School Start Time A Second Look February 10, 2020 Recommendation - - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

School Start Time

A Second Look February 10, 2020

Recommendation

• Approve the formation of a committee to study the

possible adjustment of the school start time for our High School and Middle School to at least 8:30 am.

• This will include a review of elementary school start

time as well.

Background In the 2017-2018 school year, our district changed school start and end times.

Schools School Day Schedule before 2017-2018 Current School Day Schedule effective 2017-2018 Elementary 8:55am - 3:25pm 9:10am - 3:40pm Secondary 7:35am - 2:18pm 8:00am - 2:43pm

Effects of Change

• Secondary students report they are getting more sleep, on average, as

compared to pre-change data.

• Some wellness indicators have improved at UHS.
• Both elementary and secondary students and staff have settled into the new

schedule.

• One concern at the HS, student athletes missing instructional time for

away games, has been ameliorated to some degree during Lunch and Learn.

• Athletic programs continue to prosper under this new schedule.

Why Study Another Change

• In our 2016-2017 Committee work, it was clear that 8:00 am was the latest we

could recommend at that time. There have been some changes since then.

• Other districts are joining us and are starting later, which will help with

logistics regarding extra-curricular events.

• The Technical College HIgh School is committed to working with us regarding

a later start time.

• Another turf field will help support our student athletes with practice
• schedules. Scheduled for completion in Fall 2021.
• Lunch and Learn as well as hybrid/blended courses may also help with

early dismissal issues.

Wellness of Our Students

• The medical community and the Advisory Committee of the Joint State

Commission view the ideal start time for secondary schools as 8:30 am or later.

• Though our secondary students report an increase in sleep due to a later start

time, the majority of our students are still not getting the recommended amount of sleep prescribed by the medical community.

• Sufficient sleep is critical to adolescents’ mental health and wellness.

Wellness of Our Students

• In the District’s most recent PAYS survey from October 2017, we do see

significant levels of students reporting depressive symptoms.

• Our social workers and school counselors express serious concerns about

the mental health of some of students.

• The number of risk assessments have risen in the past years, and the number
• f students who require hospitalization due to mental health concerns has

increased.

• The health and wellness of our students continues to be of great concern to

us.

• Starting secondary school later is recognized by the medical community as a

critical measure to increase student sleep times.

A Study - Not a Recommendation

• There will be diverse viewpoints on this issue.
• If the Board approves the study, the Committee will have representation from

a variety of stakeholders.

• We will engage with stakeholders, and we will strive to hear all voices.
• No decisions will be made until recommendations are developed, vetted, and

approved.

• As always, one possible recommendation could be to have no change.

Tentative Timeline

If this study is approved, this would be the tentative timeline:

• Committee will be formed and begin its work in March 2020.
• Recommendation to be made to the School Board in November 2020.
• If the committee recommends a change and the Board approves, the earliest

the change could be implemented would be for the 2021-2022 school year.

Questions