School Start Time Committee Final Report to RSU 21 School Board
May 20, 2019 (First Reading)
BACKGROUND The RSU 21 School Start Time Committee (SSTC) was formed in the Fall of 2017 as an outcome of the district Strategic Plan. The charge was to explore a later start time (possibly for the 2018-19 school year). Per district policy, the committee is advisory to the School Board.
Membership included representation from the school board, administration, teachers, students, and community members, as well as the district’s school physician in a consulting role.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS District Administration School Board of Directors Katie Hawes Devon Havey Phil Potenziano Maureen King Sandy Fecteau MaryBeth Luce Joe Schwartzman Rachel Phipps Steve Marquis (2018-19 school year only) Consulting Physician Principals Donald Burgess, MD Marty Bouchard (2018-19 school year only) Susan Cressey Kyle Keenan Jeff Rodman (2017-18 school year only)
Teachers Kent Chapman Emily Egan Ben Fogg
Students Joe Bergeon (2017-18 school year only) Max Leblanc (2017-18 school year only)
Parents & Community Juliet Altham Jen Hass Amy McGarry
INTRODUCTION The SSTC held its first meeting October 23, 2017 and met each month through June, 2018 then continuing their work September 2018 through May 2019. Work included an extensive review of current research regarding adolescent sleep needs, videos, and guest presenters from the Maine Start School Later Chapter as well as district physician Dr. Don Burgess.
NATIONAL RESEARCH In September 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a Policy Statement on School Start Times for Adolescents which recommended shifting start times for Middle School and High School to 8:30 am or later. This Policy Statement was, in part, based on a report published in 2000 on Adolescent Sleep Needs and Patterns by the National Sleep Foundation. The recommendation to start school later is based on the change in Circadian Rhythms that occurs during puberty and adolescence where melatonin secretion shifts from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm and melatonin stops shifts from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. In addition, adolescents need 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a night for optimum health given the high metabolic state of their bodies during growth. The toxic effects of sleep deprivation include the following:
● Physical health and safety ○ Increased obesity risk ○ Metabolic dysfunction (hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus) ○ Increased cardiovascular morbidity (hypertension, increased risk of stroke) ○ Increased rates of motor vehicle crashes (“drowsy driving”) ○ Higher rates of caffeine consumption; increased risk of toxicity/overdose ○ Nonmedical use of stimulant medications; diversion ○ Lower levels of physical activity ● Mental health and behavior ○ increased risk for anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation Poor impulse control and self-regulation; increased risk-taking behaviors ○ Emotional dysregulation; decreased positive affect ○ Impaired interpretation of social/emotional cues in self and others Decreased motivation Increased vulnerability to stress Academics and school performance Cognitive deficits, especially with more complex tasks Impairments in executive function (working memory, organization, time management, sustained effort) Impairments in attention and memory Deficits in abstract thinking, verbal creativity Decreased performance efficiency and output Lower academic achievement Poor school attendance Increased dropout rates Several schools across the country and, more recently, in New England, have adopted later Middle and High School start times and have shown improvement in all the issues above. A large study done in Minnesota, Colorado and Wyoming schools (Wahlstrom Study) showed that the largest percentage of children (60%) who got more than 8 hours of sleep per night were in a school that started at 8:30 am or later which is the basis for the AAP’s recommendation of 8:30 am as a reasonable start time with the most effect on adolescent sleep time. For specific research articles, please click here and find list of resources as Appendix A.
STATE RESEARCH Other Maine school districts that have completed a schedule change to a later start time were contacted and a survey of area high schools was completed to gather local data regarding whether they had changed start times. Please click here to see survey results or view Appendix B.
Biddeford and Saco schools changed their Middle and High School start times to 8:30 am and have shown some early improvement in the factors listed above in the almost three years since their change. There was minimal impact on student activities, including sports, from the change. The results 6 months after the change:
● Decrease in Middle School tardiness by 52% ● Decrease in Middle School Absenteeism 39% ● Decrease in High School Absenteeism 26% ● Morning visits to school nurse down by half, including early morning visits, fewer medications being administered and fewer students being sent home. ● Decrease in Period 1 Failures 20% ● Increase in the percent of students eating at breakfast at school ● Staff report students are more alert in their classrooms ● The majority (75%) of students surveyed report they are going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting over 8 hours of sleep. ● Visible decrease in students consuming caffeinated drinks in morning
ELEMENTARY START TIME RESEARCH One concern raised during the committee work on later school start times was the impact on changing Middle and High start times on the start time of Elementary Schools. Further research was available as to the earliest time Elementary School children should start school and not experience either safety issues or lack of appropriate sleep. The studies show that Elementary School children should not start school any earlier than 8:00 am.
