American Academy of Pediatrics Endorses Later Start Time

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement today regarding adolescent sleep and school start times. In order to align school schedules with a teen's delayed biological sleep cycle, the AAP recommends that all middle and high schools begin the day no earlier than 8:30 AM! Acknowledging the large body of adolescent sleep research, the academy identified school start times as the primary reason for the existing epidemic of teen sleep deprivation. Hats off to the executive board of the national Start School Later organization, who has encouraged this policy statement for several years. Please send Arlington ISD Superintendent Cavazos an email stating that it is time for the school district to set daily start times based on research and not bus schedules and parental convenience. MCavazos@aisd.net Thanks, Debbie