Sleep Committee Will Explore Later School Start Times at BTSD

Levittown - Bristol Township School District will establish a Sleep Committee to investigate student sleep and school start times. In recent years, these topics gained national attention and conversation with the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These organizations all conducted research on the importance of sleep and recommend that the appropriate school start time for teenagers is 8:30 a.m. or later. This time is aligned with teens’ biology and circadian rhythm of falling asleep and waking up later.

Bristol Township School District is committed to promoting and sustaining the mental and physical health of students, which is clearly impacted by their ability to obtain a good night’s sleep. While no decision has been made to alter the high school start time, there is compelling information and research that has led to the decision to formally evaluate this topic and explore options with a Sleep Committee. If the high school start time is adjusted, this may impact times at the middle school and elementary level as well.

The Sleep Committee will have 20 members comprised of BTSD staff, parents of high school students, students at Truman and community members who offer experience or expertise on the subject. Sleep Committee members will help develop a survey for the school community, offer recommendations and present their findings.

The District is looking for members who bring a diverse set of experience to the table. Community members who wish to join the Sleep Committee, can fill out the 6-question survey below by Oct. 31, 2019. BTSD will contact chosen members.

The survey/application is available here: https://tinyurl.com/BTSDsleep

With the community’s help and feedback, the District looks forward to examining this important issue.