Lower Merion School District Healthy School Start Time

Please change to a later start time for the children

I am a pediatrician and the mother of 3 children in grades 5, 8, and 10. I have seen first hand how the early start time has affected my HS daughter’s sleep and physical and mental health. Please follow the AAP recommendation for later start times for HS.

So important!

Other districts are having success with this. It would have benefited my 2 kids greatly. Do the right thing LMSD.

Let's do this!

As a retired pediatrician I support moving school start times per AAP guidance.

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The evidence supporting this change is clear. I am a member of the AAP and I have been disappointed that my school district hasn't yet recognized the science and/or prioritized the needs of our older students. As a pediatrician and a mother or a middle school student, I strongly urge LMSD to make this change NOW. This is long overdue.

Let's do what is best for the students. Other local districts have changed start time and it is working well.

Evidence based studies show that our kids are sleep deprived and are negatively affected on numerous fronts by this deficient. We can and should make an immediate change to the school schedule. This change will be instrumental for better learning and mental health.

Nothing could improve my teenagers life more than this!

My son has been struggling for years to get up for high school. No matter how early he goes to bed it is still a struggle and that's because his body (every teenagers body) is not designed for this external clock that has been set for him. Please Please change the start time so that our kids can function optimally. It's a no brainer Lower Merion.

Na

I have been reading a lot about this. This change is start time is crucial.

My kids are struggling every day to get up so early. It really harms their ability to learn and be socially active.

Teenagers shouldn't have to wake up very early, so early that they can get to school by 7:30. It's science, not laziness or preference. We all should adjust accordingly.

We need to change this. Yesterday.

LMSD used to be a leader in education in not only Southeastern PA but the country. And now our leaders are taking a “let’s see what everyone else does first” attitude is pathetic. Well, now others in our area have done it so we do not have an excuse anymore. Not implementing later start times for our students shows that the board does not care about our students well being and is borderline abusive if you look at all the data to see how it helps students mentally and educationally. Enough is enough!

Let's make this happen. The time is NOW!

There is a clear right answer here. Start with the need (sane start times) and then do the work to make it happen. Please stop articulating all the obstacles and start with the right decision and move from there.