RSU 21 RESEARCH Local Pediatricians Our local pediatricians provided a letter in advocacy of a later school start time for students in RSU 21 as well as a table from the Wahlstrom Study in 2014 indicating percentages of students getting eight hours of more sleep with varying school start times. Please click here to see the letter from our pediatrician or view Appendix C. Please click here to see the table from the Wahlstrom Study or view Appendix D.
Transportation RSU 21 spans 117 square miles and offers 31 “regular” bus runs for students in grades Pre K-5 and again for students in grades 6-12 at the beginning and end of the school day. Additionally, there are shuttles for Pre K students from Kennebunkport and Arundel, to and from area Vocational High Schools, special education runs, field trips and athletic and extra-curricular trips. Our current earliest bus pick up time is 6:05 am and our latest drop off from our regular runs is 3:52 pm.
As part of the committee’s research, we engaged Transfinder, the national organization that administers our busing software, to conduct an analysis of our transportation options and needs. Transfinder’s findings included: ● We are currently running buses most efficiently by completing two runs, each with half of our students. ● In good weather and optimal conditions, it should take 53 minutes for our buses to complete the first run and begin the second run. The committee used 55 minutes between runs as a round number. ● Roughly, for each 5 minute increment we seek to reduce in the time between runs, we would need to add a bus and a driver (e.g. to get to 50 minutes between runs, we would need 32 “regular” buses and 32 drivers).
Athletics RSU 21 is exploring ways to improve our fields and stadium surface. Artificial turf on the high school stadium field would additionally mitigate impacts on soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey as it would allow for much greater use. The committee sought approximate pricing for turf and lights as part of the mitigating factor analyses, but recognizes that work is beyond the scope of this report.
Proposals As part of the committee work, twelve (12) possible proposals were developed and reviewed. As a result of the review, seven (7) were deleted and five (5) put forward for consideration and deeper analysis. Additionally, no change or “As Is” was included as a sixth choice.
A Community Forum was held October 29, 2018 with 220 in attendance. Please click here to see results or view Appendix E. Main concerns expressed were:
*Impact on elementary students *Early/late bus times *Sports schedules *SRTC student impact *Early release impact *Parent(s) work schedules *Students who work *Sibling care/childcare
Staff forums were held in October and November as were Student Feedback Sessions for grades 6-12. Please click here to see results or view Appendix F.
Surveys of the community, staff, and students were widely disseminated with a high response rate; Parent/Community, 1,006; Staff and Faculty, 260; Grades 6-12 Students, 1,125. Please click here to see results or view Appendix G.
A separate meeting to answer questions specific to athletics took place on November 6, 2018 with 29 attending.
On November 5, 2018, a report of School Start Time Committee work was delivered to the School Board by Superintendent Hawes at which time the Board requested a more in-depth exploration of fewer proposals, removed the requirement for proposals to be cost-neutral, and expressed the need for more community input. With this request, it was understood that a decision would not be made in time for implementation for the 2019- 2020 school year.
As requested, by December 2018, the School Start Time Committee narrowed proposals to 2 for a deeper review of any mitigating factors as well as associated costs. Parameters included:
*Least impact upon sports *SRTC student needs *No earlier than 8:00 AM for Elementary start *Restriction of 55 minutes between bus runs
DETERMINATIONS With the understanding that a change in one area impacts many other areas, the School Start Time Committee presents the following three models to the School Board for review. Additionally, the School Board may choose to continue “as is” as an option for school start time.
Start Time Model A 8:00 - 2:30 Pre K-5 / 8:55 -3:21 - KHS & MSK (Approximate earliest bus pick-up 7:05 a.m. and latest regular drop-off 4:30 p.m.)
Area Impact Possible Mitigation Meets the CDC recommendation for Improved: N/A school start times at all grade levels Physical health and safety Mental Health and Behavior Academics and school performance
Research indicates that 66% of students would get 8 hours or more sleep with an 8:55 start time vs. 57% at 8:35. RSU data differs.
KHS Cross – Country Loss of Instructional Time - Start meets at 3:30/3:45 We have 5 to 6 meets per year. Away - 66 minutes Home - 36 minutes We have 50-60 kids on the team 2 Teachers MSK and KHS Hire subs - $118/day or $59/half day (district-wide) MSK Cross - Country Loss of Instructional Time - Not offer MSK Cross - Country We have 5 meets per year Both - 30 minutes 2 MSK Teachers Hire half day subs – We have 50-60 kids on the team $59/half day per person KHS Golf - 10 matches plus Loss of Instructional Time - Not offer Golf SMAA qualifier, Girls Qualifier, JV Away - 60 minutes Tournament Home - 40 minutes 2 KHS Teachers Hire half day subs – We have 15-20 kids on the team $59/half day per person KHS Volleyball -14 games with 7 away 51 minutes of missed Move start times back but if we did game (5 of which leave at 2:30) instructional time on 5 days. students would get back too late. We finished 3 home matches at We have 30-40 kids on the team around 8:30 this year.
