Greenwich High School Students Weigh In On Pushing Back Start Time

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Some Greenwich High School students like an early start time, but they also like the idea of a "recharge" day with a 9 a.m. start once a week, according to a report in The Greenwich Time.

Students were surveyed about possible changes to the school schedule. Forty-one percent said they supported pushing back the school day, which currently begins at 7:30 a.m., by 30 to 90 minutes. Forty-three percent liked the idea of a recharge day, which would still see the dismissal bell ring at 2:15 p.m.

Valerie Erde with StartLaterGreenwich.org said a 9:30 a.m. start might not work with a 2:15 p.m. dismissal, but an 8:30 a.m. bell has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Consider this a public health issue," Erde told WCBS 880's Paul Murnane. "It's about sleep deprivation.

"It's about your kids getting enough sleep because lack of sleep leads to so many physical, mental and academic problems."

Some students expressed concerns that shifting the school day back could interfere with after-school extracurricular activities or caring for siblings at home.

But others admitted it is a challenge to wake up early every morning.

"When you stay up late and do homework and you have to get up really early the next morning, it's pretty tough," one girl told Murnane.

The Board of Education could vote in June on changes for the 2017-18 school year.