Shannon Park School students are losing essential sleep to early bus pickups and an early school start time — some pickups as early as 7:00 a.m.

Children aged 5–13 need 9–11 hours of sleep for healthy development, according to the Canadian Pediatric Society. Peer-reviewed research links insufficient sleep in children to a range of possible impacts, including reduced attention and focus, mood disturbances, and elevated risk for  several other conditions. Between early pickups and an early bell, our children's sleep is being cut short.

We're asking the Halifax Regional Centre for Education to:

• Guarantee no bus pickup before 7:30 a.m.

• Review the school's start time alongside its transportation schedule

• Consult parents, teachers, and transport staff to find solutions that work for the whole community.

The outcome of this issue can have  a real impact on kids' health and ability to learn.

Sign now to tell HRCE: our children's sleep matters.