Riley Seelert, Reporter
@rileyscourant
For over three years, there has been a movement to push back school start times. Parents are advocating for earlier start times to combat teenagers having not enough sleep, too much homework, and a packed schedule. Parents are fighting against the issue that affects academic and physical performance, health, and even safety.
The Facebook group, Exploring Later School Start Time in New Canaan for Teens, is a group of parents looking to persuade the Board of Education to give more funding to this issue. The group currently has over 730 members and counting. One of the admins of the group Barbara Rucci, is just one of the many parents that actively speak and post within the group. “The Facebook group is really just a place where we post articles, keep people updated on progress, and organize those members of the community who are also sleep advocates,” Ms. Rucci said. “It’s just great to see so many voices sharing their ideas.”
“Teens have very packed lives and sometimes it’s too much,” Ms. Rucci said. “We think it could be helpful if the school cut back on homework and put an end to midnight homework deadlines which naturally has teens working until the last minute and makes it harder for them to get to bed on time.”
Parent and teacher advocates feel it’s very hard for the average teen to have a regular and reasonable bedtime schedule, which can affect their attitudes. Karen Willett is the other admin of the Facebook page, and also has a major role in supporting the sleep movement. She noticed a change in her twelve year old son due to lack of sleep. “He gets sick more often and his attitude about getting up for school is much more negative. And this is before the added stress of high school,” Ms. Willett said. “They can’t remember what they just studied the night before, they cry more, they fight more, they eat at weird times, and they generally hate getting up and going to school.”
English teacher and parent Pamela Genuario also recognizes the ongoing issue of stress for teens. “It’s tough to get up before the sun is up,” Ms. Genuario said. “With my own children, I can see what sleep does for them.”
In order to push back the start time for middle schoolers and high schoolers, a lot of funding and persuasion are needed. Right now, there is a petition going for parents to sign, write stories, and learn more about their cause. The link is posted in the Facebook group and can also be found on the website, “startnewcanaanlater.org.” Signing the petition requests that the district changes times and that this action is taken in a fashion so that no child’s school day starts before 8 a.m. “There is no question that this will cost some money and create some logistical headaches when it is first rolled out, especially with the need to secure additional funding for buses,” Ms. Rucci said. “But having happier, healthier, smarter, and safer teens would be worth it for the whole community.
Parents encourage people to look at the science behind the issue as opposed to the economic side. “We have a 7:30 start time to save money,” Ms. Willett said. “It turns out we saved a lot of money, but at the cost of chronic sleep deprivation for all of our teenagers. It’s not possible to be your best self if you don’t get enough sleep.”
