 12, 2012
Please. It's difficult enough with the obscene amount of homework. It would give us more time in the morning
in order to rest. Additionally, with later school, people won't be so annoyed with the heavy early morning traffic on the way to work. - James Yoon, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 12, 2012
Would love to see this get passed while my kids are still in HS! - Natalia Bilash, Millburn, NJ, Jan 12, 2012
Read about this in the SP Voice. I have been worried about this since I became a parent 9 years ago. This needs
to change! How many adults like getting up for work at 5 am? Crazy! - Suzanne Mead, Severna Park, MD, Jan
12, 2012
As a teacher in Public Schools, I completely support this petition. - J
This is way overdue. As the parent of a 14 year old who has to
get up at 5:30 in the morning to catch a bus and attend school, I see the daily
toll it takes on his physical and mental health. – Carrie Krause, Woodinville,
WA, Jan 11, 2012
In a 2006 national survey, more than one-half of adolescent drivers stated that
they have driven drowsy during the past year. In fact, 15% of drivers in 10th to
12th grades drive drowsy at least once a week. – Darrel Drobnich, Washington,
DC, Jan 11, 2012
How much do our children have to fall behind before action is taken? - Dr. James K. Wyatt, Chicago, IL, Jan 11, 2012
I went to a private school and have been in private schooling all my life. School started at approximately 8am every morning, not 15 minutes before as I've heard some public schools do. More students would be less sleep deprived and many I'm sure would be less late for class if such a petition were passed it would yield much good. I more than agree that this piece of legislation should be passed so that public schools cannot start before 8am. - Paul Gorman, Chatham, NJ, Jan 11, 2012
With eight grandchildren now I can see what getting up too early does to their schooling. I hope this changes. - Edith Cutler, Baltimore, MD, Jan 10, 2012
High school students do not function before 9:00 AM - Max Van Gilder, MD, New York, NY, Jan 10, 2012
The money saved by taking shortcuts will be lost many times over by the continuing effects of sleep deprivation in this country. - James Puchta, Ph.D.,West Babylon, NY, Jan 10, 2012
Instead of no child left behind, please consider no child left asleep! We need rest and food and children who are learning need it badly! It is such a practical change that is good for all. - Charlotte Fineberg-Buchner, Memphis, TN, Jan 10, 2012
It's about time that we made schools sleep friendly! - Ann Lewin-Benham, Memphis, TN, Jan 10, 2012
As an educator I have always been aware of this. It only makes eminent sense and promotes better learning and listening skills. - Michelle Burton, Harrison, NY, Jan 10, 2012
I agree 100% my kids drive to school in the dark ( half asleep ) when it's foggy etc. then they get home at noon and take naps or get into trouble.
I'm pretty sure I still have nightmares about having to wake up at 5:20 AM to make it to school by 7. - Alexandre Abdoulaev, Jamaica Plain, MA, Jan 10, 2012
I am a pediatric sleep physician and this is tremendously important. - Craig Canapari, Arlington, MA, Jan 10, 2012
I agree 100%. My kids drive to school in the dark (half asleep) when it's foggy etc. Then they get home at noon and take naps or get in trouble. - Judy West, Tod, TX, Jan 10, 2012
As a neuropsychologist, I can tell you that circadian rhytms are different for young children than they are for adolescents and that having high school students arrive prior to seven and small children arriving closer to 9 makes absolutely no sense. It should be the opposite. Even if this law is not passed, just changing the schedules as outlined above would make a huge difference. Also, learning efficiency is massively reduced under conditions of sleep deprivation. Make this change and let's improve our educational system with a simple law. - Jason van Steenburgh, Philadelphia, PA, Jan 10, 2012
School start times should not be before 8:30 a.m. The children are exhausted from waking up at 6:30 and staying up late for homework and sports. - Stephanie Marino, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 10, 2012
I remember me waking up at 5:40 am just to get to my high school which was all the way across town. - Alexandra, South Boston, MA, Jan 10, 2012
As a future teacher, I strongly urge this to be passed. - Marisa Thibodeau, Wethersfield, CT, Jan 9, 2012
The research data is overwhelming. It's time for our country to prioritize our children's educaiton & safety correctly.- George Slade, MD, Tallahassee, FL, Jan 9, 2012
I work in the Bergen County school system (3rd grade) & we start school at 8:05 & I must say the kids are very sleepy.... - Suzanne Mignone, Ramsey, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
I am tired every day and miserable. It makes me sick and not do my work well. - Julia Fried, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and specialize in behavioral sleep medicine and I support this petition. - Kristi Pruiksma, Round Rock, TX, Jan 9, 2012
The health and safety are of paramount concern here, not logistical convenience and budget cutting. We have already disinvested far too much in educaiton. Time to draw a line. Thanks. - Timonty Travis, Portland, OR, Jan 9, 2012
This is a very important initiative. - Rubin Naiman, PhD, Tucson, AZ, Jan 9, 2012
As a sleep specialist and mom of 2, I agree that there should be a national minimum school start time. - Lauren Broch, PhD, Rye Brook, NY, Jan 9, 2012
Oh ya baby - David Jordan, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
This is extremely important. I am in middle school and am very tired in the morning! I always function better in my last few periods, and tend to have trouble paying attention when I'm tired at the beginning of the day. - Sarah Jordan, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
As a parent and a sleep researcher, I wholeheartedly share the goals of this initiative to delay school start times to 8:00 am or later. - Wilfred Pigeon, PhD, Honeoye Falls, NY, Jan 9, 2012
We are all seriously sleep deprived due to my daughter's late night homework and early morning (6:55) bus schedule. - Susan Stern, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
Please start school later! I know many kids, friends of mine who are so tired, all the time because they don't get enough sleep! - Fiona, Millburn, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
I currently have a high school senior and I cannot imagine anyone working with the schedule the kids have. Early morning rising, school, volunteer work, athletics and study, which often continues to late night hours. This early rise prevents the children from using all potentials they are capable of. - Snejinka Atanasova, Friendswood, TX, Jan 9, 2012
I presented this research (and conducted some of our own) throughout the state of CT and one school district, Wilton CT was able to delay their start time a full 40 minutes, with very positive results, even several years out. - Edward OMalley, Sheffield, MA, Jan 9, 2012
