Debate on School Starting Later

Newburyport High School plans to start school at a later time

Newburyport city and school officials have been discussing the time change for the high school and middle school to start at 8:30 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m.  The Newburyport Daily News stated Mayor Donna Holaday has agreed the idea is worth looking into but she said it would involve changes in transportation, athletics, family schedules and union regulations.  Administrators and school committee said they don’t oppose the later time, but the issue needs more study.

The Triton Voice captured two sides of this debate from former juniors, Maddy Janvrin and Ava Grady, who attend Newburyport High School.

“I think starting school later would take more time out of the students sports activities, therefore they shouldn’t start later.” said Maddy Janvrin.  Another student gave her side of the story.   “I think we should have school later because of the inability of focusing and listening students have so early in the morning for their first couples classes.” said Ava Grady.

This debate both benefits and interferes with the students schedules.  Slate gave an article on the statistics of why school should start later.  It benefits by giving students time for their brains to wake up and focus better during class, researchers say the the brain isn’t awake until nine in the morning and we start school around seven o’clock.  It interferes with after school activities such as sports or clubs.  

This debate is a big discussion and will definitely need more time to process the set decision.  This discussion hasn’t spread out to other high schools yet, but it sure to be a option.  Voting will be held in December and the final decision hasn’t been determined yet.