We all have our own way of managing time, whether it means leaving the house ten minutes early for school or departing at the very last minute, only to get stuck behind an excruciatingly slow driver or a perpetual red light (or both). For some, time is simply a fact of life. For others, time is a terrible enemy. As of this year, getting to school before the bell rings has become a lot harder for those of us in the latter.
At the beginning of the school year, every member of the high school community received an important email regarding a major change in the school schedule. Instead of starting at 7:18 am, the usual time, school would be starting at 7:45 am, twenty seven minutes later.
According to Principal Wargo, conversations about a later starting time started approximately two years ago, under the careful guidance of the superintendent and district leadership team — a group of principals in the district. By pushing forward the clock and aligning start times for schools within the area, Principal Wargo, as well as many others, hoped to coordinate the schedules of staff members at both SHS and Gates so they would have more time to meet with one another and work collaboratively. Another purpose of the later start time was to give students more time in the morning to sleep, which based on many studies, would improve their concentration and performance in school.
“It’s nice to get extra sleep in the morning,” said senior Matt DelGrosso, as a testament to one of the major benefits of the new time schedule.
In addition, junior Maggie Paul acknowledged that “you can get more done in the morning and feel less rushed.”
Despite the administration’s positive intentions, students have expressed mixed reactions to the new start time. While some students welcomed the later start because it gave them extra time to sleep and stop for coffee in the morning, others, especially freshmen, did not feel the effects of it at all. In contrast to those who attended Gates last year — which also started around 7:45am — many juniors and seniors have had a difficult time adjusting to the new time schedule.
“If you pull into the parking lot at 7:43 am and you arrive on time to school, you’re still considered late,” said junior Conor Harrington. As a student driver, Harrington knows what it’s like to encounter road construction and share the streets with all those leaving for work in the morning. Unfortunately for him and many others — particularly those who tend to be on the later side — the mornings are more stressful than before in terms of getting to school before the bell.
“I feel like it’s giving students a more relaxed environment, but not for the better,” said Ms. Ward, who works in the school office. Not only did she point out the struggles faced by student drivers, but she also sympathized with those involved in extracurricular activities and after-school jobs. Now that school gets out later, these students have to rush out of their last block class to make it to work, sports practices, and other activities on time.
Although the late starting time has not been beneficial for all students, it will eventually become second nature. Since change is inevitable, students may want to consider an old adage: how you choose to respond to change is more important than what has actually been changed.