MCPS High School 7:45am for teens is to early

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In an ideal world all schools would start between 8/830. This can’t happen because of how complicated our system is so this is what we have.

If we funded an increase the number of MCPS school busses, the system would become less complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In an ideal world all schools would start between 8/830. This can’t happen because of how complicated our system is so this is what we have.

If we funded an increase the number of MCPS school busses, the system would become less complicated.

Are you willing to drive one? We don’t have enough low paid drivers as it is.

[Anonymous]

I wish parents could attend period 1 at MCPS high schools for 1 week.
They would change their tune quickly.
I’m a HS teacher and don’t mind the early start as I am an early riser.
But I feel terrible for my students. First period is so different from my other classes. Half the students arrive late. They trickle in all throughout period 1.
The remaining kids are either half or fully asleep. Most states have moved high school start times to 8 am or later but MCPS is not progressive in this regard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This start time is pretty typical everywhere. DC is the anomaly, and I love it for my kids.

Loudoun also has a reversed schedule. Our local highschool starts at 9:30am. The local elementary bus picks up the kids at 6:30am (which is ridiculous imo) and the school day (elem) starts at 7:15am.

The highschoolers don't get out of school until close to 4:30pm (4:20ish), then don't get home until close to 5:00pm. From what I've heard, those that do sports/activities/etc. and are academically motivated wind up going to bed after midnight by the time they fit in all of their commitments and homework. So the lack of sleep can be the same as those with an early schedule, just shifted.

No, their body clock dictates that around 11 pm is aligned with when they get tired to go to sleep. If you send a teen to bed at 9, they’ll just lie awake.

I don’t care of my kids lie awake. They go to bed when I tell them. Getting home that late means kids miss outside activities or have to do them before school. So, it’s swim at 4pm or swim at 4 am.

Which is fine. So if they don't fall asleep until 10:30 or 11 p.m., how is your superior parenting helping them to get enough sleep. That the natural times for teens to fall asleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine. They adjust.

No the don’t. Their circadian clock doesn’t adjust.

Its funny how the need to be at a job just a few years later makes it ok.

How many people have to be at work at 7:45 AM 5 days a week?

High school teachers 😂😂

Actually, they have to be at work at 7:25 AM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This start time is pretty typical everywhere. DC is the anomaly, and I love it for my kids.

Loudoun also has a reversed schedule. Our local highschool starts at 9:30am. The local elementary bus picks up the kids at 6:30am (which is ridiculous imo) and the school day (elem) starts at 7:15am.

The highschoolers don't get out of school until close to 4:30pm (4:20ish), then don't get home until close to 5:00pm. From what I've heard, those that do sports/activities/etc. and are academically motivated wind up going to bed after midnight by the time they fit in all of their commitments and homework. So the lack of sleep can be the same as those with an early schedule, just shifted.

No, their body clock dictates that around 11 pm is aligned with when they get tired to go to sleep. If you send a teen to bed at 9, they’ll just lie awake.

I don’t care of my kids lie awake. They go to bed when I tell them. Getting home that late means kids miss outside activities or have to do them before school. So, it’s swim at 4pm or swim at 4 am.

Which is fine. So if they don't fall asleep until 10:30 or 11 p.m., how is your superior parenting helping them to get enough sleep. That the natural times for teens to fall asleep.

But she thinks that going to bed counts for time sleeping! Lol!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine. They adjust.

No the don’t. Their circadian clock doesn’t adjust.

this is American BS. Teenage Humans around the world manage to get up early to go to school, work etc…. They go to bed earlier. Common denominator in the US is social media/screens and teens.

I graduated HS in 1992. It was a problem before I got to HS, it was a complaint when I was in HS, and it's a complaint. Frankly, I think we just put a lot on HSer: long school day + work/sports+ homework + chores.

[Anonymous]

If they changed the start time for HS where I work, teens would leave school early to pick up their younger siblings. I'd say 60-70% of my kindergarten students are picked up by their MS and HS siblings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they changed the start time for HS where I work, teens would leave school early to pick up their younger siblings. I'd say 60-70% of my kindergarten students are picked up by their MS and HS siblings.

Because they can. Schools would adjust.

At least 60% of families in your class have children who are in kindergarten and in MS or HS (5 or more year age gap)?

If start times change, there will have to be a way to adjust. Assuming that you are talking able low-income families, having exhausted high school students assume responsibility for younger siblings hampers their academic progress (and furthers achievement gaps).

Also, do they not have buses at your school?