KHS Field Hockey- 14 games home and Loss of Instructional Time – Cut JV games in half away Away games – 69 to 59 Install lights on the baseball field - minutes 6 times during the approx. $800K or Turf - $2.7 We have 30-40 kids on the team season. million (home games only)
Later home start times so they can have a proper home game would result in half the amount of daylight for JV. This would be 7 times.
1 KHS Teacher Hire half day sub - $59/half day MSK Field Hockey Half of the amount of daylight Cut 7th grade games in half We have 30-40 kids on the team for 7th grade Install lights on the MSK field - approx. $800K or Turf - $2.7 10-12 games home and away. million (home games only)
Miss instructional time 2 MSK Teachers Teachers who coach leaving class
Hire half day subs – $59/half day per person KHS Soccer Half the amount of daylight Cut JV games in half We have 50-60 kids on the team on 6 for JV 10-12 games Install lights on the baseball field - teams approx. $800K or Turf - $2.7 million (home games only) Late end of games (home Kids get back late games 8:30, away games 10:30) MSK Soccer Half of the amount of daylight Cut 7th-grade games in half for 7th grade Install lights on the MSK field - We have 70-80 kids on the team on 4 approx. $800K or Turf - $2.7 teams 10-12 games million (home games only)
Miss instructional time 4 MSK Teachers Teachers who coach leaving class
Hire half day subs – $59/half day per person KHS Basketball Boys and Girls split Gym A - Play 3:30-9:00 p.m. home currently 2:30-8:00 not offer freshman basketball or cut We have 30-40 kids on the team on 3 18 games for 1st team and high the season in half teams school teams 1 MSK Teacher Hire half day sub – $65/half day KHS Indoor track, Cheering, Wrestling Multi-Purpose room practices Games and practices end at 9:00 Wrestling 3 away meets on Wednesday goes until 8:00 currently p.m. Use other gyms - bounce would result in missed instruction outside groups (impacting Rec and 40-50 kids on Track Twirlers 20-25 kids on Wrestling 7-10 kids on Cheering
KHS Swim- 2 meets that start at 4 pm Loss of Instructional Time - Switch practice 4:30-6:00 p.m. would result in missed instructional time. 70 minutes per day We have 40-50 kids on the team 2 Teachers - KHS and MSK Hire half day subs – $59/half day per person MSK Swim-2 meets that start at 4 pm Loss of Instructional Time - Switch practice to 7:30-8:30 p.m. would result in missed instructional time 60 minutes per day We have 50-60 kids on the team
2 away meets 2 home meets 1 MSK Teacher Hire half day sub – $59/half day KHS Boys Hockey - 8-10 dates between Loss of Instructional Time - Not offer hockey practice and early away games. 20-25 45-60 minutes. No option to move ice time kids KHS Girls Hockey Loss of Instructional Time - 60 Not offer hockey - 1-3 kids minutes No option to move ice time KHS Skiing Loss of Instructional Time - No warm up time - injuries? 45 minutes for meets (14) We have 25-35 kids on the team 2 Teachers - MSK and KHS Hire half day subs- $59/half day per person KHS Outdoor Track Loss of Instructional Time - Not offer Outdoor Track 60 minutes 6 meets Add jump pits and fix track - $600K 75-100 kids run track Ask other schools to run later, ending at 9:00 p.m. 4 KHS Teachers Hire half day subs ($59 half day pp) MSK Track Loss of Instructional Time - Not offer Outdoor Track 80-110 kids 60 minutes for 4 meets Add jump pits and fix track - $600K Ask other schools to run later, ending at 9:00 p.m. Hire half day subs – $59/half day per person Increased traffic on Fletcher St. during Delays in students and buses More crossing guards - $6,000 / busier traffic time in the morning being able to get into the high year each? school. Pre K-5 are released an hour before 6-12 Potential for an hour of extra Extend Rec Care by 1 hour and siblings childcare needed offer a 1 hour or 3 hour option - note: community services, not RSU Fewer students to work Rec. aftercare Late bus would run at 5:15 * Kids would get home later Monitor from sports and clubs *Kids would be dropped at central bus stops in the dark SRTC & PATHS students would still There would not be regular Carpools or join elementary bus run leave KHS at 7:20 a.m. bus runs for 6-12 available at this time Staff Continuing Education Staff enrolled in coursework at Release teachers early and get USM at the middle and high coverage for classes. school may be challenged to make its classes on time with later end times.
Start Time Model B 8:55 - 3:25 Pre K-5 / 8:05 - 2:35 - KHS & MSK (Approximate earliest bus pick-up 7:10 a.m. and latest regular drop-off 4:35 p.m.)
