Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Middle Schools Might Consider Later Start, End Times

Two Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills middle schools might have a later start date next year.

Elementary School District 181 might consider moving back both start and end times of its two middle schools due to research showing that adolescents function better later in the morning, the Doings Hinsdale reported.

Superintendent Don White said in the Doings' article a later starting time works better with the body clocks of young students. Even a small amount of extra time — say, 15 minutes — could allow them to get more needed sleep.

To compensate for the lost time in the morning, school days would also end later in the afternoon. White said the number of instructional minutes per day would stay firm, no matter the start or end time of any school.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has reported increased health and academic success have come as the result of later start times for middle and high schools. The organization recommends that schools for these age levels start no later than 8:30 a.m.

Ruben Pena, Hinsdale Middle School’s principal, told the Doings he supported the idea of a later start time.

“It has to work for families, too, but I think it would be good for our students on both ends,” he said. “They need to get their sleep, so starting later would help with that, and there’s less opportunity to get into mischief after school with a later ending time.”

However, a later ending time could cut into extracurriculars for students, since many athletic teams and clubs meet shortly after the school day ends.

White said he's gathering information about the subject and said he may send out a survey to parents and staff about the possible change. He also said he plans to present options to this school board in mid-November and might have an open meeting for the school community in December to hear comments, concerns and questions.

White said that along with checking that any changes work for parents’ work schedules and commuting times, his own staff has to be considered, as well.

“The needs of their families is a factor, too; I wouldn’t want this to create problems for our staff and their families,” he said. “Our staff said to not let their needs be more important than our students.”

Clarendon Hills Middle School and Hinsdale Middle School both start at 7:55 a.m. and let out at 2:45 p.m. right now. All seven of the district’s elementary schools start at 8:40 a.m. and let out at 3:05 p.m.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

--

Image via Shutterstock.