Flex learning block won’t fix student sleep problems

In response to “New start time for the new year” by Brian Barr, the big problem seems to be how much sleep each person is getting, and how each teen needs 7- 8 hours a night. The learning block wouldn’t fix that. It might ease everyone into the day but we’d still be getting up at the same time to make the 7:20 homeroom bell.

Living in Southborough, I have to wake up between 5:25 and 5:35 in order to get ready on time. Throughout the years I have mastered a good morning routine that helps me get ready before school starts. I started driving to school only about four months ago. I have found it more overwhelming to try and make it to school before being tardy.

Now, everyone knows how much traffic there is in the morning coming in to the school. It can take up to 15 or 20 minutes trying to get into the front entrance due to back-up. If you get to school at 7:10, you’re not late, but after waiting 15 minutes to get in, then you are late. I find it unfair to mark kids absent over being just a couple minutes late to homeroom. And classes don’t even start until 7:30. I feel they should give everyone until at least 7:25 to get to homeroom.

Trying a more flexible approach to the tardy time may decrease the number of people who are tardy. The flexible block idea is a good idea, but wouldn’t fix the amount of sleep someone would get, being flexible about tardiness would decrease stress for getting to school before the 7:20 bell.

Maddy Lee

senior