No buses except for special ed students. We have Hispanic families with tons of siblings of all ages in ES, MS and HS. It isn't unusual to have a sibling from the same family every 2-3 yrs. These families don't have the means for babysitters and the younger kids would just sit in the office after school if nobody could pick them up. There would be a lot of them there.

That is not a reason to start school at an early time for older kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they changed the start time for HS where I work, teens would leave school early to pick up their younger siblings. I'd say 60-70% of my kindergarten students are picked up by their MS and HS siblings.

Because they can. Schools would adjust.

At least 60% of families in your class have children who are in kindergarten and in MS or HS (5 or more year age gap)?

If start times change, there will have to be a way to adjust. Assuming that you are talking able low-income families, having exhausted high school students assume responsibility for younger siblings hampers their academic progress (and furthers achievement gaps).

Also, do they not have buses at your school?

No buses except for special ed students. We have Hispanic families with tons of siblings of all ages in ES, MS and HS. It isn't unusual to have a sibling from the same family every 2-3 yrs. These families don't have the means for babysitters and the younger kids would just sit in the office after school if nobody could pick them up. There would be a lot of them there.

That is not a reason to start school at an early time for older kids.

Of course it is. It might not be a reason you find compelling, but "lots of our students have family obligations later in the day" is a reason to start them earlier.

[Anonymous]

Op, we came from a dc charter and it is definitely an adjustment. I will say that I am thankful for buses here. My kid is in winter track so she leaves the house at 6:50 to head to the bus stop and we pick her up at 5. It is a long day but she seems to be handling it fine (her first time doing any type of sport).

[Anonymous]

It is also INSANE that some elementary schools end at 3:50. The board is so behind the times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they changed the start time for HS where I work, teens would leave school early to pick up their younger siblings. I'd say 60-70% of my kindergarten students are picked up by their MS and HS siblings.

Because they can. Schools would adjust.

In what way would schools adjust?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they changed the start time for HS where I work, teens would leave school early to pick up their younger siblings. I'd say 60-70% of my kindergarten students are picked up by their MS and HS siblings.

Because they can. Schools would adjust.

At least 60% of families in your class have children who are in kindergarten and in MS or HS (5 or more year age gap)?

If start times change, there will have to be a way to adjust. Assuming that you are talking able low-income families, having exhausted high school students assume responsibility for younger siblings hampers their academic progress (and furthers achievement gaps).

Also, do they not have buses at your school?

No buses except for special ed students. We have Hispanic families with tons of siblings of all ages in ES, MS and HS. It isn't unusual to have a sibling from the same family every 2-3 yrs. These families don't have the means for babysitters and the younger kids would just sit in the office after school if nobody could pick them up. There would be a lot of them there.

That is not a reason to start school at an early time for older kids.

Of course it is. It might not be a reason you find compelling, but "lots of our students have family obligations later in the day" is a reason to start them earlier.

Family obligations are not for teens nor should it been forced upon those who don’t have sibling to “raise.” You are wrong and not looking for what is appropriate for teens.

My own children don’t have to do this, but it seems obvious that a poor MSer is harmed more by their parents being financially impacted by years more of childcare costs than they would be by sleeping in 80 more min.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they changed the start time for HS where I work, teens would leave school early to pick up their younger siblings. I'd say 60-70% of my kindergarten students are picked up by their MS and HS siblings.

Because they can. Schools would adjust.

At least 60% of families in your class have children who are in kindergarten and in MS or HS (5 or more year age gap)?

If start times change, there will have to be a way to adjust. Assuming that you are talking able low-income families, having exhausted high school students assume responsibility for younger siblings hampers their academic progress (and furthers achievement gaps).

Also, do they not have buses at your school?

No buses except for special ed students. We have Hispanic families with tons of siblings of all ages in ES, MS and HS. It isn't unusual to have a sibling from the same family every 2-3 yrs. These families don't have the means for babysitters and the younger kids would just sit in the office after school if nobody could pick them up. There would be a lot of them there.

That is not a reason to start school at an early time for older kids.

Of course it is. It might not be a reason you find compelling, but "lots of our students have family obligations later in the day" is a reason to start them earlier.

Family obligations are not for teens nor should it been forced upon those who don’t have sibling to “raise.” You are wrong and not looking for what is appropriate for teens.

Sibling care might be a reason that some families prefer earlier start times, but it's mostly a convenient excuse to resist a change that is better for the health and academic achievement of all high school students. If start times shift, perhaps high school kids can see their siblings off to school, freeing parents up to pick up after school.