Healthy School Start Times
Welcome!
Insufficuent sleep causes an increased risk in unintentional injuries, e.g. "drowsy driving"
Teens who are sleep-deprived are more likely to engage in substance abuse.
If students do not obtain enough sleep before beginning their school day, they will struggle in school.
THE HARD TRUTH
Nutrition; check. Exercise; check. Sleep; ... Sleep??
Three basic needs. Two of which are supported by school curriculum. But what about the need for sleep? Teens do not get enough of it. And the usual suspects - homework, "blue light" screens, additional activities - are not the primary source of concern.
It is the early time your kids need to wake up for school (5:30 am - 6:00 am). The early start time of high school contradicts your teenager's unique sleep cycle. They physically are NOT AWAKE before 8:00 am. Asking them to arise hours before that on a daily basis puts them at risk for chronic sleep deprivation. Experts compare this sleep deprivation to being in a constant state of "jet lag".
The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes insufficient sleep in adolescents as an important public health issue that significantly affects the health and safety of our nation's middle and high school students. They released a policy statement on August 25, 2014 stating so.
Research and studies have shown that teens who are sleep deprived are vulnerable to numerous negative consequences including poor grades, depression, poor relationships and poor judgement.
Our purpose is to provide information about chronic sleep deprivation among teenagers, the impact of school start times, and how the community can come together to build a healthier environment for their future.
East Brunswick School Hours:
Elementary: 9:10-3:25
Middle: 8:03-2:50
Junior High: 7:26-2:12
High School: 7:26-2:12
Schools accross the nation are changing their school start times specifically for the health of their students. It is not a simple undertaking. They overcome challenges such as transportation, after school activities, teachers contracts, family schedules. They have concluded that the benefit of a better overall well-being for every student in the school district is worth the effort to make it work.