Do students and staff believe schools should start later?
October 16, 2017
School starts at 7:20 am, which means most students and teachers wake up before 7:00 am. Academy students have an even longer commute in the morning, so they usually wake up before 6:00 am.
According to a recent University of Rochester Medical Center study, earlier school start times put more pressure on students and increase mental health symptoms, while later start times appear to be a strong protective factor for teens.
What do students and staff have to say about this particular subject? Some are skeptical that early start times are the problem.
Mr. Benoit, a new teacher here at Tallwood, stated, “I think a lack of sleep causes depression, and I think whether you wake up at five or eight, anyone staying up late is more susceptible to depression.”
“The early start time has impacted me positively because I have enough time to get work done in the afternoon and still have time for my family,” Benoit said.
“I believe early start times do not affect teenage mental health or the mental health of the teachers. I am very aware of the mental state of the students,” said Mrs. Marl, the school nurse.
On the contrary, Lequon Ware, a Sophomore at Tallwood, said, “Waking up super early causes fatigue and failure to pay attention. Less sleep also leads to stress, which can cause withdrawal from one’s social life. I have been negatively impacted by early start times because it disturbs my sleep patterns. I would be better off with a later start time because it would allow me time to eat a proper breakfast and feel more awake.”
Mr. Denvir, a Tallwood teacher, had much to say regarding early start times.
“I think early start times do affect the mental state of teachers, but the main concern is how it affects the students. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement saying students should not go to school before 8:30 in the morning, because early start times increase the risk of physical and mental health problems. The experts are clear on this one; school should start later.”
Chris Purkiss, an Academy Sophomore, stated, “I think early start times influence teenage depression because waking up in the morning makes me feel dead. I have been negatively impacted because I have fallen asleep in many classes and I feel drowsy.”
“I would be better off with a later start time because I usually go to sleep late at night. I won’t be so tired,” Chris said.
It seems as though the idea of the correlation between early start times and teenage mental health receives mixed reactions throughout Tallwood. So the real question is: What are possible solutions to the overlooked problem that would appease the students and staff?
Accompanying photo is a recreation.
Below are the stories featured in this issue of The Roaring Gazette.
Do students and staff believe schools should start later? by Khyannia Banks
Lion Voices: Describe the most interesting teacher you’ve ever had by Frances Summers
Meet a Lion: Mr. Waagen by Bethany Hansel
“Five minute phone policy” helps students focus in class by Finnley Brakke
Should the U.S. redefine terrorism? by Marissa Goodall
Food industry giant must rethink its policy by Ashley Archila-Ventura
“The Good Doctor” shines a light on an important issue by Sotiria Bessinas
Taco Bell an under-rated gem by Chris Purkiss
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Jasmine Ortiz • Nov 15, 2017 at 9:43 am
Naps help to make you less tired, y’all should try it. I personally am fine with the start time because i drink coffee in the morning so i’m not as tired. Also the end time is good too because it gives me basically the whole other half of the day to hangout with friends. or towards the end of the school year sometimes i go to beach after school. I also play a sport for Tallwood so if we start later it will negatively impact the athletes, their practices will run longer and they will get less sleep overall. I know that playing volleyball already gave me not that much time to do my and if we started even later i would be up doing hw all night. We already get so much hw and taking away time that academy students need to do hw would not be beneficial in the long run.
Mrs. Huff • Nov 14, 2017 at 10:55 am
Please read the article published by the American Psychological Association
Sleep deprivation may be undermining teen health
Lack of sufficient sleep–a rampant problem among teens–appears to put adolescents at risk for cognitive and emotional difficulties, poor school performance, accidents and psychopathology, research suggests.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/sleepteen.aspx
Cheyenne Knight • Oct 27, 2017 at 12:26 pm
Yes, khyannia yes. I would agree that waking up early does mess with your head in a negative way. I would probable be happier and up bead more often if I could wake up at a decent hour and its not dark out still. Awesome article Khyannia!!!