Later School Start Poll Results

On March 4, polls for the survey posted on the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) website presented by the Parent Representative Advisory Assembly (PRAA) closed. The FUSD board utilizes these surveys to help determine the district decision to change the school schedule to 25 minutes later, 65 minutes later, or leave as is. Results were discussed at the PRAA meeting on March 16. The board meeting will be public and televised, allowing FUSD students, teachers, and parents to know the decision as soon as it is made.

Although the decision requires further deliberation, students at MSJ have been pushing for a changed schedule, allowing them more time to sleep. According to author of Doing School and Stanford University’s Challenge Success (previously named Stressed Out Students) Denise Pope, “The sleep research advocates a consistent sleep/wake pattern–so the late start ideally should happen every day. I know some schools implement late starts one or two days per week.

These can also be helpful even though they aren’t allowing for consistent sleep patterns. Students use these days to sleep in, or get homework done in the extra time in the morning (when they are feeling refreshed as opposed to cramming in more homework late at night).

Teachers often use the extra time in the morning for more professional development or dedicated times to be in their classroom to offer help to students as needed. The schools that we have seen implement late starts are very happy with their decisions, and students and parents agree that it has made a real difference for student well-being.”

The pros and cons of the proposal will be weighed by the district board and the decision will be made in late March. Meanwhile, students and faculty members at MSJ anticipate the decision that may possibly take effect in the 2010-11 school year.

Written by Stephenie Yuan
Mar 19, 2010 at 12:33 PM