Letter to The Editor: A Case for Later Start Times

Every morning dozens of students walk into school half-awake, clutching Yebras and trying to keep their eyes open during their first block. Many students believe this is not because they are lazy, but simply because school starts too early. 

School at GISS begins at 8:55 a.m., but research shows that teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Studies also suggest that teenagers' biological clocks make it difficult for them to fall asleep earlier in the night. Many students, especially those who live on the outer islands, have their clocks set to 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. in order to get to school on time. These early mornings require students to fall asleep earlier the previous day to get 8-10 hours of sleep, which is difficult for many teenagers to do. 

When teenagers don’t get enough sleep it affects attention, memory, and even mood. A lack of sleep prevents students from excelling in their classes. Studies from Pediatricians link later school start times to improved attendance, higher grades. And better mental health. 

Some argue that later school starts times could interfere with extra-curricular and after school activities, but the schools that have tried out later start times often state that the positives far outweigh the negatives. Students were shown to be more alert in class, less likely to be tardy, and overall happier. 

At the end of the day this issue isn’t regarding convenience, it’s about student's health and learning. The best way to support student success is to let students get the sleep they need and deserve. A small change in the morning bell could change how students learn, sleep, and feel every day. 

-submitted by Finlay McMaster