Save Our Kids! Let Them Get Enough Sleep! - Strahil Atanasov, Friendswood, TX, Jan 9, 2012
Research clearly supports later school start times to encourage better learning. Especially in adolescent years. As a person who has worked extensively on sleep research I fully support later school start times for middle and high schools. - Karen Martin-Elbahesh, Memphis, TN, Jan 9, 2012
These kids deserve a good education, they can't do that if they are sleep deprived! - Shaya Frank, Millburn, NJ, Jan 9, 2012
If you have an adolescent, this is pretty much a no-brainer. - Lisa Fecke, Madison, CT, Jan 9, 2012
I agree!!! Lets give them the best opportunity to achieve in Learning. - Michael & Catherine Shippy, Guildford, CT, Jan 9, 2012
School should NOT start before 8 am. In fact 9:00 am would be better so my children can get enough sleep! Today's kids are very busy and cannot get to bed early enough....They need a later school start time. - Patricia Semen, Brooklyn, NY, Jan 8, 2012
No school start time before 8 am! - Michelle Azevedo, Solana Beach, CA, Jan 8, 2012
As a mental health and sleep improvement professional I have advocated for years that school start times be delayed at least one hour. High school students especially suffer from sleep deprivation but we are seeing that childhood insomnia is a risk factor for later behavioral and substance abuse problems. - Richard Madden, Catskill, NY, Jan 8, 2012
Please. - Ezra Engel, Millburn, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
I've lived it. It's exhausting and I can barely focus. If we get out later it won't kill us students. Help!? - Christelle Caceus, Maplewood, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
MORE SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Eli Danto, Millburn, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
Many students in my graduating class (class of 2012) get as little as 4 hours of sleep a night. This is well below the CDC recommendation of a minimum of 8.5 hours. School seems to be the main reaosn for our sleep deprivation. I would like to see later mornings so every student can keep a healthy lifestyle while getting a first rate education. As an athlete, sleep is extremely important for my performance. Being able to sleep in, would allow me to stay more alert in school, on the road, and in the swimming pool. - Jonas Singer, Millburn, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
I am a high school student and I think school should start at a later time because I know we have a lot of homework to get done at night and sports too and having to finish that and study and get up at 5 in the morning to get ready for school isn't fun and when we do get to school not many people can focus or do well because they haven't gotten enough sleep the night before. Here's what I think. I know buses have a schedule to stick by for elementary school, middle and high school so I think that then high school and the elementary school should switch stops because the elementary school kids usually go to bed at around 7 anyways so they wake up really early so it would be good if they can do that. - Erin, Crofton, MD, Jan 8, 2012
I know my daughter has a hard time staying awake in the first period. I am sure she would have gotten more out of school if she could have gotten up later. - Alice Chappell, Shady Side, MD, Jan 8, 2012
I wake up at 5:50 AM - Max Lechtman, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
Starting school later is not only beneficial for the students but also the teachers. Many teachers wake up as early as 5 am to drive up to an hour to get to Millburn. By starting after 8 am teachers will be more rested when teaching and students will be more attentive. - Krista Young, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
HS should not start before 8 am. Amen. - Liz Visone, Millburn, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
My children spend the entire weekend catching up on sleep after a school week of early mornings. They are too tired to play, have adventrues, work, experience life, exercise, etc. - Julie Peck, Somerville, MA, Jan 8, 2012
The start time for high school is 7:30 am in my district. Students that want to participate in activities/sports and community volunteer projects end up staying up until midnight or 1 or 2 am, to do homework and study for tests and then have to wake up quite early. They are being sleep deprived. A start time of 8 am would have a positive impact on their health and cut down on depression, mood swings and use of stimulants to stay awake. I am in favor of an 8 am or later start time. Thank you. - Ivy Samuels, Millburn, NJ, Jan 8, 2012
Teenagers are typically nocturnal - so beginning later is great. Consider having the sport teams practice in the am... - Lisa Singer, Millurn, NJ, Jan 7, 2012
The advantages of this are clear - when you've got a median "bedtime" of 1-2 AM for teenagers (something which doesn't seem as if will change anytime soon), it's really necessary to ensure the students get the sleep they need. Starting school later is definitely one major step toward this goal. It will also enable teachers to get more sleep, and/or allow them to get to school on a more relaxed timetable. - Gordon Estes, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 7, 2012
Thank you for organizing this very important initiative! I am VERY concerned about this issue! - Dana Hilmer, Madison, CT, Jan 7, 2012
So tired of waking up at 5 a.m. just to go to school. - Julie Owens, Holly Springs, NC, Jan 7, 2012
Research shows that children, especially teens, perform better later in the morning. Absenteeism is a major reason for poor grades and the high drop out rate. - Janelle Hardin, Bel Air, MD, Jan 7, 2012
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOOOOO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Athre, Cary, NC, Jan 7, 2012
I have to ride the bus at 6:10 in the morning. It is absolutely ridiculous. I'm in 8th grade. And what makes it worse is that school doesn't even start until 7:20! - Liam Outlaw, Cary, NC, Jan 7, 2012
This is overdue! Simple change to improve the quality of life for our teenagers! - Lena Einhorn, Millburn, NJ, Jan 7, 2012
I am a teacher AND a mother of 3 and I whole-heartedly support this!!!! - Leslie Caulfield, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 7, 2012
I feel this is only acceptable on the High School level. Here in Syosset, our Elementary schools do not begin until 9:15 so it is perfect. I hear the middle school has the kids on a bus before 7 am. - Dava Rosenthal, Syosset, NY, Jan 7, 2012
I completely agree that school start times before 8 am are inhumane and affect children negatively. I watch my 3 daughters walk to the school bus every morning at 6:57 am in the dark, like zombies with bloodshot eyes still too tired to even speak. There is no reason schools should do this to children! Please change teh school start times to after 8am! My 3 kids spend the entire weekend sleeping to try to catch up from sleep deprivation during the week! - Monica Turnan, Short Hills, NJ, Jan 7, 2012
