A school district in New Jersey is thinking about starting classes at 9 a.m. to give children a little extra sleep before the day begins.
NJ reported on a plan.Com stated that as part of a modification that would enable Pleasantville High School to ring the opening bell at 8 a.m. instead of 7:45 a.m., classes at Pleasantville’s four primary schools might start 10 minutes later than their present start time of 8:50 a.m.
The most significant schedule modification would enable Pleasantville Middle School to begin classes on September 4 at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8:05 a.m.
Some parents were concerned that sending their kids to school later could make things more difficult for working parents, according to a video of a community meeting that Fox 29 was able to obtain. According to NJ.com, the proposal was considered during a school board meeting on August 12.
The proposal is still pending confirmation. A later start time, according to the idea’s proponents, would increase student productivity.
In New York City, the United Federation of Teachers demands that the school day start at 8 a.m. For high school students, the final bell can arrive as late as 4:20 p.m.