Area Impact Possible Mitigation 8:05 is an earlier middle / Research indicates 45% of students Monitor high school start time than is nationally would get 8 hours sleep recommended with an 8:00 start time vs. 57% at 8:35. RSU data differs Elementary readiness to learn Elementary classrooms would start Monitor is optimal in the morning, 55 minutes beyond this. between 8-11:00 SRTC and PATHS students There would not be regular 6-12 bus Carpools or join elementary bus run would still leave KHS at 7:20 runs available at this time a.m. Elementary starting closer to Need for childcare in morning for Work with rec department to offer before working hours for many working families care? Possibly hire Ed. Techs to extend an parents? extra 30 min per day to do a before school program. KHS Golf – 2 matches per Loss of instructional time a min of week for 5 weeks. 20 minutes. Depends on who we play. KHS/MSK Cross Country – 1 Loss of instructional time 20 to 35 meet per week for 6-8 weeks. minutes depending on the location of the meet and month of the year. KHS Swim-4 days a week for Loss of Instructional time - Add 15 minutes to practice practice. 15 minute 2 Teachers - KHS and MSK Teacher coverage MSK Swim-Practices 4 days Loss of Instructional time - Switch practice to 7:30-8:30 p.m. a week. 45 minutes per day 1 MSK Teacher Hire half day sub - $59/half day KHS Boys Hockey-Practices Loss of Instructional time - Not offer hockey anywhere from 1-5 days a 15 minutes No option to move ice time week depending on what times we get KHS Girls Hockey- At least 2 Loss of Instructional time - 30 Not offer hockey - days a week for practice and minutes No option to move ice time some games depending on the week.
Start Time Model C 8:50 - 3:20 Pre K-5 / 8:15-2:41 KHS / 8:00 - 2:24 MSK (Approximate earliest bus pick-up 6:45 a.m. and latest regular drop-off 4:22 p.m.) (KHS would be on the bus at same times as MSK but 70% of students drive) Area Impact Possible Mitigation 8:05 is an earlier middle / Research indicates 43% of students Monitor high school start time than is nationally would get 8 hours sleep recommended with an 8:05 start time vs. 57% at 8:35. RSU data differs Elementary readiness to learn Elementary classrooms would start Monitor is optimal in the morning, 45 minutes beyond this. between 8-11:00 SRTC and PATHS students There would not be regular 6-12 bus Carpools or join elementary bus run would still leave KHS at 7:20 runs available at this time a.m. Elementary starting closer to Need for childcare in morning for Work with rec department to offer before working hours for many working families care? Possibly hire Ed. Techs to extend an parents? extra 30 min per day to do a before school program. KHS Golf – 2 matches per Loss of instructional time a min of week for 5 weeks. 30 minutes. Depends on who we play. KHS/MSK Cross Country – 1 Loss of instructional time 20 to 35 meet per week for 6-8 weeks minutes depending on the location of the meet and month of the year. KHS Swim-Practice 4 days a Loss of Instructional Time - Add 15 minutes to practice week. 30 minutes 2 Teachers - KHS and MSK Teacher coverage MSK Swim-4 Days a week. Loss of Instructional Time - Switch practice to 7:30-8:30 p.m. 15-20 minutes per day 1 MSK Teacher KHS Boys Hockey-1-5 Days Loss of Instructional Time - Not offer hockey a week for practice and 30 minutes No option to move ice time games depend on the schedule. KHS Girls Hockey-2 Days a Loss of Instructional Time - 45 Not offer hockey - week for practice and games minutes No option to move ice time depending on the schedule.
FAST FACTS SLEEP RESEARCH AND SCHOOL START TIMES School start times continue to come under scrutiny as sleep researchers, pediatricians, and education researchers highlight the negative impact traditional school schedules have on student outcomes. WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Experts recommend that secondary schools IN A SERIES OF RECENT SURVEYS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HANOVER FINDS: should not set start times earlier than 8:30 AM. Although research on elementary start times of staff of parents, staff, is limited, research suggests that later start 32% report that 57% and students are times can also be beneficial for elementary students. they see students falling open to a change in school asleep during class. start times. SLEEP RESEARCH
Many factors drive bedtimes, including circadian Most school-aged students get rhythms, extracurricular activities, and employment. less than the recommended However, the largest driver of wake times is school amount of sleep on weeknights. start times. Children ages 6-10 should get between FACTORS THAT DRIVE BEDTIMES 9 and 11 hours of sleep per night. Parents report that children ages 6-10 get only 8.8 hours of sleep CIRCADIAN per school night. RHYTHMS
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Only 25% of high school students report getting 8 or Adolescents should get between SCHOOL START TIMES EMPLOYMENT more hours of sleep per night. 8.5 and 9.25 hours of sleep per night. EFFECTS OF LATER START TIMES ON SECONDARY STUDENTS SLEEP ACADEMICS BEHAVIOR
Studies have found that when schools Students’ test scores and grades Schools see decreased tardiness and absence rates start at least 25 minutes later, students typically stay the same or increase when when they implement later start times. tend to use that time to get extra sleep. schools start later. More sleep leads to reduced depression and Students sleep 25 to 77 minutes more per More sleep is correlated with better anxiety in students. week night when delaying start times by attention and improved reaction Adolescent drivers are 25 to 60 minutes. test time. less likely to be involved in vehicle crashes when schools start later.
