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February 7, 2000
To the Editor of the Princeton Packet:
In Friday's article on WWP schools not changing start times next year, there were a few things we would like to clear up. First and foremost, the statements made by Later School is Better advocates about the amount of sleep required by adolescents are not "claims" as they were referred to in your article. They are facts based on fully supported scientific research that can be found on our website (click on "Later Better" from wwptoday.com). Additionally, our request to the board and superintendent was to start the middle and high schools later, not necessarily to swap elementary for middle and high school hours.
When we approached the school board in writing with our documented research in November 1999, Dr. Fitzsimons responded by organizing a committee of administrators only. We were not invited to be a part of the committee, nor we were or any other parents, students, or teachers informed of the committee's actions. We eventually learned of the committee's existence via public information officer Gerri Hutner, and only when we asked her directly. It is unfortunate when all parties with a vested interest in school decisions do not have a place at the table when decisions are being made.
Considering the magnitude of interest our website has uncovered (we have had over 900 hits in six weeks, and received dozens of emails, all in support of later school hours), it would seem only fair to consult the community for our opinion. Many parents are left wondering why the committee decided against a 15-minute change, as such a change was determined to be doable without any effect on sports scheduling or busing costs. The administrators say they felt such a small change was "not worth it." If a survey reveals the community feels it IS worth it, will the administrators reconsider?
Since the administration's announcement, we have received numerous e-mails imploring us to keep pushing for later school hours. We are glad to learn that the superintendent says the issue is not closed, but we would like to know specifically what he will do to keep it open. We also feel strongly that community members should be included in the decision making process in a democratic fashion, rather than letting such important decisions be made by administrators only.
The biggest problem confronting the schedule change was deemed to be "high school athletics after school." Although our children actively participate in sports and we are in full support of athletic programs, in all fairness what about those who choose not to participate? As our district prides itself on being academically superior, why should the needs of athletic teams dictate the daily schedule? This is especially difficult to fathom since the schedule has been scientifically shown to be detrimental to the academic, social and physical needs of all of our children, those who play interscholastic sports as well as the vast majority who do not.
The fact is, playing in interscholastic sports is a choice, not a requirement in our district. Those students who do not participate should not be penalized by our current schedule simply to accommodate our athletic programs. Can't we find a way to fairly serve both groups of students? We have heard suggestions such as eliminating homeroom, or having athletes dismissed early from a last period study hall or other non-essential, strategically placed last period class. Given a chance to work together we feel certain that there must be a way to reach the very fundamental goal of giving our students the sleep they need to perform at their very best and maintain optimal physical and emotional health.
We have been contacted by parents, students, teachers, clergy and most notably Dr. Mary Carskadon, leading sleep researcher at Brown University, who upon hearing of the defeat of later school for September 2000 wrote to us:
Start perhaps by thinking small. Even a change of 15 minutes (in the right direction, of course) can have a positive benefit, especially if accompanied by curricular inroads and community education.Please, if you feel as we do, send a post-card or e-mail to Dr. Fitzsimons and ask him what he intends to do next so that our children don't have to start school at 7:30 in the morning.
Dr. John FitzsimonsOr e-mail Dr. Fitzsimons at wwpsup@pluto.njcc.com.
Superintendent of Schools
West Windsor Plainsboro School District
505 Village Road West
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
Knowing the scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows that "later school is better," shouldn't we show our strength and leadership by being one of the first districts in the area to make a move in the right direction? Fifteen minutes may not seem like a lot, but at least it would be a start.
Michele Brett and Deborah Hornstra
Later School is Better
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