Schools

Speak Out: Should HS Seniors Sleep In?

Fairfax County Public Schools offer opt-out of first period for some this fall.

by Karen Goff

Are high school seniors going to hit the snooze button this fall?

They can, according to a new Fairfax County Public School rule.

FCPS notified students earlier this month that some high schoolers can opt out of first period. For the 2014-15 school year, FCPS is looking in to an option for students in other grades.

Here's the deal:  In 2012, the school board passed a resolution that said one of its goals is to achieve later start times for high school students, something that has been an ongoing discussion in the county.

The local advocacy group SLEEPhas been advocating for nearly 10 years for FCPS to change its high school start times from 7:20 a.m. to after 8 a.m.

SLEEP says some FCPS students board buses as early as 5:45 a.m. and that many high schoolers are chronically sleep deprived, which can lead to car crashes, depression and other issues.

As part of the school system discussion about later start times, the Board also directed the Superintendent’s office to provide an option for high school seniors to opt out of their first class of the day, FCPS says.

So when school begins next week, seniors who are on track for graduation and do not need their first class of the day to graduate may elect to drop up to two first period classes. 

Both the parent or guardian and the high school principal must give written permission to seniors who wish to use this option.  

Bus transportation will not be provided to any student who chooses this scheduling option. 

How do you feel about the sleep-in option? Good plan for overtaxed kids or should waking up early be proper prep for real-world life? Tell us in the comments.


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