Comments on proposed school hours

[Danika Wright]

Good afternoon,

I would like to state my opinion on the proposed High School and Middle School being dismissed after the elementary students. Please do NOT do this! 

I will be depending on my daughter to help care for her brothers for a few hours after school, as both my husband and I work. There are not enough slots in the after school programs and the cost is significant. Personally, my sons are better returning home after school versus staying on campus, by the end of the school day their behavior becomes very challenging for teachers and staff.  

Also, by the time I was in High School I was working, and relied on that income for college and other expenses, and it taught me a great deal more about life balance and work ethic early, by keeping the older students in class later their options are further reduced. 

While I understand the sleep studies for pre-teen and teenagers are leaning towards letting them start later in the day, is it an option to simply shift the existing pattern by an hour? I.E. Middle and High school start at 8 and elementary 8:45/9? Though that creates a childcare challenge in the mornings as well...

As to the school calendar, I do like the latest one starting Aug 12th and removing the additional breaks to still get out at the end of May. 

I appreciate what you are attempting and know this is a result of decisions beyond your control, but please keep in mind the families that both parents work and rely on or hire teenagers to help watch their kids, or daycares/afterschool programs that the students work in.  

Thank you for your time. Regards, Danika Wright 505-603-1813