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School Start Time Committee Update Hampton Township School District
School Start Time Committee UpdateHampton Township School District
Timeline for School Start Time Change
January 22, 2018 Dr. Peter Franzen presents on the benefits of later school start times during a special session open to the public.
Presentation available here.
April 6, 2018 Initial Committee meeting (Board members, District Admin, HS and MS Admin). Reviewed start time
research with committee.
May 8, 2018 Met with HS Department Heads/Reviewed and discussed start time research findings with HS Department
Chairs.
Spring 2018 Parent and student surveys sent on HTSD student sleep habits.
May 24, 2018 Initial Committee meeting to study results of student sleep habits survey.
June 4, 2018 Initial School Board presentation. Presentation available here.
October 22, 2018 Initial Committee meeting for newly-expanded committee.
October 29, 2018 Expanded Committee meeting with parents representatives, Athletic Director, HTEA representatives, Director of
Administrative Services, and HESPA representatives.
December 7, 2018 Expanded Committee meeting for discussion of proposed considerations.
February 22, 2019 Expanded Committee meeting for discussion of proposed considerations.
Spring 2019 Transfinder study completed.
April 8, 2019 Expanded Committee meeting for the purpose of discussing Transfinder study results.
Expanded Committee MembersMrs. Autumn GindlespergerMr. Bill CardoneMrs. Carma LammMs. Denise BalasonMrs. Dina DunmireMrs. Lisa EasleyMrs. Gail LitwilerDr. Marguerite Imbarlina Mrs. Jennifer Retsch Mrs. Jill Hamlin Dr. Amy Kern Mr. Jeff Kline Dr. Michael Loughead Dr. Marlynn Lux Dr. Jackie RemovcikDr. Michael Silbaugh Mrs. Jill Sladic Mrs. Terri Ronald Dr. Jay Thornton
Why Change School Start Times?There is scientific evidence that insufficient sleep adversely affects students.
Student Health
● Depressed Mood● Anxiety● Suicidal Ideation● Decreased Emotional Regulation● Increased Weight Gain and Obesity● Increased Substance Use and Abuse
Student Safety● Increased motor Vehicle Crashes● Increased Athletic Injuries● Increased Risk-Taking Behaviors
Academic Performance● Decreased Concentration● Decreased Problem-Solving Ability● Difficulty with Memory● Poorer Cognitive Efficiency● Decline in Academic Performance
Who supports later start times to help combat sleep deprivation in teens?
● American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
● Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
● American Medical Association (AMA)
“Studies show that adolescents who don’t get enough sleep often suffer
physical and mental health problems, an increased risk of automobile
accidents and a decline in academic performance. But getting enough
sleep each night can be hard for teens whose natural sleep cycles make it
difficult for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. – and who face a first-period
class at 7:30 a.m. or earlier the next day.”
Source: AAP Press Release, August 25, 2014
Research Recommendations
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends middle and high
schools delay the start of class to 8:30 a.m. or later. Doing so will align
school schedules to the biological sleep rhythms of adolescents, whose
sleep-wake cycles begin to shift up to two hours later at the start of
puberty.”
Source: AAP Press Release, August 25, 2014
Other School Districts making the changeAllegheny County
● Pine Richland School District - change effective for the 2019-2020 SY● Avonworth School District - currently in effect● Quaker Valley - currently in effect
Statewide● Seneca Valley School District - currently in effect● State College - currently in effect● Radnor - change effective for the 2019-2020 SY● Phoenixville Area School District - change effective for the 2019-2020 SY● Solebury School District - currently in effect for last three years● Unionville-Chadds Ford School District - currently in effect
Source: Schools Start Later
Current Start Times
Level Start Time End Time Length of Day
High School 7:30 a.m 2:19 p.m. 6 Hours 49 Minutes
Middle School 7:55 a.m. 2:45 p.m. 6 Hours 50 Minutes
Elementary
Schools
8:30 a.m. 3:15 p.m. 6 Hours 45 Minutes
Start time options considered and
Transfinder Study solutions
Proposed Scenario Location/Time Total Buses
Scenario One Elem - 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
HS/MS - 8:30 a.m. to 3:19 p.m.
47 Buses
Scenario Two HS/MS - 8:30 a.m. to 3:19 p.m.
Elem - 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
54 Buses
Scenario Three MS - 7:55 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
HS - 8:30 a.m. to 3:19 p.m.
Elem - 9:10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
18 Buses
Current Structure Location/Time Total Buses
Three-tier model HS - 7:30 a.m. to 2:19 p.m.
MS - 7:55 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Elem - 8:30a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
18 Buses
Why Considering:
● HHS start time meets sleep recommendations from major medical
organizations
● HTSD sleep habits surveys indicate positive sleep patterns overall for HMS
● No impact on middle school schedule
● Maintains efficient three-tier transportation system
Level Start Time End Time Length of Day
Middle School 7:55 a.m. 2:45 p.m. 6 hours 50 mins
High School 8:30 a.m. 3:19 p.m. 6 hours 49 mins
Elementary Schools 9:10 a.m. 3:55 p.m. 6 hours 45 mins.
The “Secondary Switch” Being Considered
Challenges and Concerns
● A.W. Beattie/Hampton Competing Schedules
● Extra curricular/after school activities
● Athletic practices/competitions
● Child care changes
● Shifting of elementary day
● Employee work day
● Committee will continue meeting on a regular basis
● Potential surveys for school community
● Investigate districts who have transitioned to 8:30 HS start time
● Research competing schedule scenarios with A.W. Beattie
● Explore possible solutions to athletic scheduling conflicts and extra curricular activities
Next Steps: Responding to challenges & concerns
QUESTIONS?
References
● American Academy of Pediatrics (2018)
● Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017)
● Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2016 & 2017)
● National Education Association (2017)
● Journal of the National Sleep Foundation (2017)
● American Psychological Association (2014)
● American Medical Association (2010)
● Wisconsin Medical Journal (2003)
● Research presented by Dr. Franzen