SCHOOL START TIME DISCUSSION GUIDE A best practice for changing school start times in your district is to engage stakeholders in the decision-making process. Hanover has designed the following School Start Time Discussion Guide for district administrators to lead their school start time taskforce.
Transportation Extracurricular Considerations Family and Teacher Impact
To what extent would a change in start times result How will changing school start times impact athletics How will school start time changes affect in increased demand for buses and/or additional and other after-school extracurricular activities teacher schedules? transportation costs? across the district? How much would these events Is the district willing to start a task force, host open To what extent is public transportation an option be delayed? community forums, and/or administer a start times for students? Will athletes have to leave school early and miss survey to collect feedback to proposed time changes? instructional time to attend competitions? If so, can Would the district delay start times for all grades or How will the district communicate start time changes P.E. for athletes be scheduled at the end of the day for only high school students? to the community? early dismissal options? Is flipping high school start times with middle or What community engagement strategies can the additional costs elementary school start times a feasible option? What will the district incur from district use to address pushback against school start moving athletics and extracurricular activities later in time changes? Would changing start times require some students to the evening (e.g., additional lighting for fields)? walk home in the dark during the winter months? What other strategies, such as flexible scheduling If the district chooses to hold athletic practices or shortening the time between classes, could the How would changing school start times affect traffic negate the sleep benefits before school, does that of district implement to limit the impact on teachers’ and patterns? During which hours are routes to the delaying school start times? Are students, parents, and families’ schedules? district’s schools busiest? coaches amenable to this option? What strategies and resources can districts and How could the district adjust transportation routes affect athletic How will changing school start times community partners use to mitigate child care to maximize efficiency within new school hours? facility usage and availability? challenges for parents? How will changing school start times impact students who work after school?
Sources: https://aasm.org/aasm-position-delaying-middle-school-high-school-start-times-is-beneficial-to-students/ https://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2014-NSF-Sleep-in-America-poll-summary-of-findings--- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28346157 FINAL-Updated-3-26-14-.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4844764/ https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2017/ss6708.pdf https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep/page/0/2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4844764/ https://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/sleep_and_teens_report1.pdf For more information regarding our services, contact [email protected] © 2018 Hanover Research K12IG0318 P 202.559.0050 www.hanoverresearch.com @hanoverresearch Medical practitioners, pediatric experts and sleep researchers agree that school start times for middle and high school students should be at 8:30 a.m. or later. A large variety of governmental & non-governmental agencies, local and national, are urging school leaders to make a change. These groups include:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/features/school-start-times/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0806-school-sleep.html
American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Let-Them-Sleep-AAP-Recommends-Delaying-Start -Times-of-Middle-and-High-Schools-to-Combat-Teen-Sleep-Deprivation.aspx https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/134/3/642
Maine Sports Medicine Physicians https://www.pressherald.com/2015/10/17/later-school-start-times-for-middle-and-high-school-gaining-momentum-i n-southern-maine/
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association https://www.startschoollater.net/uploads/9/7/9/6/9796500/massachusetts_interscholastic_athletic_association_miaa_ position_statement_december_2016.pdf
Association of American Physicians https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-supports-delayed-school-start-times-improve-adolescent- wellness
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2014.10a28
Society of Behavioral Medicine https://www.sbm.org/UserFiles/file/late-school-start-statement-FINAL.pdf
American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/school-start-times.pdf
National Association of School Nurses/Society of Pediatric Nurses https://www.startschoollater.net/uploads/9/7/9/6/9796500/position_statement_2016.10_society_ of_pediatric_nurses.pdf
National Education Association https://www.nea.org/assets/docs/Resolutions_2017_NEA_Handbook.pdf
National Parent Teacher Association https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/files/advocacy/2017-approved-convention-resolutions/healthy-sleep-for-ad olescents-r.pdf
American Academy of Sleep Medicine https://aasm.org/advocacy/initiatives/school-start-times/
American Sleep Association https://www.sleepassociation.org/blog-post/healthy-school-start-times/
American Academy of Sleep Medicine https://www.startschoollater.net/uploads/9/7/9/6/9796500/aasm_position_statement_on_delaying_school_start_time s.pdf
National Sleep Foundation https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/school-start-time-and-sleep
A more complete list of physician groups & others who have publicly called for schools to make a starting time change can be found at: https://www.startschoollater.net/position-statements.html Appendix A
Research Articles
Do Schools Begin Too Early? ~ Education Next High School Start Times and Death on the Road ~ Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine Later School Start Times Promote Adolescent Well-Being ~ American Psychological Association Later Start Time for Teens Improves Grades, Mood, and Safety ~ Phi Delta Kappan Let Them Sleep? Later School Start Times Improve Graduation and Attendance Rates ~ neaToday School Start Times Found to Affect Student Achievement ~ Education Next School Start Times, Sleep, Behavioral, Health, and Academic Outcomes: a Review of the Literature ~ PMC Learn How Starting School Later Can Help Adolescents get Enough Sleep and Improve Their Health, Academic Performance, and Quality of Life ~ CDC Why are Parents Afraid of Later School Start Times? ~ The Atlantic
Appendix B
SUMMARY: SCHOOL START TIME SURVEY MAY, 2018
As requested, an electronic survey was sent to Superintendents across York and Cumberland counties regarding school start times and plans to address later high school start times in the future. 27 surveys were sent and 19 returned resulting in a very high response rate of 70%.
