This is directed to Parents and Students of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, MD. ONLY

Instead of starting at 9:30 and ending at 4:10, school would start for students at 8:30, ending at 3:10 next school year.

1.While VPA students schedule remains relatively the same (minus the fact that 0 period becomes 5th period). Regular Northwestern students would have to wake up an hour earlier for school. High school students need more sleep. Less sleep = poor academic performance, falling asleep in class, higher tardy rates, etc.

2.Sports teams, clubs and other after school activities would have to wait until the 70 minute VPA class is over before they could start their activities. Students would have to sit and wait, possibly doing homework (which leads to #3)

3.Students who do homework in "Study Hall" will need textbooks. Teachers leave after school and lock their doors, so how are students supposed to do their work? Adminstered textbooks are sent home, who wants to bring them back just for 70 minutes before after school activities? The teachers would have to stay and supervise the kids after school. Were teachers consulted? Who is going to supervise "Study Hall"?

We believe that the school should consult with the parents and students before making big decisions like this. They didn't consult us with on this issue and there are many problems with it, affecting students, teachers and families.

Please sign our petition requesting that this decision be reversed. (Example is below)

*Please write your full name & email (school email for students)

*In the Comment section, write Parent if you are a parent & your Grade if you are a student

*Input the password that was given with the link

*Make sure that the first box is checked (you don't have to check the second unless you want to)

**EXAMPLE: Jane Jones. Jane-jones@pgcp.org. Grade 9**