Why So Early: A Community Forum
The Impact of Early High School Start Times on Teens

Can’t wake up your teen? Tired of grumpy, groggy kids? Concerned about the impact of limited sleep on your student? Come learn why inadequate sleep in adolescents has become a national conversation.

On April 7th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Newton South, the Newton South School Council is sponsoring a community forum to initiate a conversation regarding the benefits of increasing adolescent sleep through a later high school start time.

You will be joined by Dr. Judith Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and an internationally recognized authority on pediatric sleep and the neurobehavioral and health consequences of sleep problems in children. Dr. Owens was the lead author of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2014 Policy Statement supporting a later start time for middle and high schools. Dr. Owens will speak on her research and the implications of inadequate sleep on adolescents.

In addition to Dr. Owens, you will hear from students on the results of a student survey, as well as faculty and council members on what they have learned from other communities regarding the decision and process that resulted in changing their school start time. We welcome your participation in the conversation and input into how to consider this in Newton.

If you are unable to come, but would like more information about the School Council’s work to date, please contact schoolcouncil.nshs@gmail.com.

April 7th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm