Over the last year, several families have expressed interest to the school to offer more flexible resting options. The school has continued to push back saying only a few select families want something different and no change will be made. From the parent body perspective, there are actual many families that would prefer a more flexible approach.

The general concern revolves around the expectations that are set in the handbook about the rest period following lunch, that children cannot move around on the mat and need to be still for 45 -60 minutes. While appropriate for a child that is sleeping or a young child who’s family would like their child to rest in this manner, this does not fit the needs of older children and others that have not been napping prior to attending this program. Some parents have had the experience of having a very regular routine during the day of non napping quiet time and an early bed time, that was disrupted because the child started napping mid-day. Children that had not been napping that began, were frequently up until 9:30-10 pm and were difficult to wake in the morning. The forced nap completely disrupted the rhythm and flow of the family. Other children experienced significant anxiety and fear of coming to school only on resting star days.

We agree that children need a time of quiet and rest, it is our belief that this can take multiple forms. In previous years children that did not fall asleep in a specific window of time (10-15 min.) were taken to another area to do work (fold napkins, towels, sweep, etc).

This year we are hoping that the resting stars program will allow for a bit more flexibility in it’s execution. We’re hoping we can collaborate before the school year starts on ideas about the program. Two ideas multiple families have discussed include:

• Idea 1: Two (or three) room options for children. The idea is that parents and teachers will collaborate on where the child is placed. One room houses the traditional quiet “napping” area. The other room(s) allows for a 15-20 minute quiet rest followed by chores and once chores are finished story and/or quiet looking at a book.
• Idea 2: Again two (or three) room options with collaboration on child placement. One room houses the traditional quiet “napping” area. The other room(s) allows for still laying on a mat for 40 minutes that includes 10 min story, 10 min guided mindfulness practice, 10 min story, and another 10 min rest.

For children that aren’t going to fall asleep this will allow more age appropriate rhythm incorporated into the rest time.

Those who sign this petition are current Resting Stars families and families who chose not to participate in Resting Stars due to the current structure (either currently or in the past) that hope to see a more inclusive and flexible approach to the Resting Stars Program.