Publication Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2004
A stitch in time...
A stitch in time...
(January 28, 2004) Earlier start to school day may decrease student pressure
by Rachel Metz
Palo Alto High School students may grumble about coming to school an hour earlier than usual tomorrow, but the change is actually part of an effort aimed at reducing stress.
The schedule change is part of a compromise reached last year between students, parents and staff, Paly Principal Sandra Pearson said. This semester Thursday classes begin at 7:50 a.m. instead of 8:45 a.m. They also end earlier, stopping at 2:10 p.m. instead of 3:05 p.m..
The change was initiated out of concerns for student stress, Paly assistant principal Chuck Merritt said.
Some studies state that late starts enable teens to get more rest, but the early end times benefit school athletes, who would miss less class, Merritt said.
"Those were the two major considerations that led us to try both options," he said.
The late-start Thursdays began last year to fit meetings for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges before school. The time change became popular with parents and students, Pearson said.
This year the school decided to keep the late Thursdays for the first semester, even though they don't have the association meetings anymore. School officials decided to cut them out in the spring because they have so many athletes participating in sports like track and field.
Merritt said he hasn't heard much talk about the change, but many students approached about it weren't thrilled to be waking up earlier.
Some student athletes said they're happy about the change because practices will end at a reasonable time and they might have a chance to grab something to eat before heading off to afternoon sports.
Others, like freshman Kim Boyett, groused about the change.
"They already get us up early enough," she said, adding that the earlier she wakes up, the worse she does in school.
All is not lost for those who like sleeping in. The school still has a semi-late start on Wednesdays, when classes begin at 8:15 a.m. And if all goes well, late-start Thursdays should return next fall.
"My guess is if this works smoothly now we'll stay with the late start first semester -- we'll stay with this compromise," Pearson said.
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