N.J. wants to know: Does school start too early?
The New Jersey Department of Education will hold hearings next week to learn whether the public thinks students in middle and high school grades should be spared very early school start times.
The New Jersey Department of Education will hold hearings next week to learn whether the public thinks students in middle and high school grades should be spared very early school start times.
Parents, educators, students, and other community members are being asked for input into the possibility of school start times of 8:30 a.m. or later.
The Legislature passed a law last year to look into the proposal, after the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended later school start times for middle and high schoolers.
The meetings are scheduled for:
4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Camden County College, Blackwood Campus, Civic Hall, 200 College Dr., Blackwood.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, 12 Centre Dr., Room 1, Monroe.
4 to 7 p.m. May 10 at Franklin Williams Middle School auditorium, 222 Laidlaw Ave., Jersey City.
Online registration is being taken to present oral testimony. Speakers are asked to bring printed copies of their remarks. Register at https://education.state.nj.us/events.
People who want to weigh in but who cannot attend a hearing can email their comments through May 20 to laterstarttime@doe.state.nj.us, or mail comments to New Jersey Later School Start Time, c/o Division of Learning Supports and Specialized Services, New Jersey Department of Education, Box 500, Trenton, N.J. 08625-0500.
856-779-3893
@ritagiordano