Research clearly documents that middle and high school age adolescents would do better academically, emotionally, and be healthier with later school start times - more sleep! 9 am would be even better than 8 am! - Amy Wolfson, Worcester, MA, Jan 7, 2012
Our son's high school starts at 7:08 am and the bus picks up at 6:08. So my son, who can't fall asleep till 11 pm, is up at 5:30, which means 6.5 hours of sleep. Sleep is a biological necessity, and a teenager requires min. 8 to 9 hours. Having a rational school start time is fundamental to education. - Richelle Strom, Woodinville, WA, Jan 7, 2012
I realize funding is an issue, but this appears to be an extremely cost-effective way to improve performance across the board. Maybe money can be moved from some other programs that attempt this but don't do as well. - Karin Hsiao, Woodinville, WA, Jan 6, 2012
School should open later, not earlier, to be in harmony with teens' bio clocks.- Joshua Fausty, Teaneck, NJ, Jan 6, 2012
I believe that I as a high schooler would have greatly benefitted from an extra hour of sleep. - Constantine Matheos, Bethesda, MD, Jan 6, 2012
Plenty of research available on students, sleep and school starting times. - Melissa Johanson, Annapolis, MD, Jan 6, 2012
Kids brains are working better at 8:00 am than at 7:00 am. Any parent knows this. Please look at the science. It will certainly help kids. -Jil Nelson, Old Lyme, CT, Jan 6, 2012
All the research shows this is essential for the intellectual and physical well being of our kids. - Helena Rozier, Westport, CT, Jan 6, 2012
This is extremely important. Anyone that knows anything about sleep and the correlation between more sleep and better grades knows this is the best solution. The districts that have moved to later start times for middle and high schoolers have seen a dramatic increase in overall test scores. - Alison Raymond, Cape St Claire, MD, Jan 6, 2012
Let's use some common sense here and do what is best for the kids. - Dorothy Durkin, Nyack, NY, Jan 6, 2012
Sleep science has powerful data that adolescents' circadian clocks are "set" later - in sleep science jargon, they are more "eveningness" than both children and adults. - Elizabeth Co, Nyack, NY, Jan 5, 2012
I have been waiting for this to happen since 7th grade for my son, and I hope it will be fixed before my daughter starts middle school. - Cristina Vartic Kove, New Canaan, CT, Jan 5, 2012
I have known about mounting research on this issue for years!! - Claudia Stern, Melville, NY, Jan 5, 2012
I have four children. I have lived in districts with later start times in districts with early start times. There is no question in my mind that later start times are a benefit to students in every way. - Alison Heisler, Westport, CT, Jan 5, 2012
It's also a matter of fairness: some schools start a full hour earlier than others, and students, sad to say, are expected to compete on an uneven playing field. - Wendy Batteau, Westport, CT, Jan 5, 2012
Thank God someone started this!!!! - Arlene Cyrvik, New Canaan, CT, Jan 5, 2012
About time. Getting out later will also help keep teens out of trouble after school before their parents get home. - Mary McGuire, Milford, CT, Jan 5, 2012
With all the talk of how educaiton needs to be improved, this is one thing that can be done that has been shown to decrease absenteeism and increase grades without a huge outlay of money. - Susan D'Entremont, Albany, NY, Jan 5, 2012
Asking a teen to be at the bus at 6:30 am is nonsensical. It is a recipe for failure - please pay attention to our kids' needs!"
As a parent and a clinical psychologist, I strongly support later school start for all adolescents, to improve academic performance & physical & mental health. - Eva Kaufman, Orange, CT
I taught at a high school and can attest to the fact that most students were half asleep or totally asleep through the first 2 periods. Many juniors and seniors worked evenings and then had to go home and complete homework before going to bed. Homeroom began at 7:30. Ridiculous!! - Wayne Schwartz, Milford, CT, Jan 3, 2012
With
all the talk of how education needs to be improved, this is one thing that can
be done that has been shown to decrease absenteeism and increase grades without
a huge outlay of money. - Susan D'Entremont, Albany, NY, Jan 5, 2012
Asking a teen to be at the bus at
6:30 am is nonsensical. It is a recipe for failure - please pay attention to our
kids' needs!"
– Karen Wasserman, Holbrook, NY, Jan 4, 2012
This
should have been done years ago. Start times before 8 am are unhealthy and
ridiculous.
– Dorothy Clancy, Columbia, MD, Jan 4,
2012
In
addition to the early hour affecting children not getting enough sleep, many bus
routes start well before there is any daylight available in the winter. For many
in rural areas where there are no streetlights or even sidewalks. This provides
a very dangerous walk to school or even the bus stop for many out before
dawn.
– Eli Sherer, Madison, CT, Jan 4, 2012
Have
always thought it was way too early –feel sorry for the teachers who have high
schoolers in those early morning classes, like teaching zombies
haha.
– Hunt Newton, Madison, CT, Jan 4, 2012
Yes,
we need this! Every study supports the need for more sleep. The sports schedule
drives the academic schedule. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? What does
this say about our priorities? And the hope for the next
generation?
– Meegan Graham, New Canaan, CT, Jan 3, 2012
As a
parent and a clinical psychologist, I strongly support later school start for
all adolescents, to improve academic performance & physical & mental
health. -Eva Kaufman, Orange, CT, Jan 3,
2012
Why
do local and national governments continue to ignore the research it often
funds? – Jane Wakeman, South Salem, NY, Jan 3, 2012
I taught at a high school and can
attest to the fact that most students were half asleep or totally asleep through
the first 2 periods. Many juniors and seniors worked evenings and then had to go
home and complete homework before going to bed. Homeroom began at 7:30.
Ridiculous!! - Wayne Schwartz, Milford, CT, Jan 3,
2012
Let’s
be reasonable and protect our children.
– Vicki Sauter, Saint Louis, MO, Jan 3, 2012
I
totally endorse this legislation. I am a 68 year old adult who has, since
childhood, not functioned well in the early morning.
– Leslie L. Smith, New Canaan, CT, Jan 3, 2012
Hope
this goes thru. I’ve always been an advocate for a later school day start time
for teens. The elementary kids could start earlier if busing is a
problem.
– Mary A. Van Duzer, Allentown, PA, Jan 3,
2012
There
is no educational benefit for starting HS so early. Students are still
producing melatonin when they wake up. We have an obligation to tehse young
people to allow them to be as healthy as possible and thus improve their
participation in school as well as understanding of material. – Cyra Borsy,
New Canaan, CT, Jan 3, 2012
Long
overdue. I see it in the classroom everyday!
– Annalisa DiNucci, Stamford, CT, Jan 3, 2012
This
is very important! Please sign!
– Susan Root, New Canaan, CT, Jan 3, 2012
Developmentalists
have been advocating this for years.
