We respectfully request that Arlington High School change its start time to 8:30 AM or later.

Petition Background

With the support of overwhelming scientific research, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control recommend that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 AM. Schools that have met this standard nationwide are already enjoying the benefits of better academic performance as well as decreased rates of teen car accidents, substance abuse, obesity, depression, and anxiety.

Arlington Community Schools could enjoy similar success. Locally, Germantown Municipal Schools recently elected to delay the start times of Houston Middle School and Houston High School, and private schools such as St. George's Independent School and Briarcrest Christian School plan to delay their start times in the 2016-2017 academic year as well.  Such a change will require coordination among many stakeholders for determining the optimum and most cost efficient method of adjusting bus schedules, as well as scheduling academic, athletic, employment and childcare activities, all of which present logistical roadblocks that can be overcome. Acting sooner rather than later ensures that the health, well being, and success of our children remains of paramount importance.

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By signing this petition, you are NOT endorsing any particular solution to this problem: all you are doing is asking the Arlington Community Schools to begin the process of investigating a later start time for the Arlington High School.

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