Algonquin Regional High School has one of the earliest start times in the state of Massachusetts (7:20 am). Students in the district are boarding buses as early as 6:07 am.  Research shows that teens need 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep per night, and early start times deprive them of the sleep they need.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.  Earlier bedtimes are not a solution, as teen bodies have a different circadian rhythm that makes it difficult for them to fall asleep early in the evening.  Studies have shown that later start times for high schoolers result in better academic performance, fewer car accidents, lower rates of depression and anxiety, lower rates of substance abuse, lower rates of obesity, and fewer sports injuries. (Learn more here .) The district administration and school committees are aware of these benefits, but have so far not made much progress to researching a solution to the early start time problem.  We believe that community support will be necessary to implement change.  Therefore, we are asking community members to sign this petition, which we will present to the Combined School Committee at its meeting on September 26.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT AND CALL TO ACTION
The undersigned are residents of the Northborough-Southborough Regional School District and care very much about our schools.

We believe that:
1. We want our schools to operate at times that are healthy and safe for elementary, middle and high school students.
2. We support the District’s efforts to adjust the school operating times to provide for healthy and safe school hours for all the District’s children.
3. We believe that decisions about changes to school hours should be made in cooperation with the community.

Call to action: We request that the Combined School Committee authorize a Community Task Force comprised of parents, teachers, students, administration, and other interested residents from Northborough and Southborough, with the goal of examining possible options and preparing recommendations to the Combined School Committee.