Questions included:
What is the current start/end time for your high school? What is the current start/end time for your middle/junior high school? What is the current start/end time for your elementary school? Will there be any changes to start times for the 2018-19 school year? Is a later start time currently under consideration? Was a later start time considered in the past? If a later start time was rejected what influenced the decision? Please add any comments you feel will be helpful.
Summary
Of those responding 2 of 19 have high school start times of 8:30 (Saco) and 8:35 (Biddeford/Dayton).
(3) more start at 8:00 and (1) at 8:10
The remaining 13 start before 8:00 with times of 7:15 (1), 7:30 (7), 7:40 (2), 7:50 (2), 7:55(1)
4 districts reported considering later start times - 2 have already completed the process and the remaining 13 reportedly are not considering it.
7 districts considered it in the past but rejected it due to staff/students/community not in favor (2), transportation issues (2)
(3) districts adjusted their times in previous years
1 district (Gorham) has studied the issue and reports the School Committee is still considering findings and another (Kittery) is working on it intending to bring a recommendation to the School Committee in December.
Comments ranged from “May consider it in the future” to “It is an effort that causes significant disruptions so for changes to work the majority must agree”.
The following tables show results and comments DISTRICT HS MS ELEM CONSIDERING CONSIDER WHAT COMMENTS START/END START/END START/END LATE START? ED IN INFLUENCED PAST? DECISION? RSU 14 7:15 7:30 8:00 NO YES Transportation a May consider in bear future
MSAD 60 7:40-2:25 7:40-2:25 8:35-2:20 NO) NO I feel stuck to SRTC schedule. I would like to have a county level conversation about the research on flipped schedules. PORTLAND 8:00-2:23 7:45-2:45 8:20-3:15- NO YES Transportation complexity, parent and 9:00-3:30 staff coordination RSU 5 7:50-2:20 7:40-2:30 8:35-3:15 NO NO Next year adding 10 min. instructional time to END of day
MSAD 15 7:30 7:30 9:00 NO NO SO 8:10-2:25 8:30-2:45 9:05-3:05 NO YES After 2 yrs. Preparation moved HS/MS 40 min. PORTLAND later, Elem 5 min later GORHAM 7:50-2:00 7:45-2:04 9:00-3:00 YES YES Study Committee Would be interested in examined; School Comm. discussing with you Still considering findings SACO 8:30-3:00 8:30-3:00 8:00-2:30 ALREADY COMPLETED YARMOUTH 8:00-2:45 8:00-2:45 8:40-3:25 NO YES That led to current times Considered later start time(APA rec.) decided APA study narrowly focused on teen sleep patterns; didn’t consider many other factors that go into community decisions (family schedules, younger student schedules, afternoon/evening activities, family and homework time). Making the decision in a vacuum doesn’t work when you consider everything that makes up a community so we went as far as we could. We also have a long student day; 8:30 start would put end of HS/MS day at 3:15 MSAD51 8:00-2:30 8:00-2:30 8:45-3:15 NO We moved from 7:30 a couple years ago after making it a priority KITTERY 7:30-2:05 7:30-2:05 8:30-3:05 YES Yes Working on later start time for Traip Academy for 2019-20 school year; we intend to make recommendation to School Committee in December RSU 57 7:30-1:50 7:30-1:50 8:40-3:00 NO NO Only from discussion level-time between bus tiers appears to be a concern CAPE ELIZ. 7:55-2:25 7:55-2:25 8:25-3:05 NO NO In a general way- not specifics; it seems if a later start time is a good idea it would be ideal for a group of school districts to hold hands and go at this as a region MSAD 6 7:30-2:00 7:30-2:00 8:30-3:00 NO NO MSAD 61 7:30-2:00 7:20-1:50 8:30-3:00 NO NO BRUNSWICK 7:40-2:10 7:50-2:30 8:50-3:20/9- NO YES Students and staff were It’s an effort that causes not in favor significant disruptions so 3:30 for changes to work the majority must agree MSAD 35 7:30-2:30 7:30-2:30 8:20-3:20 YES NO We’ve been studying this option for past 18 months trying to balance research info. With local conditions (geography, 7 hr. school day) BIDDEFORD 8:35-2:45 8:40-3:10 7:55-2:20 ALREADY COMPLETED Appendix C
March 7, 2018
To the Regional School Unit 21 School Board:
As parents and practicing pediatricians caring for students in the RSU 21 community, we strongly urge you to follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Start School Later Committee to change the start times of both the Middle School of the Kennebunks and Kennebunk High School to a later time.
