Early start times are detrimental to the health of adolescents. Unlike neighboring high schools who have opted to start school at 8:15 am, Hendrick Hudson High School students begin at 7:30am. The reason given by the district which is to support sports teams that must be released early for event participation, in unacceptable.
In order to support their rapid growth spurts, teenagers require 10 hours of sleep each night which is nearly impossible to do naturally with earlier start times at 7:30am. Sleep deprivation leads to psychological and physical effects on adolescents including impaired ability to learn, mood disorder, obesity, and overuse of stimulants. Teachers, and board member agree that early start times are detrimental to our teenagers health, but that it is almost impossible to change the culture. Sign this petition if you believe that as parents, THERE ARE NO IMPOSSIBILITIES WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN.