As a notoriously exhausted group of high school students in Ottawa, we are personally bearing witness to the draining effects of traditional school schedules. It's clear that we are overworked and under-rested. Our student body lethargy is more than just dismissible 'teenage laziness'; it's symptomatic of a system that neglects our natural sleep rhythms, failing to provide the rest we need to function optimally.

Several studies have shown the significant benefits of short rest periods during the day, with one study by the National Sleep Foundation demonstrating that even a 20-minute nap can improve students' mood, alertness, and cognition. It can also decrease stress and improve our overall health.

Despite such compelling evidence in support of midday rest periods, our school board has yet to reintroduce the nap times we once enjoyed in kindergarten. By reinstating nap times, we can counter the typical high school burnout, improve our learning conditions, and demonstrate a dedication to our overall wellbeing.

We strongly urge the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board to consider necessary modifications to the school day structure, including the introduction of a short nap time as part of our standard routine. Together, let us act for a change that will reverberate positively through our classrooms, boosting energy and enthusiasm in our student population. Please, sign this petition to support the reinstatement of nap times in Ottawa high schools and promote the wellbeing of our city's youth.

If this goes through, the period shall be called "Mindfull Period", in which you can chose to sleep, read or other things to boost productivity and mental health.