Dear Future President,

Not getting enough sleep can have an internal impact on a student’s health and education. On the assumption that schools are constantly trying to improve their class averages and graduation. Maybe if students were actually awake during their morning classes they would do better.

The CDC is also urging later start times so that students get the recommended 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep. I am a student and I’m constantly staying up late to finish assignments or to go to practice. Then, I’m supposed to wake up early when it is still dark outside full energized and ready for a 16 hour day. And, as you get older the day only gets longer. In the 1950’s and 1960’s most schools started between 8-9:30. By the 2000’s they were starting at 7:30! In some high school districts the bus pickup times start shortly after 5:30. The school schedules are not in phase with the sleep patterns of middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Another reason schools should start later is due to children’s health. It is also the timing of the sleep and not just the hours sleep.Sleep deprivation is one of the leading cause of weight gain and depression. It can also lead to diabetes and eating disorder. Also starting at puberty many children’s sleeping rhythm can change. These changes start earlier for African American people such as myself. I had to go through this starting a t the age of 10. A national sleep foundation poll found that 28 percent of students were caught falling asleep in class at least once due to lack of sleep. Sleep loss can cause memory loss, drowsiness, and an increase in caffeine use.

In conclusion, starting schools later will end most of these problems. How do you expect someone to pass your class when they aren’t even awake and when they are, they can’t remember a word the teacher said. I believe that starting school later will improve overall graduation rates. With later start times student’s can have enough time to prepare for the next day and get enough sleep. 2 percent of parents said that their children are easier to live with when they get at least eight hours of sleep. Maybe if this actually goes into effect my grades will improve as well as my academic performance.

Sincerely,

Tyra G