School Start Times: Where are we at now?

With Littleton Public Schools two months into the 2023-24 school year, the changed school times have started to take effect. The change that was voted on by many parents, students, and teachers still remains extremely controversial to our alumni and staff. There are many positions taken on this topic.  

Dismissal times have shifted back. However, athletics have not, keeping games and the shuttle bus at the same time. That means that student-athletes only have a short 10 minutes to get to locker rooms, change, and catch the bus. Originally, the shuttle bus left at 2:40 (5 minutes after dismissal). This was extremely problematic and chaotic, as everyone was stressed out and scrambling to catch the bus. Even now, after they added 5 minutes, students still find themselves fighting over stalls and bathrooms to change, while coaches are forced to move practices and games back in fear of being late. 

Student athletes playing a winter sport face a different problem: daylight. With the school timings now moved back, resulting in later games, many winter athletes find themselves playing in the dark. Night games are darker and colder than ever, making many feel uncomfortable and unhappy. 

It is important to note, however, that athletes are not the only ones affected by this change. Many students find themselves staying up later to catch up on assignments. The shorter period of time after school decreases the number of extracurriculars and clubs a student can take. “I’m really not sure if I’m gaining any sleep out of this, I feel like I’m just sleeping later so I can catch up on assignments I could have been doing earlier in the day if we were released earlier” one freshman explains. 

But not all bad came out of this decision. “I feel better rested and more active in school than ever before,” a freshman remarks, “school is actually becoming fun”. While this new schedule has stripped some of their quality shut-eye, some have actually benefited. As this freshman stated, some have been feeling better rested, and don’t come to school with bags under their eyes, looking like they rolled out of bed. 

Many parents have benefitted too. Instead of having to make two trips, parents are now able to drop their kids off at school and drive straight to work. “I love the new schedule!” one parent told us, “The timings work out perfectly with my work timings. I can just drop off my kid and then go to work instead of coming home and then going.” Not all parents agree of course, but many are still happy to see their half-asleep zombie transformed into a cheerful and rested teenager. 

It is hard to think that the school timings have only changed by 45 minutes. These 45 minutes are a crucial part to many highschoolers’ day. 

No matter what stance is taken on this topic, the school bell will continue to ring at 8:05, and nothing will change that. Instead of pulling an all-nighter to finish that one math project, many have found that pace, dedication, and hard-work can fix anything, including a sleepy student.