Doctors have called for it. Now Ypsilanti High School kids are getting it. We are talking about later school start times for teenagers.
The bell used to ring at 7:30 a.m. at Ypsilanti High. This year it will ring at 8:15.
“I was very relieved. It was a good feeling to know I won’t have to wake up as early anymore,” said Tiavah Washington, an Ypsilanti High Student.
Washington is a stellar student. Last year she got all As, except for in first hour. In that class she got a B. She blames it in part on feeling tired at the start of the day.
There is some research that backs up her theory. Doctors say difficulty waking up so early is biological for teens.
WXYZ Chief Medical Editor Dr. Partha Nandi says schools around many parts of the world have shifted teen school schedules due to this research.
Superintendent Dr. Ben Edmondson says he will be watching how the change impacts grades. It is a potential bonus, but wasn't the reason for the change.
Parents had voiced concerns that the early childhood education program for Pre-K through first grade started too late in the day.
Because of transportation, changing one start time means you have to change another.,
Back to the high schoolers, their parents say it is a win-win.
“Sleep makes a big difference,” said Ava Washington, Tiaveh’s mom. “They will just have to go to sleep earlier too.”
As for how early they need to be in bed, the National Sleep Foundation says most teens need about 9 hours a night.
