Start High School Later in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Start HS later and elementary school earlier

I've been saying this for years, not so much concerning the older students , but the primary students. Some kindergarteners are brought to daycare at 6:30. By the time they get to the latest opening schools, they are ready for a nap.

What is so perplexing about this? The evidence is all there....our kids are suffering!

Please put our children first and come up with a solution allowing our older students to start school later!!! The benefits seriously outweigh the costs!!! It's so important!

Clinical health psychologist; please do not underestimate the importance of adequate sleep in our children's health and development.

I agree with The American Academy of Pediatrics. Please change the start time to 8:30 or later

This change needs to happen

Let's do the right thing!

Start times should correspond to the average work hours. The early dismal times are the worse times for teens and adolescents to be alone. The children will not grow up to be factory shift workers and should learn to work the hours they will eventually need to work which is 8:30 to 5 or later.

Other large suburban systems with similar logistical and financial challenges have successfully altered start times. Chesterfield has the capacity to do so for the 17-18 school year, in a fiscally responsible manner. To ignore the evidence and delay longer seems irresponsible.

I fully support this evidence based strategy.

Studies have proved it many times over: less accidents; better SAT's; better moods; better grades; more rest for bus drivers and teachers, too- what's the debate about? If we needed more jails, you'd find the money for that- please use our tax money for proactive causes that benefit everyone.

My son remembers his high school years at Midlo High as s blur--no sleep! He was a good student but the stress of too early start times made life hell.

My son starts high school in 2 years. I would like to have this change in place by then. With what the County has already done to our kids with testing and over-testing, and racing them to stress induced illnesses, adding sleep deprivation to the mix is not a child-centered approach to education. While they are in our care as minors we owe them that.

the time change is scientifically supported. Older children 'wake up' and learn better later in the day and little people wake up early and ready to learn. The current times are built upside down. Change the times now please.

HS should not start before 8:30 am. Period.

This issue should be addressed now, and not continually pushed back.

Please help our children to have a better learning experience!