NOVI, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Novi School District wants to set back the alarm clocks for teens – they are proposing moving start times at all of their schools to allow teens more time to sleep.
The proposed times for the high school for next school year would be from 8 a.m. to 2:44 p.m. For the middle school, it would be 8:30 a.m. to 3:11 p.m. This is 45 minutes later than the current start time for both schools.
The elementary schools would start at 9 a.m. and end at 3:52 p.m. The school for fifth and sixth graders would start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:22 p.m.
Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthew points to research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. They recommend a 8:30 a.m. start time for students in middle and high school.
“What the research points to is that the early start times for schools increase anxiety among kids, increase depression, increase the chances that they will engage in risky behaviors so if we can prevent those things we think that we will then prepare our students to be successful as they go into college,” said Dr. Matthew.
Parents can give their feedback online, and can remain anonymous.
A final vote from the school board is expected during their meeting on December 19.
