Editor’s Note: Following our student sleep edition of “Word on the Street,” this article’s necessity was deemed both appropriate and timely, based on student response to questions posed. (See “Catching Z’s” on our “Word on the Street” portion of the website.)
It is no secret that student sleep deprivation has been a problem plaguing high schools since long ago. Headaches, migraines, sleepiness, and lack of focus, are only a few of the numerous pains experienced daily by multitudes of exhausted students, myself included. There is enough preexisting stress created by college, jobs, extracurriculars, schoolwork, and homework, without a lack of sleep to soothe these pressures.
The concern that is constantly on everyone’s mind, as they fall further and further into lethargy, is why RMHS will not implement slightly later start times. To students, downsides seem improbable, as stress levels decrease, mental health continues to take center stage, and effort and execution in schoolwork increases.
It seems that the long-awaited prayers of RMHS students have been answered. RMHS has recently decided to be a part of a district-wide movement to start the school day slightly later, to allow for students to be able to catch up on a bit of extra sleep.
This initiative has been considered for a while, however, has only been officially announced as of late.
Our very own Mrs. Lynna Williams, head of the Guidance Department, was selected as co-chair of the board. “The goal is for the committee to start working now, so that we have a recommendation by next November. But, the following school year is when the change will take place,” she said. Williams further elaborated that this board stretches across the Middlesex League, with all but four of the Middlesex League schools’ superintendents signed on to signify that they are also looking into a later start.
Focused on Reading specifically, “There is going to be a committee of about 21 people- a variety of parents, students, administrators, and town officials, who are invited to participate,” Williams described. This effort is being prioritized, as a desire and need to focus on how Reading’s own kids are being affected by lack of sleep is necessary to successfully employ this plan. The research is telling, but seeing firsthand how Reading’s students are directly impacted, will drive the point home to all involved.
Clearly, Reading Public Schools is conscious of the effects of lack of sleep being detrimental to its students. Mrs. Williams explained that, “There’s been a lot of research recently that’s been publicized over the last few years, and high schools are really paying attention to it. But, Dr. Doherty now is really saying we need to take a look at this with the increase of student stress, the number of students who are hospitalized, and the number of students who are needing to see social workers and outside counselors. He wants us to look to see if this is one thing that could be helping teenagers.”
However, teenagers have very busy lives, filled with extracurricular activities and sports which must be balanced, so that there is ample time to complete homework, projects, etc., successfully. This seems to be the greatest cause for concern to many, as ending these activities at appropriately early enough hours to focus on schoolwork is crucial. Luckily, “We have one of the earlier starts out of all of the leagues, so it’s a little bit easier for us to switch, because if it did affect sports and extracurricular activities, I would imagine it’s a little easier for us to switch,” said Williams.
The committee’s plan is to start work very soon in order to receive a recommendation by next November, so they can apply these new changes the following school year.
Although many upperclassmen will not reap the benefits of this ever sought after hope, they can sleep more soundly knowing that future generations may be able to experience these monumental changes.