Students may learn better later in the day

Carson High School officials have been researching whether students learn better later in the day.

"Studies say teenagers need more than nine and a half hours of sleep each night," said Principal Glen Adair. "They need more sleep than younger children or adults."

The studies also indicated adolescents not only need more sleep but their natural sleep patterns are to go to sleep later and wake up later.

However, Adair said, school start times are dictated by school bus schedules, after-school activities and what is best for the students.

"There's certainly arguments and statistics you could look at from both sides," he said. "There's definitely a percentage of the population that would do better on late-start days."

Adair and Dean of Students Carl Henry will present their findings to the school board Tuesday.

"Surely if the collective wisdom of the board is that the students would do better at later times, we'll take a look at this," Adair said.

Students are divided on the idea.

Elizabeth Winslow, 14, gets up around 6:30 a.m. to get ready for school, which starts at 8 a.m.

"I like the idea of school starting a little later," she said. "When it's early, you're not as rested."

Sheena Jones, 15, likes the present schedule.

"I like an early start," she said. "That way I'm out of school earlier. When you sleep later, your day seems shorter. Plus, you have the weekends to sleep in."

For Annaliese Rosky, 15, it is important that she get out of school early.

"My work closes at 5 o'clock," she said. "I get there about three. If school got out later, I'd work even less hours."

Adair said that the problem may not lie in what time school actually starts, but in what time the students have to wake up.

He said many have to catch early buses or catch a ride with their parents to work early in the morning.

If you go:

What: Carson City School Board meeting

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Carson City Community Center, Sierra Room