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Schools in at least 22 states to delay bell times this year. [Updated 8/17/19] -- School districts in at least 22 states plan to delay morning bells this year according to the national non-profit Start School Later (SSL). Topping the list are 5 districts in Ohio, 5 in Pennsylvania, and 4 in Massachusetts and Colorado. “Every year, we see more districts moving bell times back to more reasonable hours in response to the research," observes SSL's Executive Director Terra Ziporyn Snider, PhD. “Health professionals have been telling us for years that teenagers cannot get healthy sleep when they have to wake at 5 or 6 a.m. for class. It’s gratifying to see so many communities prioritizing student health and safety by turning these recommendations into school policy.” The many organizations calling for later start times include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and (with endorsement by both the National Education Association and National PTA) the Society for Behavioral Medicine. All of these groups recommend that middle and high schools start class no earlier than 8:30 a.m. While not every district delaying bell times this year meets this goal, notes Snider, all are moving to schedules that are healthier and safer for many more students. Districts announcing plans to start school later for the 2019/2020 school year include, by state: California: Francis Parker, San Diego USD, Vallejo City Colorado: Boulder Valley, Coronado, Fort Collins (Poudre School District), Mesa County Valley Connecticut: Rocky Hill Delaware: Christina School District Florida: Pinellas County, Volusia County Georgia: Jefferson County Illinois: Woodland District 50 Indiana: Concord, Noblesville, Westfield Washington Massachusetts: Belmont, Mashpee, Scituate, Wayland Minnesota: Brooklyn Center School District, St. Paul, Westonka Mississippi: Oxford School District Missouri: Affton School District New York: Katonah-Lewisboro, Webster Central Ohio: Ashtabula, Brecksville-Broadville Heights City Schools, Cincinnati, Mason City, North Ridgefield Oklahoma: Bixby Public Schools Oregon: Bend, Centennial School District Pennsylvania: Phoenixville, Pines-Richland, Radnor, South Middletown, Tredyffrin/Easttown Rhode Island: Barrington Tennessee: Wilson County Texas: San Angelo ISD Washington: Anacortes, Tacoma, Walla Walla Wisconsin: Big Foot, Madison While no private or government group officially tracks U.S. school start times, SSL regularly watches progress toward healthier school-day start times and provides support to communities making these changes. To learn more about the research and success stories, visit SSL’s website at www.startschoollater.net.
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