Sleep is critical for a child’s mental and physical health. This is even more important during adolescence where brains develop more rapidly than at any other time in human development after the age of two. The current earlier start time prevents many students from getting the 8.5-9.5 hours per night that most teenagers and young adults need. Puberty triggers a sleep-wake delay caused by a change in the brain’s melatonin production. Biologically, this means our middle and high school students are programmed to fall asleep about two hours later than when they were younger, but still require the same 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep time. On a practical level, this means most teens cannot fall asleep before 11:00 pm and have trouble waking before 8:00 am.
There is a wealth of evidence documenting the impact that earlier start times have on both academic achievement and behavioral and emotional well-being. Sleep deprivation is directly linked to obesity, diabetes, and certainly issues like depression, anxiety, and substance use. Pushing back the school day can positively impact physical and mental health, learning and academic performance, attendance, graduation rates, and test scores.
Changing the school schedule is extremely complicated and there are many factors to consider. We believe this is an initiative worthy of community discussion and your attention.
We respectfully ask you to put the health and well-being of our middle high school students first by considering and approving a plan to push back the start times of Middle School of the Kennebunks and Kennebunk High School.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Burgess, MD, Lisa Gouldsbrough, DO Meredith Myers, PNP RSU 21 School Health Consultant
Melissa Gagne, FNP Carrie Frost, MD Carley Mejia, PA
Joan Pelletier, DO Christina Manning, MD Cynthia Patraitis, DO
Margaret Bordeau, DO Stavros Nashi, NP Maura Price, MD
Alison Kopelman, MD Katherine Harrod, MD
Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q2 How familiar are you with the current discussions about changing the school start times?
Answered: 1,004 Skipped: 2
I have not heard of the...
I am somewhat familiar wit...
I am familiar with the...
I am very familiar wit...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
I have not heard of the discussions 3.69% 37
I am somewhat familiar with the discussions 38.55% 387
I am familiar with the discussions 37.35% 375
I am very familiar with the discussions 20.42% 205 TOTAL 1,004
2 / 10 Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q3 Please select the grade level(s) of your child/children (check all the apply)
Answered: 1,001 Skipped: 5
Elementary School (Grad...
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
High School (Grades 9-12)
I do not have children in ...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Elementary School (Grades Pre K-5) 58.04% 581
Middle School (Grades 6-8) 34.77% 348
High School (Grades 9-12) 34.87% 349
I do not have children in the school district 4.90% 49 Total Respondents: 1,001
3 / 10 Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q4 Do you have the flexibility to change work schedules in response to changing school and activity times for children?
Answered: 990 Skipped: 16
Definitely would have...
Probably would have...
Probably would not have...
Definitely would not ha...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Definitely would have flexibility 21.62% 214
Probably would have flexibility 29.70% 294
Probably would not have flexibility 19.80% 196
Definitely would not have flexibility 28.89% 286 TOTAL 990
4 / 10
Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q7 Does your family currently need BEFORE or AFTER school fee- based care for your child/children? (Check all the apply)
Answered: 775 Skipped: 231
Before
After
We do not need fee-based...
N/A
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Before 6.06% 47
After 23.61% 183
We do not need fee-based childcare 51.48% 399
N/A 25.55% 198 Total Respondents: 775
7 / 10 Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q8 In your family, do MSK/KHS students sometimes help take care of younger children in the afternoons? (This could be your child/children or another MSK/KHS student)
Answered: 774 Skipped: 232
Yes
No
N/A
Other (please specify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 19.25% 149
No 51.03% 395
N/A 27.00% 209
Other (please specify) 2.71% 21 TOTAL 774
8 / 10 Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q9 If school started later using one of the proposal times listed above, how significant do you feel the impact will be on your family's MORNING and AFTERNOON/EVENING routines?
