This petition was created by FCPS parents and endorsed by the local organizations SLEEP in Fairfax and 4 Public Education.  To endorse as an organization, please email jennawhite235@gmail.com.

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board possesses the power to implement changes that will significantly benefit the overall well being and academic performance of students. Learn more and take further action in the MS Start Time Advocacy Toolkit here. 

The FPCS website entitled "Considering a Change to Middle School Start Times for School Year 2025-2026" outlines the background and process to make this happen for next school year. On Dec 3, 2024, the School Board received 5 options to implement middle school start times. The consultant hired by FCPS, Dr. Tatia Prieto of Prismatic Services, explained that 2025-26 implementation is possible and advised that a March 2025 decision would provide enough time for the adults in the community to adjust to the new bell times.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to align with adolescents' natural sleep cycles. Districts that have adopted later start times report significant benefits, including improved attendance, higher test scores, better mental health, and reduced car crash rates among teens. 

Update 2/15: The consultant has introduced a new option C2, please see the image at the very bottom of this petition. A work session is scheduled for 2/18 from 6pm-8pm at Gatehouse room 1600. Please attend to show we are are watching and listening closely to the boards leadership on this.

We are asking the board to:

1) Commit to enacting later MS start times with the possibility of improving other start times as well.

2) Focus on the opportunities provided by each option and resolve challenges within each.

3) Provide a path forward that includes an iterative process to improve the option(s) they choose to pursue.

4) Communicate to all stakeholders why it is important to make this change and how it will benefit students, including:

Students that are awake and ready to learn; Improved attendance and graduation rates; Gains in sleep, student health and mental health

It's high time to prioritize our children's health and education. Please sign and share the petition, and take further advocacy actions as outlined here.

Thank you for your support! Please note that change.org does not provide your email address to petition organizers. We have created a form so that we can engage with you on further advocacy and provide updates. If you like, please provide your contact information here. It will not be shared or used for any other purposes other than MS Start Times advocacy.

View WUSA9's coverage: Fairfax County parents pushback against possible school start time change from 1/23/2025.

View all community testimony during school board meetings from students, parents and community leaders here.

Highlighted testimony: