Anyone else object to starting Fairfax County middle schools earlier just to start hs later?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that sports are great. I had one who did sports and one who did not. People might be surprised to know that there are a lot of activities other than sports that are going to be negatively impacted by the new times.

The new times shouldn't have a negative effect on extracurriculars. TJ runs from 8:30 to 3:50, with sports and many other extracurriculars starting about four and going till about six. Lots of very involved kids there, with long commutes to boot, and they manage to get it all done.

+100
Honestly, I can't stand listening to the Chicken Littles who insist the sky is falling with every change FCPS implements. Some of these changes are for the BETTER for some people, but not all.

[Anonymous]

The new times shouldn't have a negative effect on extracurriculars. TJ runs from 8:30 to 3:50, with sports and many other extracurriculars starting about four and going till about six. Lots of very involved kids there, with long commutes to boot, and they manage to get it all done.

You do know that TJ kids are not your typical student? Had you heard that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You do know that TJ kids are not your typical student? Had you heard that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The new times shouldn't have a negative effect on extracurriculars. TJ runs from 8:30 to 3:50, with sports and many other extracurriculars starting about four and going till about six. Lots of very involved kids there, with long commutes to boot, and they manage to get it all done.

You do know that TJ kids are not your typical student? Had you heard that?

Yes, but most kids have shorter commutes than the TJ kids have, thus more time for academics and extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school freshman wants to keep the early start mainly because he likes getting out earlier in the day.

Mine too.

Same here.

My MS kid loves the early start time and would be truly pissed if they move it to a later start time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the change for selfish reasons....We live near the HS, but 7 miles from the MS. DD will have to get up at 5:30 next year, instead of six. In HS, she will be able to sleep to 6:30 though.

Bigger problem is the fact that it means I will have to get up at 5:30 to make sure DD gets up at 5:30. Yeah...I am selfish.

The parents I know who have had MS kids make the early transition to 7:20 start times (with buses at 6:30-6:40) say that their kids tend to get up on their own (often texting them from the other side of the house!). And I don't know why your child would need to get up at 5:30 for a 6:40 (or later bus). Maybe he/she needs to reduce the morning prep or eat a little faster?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that sports are great. I had one who did sports and one who did not. People might be surprised to know that there are a lot of activities other than sports that are going to be negatively impacted by the new times.

The new times shouldn't have a negative effect on extracurriculars. TJ runs from 8:30 to 3:50, with sports and many other extracurriculars starting about four and going till about six. Lots of very involved kids there, with long commutes to boot, and they manage to get it all done.

+100
Honestly, I can't stand listening to the Chicken Littles who insist the sky is falling with every change FCPS implements. Some of these changes are for the BETTER for some people, but not all.

Your key words being for some people, but not all.
However I believe Garza is cow-tailing to a loud mouth minority. Not to mention spending frivolously with an already strapped budget. What the heck did they pay Children's Hospital for their biased study, and, all the other hands from Fairfax county that touched the SURVEY? All unnecessary. An honest to goodness democratic vote of those with school aged children would have solved the issue much cheaper and effectively. It seems to me Garza is not listening to the school aged kids parents and plowing ahead with whatever "bigger" plan she envisions. I am not convinced she is "changing" in the right direction/areas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't schools move to a structure where students can choose to have early or later classes? That way the morning students can start @7am and the non-morning students at the same school can start @9 or something. A blanket early morning or late morning start won't work for all families, obviously.

Do you want taxi service with that?

We have these things called "buses" -- they work on a schedule that impacts other schools. If you want a custom schedule, there is always private school. They tend to start later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school freshman wants to keep the early start mainly because he likes getting out earlier in the day.

Mine too.

Same here.

My MS kid loves the early start time and would be truly pissed if they move it to a later start time.

What time does your MS kid go to bed? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Somewhere between 9:00 and 11:00. Usually on the earlier side but depends on homework assignments due the next day. Wake up time is 6 AM for a 7:20 start. A little tired sometimes but pushes through and tries to get to be earlier if late the night before. Love the afternoon free time. Sports in the early AM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somewhere between 9:00 and 11:00. Usually on the earlier side but depends on homework assignments due the next day. Wake up time is 6 AM for a 7:20 start. A little tired sometimes but pushes through and tries to get to be earlier if late the night before. Love the afternoon free time. Sports in the early AM

...on early morning sports day no later than 9:00.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the bus times, but we won't know those until 2 weeks before school starts.

I do prefer the MS/HS flip to no change at all, but only if the HS bus times will REALLY be 30 min. or more later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somewhere between 9:00 and 11:00. Usually on the earlier side but depends on homework assignments due the next day. Wake up time is 6 AM for a 7:20 start. A little tired sometimes but pushes through and tries to get to be earlier if late the night before. Love the afternoon free time. Sports in the early AM

Thanks for responding. 9-6 would be doable for my daughter, but 11-6 would crush her. She has the option of early morning or after school sports practice, but can't see it being possible if school starts at 7:30. I can see her being tired enough after school and sports int he afternoon to go to bed at 9 most days. I just visualize her being tired all the time which concerns me. Lack of sleep is such a huge factor in depression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the bus times, but we won't know those until 2 weeks before school starts.

I do prefer the MS/HS flip to no change at all, but only if the HS bus times will REALLY be 30 min. or more later.

I agree. It's all about the buses, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

It really is all about the buses. Small school systems tend to have everyone going to school at more civilized, later times.