Dear Editor:
The purpose of this correspondence is to get feedback from you regarding the potential to move the start time of the high school day from the 7:45 current start time to an 8:30 or 8:45 a.m. start time. Current research is beginning to show that a later start time, specifically for high school age adolescents, can have a positive impact on school performance.
A recent study in Seattle confirmed this in a local area high school.
See the study in this link: tinyurl.com/y3u2nt28
However, there are several mitigating factors that would need to be addressed prior to making a decision to move to a later start time. Factors to consider include but are not limited to bussing times to and from school for all district schools; impact to extracurricular activities and sports practices; impact to game times; impact to child care (siblings that take care of younger siblings, etc.); and parent and guardian work schedules.
At this time, I am asking for feedback from parents and guardians regarding the potential to move to a later start time at the high school. Please email me your thoughts and/or concerns or share on our district Facebook pages. We are only in the beginning information collection phase at this time. My email is: hrens@grandschools.org.
Thank you for your input.
Dr. Stephen Hren
Principal, GCHS
