Welcome to Start School Later Long Island, NY!
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Start School Later is thrilled to announce our 14th chapter, Long Island, NY.
Some Suffolk County High Schools start as early as 7:08 am, with bus pick up as early as 6:00 am! Susan Lamontagne is a parent and health advocate with decades of experience in health communications. She first contacted her school officials about the dangers of early school start times in 2010, but was quickly dismissed due to the perceived negative impact on sports. Together with Clliff Baldwin of Riverhead, she co-leads the Long Island chapter of Start School Later. Today, parents who understand the detrimental impact of early school start times are uniting to raise the issue again - in Sag Harbor, East Hampton, and Riverhead. CHAPTER NEWS Sag Harbor School Board considers 15 minute later start. Cliff Baldwin and Susan Lamontagne. Guest Column: Ring the school bell a little later. Riverhead News-Review. April 20, 2014 |
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So why do school districts approve of early start times when they know well enough this is harming our students. The answer I received from teachers and board members was “SPORTS!” The sports teams need to be released for practice and game participation. Although, I have my doubts that this is the only reason, it is an altogether unacceptable one! When did we in society give more importance to sports over academics? Children should be in school to learn first, play later.
- Dr. Toni Lyn Salvatore, Director of Start School Later Westchester County, excerpt from Letter to the Editor, Journal News