Answered: 630 Skipped: 376
9 / 10 Parent and Community School Start Survey
Q10 Do you have any additional comments or ideas about school start time?
Answered: 481 Skipped: 525
10 / 10
Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q2 Identify your position: (Check all that apply)
Answered: 259 Skipped: 1
Teacher/Profess ional Staff...
Educational Technician (...
Administrative Support...
Transportation Department...
Facilities/Main tenance...
Nutrition/Food Services...
Administration (Principals/...
Coach
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Teacher/Professional Staff (Regular Education, Special Education) 65.64% 170
Educational Technician ( Regular Education, Special Education, Technology, etc) 22.39% 58
Administrative Support (Administrative Assistants/Secretaries) 5.79% 15
Transportation Department Personnel 1.93% 5
Facilities/Maintenance Personnel 0.00% 0
Nutrition/Food Services Personnel 0.39% 1
Administration (Principals/Assistant Principals, etc) 3.86% 10
Coach 3.86% 10 Total Respondents: 259
2 / 11 Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q3 How familiar are you with the current discussions about changing the school start times?
Answered: 260 Skipped: 0
I have not heard of the...
I am somewhat familiar wit...
I am familiar with the...
I am very familiar wit...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
I have not heard of the discussions 0.77% 2
I am somewhat familiar with the discussions 26.92% 70
I am familiar with the discussions 45.38% 118
I am very familiar with the discussions 26.92% 70 TOTAL 260
3 / 11 Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q4 Would a change in school start time prevent you from continuing any of your before or after-school responsibilities?
Answered: 257 Skipped: 3
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 40.47% 104
No 59.53% 153 TOTAL 257
4 / 11 Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q5 Please check all responsibilities that would be impacted
Answered: 103 Skipped: 157
Stipend work for RSU 21...
Non-stipend work for RSU 21
Paid employment...
Child care (including...
Eldercare
Coursework/Prof essional...
Other (please specify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Stipend work for RSU 21 (Coach/Activities Advisor) 30.10% 31
Non-stipend work for RSU 21 19.42% 20
Paid employment outside of RSU 21 33.98% 35
Child care (including drop-off, getting children on the bus, etc) 38.83% 40
Eldercare 12.62% 13
Coursework/Professional Development towards a degree 29.13% 30
Other (please specify) 25.24% 26 Total Respondents: 103
5 / 11
Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q8 Does your family currently need BEFORE or AFTER school fee- based care for your child/children? (Check all the apply)
Answered: 228 Skipped: 32
Before
After
We do not need fee-based...
N/A
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Before 6.58% 15
After 10.53% 24
We do not need fee-based childcare 25.00% 57
N/A 63.16% 144 Total Respondents: 228
8 / 11 Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q9 In your family, do MSK/KHS students sometimes help take care of younger children in the afternoons? (This could be your child/children or another MSK/KHS student)
Answered: 228 Skipped: 32
Yes
No
N/A
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 7.02% 16
No 23.25% 53
N/A 69.74% 159 TOTAL 228
9 / 11 Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q10 If school started later using one of the proposal times listed above, how significant do you feel the impact will be on your family's MORNING and AFTERNOON/EVENING routines?
Answered: 154 Skipped: 106
10 / 11 Faculty/Staff School Start Survey
Q11 Do you have any additional comments or ideas about school start time?
Answered: 110 Skipped: 150
11 / 11
MSK/KHS Student School Start Time Survey
Q2 How familiar are you with the current discussions about changing school start times?
Answered: 1,120 Skipped: 5
I have not heard of the...
I am somewhat familiar wit...
I am familiar with the...
I am very familiar wit...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
I have not heard of the discussions 1.43% 16
I am somewhat familiar with the discussions 16.25% 182
I am familiar with the discussions 46.07% 516
I am very familiar with the discussions 36.25% 406 TOTAL 1,120
1 / 1
MSK/KHS Student School Start Time Survey
Q4 In your family, do MSK/KHS students help take care of younger children in the afternoons? (This can be either you or another student)
Answered: 1,065 Skipped: 60
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 35.68% 380
No 64.32% 685 TOTAL 1,065
1 / 1 MSK/KHS Student School Start Time Survey
Q5 On an average school night, how many hours of sleep do you currently get?
Answered: 1,075 Skipped: 50
10 + Hours
8 - 10 Hours
5 - 8 Hours
Up to 5 Hours
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
HOURS OF SLEEP Number of Students
Up to 5 Hours 41
5 - 8 Hours 533
8 - 10 Hours 418
10 + Hours 57 TOTAL 1,049
1/1 MSK/KHS Student School Start Time Survey
Q6 Do you feel you currently get enough sleep on school nights?
Answered: 1,081 Skipped: 44
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 53.47% 578
No 46.53% 503 TOTAL 1,081
1 / 1