Rallying Support for Later Class Start Times for Greenwich Students

A rally to raise awareness and support to start classes later for Greenwich public school students is being organized for Thursday night by Greenwich Board of Education member Peter vonBraun.

“There is irrefutable scientific evidence that no single practical change could improve the learning environment at Greenwich High School more than the adoption of a start time of 8:30 a.m. or later. At the time has come to move decisively to adopt this policy,” vonBraun said. “To advance this cause, we are holding a rally” at 7 p.m. Thursday in the meeting room of Greenwich Town Hall, according to vonBraun.

In May, the school district conducted a survey of parents, students and staff to determine the level of interest in changing school start times. The majority of parents (75%) and students (77%) responding were supportive or highly supportive of exploring a change in school start times. Staff respondents were largely supportive (45%) or neutral (20%) in their support of exploring a change in school start times.

As a result of the survey, Superintendent William McKersie has said he will appoint a committee in September to explore the possibility of delaying class start times.

Greenwich High classes begin at 7:30 a.m., middle schools start at 7:45 a.m. and elementary schools start at either 8:15 or 8:45 a.m.

Greenwich Selectman Drew Marzullo said, ”School start times and research has been accumulating for years. To me it seems counterproductive to learning to expect students to be alert and ready to absorb information in the very early morning when according to experts their brains are still in sleep mode and comes with significant risk.”

Marzullo added, “At the very least this proposed change will improve the odds of children thriving both physically and academically. In my opinion the town and more importantly the BOE should begin implementing a revised bus schedule with cost estimates and making public any negatives that could impact after school programs and what, if any, effects this could have on non-Greenwich High students.”

In addition to vonBraun, the speakers scheduled for Thursday’s rally include incumbent Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei and his Democratic challenger Frank Farricker; Valerie Erde, Greenwich leader of the National Start School Later organization; Dr. Rosa Fini; Dr. Gaetane Francis and clinical psychologist Beth O’Donnell.