On April 29, the district announced that there would be an hour time shift for the start and end times of school, starting the following semester. At 8:15 in the morning, the school bell blares signalling that students should start to get to class. 15 minutes later, it rings again, indicating that the school day has officially started. 

     “I felt a big difference in students’ overall mentality as they start the day,” AP U.S. History teacher Matthew Stahl said. “So I was really happy when I heard that it was going to switch to 8:30. I thought it was going to be better for everyone.”

     While some were in favor of the time shift, others thought it would end up creating scheduling conflicts, especially after school. 

     “At first I did not like the idea of getting out later,” sophomore Lena Lowry said. “I am involved in a lot of after school activities, so I was worried that I wouldn’t have much time at the end of the day.”

     For Lowry, her opinion on the time shift has changed as the school year has advanced. 

     “I think [the time shift] has helped out a lot of people by giving them more time to themselves in the morning,” Lowry said. 

     According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, starting school later allows students to get enough sleep. 

     “I think that it is super important for high school students to get ample rest during the school year,” Lowry said. 

     Furthermore, students tend to be more energetic since they receive an extra hour of sleep and the mornings are not as dark as before. 

     “Starting your day with a little bit of sunlight makes a big difference,” Stahl said. “Really just kind of shifts the mentality a little bit where our students are really just more energetic and more lively, I think they’re just more awake in general.”

     While the time shift has its benefits, there are some conflicts that arise such as scheduling conflicts. According to Stahl, one example could be schedule differences between older and younger siblings that make transportation more complicated. 

     “[The time shift] can also make it a little bit later for practices and the activities,” Stahl said. “But I don’t think it’s been too bad.”

     The time shift’s main purpose is to better prepare students for the school day by allowing more time to sleep and providing a more efficient environment. 

     “At the end of the day it is so important for high school students to get the rest they need,” Lowry said. “So, I feel if that can be provided by starting school an hour later, then I am all for it.”