We call on the Greenwich Board of Education and Superintendent McKersie to officially recognize the compelling and vast body of research regarding teen sleep and its implications for student health, well-being, and academic success by agreeing to implement later school start times no later than the 2017/18 academic year. The high school and middle schools should begin as close as possible to the American Academy of Pediatric's recommended guideline of an 8:30 start, and no district school should begin before 8:00 a.m.
Why is this important?
We want healthy and safe school hours for ALL Greenwich students.
When teens get the required 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep:
• School attendance goes up
• Tardiness decreases
• They sleep less in class
• They have fewer car accidents
• They visit nurses and counselors less often
• They report less depression and irritability
• They suffer fewer concussions and sports injuries
Starting school early, without a doubt, undermines optimal health and success.
