The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teens start school no earlier than 8:30 AM. Schools that have met this standard are already enjoying the benefits of decreased rates of teen car accidents, substance abuse, obesity, depression, and anxiety – and better academic performance. All Massachusetts schools could enjoy similar success. Statewide support in the form of legislation will help Massachusetts communities mobilize to meet the goal of healthier school start times – and will help coordinate across-town scheduling for academic, athletic, and other competitions and events, which otherwise can be a logistical roadblock. Statewide legislation also avoids the barriers inherent in a piecemeal town-by-town effort, to ensure that the health and well being of our children remains paramount.

Even though the UCLA Academic Senate passed the Diversity Requirement in October, a petition from faculty to push for a revote has stalled all progress from our efforts as Bruins! UCLA remains one of the last TWO campuses in the UC Undergraduate system to not institute a Diversity Requirement, please sign this petition to show that we as Bruins need to have a collective voice in favor of this program! Also, in order to show your support, please email your UCLA professors to encourage them to vote yes on the Diversity Requirement when the vote opens on Feb. 25 - March 10!

As parent of a High school student, I think this change will make a difference to all students' health and academic achievement. It can be done: please see http://www.startschoollater.net/success-stories.html

A wonderful girl who we all grew up with in the Whitman cluster is going to have to move schools, going to a (sometimes labeled "worse") school because she is not allowed to keep attending the same school she has been for her whole life. Is that really fair?

Over 500 families and 200 educators and administrators form a close-knit community in Gharrafa, in an international school that caters to students of all nationalities. ACS Doha has been a positive contributor to the education landscape in Doha and last week the community was informed the school may face closure due to lease agreement issues. We call for a resolution to this issue and implore the SEC and government entities to aid us in ensuring the continuity in our children's education.

Starting in Fall of 2015, no open blocks will be allowed to the juniors or even the seniors. I feel as if this would be a very beneficial time allowed to the students. Our education is our future and students need this time to study and prepare.

Education is critical to the long-term success of Texas, but for too long political motivations have held back students and teachers. In 2011, the state education system saw billions of dollars cut from programs, costing schools and teachers in a big way. What’s more, the Texas school finance system was recently ruled unconstitutional, and is caught in a legal battle that could drag this fight out beyond the legislative session. That’s why we’re calling on the Texas State Legislature to stop the political games and get serious right now. Add your name and call on them to restore funding to our schools and fix the system. We need your voice!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teens start school no earlier than 8:30 AM. Schools that have met this standard are already enjoying the benefits of decreased rates of teen car accidents, substance abuse, obesity, depression, and anxiety – and better academic performance. All Massachusetts schools could enjoy similar success. Statewide support in the form of legislation will help Massachusetts communities mobilize to meet the goal of healthier school start times – and will help coordinate across-town scheduling for academic, athletic, and other competitions and events, which otherwise can be a logistical roadblock. Statewide legislation also avoids the barriers inherent in a piecemeal town-by-town effort, to ensure that the health and well being of our children remains paramount.

Parents and staff want to be heard and see a plan of action BEFORE this switch is brought to vote. There have been many changes recently, leaving little time to adjust. Our children's education should be our top priority and this action is too swift.

We support PPS using a survey as one tool in its outreach to parents. We expect PPS to take our privacy rights seriously too. Build trust by hearing parents on this privacy policy change and we will spread the word on the survey. Thank-you!

As parents, grandparents, parents-to-be, and community supporters, we believe that the food served by our public schools is a significant financial and social investment intended to help our students attain better health, enhance their learning, support food security, and foster a lifetime of good eating habits. However, at present, it’s not uncommon for schools to sell and market chemical-laden, sugary foods to our children, nor is it uncommon for processed meals containing additives, some of which have been shown to cause cancer, hyperactivity, and other behavioral impairments in children, to be routinely served. Healthy School Food Maryland proposes this legislation, in part, to help parents and community members know more about the foods sold in our children’s schools, and to enable us to participate in the process of establishing wellness policies for our schools. We believe that Maryland’s public schools can do more to maximize federal, state and local investments in school food so that they enhance rather than detract from the health of our children. We ask that you support the following legislation to address these concerns: Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Act Expansion: Expand Maryland farm-to-school week from one week a year to two weeks a year, one week in the fall and one week in the spring. School Lunch Diabetes & Obesity Reduction Act: Ask each school district to write and implement a plan to reduce sugar loads for all school-provided foods to within limits recommended by the American Heart Association. Thirsty Kids Act: Offer free, unlimited water to children in school cafeterias by using reusable water bottles and offering cups. Chemical-Free School Food Act: Prohibit chemicals in school food that have been shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies or associated with hyperactivity and/or other behavioral and health problems in children. Healthy School Snacks and Marketing Act: Require 24-hour compliance with local and state guidelines for food and drinks sold and/or served in schools on a regular basis; marketing limited to only compliant foods and beverages. School Food Transparency Act: Improve transparency of foods served in schools by providing parents with a list of a la carte, breakfast, and lunch menu items. Require menus to be posted on the school’s website, including ingredient lists and nutritional information for all foods sold. School Wellness Committee Act: Establish standing wellness committees with parent and community representation. For the full details and bill text, see: http://www.healthyschoolfoodmd.org

I attend Hobart, and the food served is unhealthy, dismal, and tasteless. Feeding kids moderately healthy, tasteful food leads to more academic success, and the well-being of the student body is increased with actual nutrition in the meals.