– Erica Gelven, Ph.D., Clinton, CT, Jan 3,
2012
I’m
still trying to catch up all my lost sleep from childhood!!! – Susan Miller,
Canton, OH, Dec 31, 2011
First
year for our family to rise before 7 am to go to school. Absolutely insane
teaching half asleep teens at 7 am. No wonder our teens are so unpleasant. I AM
UNPLEASANT WITH THESE HOURS! – Susan Shaheen, Falls Church, VA, Dec 31,
2011
It
has been well established by medical research for over a decade that teens are
required to be in school before their bodies are awake. Let’s use the research
we’ve funded to move school start times later to a time when students can
function well.
– Catherine Darley, ND, Seattle, WA, Dec 31,
2011
I
think this is something that HAS to be done. I see how my boys suffer because
of the severe lack of sleep that they receive. They are lucky if they get 6 –
6.5 hours of sleep a night which is definitely not enough. It also has very
adverse effect on kids that suffer with ADD & ADHS who struggle enough,
lack of sleep only compounds the problems they suffer.
– Sonya Couloucoundis, Darien, CT, Dec 30,
2011
Please
sign this bill into action as it will keep teenagers off the streets late rin
the day and avoiding the time they can get into trouble as well as allow them
more time with their family in the morning.
– Nancy Donne, Fairfield, CT, Dec 29, 2011
I have been hoping for this for years!
We always put money before health. I am an educator and my own son did not
finish school because his body physically could not handle the early start
time!
– Kerri Dowd, Renton, WA, Dec 28, 2011
As
a veteran of 40 years of high school teaching, I would agree with this idea
wholeheartedly. Perhaps we should make 9:00 am the norm!
– John Cane, Burlington, VT, Dec 28, 2011
My
son’s Kindergarten started at 7:50 last year. I had to wake him and ‘pit-stop’
style get him dressed, fed and on the bus. He had tantrums most days after
pickup at 3:00. We left private school for public school and now he wakes on his
own and catches a bus at 8:30 to start at 9:15. Wonderful! – Mrs. Jean
Deckenbach, RN, Cincinnati, OH, Dec. 28, 2011
Teachers
– accommodate students’ bio-rhythm cycles – you will be the future heroes of our
educational system.
– Ingrid Wild Kleckner, Riverside, RI, Dec 27,
2011
I
am currently Associate Director of the Sleep Medicine Program at Vanderbilt
University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN and I agree with this
letter.
– Arthur S. Walters, M.D., Nashville, TN, Dec 16,
2011
Not
only my son but the whole family suffered from 7:20 high school start times,
physically, emotionally, and in a family life that was truncated by his and my
pervasive fatigue. This, especially, I can’t forgive the Fairfax County, VA
school system, because those last days of our son’s childhood can never be
recovered.
– Lisa Priebe, Springfield, VA, Dec 14, 2011
Research
shows that teenagers have a shifted sleep schedule that causes them to get
tired and want to go to sleep later in the night, at around 12 or so, and wake
up later. Early start times conflict with these shifted sleep schedules. If
teenagers started and ended school later, they would be able to complete work
more efficiently and retain information better. Also, teenagers would be more
energetic and alert in the morning, thus causing less car accidents when high
schoolers (who are old enough) are driving themselves to school.-
Jenna
D, Rockleigh, NJ, Dec 10, 2011
I
can't believe we are still having to fight this fight. 7 AM is barbaric. Remind
President Obama that Sidwell Friends knows better than to have their students
starting class at 7 AM.-
Eugenie
Jenkins, Baltimore, MD, Dec 7, 2011
I've
always been a really good student at my school, where the school start time was
a bit later, but when the school changed its policy, my grades began to slip,
even after I adjusted my sleep time and made sure I still got enough hours.
There's something just about starting the day too early in general that makes
it hard to focus and have a good attitude, even if you do get a good amount of
sleep.- Janae, Bozeman, MT, Dec 7,
2011
We
in Okaloosa County, FL, have been working to get our school district to change
the rediculously early start times for high school students. Nation-wide
efforts are GREATLY appreciated as "We the People" are setting our students up
for difficulty by not looking out for our children's best
interests!!!!!
JUV – Jana Ulven Valois, Niceville, FL, Dec 7,
2011
Certainly,
students will rise to the challenge of detrimental early school start times,
but why ask them to? When we as a country are looking toward competing
globally, it should be our top priority to give our children the optimum
circumstances from which they can learn. It is our responsibility to provide
our students with a learning evirnoment that will nurture and encourage their
natural curiosity and creativity. This in turn will inspire and produce
intellectual, political and artistic genius. Only by ensuring that our youth
have all they need to fulfill their potential, will we as a nation be strong
internally and thereby remain an effective world power. Our children's
education is the best long-term investment we can make as a country. We should
remove artifically imposed obstacles to student's success. The statistically
proven harmful early school start times for high school students is an imposed
barrier which should be adjusted in order to provide the optimum learning
environment.
– Beverly Hill van Joolen, Severna Park, MD, Dec 7,
2001
I
have a 9th grader and a 5th grader. I find it barbaric that my son has to be on
e bus at 6am every day! He is exhausted most every day. I hope this changes
before my daughter is faced withbthe same dilemma.
– Charlene Sanders, Niceville, FL, Dec 7, 2011
Our
county parents are fighting the good fight on this one! Okaloosa County, FL for
too long has played played political pingpong using our students/children as
the ball! Research has been done for you!! Individual Counties & States
will NOT listen -- pony up, please, Congress, Senate & Mr, Obama -- do what
is RIGHT for those who cannot vote for themselves! All high schools within our
nation absolutely should have a start time of no earlier than 8
am!!
– Jeanne Bortle, Shalimar, FL, Dec 6, 2011
My
daughter is late everyday because they start at 7:40 am
– Yanice, Springfield, MA, Dec 6, 2011
As
a neuroscientist and a father of two young children, I can attest to the need
for more sleep for children.-
Nathan Connors, Lansdowne, PA
I
was ignorant about this until I drove a school bus one year. Picked up High
School kids at 6AM - ridiculous! –
Dale Walling, Ellensburg, WA , Dec 6, 2011
I've
been on a bell time study committee. In the end, higher transportation costs
and perceived sports schedule complications win out over student health,
safety, learning, and quality of life.
– Randy Nevin, Sammamish, WA, Dec 3, 2011
I've
been on a bell time study committee. In the end, higher transportation costs
and perceived sports schedule complications win out over student health,
safety, learning, and quality of life.
– Suzanne Grogan, Kirkland, WA, Dec 1, 2011
Getting
up too early is really the only reason I hate school. I can't focus, and it
puts me off all day...
– Katie, Sammamish, WA, Dec 1, 2011
I
think that having a school day start before really hurts the learning process.
