Start-time changes for West Seattle schools?

From saveseattleschools.blogspot.com, authored by volunteer writers who thoroughly cover Seattle Public Schools issues:A presentation made to the School Board last week on school transportation included proposed changes to “bell times” for schools around the district. Middle and high schools would all start at 8 am, which means, in West Seattle, Madison and Denny Middle Schools, Pathfinder K-8, and West Seattle and Chief Sealth High Schools. Right now, per district webpages (linked to the schools’ names above), Sealth, Denny, and Madison start at 7:40 (added, see comment re: Madison/7:45), WSHS at 8:10, and it would be a dramatic change for Pathfinder K-8, which now starts at 9:10. Also per the presentation (see it here), elementary-only schools would start at 9:15, which is a bit later than most start now (particularly Roxhill, which has an 8:50 bell time). If this wins final approval, it would take effect this fall for 2009-2010, and then potentially be reviewed again before 2010-2011.

Misty February 15, 2009 (4:16 pm)

Actually, Madison Middle School begins at 7:45 currently.

WSB February 15, 2009 (4:18 pm)

Thanks, I had a feeling the district web pages might not necessarily be right on but that’s the only official source available going into a week of no-school … TR

ASH February 15, 2009 (4:24 pm)

Is there any way for parents to protest or lobby changes to the proposal? Like for Pathfinder?
Thanks

WSB February 15, 2009 (4:27 pm)

Certainly you would want to begin with the school board, starting with Steve Sundquist, who represents West Seattle:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/sundquist.xml

redm February 15, 2009 (6:06 pm)

You did say— “(including all 11 in the West Seattle “regions,” formerly known as “clusters”)” —however I did not see Sanislo Elementary listed. Does that mean they would not be affected?

Lisa K. February 15, 2009 (6:28 pm)

Since I’m assuming the school day will be the same total length of time, this means that elem. schools will get out 15 min. later, too?

WSB February 15, 2009 (6:56 pm)

Redm, good eye! The presentation seemed very clear that there were two bell times, either 8 or 9:15, period. But Sanislo indeed is not listed. Will have to followup on that.

Ss February 15, 2009 (7:49 pm)

Wow that’s awesome. I’ve read some really great studies about later start times improving grades and SAT scores. Wish it was later when I was in school. I slept through many classes.

ANW February 15, 2009 (10:12 pm)

Recent research indicates that later start times are better for students, especially high school students whose circadian rhythms are being affected by puberty. The difficulty for parents is trying to be sure their kids make it to school when they, as employees, are having to be on a traditional 8-5 work schedule. I truly believe that if we all could go to work/school after we have awakened “naturally” we would all be more productive, happy, people with safer lives!

Melissa February 16, 2009 (9:30 am)

ANW, you’re right on. Later start times help older kids, not younger ones. Younger ones’ circadian rhythms get them up earlier. Many studies show that kids would do better if the little ones went at 8 and the hs kids at 9, but because sports are the driver of so much of the schedule for the big ‘uns, that’s not likely to ever happen. And it’s silly.

AIE February 16, 2009 (11:21 am)

Regions have always existed, and are not the same thing as clusters. Clusters are the geographic break down for elementary schools, regions are the geographic break down for middle schools.

WSB February 16, 2009 (11:29 am)

In that case, my usage in an earlier article (in which somebody corrected me) was correct … thanks. I’ll just drop that part out of this one …

stu February 28, 2009 (9:04 am)

Of course, since they can’t leave APP alone, they’ve also proposed changing the start times of Lowell and Thurgood Marshall to 8:00 am. Perfect! Take the kids, as young as 5 years old, who have the longest bus rides, and have them waiting for buses at 6:30 in the morning. Take the youngest kids in the district, who traditionally need more sleep, and force them to give up any evening events, school functions, whatever, so they can get to sleep early enough to satisfy the needs of the transportation company. Keep in mind, this is not a school board decision; this decision is not voted upon. Transportation gets to make the call on this one.

To be honest, I’m not sure transportation’s any worse than the district in making educational decisions at this point.

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