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Photo by Luisella Planeta from Pixabay. Research finds adolescents are experiencing an epidemic of sleep deficiency.
10-12-2022 11:59pm
Three Potential Scenarios Presented at Community Forum on Changing Westwood Schools Start Times
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Early this month, at a community forum recorded by Westwood Media Center, interested members of the community gathered at the Thurston Middle School cafeteria to hear findings from Westwood's Subcommittee on School Start Times on developing a schedule for delaying Westwood High School's start time, which will have impact on scheduling throughout the district.
The School Committee had charged the subcommittee with the mission of achieving a start time for high school students that begins no earlier than 8:00 a.m., explained Westwood Public Schools Superintendent Emily Parks.
In a recently updated article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes the case for later school start times for adolescents, stating that more sleep can improve their health, academic performance, and quality of life.
A 2014 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urges high schools and middle schools to implement start times that allow students to get 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep. AAP notes that the average adolescent in this country is “chronically sleep deprived and pathologically sleepy,” meaning that they regularly experience levels of sleepiness akin to having narcolepsy. AAP cites a National Sleep Foundation poll finding that 87 percent of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep on school nights, with high school seniors averaging 7 hours of sleep. That’s 1.5 to 2.5 hours less than the recommended amount. Similarly, 59 percent of middle schools students also get insufficient sleep, says AAP. AAP calls this an “'epidemic’ of delayed, insufficient and erratic sleep patterns." AAP highlights studies that show delaying school start times has resulted in less sleepiness, improvement in academic achievement, fewer self-reports of having depressed mood, and may possibly lead to fewer fatigue-related traffic accidents.
Anthony Mullin, Chair of the subcommittee, gave an overview of the sleep research. He noted that over 40 percent of Westwood’s high schoolers nap at least once a week. He also noted that compared to schools against which Westwood competes in the Tri-Valley League, Westwood High School has the earliest start time. Years ago, a shift to a later start time might have made it very challenging to schedule competitive games with other schools, but this should no longer be an issue, he noted.
Superintendent Emily Parks presented a number of possible scenarios to changing school start times, noting that the specific times presented were “high level” and “subject to adjustment.”
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Currently, within Westwood Public Schools, high school is from 7:25 a.m. to 2:05 p.m., middle school is from 7:48 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. and elementary school runs from 8:50 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Scenario B envisions high school in session from 8:15 a.m. to 2:55 p.m., 7:45 a.m. to 2:22 for middle school and 9:00 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. for elementary school. This scenario represents only a 3 minute and 10 minute difference for middle schoolers and elementary children, respectively, compared to their current schedule. However, it represents a 50 minute difference in start and end times for high schoolers compared to their current schedule. In summarizing forum participants’ reactions to this scenario, Superintendent Park observed that the level of apprehension appeared low. For students excluding high schoolers, Scenario B represents little change from the status quo.
Scenario C would have the high school run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., middle school from 9:00 a.m. to 3:37 p.m., and elementary school from 7:45 a.m. to 2:05 p.m. This scenario essentially flips the current scheduling of high schoolers and elementary school students, and but would start high school students 20 minutes earlier than elementary students currently start. Even with those 20 minutes tacked on, high schoolers would still be able to start school 1.5 hours later than they do under this year's schedule. Middle schoolers would experience no schedule change. Comments to Scenario C included parental concern over availability and cost of childcare, given that elementary school would end an hour earlier than normal.
Scenario C-2 would have the high school run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., middle school from 8:40 a.m. to 3:17 p.m., and elementary from 7:45 a.m. to 2:05 p.m. This scenario, which contemplates middle schoolers and high schoolers sharing bus rides to and from school, is being considered for possible cost saving efficiencies in fuel, although the number of bus runs may increase. There was some negative reaction among forum participants to the idea of mixed-age busing, due to the concern over potential bullying. Additionally, as in Scenario C, some concern was raised over the need for childcare as early as 2:05 p.m.
One audience member noted that the school district’s earlier survey for parent feedback did not provide opportunity to comment on these specific scenarios. She requested the opportunity to comment in a new survey, with questions based on the scenarios presented.
Superintendent Parkes agreed, “We certainly would take some input on that. . . . We get better feedback from people who get educated first.” She noted that information shared with the school community so far has included the school start time web page, a forum, and sharing of sleep research.
Superintendent Parks expects further discussion on school start times by School Committee at its October meeting. She expects a decision on school start times by School Committee in November. Changes, if any, are anticipated to take place at the beginning of the next school year in Fall 2023.
