Today’s Globe has an article on the start time for high schools. It’s prompted by the release of a statement by the Middlesex League Superintendents* which advocates for moving the start time a bit later.
“The research is clear on this topic that later start times best support the social and emotional needs of our high school students,” according to a statement by the Middlesex League Superintendents, a group of 12 school systems in Middlesex County that includes Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Reading, and Watertown.
The superintendents are aiming for start times between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. That would bring the opening bell closer to the recommendations of many researchers, who have been pushing for high school to begin at 8:30 a.m. or later.
The article mentions Newton as being among a number of school systems “that are rethinking high school start times. The Legislature is also considering a bill that would establish a task force to examine the issue statewide.” The full article is here.
* Not the Middlesex League of Superheroes.
Here’s the problem in a nutshell… Lack of leadership! Mayor Warren needs to step up and use his authority to bring about a change in start times. “Fix it, or I’ll fix it!” That should be his message to the School Committee.
Here’s the problem in a nutshell… Lack of leadership! Mayor Warren needs to step up and use his authority to bring about a change in start times. “Fix it, or I’ll fix it!” That should be his message to the School Committee.
If the league can do it, it will help with after school sports and clubs timing for when teams play each other. Lets hope this helps! I wonder when the league aims to have a later start time. I realize that Newton’s size is larger than the others, but if the group changes, hopefully it helps.
If the league can do it, it will help with after school sports and clubs timing for when teams play each other. Lets hope this helps! I wonder when the league aims to have a later start time. I realize that Newton’s size is larger than the others, but if the group changes, hopefully it helps.
When we had that 2 hour delay last week, our middle schooler was sunny and in peak lerning form, and wondered why they couldn’t do that every day and stay til 5 in the evening. Why would we be looking at an 8am start time when or 9:30 or 10 would have kids in a much better frame of mind to learn. It’s about learning, not about sports.
When we had that 2 hour delay last week, our middle schooler was sunny and in peak lerning form, and wondered why they couldn’t do that every day and stay til 5 in the evening. Why would we be looking at an 8am start time when or 9:30 or 10 would have kids in a much better frame of mind to learn. It’s about learning, not about sports.
This change will take place in the 2018-19 school year according to WBZ news report last evening.
This change will take place in the 2018-19 school year according to WBZ news report last evening.
The Middlesex League is one of the MIAA sports leagues. Neither Newton high school is in the Middlesex League.
In fact, Newton’s high schools aren’t even members of the same MIAA league. Newton North is in the Bay State league while Newton South is in the Dual County league.
Thanks Margaret. I think this speaks to the reality that while we all wish this could happen tomorrow with the stroke of Mayor Warren’s pen, it can’t. Public schools are large complex operations with many stakeholders and changes are complex. Effective leaders don’t order something done on a timetable that is not executable.
The Middlesex League is one of the MIAA sports leagues. Neither Newton high school is in the Middlesex League.
In fact, Newton’s high schools aren’t even members of the same MIAA league. Newton North is in the Bay State league while Newton South is in the Dual County league.
Thanks Margaret. I think this speaks to the reality that while we all wish this could happen tomorrow with the stroke of Mayor Warren’s pen, it can’t. Public schools are large complex operations with many stakeholders and changes are complex. Effective leaders don’t order something done on a timetable that is not executable.
I think the point is that if the Middlesex league can make this change happen, other leagues could too.
I think the point is that if the Middlesex league can make this change happen, other leagues could too.
@Greg– Obviously I disagree with your assessment. The health consequences of sleep deprivation on teens has been medically established for more than 15 years. The issue of early morning start times has been bantered about in Newton for more than a decade by five successive School Committees. According to the results of the school system’s own student surveys, we have epidemic levels of stress in our high schools. In your opinion, how long should it take to fix a problem that exposes thousands of teens to significant physical and psychological problems everyday?
@Greg– Obviously I disagree with your assessment. The health consequences of sleep deprivation on teens has been medically established for more than 15 years. The issue of early morning start times has been bantered about in Newton for more than a decade by five successive School Committees. According to the results of the school system’s own student surveys, we have epidemic levels of stress in our high schools. In your opinion, how long should it take to fix a problem that exposes thousands of teens to significant physical and psychological problems everyday?