Even the teacher in my 1st period class says he tries to make class a little
more exciting because he knows all the kids are very very tired.
– Jack Skierczynski, Wentzville, MO, Dec 1,
2011
I
am currently studying adolescent psychology and we talked about this subject.
It would be interesting to see if test scores improve if they start school
later.
– Ellen Hagglund, Woodinville, WA, Dec 1, 2011
I
am currently studying adolescent psychology and we talked about this subject.
It would be interesting to see if test scores improve if they start school
later.
– Mauren Olsen, Bellevue, WA, Dec 1, 2011
I
start my job at 8 a.m. and I don't see why my teenager should start his "job"
at 7 a.m. He goes to bed at 8:00 p.m. so that he can get his needed ten hours.
So he is doing the right thing on his part, it would be great if the school
district would understand and do the best they can to help the students
succeed.
– Kristin Gulledge, Woodinville, WA, Dec 1,
2011
At
last a sensible appeal in regard to this issue!!! This has been a tremendous
concern for me as parent of a teenager who is always dangerously sleep
deficient, affecting his level of optimum functioning while needing to arise too
early to meet school attendance requirements.
– Mary Thompson, Redmond, WA, Dec 1, 2011
As
a mental health professional who works with children, teens, and their
families, I support this change.
– Meghan Crosby Budinger, Abingdon, MD, Dec 1,
2011
I
am a high school teacher and totally 'get' this issue!! –
Kathleen Burgett, Port Townsend, WA, Nov 30, 2011
School
before 8:30 am is insanity
– Lisa Cook, Yakima, WA, Nov 30, 2011
If
we are to compete with the rest of the world, we must do all we can to make
sure kids can learn as effectively as possible.
– John Avis, Highland Beach, MD, Nov 30, 2011
This
is such an important issue for our young children. It's very difficult for them
to function fully for the day when they start so early. Many of their after
school activities are later in the evening as well to allow the younger
children to have the earlier time slots and get to bed earlier. Therefore, the
teens are getting to bed later and getting even less sleep each night. Further,
when they start so early in the morning and return home from school by
approximately 2pm, they also have greater opportunities to fall into trouble.
During these times, many of these teens do not have adult supervision. Starting
the school day later is the obvious solution to so many issues for our
teens.
– Joann Fitzell, Millersville, MD, Nov 30,
2011
How
can our children succeed while being sleep deprived. This then snowballs into
stress eating and a multitude of other medical issues. There is also the high
occurrence of vehicle accidents with sleep deprived young people having to
drive in the early hours of the morning to get to sports practices and
exams.
– Leslie Williams, Woodinville, WA, Nov 30,
2011
Let's
keep up the pressure on our school systems and put an end to this insanity.
Kids waiting in the dark beside busy roads at 6:30am is unsafe and must stop.
Not to mention all the other health issues.
– Barbara Zellin, Davidsonville, MD, Nov 30,
2011
Finally!
I'm glad the petition was made, I'm tired of having to get up at 5:50am in the
morning just to make sure I get to school on time. Other people have to
work/school in my house and really don't like the fact that I have to be to
school before 7:45am
- Aleria M. Hurks, Houston, TX, Nov 29, 2011
I
am a parent of high school sophomore in the Northshore School District as well
as a high school teacher in the same district. We are the only district in the
area that continues imposing a 7:10 a.m. high school start time. When I began
teaching in this district in 1985, high school began at 8:15. When the district
abruptly changed the start time the devastating effect on student learning and
performance was evident. High schoolers are simply not ready to learn at that
early hour. They are lethargic and unalert in the morning and exhausted and
unable to learn by the school day's end at 1:40 p.m. My own daughter has not
been able to make the transition from the 8:00 a.m. junior start time to the
earlier high school start time. She was falling asleep on the bus, taking a nap
after she did get home and was too cranky to function. So I have arranged for
her to miss her first period class and she begins school second period. We need
to put students' education first and not let our district be run by the bus
union.
– Megan Marchand, Bothell, WA, Nov 29, 2011
Please
let the kids get their rest. I wish a petition like this was started when I was
in school. Also, sleepy teenagers are TERRIBLE DRIVERS. Thank you!
–
Amanda Hayden, Pasadena, MD, Nov 29, 2011
We
have to stop sacrificing the educational and health needs of our children for
the transportational needs of a school district.
– Annette, Woodinville, WA, Nov 28, 2011
There
must be a way to reduce costs without putting our future generations ability to
learn and thrive at risk!
– Kathryn Holling, Woodinville, WA, Nov 27,
2011
As
a parent and a high school teacher I have seen the negative impact on students
due to very early start times. The research shows that lack of sleep and early
start times are detrimental to a teenager's health and success in
school.
– Susan Barrows, Woodinville, WA, Nov 24, 2011
Congresswoman
Foxx gets it. I wish the Fairfax County School Board did too.
– Lisa Ross, Annandale, VA, Nov 24, 2011
Starting
school before 8 am is just unhealthy for the family and the emotional and
physical well being of our children. School should NOT start before 8 am.
–
Jenifer Anhar, Bothell, WA, Nov 23, 2011
Starting
school before 8 am is just unhealthy for the family and the emotional and
physical well being of our children. School should NOT start before 8 am.
–
Shoshanna Shear, Pittsburgh, PA, Nov 23, 2011
Our
town is currently exploring this issue and I am 100% behind changing start
times. Thanks! –
Ellen Barlow, North Easton, MA, Nov 23, 2011
We
wouldn't put our students in a classroom without teachers or books, we
shouldn't put them in a classroom without enough sleep. They just don't learn
as well. –
Alene Fisher, Kenmore, WA, Nov 22, 2011
My
teenage son has to be at school by 0715 and I don't think it's a coincidence
that, regardless of the subject, his lowest grades are always in the first 2
classes of the day. I would not have been able to function if my clsses had
started that early. Our education system is being pennywise and pound foolish
by sacrificing our childrens' education for their budget.
– Michael Raeder, Annapolis, MD, Nov 22, 2011
I
work for a school district and with the budget cuts, we are not able to provide
simultaneous busing. Therefore, we must run consecutive busing schedules. This,
coupled with the increased instructional minutes for the older children and the
fact that colleges seek children that actively participate - meaning they must
leave earlier for extracurricular activities or be up until midnight completing
homework, makes the only feasible option to start the high scheel early.
