HERE IS MY RECENT EMAIL TO BOARD MEMBERS ABOUT CURRENT SITUATION

Dear School Board Members,

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this letter. I want to express my appreciation for your commitment to our schools and students; your hard work, especially regarding the recent bond initiatives, has not gone unnoticed. However, the decision to change school start times and the calendar has left many families and staff feeling taken aback and upset. We understand that change is sometimes necessary, and we all must adapt, but such a significant decision should have been made with comprehensive input from the community.

I am writing to bring to your attention a petition I have initiated concerning the recent decision to reverse school start times, which has sparked significant concern among our community members. You may be asking why now? Now that the school year is in session, it’s clear that families are still upset and unsure of how to navigate these changes effectively. Many parents are struggling to adjust their work schedules and find childcare arrangements, leading to increased anxiety and frustration. The sense of urgency is amplified as families recognize the immediate impact these decisions have on their daily lives, making it vital for us to address these concerns collaboratively. Many families feel that their voices were not adequately heard during this process. 

As you know, the research clearly supports later start times for middle and high school students due to their unique developmental needs. However, the studies did not advocate for younger students to start school earlier. Arguments suggesting that younger children naturally wake up earlier and can function better with earlier start times oversimplify the needs of diverse learners. Children under the age of 13 require 9-12 hours of sleep per night, while teens need 8-10 hours. This raises a critical question: how can we expect younger children to go to bed as early as 6 or 7 PM to achieve adequate sleep? Such a schedule would severely limit family time, evening meals, and participation in sports and clubs—activities that are essential for healthy social development. Balancing the needs of younger students with those of teens is crucial, and the current plan does not seem to reflect this understanding.
The change to a 2:15 PM dismissal for K-5 students places an unfair burden on families, especially those with parents working traditional 9-5 jobs. This change will inevitably lead to increased daycare costs and logistical challenges for many households, undermining the intended benefits of the adjustment. The Adventure Club, our current before- and after-school care program, already has long waitlists, and the anticipated influx of additional students will only exacerbate this issue. While the board wisely held off on implementing this change for a year to allow families time to explore options, it’s clear that Adventure Club is not a viable solution at this time. Additionally, we lack alternatives such as YMCA or other programs specifically designed to address school-aged care needs, leaving many families without adequate support.

Furthermore, the surveys conducted prior to this decision revealed substantial opposition from high school students and district families. Many high schoolers expressed concerns that a later start would simply give them an excuse to stay up late without changing their habits. Currently many high schoolers appreciate the opportunity to start their jobs earlier or to have more time after school to complete homework before their commitments to work or extracurricular activities. Currently, there are many students who require early dismissals for sports or clubs; shifting the start time later could lead to even more missed school days. As a board elected to represent the community, it is disheartening that constituents feel their voices were not adequately heard. A decision of this magnitude should have been driven by community input rather than determined solely by the board.

The change to switch elementary and high school start times was primarily proposed with the context of budget neutrality. While budget considerations are undoubtedly important, this decision seems to have been made without fully exploring alternative solutions that could have better served the needs of our community. For example, could there have been more discussions with other schools to find a collaborative approach that would allow for different start times? I wonder if there is a way to start high school later while aligning elementary school schedules similarly to some of our conference schools, which have some of their elementary students starting after 9:15 AM for example. I understand the complexities of busing charter and private schools, but surely there must be room for exploring different start times for them that can better accommodate most schools within our district. A broader exploration could have led to a solution that balances fiscal responsibility with the educational and developmental needs of our students. Other districts are successfully making adjusted start times work for all, so why can't we?

As a parent, I strive to teach my high schoolers the importance of making better choices and prioritizing their responsibilities, such as homework, jobs, sports, and family time. It’s essential for them to take the initiative in managing their time effectively. This process of becoming a responsible adult involves hard lessons and the development of good habits. By changing one population’s start times based on sleep, you ultimately have a ripple effect on the rest of the students in the district. We need to stop cradling our youth and allow them to learn the lessons now that ultimately teach them to be better adults in the future. This means encouraging responsibility, time management, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions about their own lives. By pushing them to navigate the challenges of balancing school, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, we are fostering resilience and independence. If we overly shelter them from the realities of managing their schedules and commitments, we risk hindering their development. Preparing them for adulthood involves giving them the tools and opportunities to grow, learn from their mistakes, and build essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their school years.

Now, regarding the calendar changes, it’s important to note that Stillwater secondary schools have traditionally started before Labor Day, while elementary schools have typically begun after. Starting school in the middle of August significantly cuts into summer for many families, taking away valuable time for vacations, family gatherings, and outdoor activities. Staff members, too, will be affected, as their return to work in early August means less time for summer relaxation and preparation. While I understand the desire to align the calendar with natural school breaks, this approach overlooks the many cherished summer traditions families participate in, such as attending the State Fair or engaging in 4-H activities. For those involved in agriculture, being present at the fair is often a full-time commitment. The opportunity for families to enjoy cabins, vacations, or simply the joys of summer in August will be lost. Additionally, these changes do not align with other school districts, complicating plans for families and reducing the availability of camps and childcare options as summer approaches. Minnesota has historically favored a post-Labor Day start for a reason, and this practice makes sense for our geographical area. The argument that students disengage weeks before Memorial Day is subjective. There must be calendar opportunities that can be explored to help with staff development, provide breaks for students, and ensure we meet the required hours of learning mandated by state law. We should look closely at what other schools within our conference are doing to balance these needs effectively. It’s crucial to find a middle ground that allows for professional development while also respecting the importance of family time during what we traditionally think of as summer—June through August. The current changes seem to overlook the value of these months, and we need to consider options that allow for meaningful breaks without compromising the integrity of our educational calendar. This also poses issues for fall sport tryouts as those will be done earlier and students have even less time to enjoy summer. By engaging in open dialogue with other districts, we can identify best practices and innovative scheduling solutions that honor both our educational commitments and the well-being of our students and their families.

I urge the board to reconsider this decision, considering the impact on all families in our community. We believe that there must be a solution that respects the needs of both younger and older students without placing additional burdens on families.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your response and hope to see our community's concerns addressed in future discussions.

Sincerely,
Ashley Cegielski