I am a freshman at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument Colorado. I have been going to school in the same district all of my life(Lewis-Palmer School District 38). 
     
     When I stared 7th grade I had to wake up at 5:30 every morning to get to school, and I still do. Waking up too early, no matter how long you slept or when you went to bed, has been scientifically proven to harm the mental health of ages 10-17. According to www.betterhealth.vic.gov “Regularly not getting enough sleep leads to chronic sleep deprivation. This can have dramatic effects on a teenager's life, impacting their mental wellbeing, increasing their risk of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. It can also affect academic performance at school.”

     I can personally say that every morning that I get up for school I feel terrible, weather I got 8 or more hours of sleep or not. I get angry and frustrated more easily, I can’t focus on work, I fall asleep in class, and I am in a much worse mood throughout the day. Waking up this early is not okay for any student in 7th through 12th grades. This needs to change.             

     Classes start at 7:40. Sign this petition for classes to instead start at 9:30. This will give students time to sleep for a healthy amount of time while still being able to arrive at school on time. 

     Not only will this greatly improve students mental well-being, it will also help teachers to have more time to prepare in the morning for lessons to be more effective and impactful.      

     Starting November 21st we will start Fall Break. When we come back to school we should be greeted with a much improved schedule. Sign this petition to make that a reality for us.