–
Christiane, Eagle, WI, Nov 21, 2011
I fear for my high school age son's health when I see how
utterly sleep deprived he is. It's time to stop the madness of 7AM school start
times for children who need more not less sleep. – L. Corey, Lincroft, NJ, Nov
20, 2011
It's
no wonder I kids are falling behind, they're tired! Up at the crack of dawn,
not getting home until 4-4:30. And then they have 3-5 hours of homework! Let
our kids be kids! I don't have to be to work until 8 am and get off at 4pm.
That to me is enough work for one day and then I'm done. When are they suppose
to have down time. They even have homework on weekends. When are they suppose
to regenerate? What good is an educated child when they are so stressed,
tired,etc. Let our children be children! –
Colleen Brzuchalski, Maryville, TN, Nov 20,
2011
The
research evidence is overwhelming and the CDC recommends this change. PLease
help. This is as important as vaccinations. –
Karen W. Sakkvitne, Northampton, MA, Nov 20,
2011
I
am passionate about this issue having seen first hand how an early high school
start time negatively impacts our teens - please do something to mandate that
schools cannot start before 8:00 a.m.!
– Renee Wetstein, Northampton, MA, Nov 19,
2011
I am passionate about this issue having seen first hand how an
early high school start time negatively impacts our teens - please do something
to mandate that schools cannot start before 8:00 a.m.! – Sue, Annapolis, MD, Nov
19, 2011
For
the success of our students and our country's future we need focus on providing
them the best education possibble. Starting prior to 8 am inhibits this as
students are not ready to learn as they are too tired. In my area, bussing
schedules take precedent over education, and some of our high school students
have to catch their bus at 6:00 am for a 7:10 start time. Absolutely
ridiculous. That means getting ready, eating breakfast and walking to the bus
stop, most kids are up at 5 am. Not very conducive to learning.
– Kathryn A Fedor, Bellevue, WA, Nov 19, 2011
Mother
of two sleep-deprived children here. Please please please help us help our
children and communities by making a mandatory start-time of 8:30 earliest.
Thank you!
– Cathi Hanauer, Northampton, MA, Nov 19, 2011
We
wonder about why the U.S. lags behind in achievement compared to the rest of
the developed world. We are creating a culture of sleep deprivation when the
evidence is there to make a difference for our young people now. This is a
change that must be made! –
Beth Grams Haxby, Florence, MA, Nov 19, 2011
Later high school start times save lives, and not just the lives
of the students!: 1. Danner F, Phillips B. Adolescent sleep, school start times,
and teen motor vehicle crashes. JCSM. 2008; 4:533-5 – Barbara Phillips, MD,
Lexington, KY, Nov 18, 2011
This
is SO important to me!!!! it is CHILD ABUSE to deny adolescents vital SLEEP!!!!
–
Vilma Sanchez, Arnold, MD, Nov 18, 2011
All teens deserve an environment and routine that fully supports
healthy cognitive and physical development. If we want teens to develop
appropriate executive functioning we need to acknowledge the research and make
the accomodations that support the biorhythms during the teen years. –Geneva
Brinton, Northampton, MA, Nov 18, 2011
All teens deserve an environment and routine that fully supports
healthy cognitive and physical development. If we want teens to develop
appropriate executive functioning we need to acknowledge the research and make
the accomodations that support the biorhythms during the teen years. – David
Semon, Woodbridge, VA, Nov 18, 2011
As
valedictorian of my high school and daughter of a teacher, I agree
wholeheartedly that this is the right initiative. I believe it not only
benefits the student greatly, but also is advantageous parents' schedules.
–
Emily Oliver, Annapolis, MD, Nov 17, 2011
I
support a later start to our kids school day. I am a Parent of 2 high schoolers
and am a School Health Room Technician for 15+ years. A later start would make
a difference.
– Elena Lewis, Ellicott City, MD, Nov 17, 2011
5:45
in the morning to get ready, eat breakfast and catch their bus in the dark. I
can barely get my child out the door because he is so tired. He even goes to
bed before 9:30pm!
– Melissa Beers, Palm Harbor, FL, Nov 16, 2011
My
son has to catch a bus at 6:40 AM! He has to be dragged out of bed at 6 AM!
this can't be healthy for anyone! His school gets out at 2 PM! Way too
early!!!
– Tim Neff, Troy, OH, Nov 16, 2011
A
fifteen or sixteen year old students cannot fall asleep early like a younger
child can. But in our school district they have to be up very early to get the
bus and get to school by 7:30. Because of this the students are chronically
sleep deprived. It negatively effects their classwork and
health.
– Ginny Gonzalez, Albany, NY, Nov 16, 2011
A
fifteen or sixteen year old students cannot fall asleep early like a younger
child can. But in our school district they have to be up very early to get the
bus and get to school by 7:30. Because of this the students are chronically
sleep deprived. It negatively effects their classwork and
health.
– Michael Devane, Landenberg, PA, Nov 16, 2011
As
a mother of two sons who are in college now, I can attest to the fact that they
really struggled with their health and with academic performance with such an
early start time for school. Not to mention what it does to parents who have
one child who goes at 7 am and one who might go at 9 am. I was not working at
the time, but never understood how working parents were able to do it with such
staggered times. Its time to put our money into education and the health of our
children. They are our FUTURE!
– Paula Sheldon, Palm Harbor, FL, Nov 16, 2011
I
agree times are too early. Along with still dark outside. Sleep is important,
as my daughter is a senior, 17yo. She is up late with homework and working.
Along with has after school sports and activities. An extra hour of sleep in
the am. would make a big difference. –Barbara,
Palm Harbor, FL, Nov 16, 2011
Too
early for these teens to be out on highways and bus stops. Way too
dangerous!!!!! Start school later~~before too late and a tragedy happens in the
dark!!! –
Sharon Ocheltree, Ellicott City, MD, Nov 15,
2011
7:00
am is too early, all of my children have had a hard time with it. This also
gets them out of school early before the parents and trouble seems to ensue
during this time period.
– April Hernandez, Severna Park, MD, Nov 15,
2011
With
increasing demands on student teacher performance, restricting school start
time to after 8 am is the right thing to do. This would give everyone impacted
a chance for better success. –
Christine Zmuda, Potomac, MD, Nov 15, 2011
Medical
studies show that teens have a different circadian rhthym and tend to naturally
go to bed later and get up later. Why fight it?! –
Sarah Jamieson, MD, Severna Park, MD, Nov 15,
2011
I
sincerely hope that the idiocy that floods the public school systems of America
is abolished.
– Andrew Jepson, Union Grove, WI, Nov 14, 2011
Kids
should not be going to school in the dark. There have been several incidents in
my county where kids have been hit by cars in the am while walking to
school..
– Debra Maugel, Clearwater, FL, Nov 14, 2011
My
daughters take naps after high school because they have been up since 5am. With
after school activites and jobs they are working more than an average adult per
week.
– P. Saathoff, Palm Harbor, FL, Nov 14, 2011
With
a 2nd grader in the SFPS system I'd like to address quality versus quantity.
Our public school system is stifling and inadequate and can be revamped to grow
a generation of creative and intelligent people with a back to the basics
approach.
– Sharla Throckmorton, Santa Fe, NM, Nov 14,
2011
This
is so unfair. Not even federal buildings or USNA has classes before 8am!
–
Nilha, Severna Park, MD, Nov 12, 2011
It
is hard to fight the system but as a mother of five, I know how much sleep that
children need . I also think they are given way too much homework which also
interferes with their sleep!
– Norma Raymond, Terrell Hills, TX, Nov 12,
2011
I
hear this from all my grandchildren, who are good students and want to learn,
but they have to get up at 5:30 to get on a 6oo A.M. bus and they are tired!!
–
Mary Ann Snider, Chestnut Hill, MA, Nov 11,
2011
This
is such a necessary measure to ensure the health & welfare of our
kids!
– Tracey Pietrzak, Warwick, NY, Nov 11, 2011
Kids
need sleep & time for exercise! Let's take care of our
youth!!
– Leslie A Finnie, Wilton, CT, Nov 11, 2011
Sleep
deprivation - the biggest reason. Early school hours produces sluggish
cognitive functions which means a student is no better in learning than if
he/she had all of their senses blocked. –
Terri, Brookfield, WI, Nov 11, 2011
Sleep
deprivation - the biggest reason. Early school hours produces sluggish
cognitive functions which means a student is no better in learning than if
he/she had all of their senses blocked.
– Azck Becker, Maryland Hts, MO, Nov 10, 2011
I
believe we would see a significant jump in achievement by starting just a
little later. Some of our bussed-in kids have to get up at 5 am to get to
school, then endure a 12 hour day, with extra-curriculars before beginning the
2 hour bus ride home. These kids are way beyond dedicated and we are not
providing them with a quality education by requiring this. –
Nancy Kern, San Diego, CA, Nov 10, 2011
It's
time to put people first before politics and money –
Ruth Goldstein, Cape Canaveral, FL, Nov 10,
2011
High
School athletics should not be the determining factor for the time of the
school day. It is in teen's best interest to start the school day no earlier
than 8am. –
Hilary Klein, Westport, CT, Nov 10, 2011
Brilliant!
– Debra Mann, Barrington, RI, Nov 10, 2011
Wholeheartedly
support this initiative. The science is indisputable. Having put two through
high school with a 7AM start time, I am convinced they were in a waking stupor
for the first few hours of their school day.
– David Isbell, Highland Beach, MD, Nov 10,
2011
Our
town did this years ago and has made a huge difference. My sons are actually
awake when I drive them to high school!!
– Sue Fraccaroli, Wilton, CT, Nov 10, 2011
As
a pediatrician I have been working hard in my community to make later start
times a priority. I fully support this statement.
– Megan Douglas, Barrington, RI, Nov 10, 2011
As
the State Chair for Adolescent Health of the California School Nurses
Organization I support this effort.
– Lisa Ehrlichman, SanDiego, CA, Nov 10, 2011
This is long overdue! Do what's right for our kids. What is
right and good for our kids will also reverberate consequences that are
benefical to the rest of society. Teen sleep deprivation not only affect teens,
but others on the road, teen depression affects everyone they come in contact
with, teen obesity affects not only the teen's health, but our health care
costs, more drug usage also affects those around them, and kids being home too
early and unsupervised affects others as well..So it is a win win situation for
everyone! – Deniz Cribbs, Odenton, MD, Nov 9,
2011
All
research points to the fact that high school students need more sleep, and yet
schools start so early that it's impossible for them to get what they need.
Please consider changing this problem. Thanks.
– Susan Hradil, Barrington, RI, Nov 9, 2011
Maybe
this help explains the epidemic of kids and young adults being diagnosed with
severe mental illnesses such as Bi Polar. What a simple solution this could be
to such a horrifying problem.
– Connie Stevenson, Tucson, AZ, Nov 9, 2011
Obama
wants to change education...this would be an easy first step
– Sophia Lee, Arnold, MD, Nov 9, 2011
Very
successful in Wilton, CT. Can't imagine making adolescent students go back to
the earlier start times.
– Carole Kleinfeld, Wilton, CT, Nov 9, 2011
I
totally agree, Since the beginning of time it has been known that teenagers
need more sleep!! Everyone knows this, they just ignore it. Read and or
research any info about sleep than it will tell you that sleep is what helps
regenerate our bodies. It helps w/ many illness and diseases. No way should
teenagers start school that early. The elementary school kids are the ones that
are up that early, not teenagers. –
Tracy Bocchetta, Severna Park, MD, Nov 9, 2011
As
the Dad of a 16 year old who I literally have to drag out of bed each morning,
I endorse this change wholeheartedly. As I drive him to school in the dark I
see students walking and crossing the street, being barely visible to passing
vehicles. Obviously the safety and well being of our youth is more important
than the annoyance of having to implement scheduling changes.
– Dennis W. Shaw, Dunedin, FL, Nov 9, 2011
We
made the change in Wilton CT back in 2003 and have never looked back. Sports
and after school activities thriving, great test scores, no absenteeism,
etc.
– EM Bogan, Wilton, CT, Nov 9, 2011
The
research is overwhelming. It's time to act!
– Holly Clark, Arnold, MD, Nov 9, 2011
There
is no reason for school to be starting at 7:00 in the morning
– Brandon Bascom, Nov 8, 2011
High
schoolers need to start later. That is a fact. Elementary schoolers can start
earlier. Why do school board members ignore facts? –
Lisa Radike, Severna Park, MD, Nov 8, 2011
EDUCATION
OVER BUS SCHEDULES! –
Jean Donohue, Palm Harbor, FL, Nov 8, 2011
Children
should not be going to school at 7 in the dark. It is unsafe and unhealthy for
them. Where is all the lottery money that was going to the schools? I have seen
nothing but a down slide for our school system. Children's welfare should come
first.
