by Rachel F.
Teenagers are often, given a reputation for sleeping in class and never getting enough sleep. However this is not our fault. According to kidsheath.org, teenagers need more sleep. Everyone has a circadian rhythm in his or her bodies, this works like an internal body clock. In youth our circadian rhythm, tells us to go to sleep later and to sleep in. This is because of the hormone melatonin that is produced at a later hour than children and adults.
Schools should be looking into why teenagers need more sleep and try to accommodate these needs. There is no point to sending a student to class if he or she is going to be too sleepy to pay any attention. According to oxfordlearning.com 20% of teenagers fall asleep in class on a regular bases. Which I’m sure has an effect on grades.
However a latter school hour would not only benefit the students. Teachers constantly have to nag, their student to pay attention and not doze off. Their job is to teach, they should not have to be waking students up. Parents also have to deal with grumpy kids, I’m sure they would be happy if their child had more energy.
According to Sleep Foundation this biological difference in Teens makes it difficult to go to sleep any time before eleven. However teenagers also need around eight to nine and a half hours of sleep. This means that youth should be waking up around eight. Including time to get ready and eat breakfast, school should start at 9:30.
Teenagers have developed an image for staying up late and while id like to say that most students really try to get to bed at a good time I know this is not the case. Some kids will stay up late and be sleepy the next day no matter what. Even with a pushed back starting time, there would be the few who stayed up even later. However for the many teens that do try and go to bed at a decent hour, new schools times would be incredibly helpful.
Another improvement that a later start time would be is an increase in attendance. Many students stay home to catch up on missed sleep and as a result miss out on school lessons. According to psychologytoday.com, a school in Minnesota adjusted their times and saw an immediate increase in attendance. I see no reason why FHS wouldn’t see the same results.
Latter school times would be beneficial and show little downsides. I think this is something that school districts should be looking into and realizing the potential it has.
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