Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
School Start Times & Common Sense
If you’re a parent in Anne Arundel County, then you know next year’s public school start times will be changing to accommodate high school students’ sleep patterns. The schedule will bump up the start time for elementary students (to 8 a.m.), while bumping back the start times for high schoolers (8:30 a.m.), and middle schoolers (9:15 a.m.). This all in an effort to gain 43 minutes of sleep for your average high schooler, according to a study.
But where’s the common sense? Citing health study after health study about the positive effects a healthy night’s rest will have (don’t we all know this already?), the Board of Education—in my opinion—has overlooked some commonsense observations, which is also likely why the County Council passed a resolution this past Wednesday urging the Board to delay this change.
Look, every kid could use more sleep. We know that. By delaying the start time for high schoolers, their entire day’s schedule shifts, pushing back extracurricular activities, sports, dinner, homework, socializing, and finally sleep. Do we really think delaying the start time is going to add sleep to their schedules? I’m not a believer. I think the kids will still stay up late (even later?) at night, just as many of them do now. And still flop out of bed at the last possible second. I don’t think the adjustment will result in more bright-eyed, bushy-tailed kids in the morning. And mom and dad won’t be the wiser—they’ve already gone off the work in the morning.
What I do believe is that families with younger children, especially those who can’t walk themselves to/from the bus stop or must be driven to/from school. They now face the challenge of adjusting their entire work and home schedules. Kids go in earlier, kids come home earlier. There’s a larger time gap in the afternoon for needed childcare—that can cost more money. I imagine single, hardworking parents of youngsters may not be happy campers on this issue.
Or maybe it deserves a chance to play out. After all, it took approximately 8 years for the County to make their decision on this issue.
Am I off the mark on this, or speaking your mind? What do you think about the school start times adjusting next school year?
Here’s what you said:
I understand that this may cause some issues & that some students may take advantage of it, but I still think that a later start time for for high schoolers is right thing to do.
Lou Wicklein, Annapolis
While I appreciate your concern about the challenge for parents to provide transportation for their elementary children, parents do make arrangements for snow days, emergencies and summers and I am confident they will do so again once the new system is set in place. Research is very clear that the biology of a developing teen is at odds with the early start time high schools currently have. The schools' primary responsibility is to educate children in a safe manner and if we really are committed to a quality education the late start time aligns with all the current research. I am proud to see AACO making decisions based on what research shows is best for students and not what's convenient for parents.
Barbara Zelley, Annapolis
I just cannot see the benefit for ANYONE in these time changes. All of this hassle on the buses, the working parents, the younger kids... just to get high schoolers LESS THAN AN HOUR of extra sleep... that they will never get. In addition to ALL the things mentioned already, HOW is this helping these young men and women prepare for the real world? Are they going to have this luxury when they go off to college and/or become a part of the workforce? If more sleep is needed, then turn off the screens, put down the phone and go to bed. Take responsibility. Welcome to the big time... being tired and short on sleep is part of being an adult... can't all be beer and skittles!
N. Hutchison, Pasadena
I 1000% agree with every word you wrote. Where is the common sense in all of this? I have had numerous conversations with fellow mothers of various aged children and we have all come to the same conclusion as you. Where are the parent's that voted for this change? I can assure you none of them have younger children. And to possibly put additional stress on an already fragile bus driver shortage!
Sarah Ditto, Annapolis
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