– Denise O’Shea, Dunedin, FL, Nov 8, 2011
I
agree 100%. I am the parent of a HS sophomore and a 7th grade student. When
they we younger they went to bed earlier and woke up later. I started saying in
middle school that we did everything backwards. We should have let them stay up
later as elementary students and having them go to bed earlier as they got
older instead of letting the bed time get later. I know that trying to get a
teen to bed early is not really a option. I think starting school later is
fair. All of the reasons the article mentions not only have researched evidence
but are common sense for the most part. It's a shame that when it comes down to
it... saving some money at the expense of our children's education and health
is acceptable. –
Rene Kraft, Pasadena, MD, Nov 8, 2011
These
kids have enough pressure on them without adding sleep deprivation to the
list.
– Holly Waldman, Crofton, MD, Nov 8, 2011
These
kids have enough pressure on them without adding sleep deprivation to the
list.
– Becky Badman, Millersville, MD, Nov 7, 2011
Students
K-12 are this nation's most important, valuable natural resource. Our political
system needs to shift its perspective to recognize that reality for the sake of
America's future, instead of solely seeking to legislate for the sake of their
wealthiest and most powerful political donors.
– Thomas Fervoy, New York, NY, Nov 7, 2011
We need to make school a richer experience for our children.
Leaving them sleep-deprived is not the way. Stop cutting funding for education
in order to give rich people even more tax breaks. – Nicholas Olcott, Takoma
Park, MD, Nov 7, 2011
This
issue has been debated in Anne Arundel County for years and as we provided
stacks of paperwork and data showing without a doubt that the practice of
starting school at 7:17am is affecting our high schoolers in a multitude of
negative ways, I was dealing with my own high -achieving son who was devastated
at his own inability to stay awake 1st period for AP Physics, because he loved
the class. It was such a problem that on one occasion the teacher turned off
the lights and just left the room because noone in his class was awake. These
are the top students in the high school - can you just for a moment imagine the
kids who struggle in the regular classes. My son did not party at night. He did
not abuse any substances. He studied and had trouble going to sleep before
midnight irregardless of what he tried and then he had to be up at 5:45 to get
a shower and eat something (so that his acid reflux would not flare up and make
him sick). It was the hardest four years of school for all of us. My other son
Nicholas who has cerebral palsy is going to start high school next year. He
goes to bed at 10:00pm and I am struggling getting him to middle school which
starts at 8:00am because I can't wake him at 6:30. I know there are special
education students dropping out at 16 because of the start time - nothing else-
just that it is too hard. We need to wake up to this problem and fix it. To be
honest 8:00am is an early start but as activists we know that asking for 9:00am
would never float so we are opting for something just a little better to give
our kids a fighting
– Catherine Thomas, Severna Park, MD, Nov 7,
2011
Sleep!
Long school days, and early ones, are unnecessary if all the students are
asleep! –
Natasha Mathur, Dobbs Ferry, NY, Nov 7, 2011
I
have to get up at 5:30 and don't get to bed until midnight because of homework
:( -
Stephen Morin, Roseville, CA, Nov 6, 2011
Teens
natural sleep cycles are in no way compatible with the ridiculous early
starting times of our public schools. –
Nicole Tengwall, Arnold, MD, Nov 6, 2011
Students'
health comes first! Without sufficient sleep, health is compromised and so is
academic achievement.
– Ada Downing, Severna Park, MD, Nov 6, 2011
I
agree, lets give the HS kids a chance to have a better quality of life. More
sleep equals better performance!
– Mary W Brown, Severna Park, MD, Nov 6, 2011
Healthy
school start times are just as necessary as school lunch times.
–
Therese Tuley, Fairfax Station, VA, Nov 6,
2011
I
feel it is un safe for our k ids to be standing at bus stops at 630am when it
is pitch dark and or our kids driving to school that early!! –
Katja Loewy, Prince Frederick, MD, Nov 6, 2011
Kids
can't properly function and be prepared for school before 8am.
– Amanda Bredeck, Severna Park, MD, Nov 6,
2011
Kids
need to sleep(teachers too)!
– Angela Germanos, Arnold, MD, Nov 6, 2011
High
School students need their sleep. They should not be starting school earlier
than 8am. Many are up late doing homework. lack of adequate sleep has negative
consequences for our teens, leading to health issues. – Joseph
Proebstle, Millersville, MD, Nov 5, 2011
All
the evidence suggests that teens would do better in school if they were not
dragged out of bed so early. I can remember falling asleep in class when I was
that age. It would just happen. I couldn't help it. Also the earlier teens get
out of school the more time they have to get into trouble before their parents
get out of work. I used to do almost everything I wasn't supposed to do between
2:30 and 5:30 pm.
– Tracy Falbe, Battle Creek, MI, Nov 5, 2011
6a.m.
is way to early to be on the side of the road in the dark waiting for a school
bus. Not to mention safety issues.
– Bonnie Gollup, Lothian, MD, Nov 5, 2011
This
is out of this world rediculious! I wake up at 4:00 every morning just to get
to school because it starts at 6:00. But I know all of you government officals
don't care. It's sad because I was so egar to learn until I got to middle
school. I have to wake up 3 hours earlier and I am up until 12 or 1 at night
doing homework. We are our countries future and all of us don't even want to
learn. No wonder polls taken say our generation is going to be stupider. We
don't want to learn and are always tiered and irritable.
– Madison Messina, Tamarac, FL, Nov 5, 2011
Good
luck! Sandy Evans, co-founder, Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal
(SLEEP), Fairfax County, VA.
– Sandy Evans, Seven Corners, VA, Nov 4, 2011
As
a mother of a 7th grader, I am well aware that 7 am is too early to start
school. My son is always exhausted and falls asleep during school hours at
least once a week. This is bad enough for the average child, but my son is on
the autism spectrum, so imagine the toll the lack of sleep is taking on his
progress. Thank you Terra!
– Susan McGrath, Colchester, VT, Nov 4, 2011
ABSOLUTELY!!!
Thank you for doing this! too many teens are dying from suicide do to
depression and stress... hummmm don't you think lack of sleep has something to
do with this??? Please please pass this! –
Linda Turner, Severna Park, MD, Nov 4, 2011
I
agree 100%, this NEEDS to happen. These teens NEED THEIR SLEEP!
–
Tess Wooton-Klebanoff, Odenton, MD, Nov 4, 2011