She said elementary teachers were not brought into the discussion, but would argue against the move.
She said elementary attention spans are much better in the morning, and tend to diminish by 2 p.m. because the youngsters are tired.
“I ask that you have elementary teachers there to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns,” said Deb Goldenberg, an art teacher at Coleytown Elementary School (CES).
“Students are more focused in the morning,” said Erika DiGiovanni, a fourth grade teacher at CES.
“I fear that the high level of learning that we value in our district is in jeopardy,” she said.
Concern was also expressed about the impact the change would have on working parents, who might need care in the mornings for their kids.
“It fails to address the impact it will have on our youngest population,” parent Sofia Dumery said of the proposal.
BOE member Karen Kleine likewise expressed skepticism about the change, in particular not convinced it would have any impact.
“I would love to see us measure results … because I personally don’t think we’re going to see any,” she said, noting that not all youngsters have trouble getting up in the morning.
“I don’t want to put this out there like it’s some kind of magic cure-all,” Kleine said, noting results in Wilton from a similar change did not appear to be helping students.
Superintendent of Schools David Abbey spoke on behalf of the change, explaining that the district should look into possibly creating some morning programs for students that can take place before school.
“I think the proposal is an important one,” he said, calling it less an educational issue than a community one.
He said there was no reason elementary students could not shift to a later time, provided teachers handled the pacing in such a way as to keep a balance.
Abbey said evaluating the change would make sense, and suggested it could be as simple as interviewing students about its impact.
“You might want to just ask the students if it’s made a difference,” he said. “Have they slept more?”
Christine Meiers Schatz, a member of the Representative Town Meeting and parent who spearheaded the proposal and helped form the committee, defended its work in terms of examining the impact on elementary-age students.
She said both elementary parents and administrators served on the SSTC, which unanimously endorsed the recommendation.
“There’s nothing to indicate that moving to nine o’clock, from what I’ve seen, would be to the detriment of our elementary schools,” she said.
Saugatuck Elementary School parent Jen Berniker spoke in favor of the change, as her school starts at 8 a.m., and not 8:30 a.m. like others.
“I’ve just been praying for this,” she said.
Berniker suggested that if students are tired toward the end of the day, maybe it’s because the day is too long.
“Our elementary school is much longer than any of us grew up with,” she said.
She said elementary teachers were not brought into the discussion, but would argue against the move.
She said elementary attention spans are much better in the morning, and tend to diminish by 2 p.m. because the youngsters are tired.
“I ask that you have elementary teachers there to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns,” said Deb Goldenberg, an art teacher at Coleytown Elementary School (CES).
“Students are more focused in the morning,” said Erika DiGiovanni, a fourth grade teacher at CES.
“I fear that the high level of learning that we value in our district is in jeopardy,” she said.
Concern was also expressed about the impact the change would have on working parents, who might need care in the mornings for their kids.
“It fails to address the impact it will have on our youngest population,” parent Sofia Dumery said of the proposal.
BOE member Karen Kleine likewise expressed skepticism about the change, in particular not convinced it would have any impact.
“I would love to see us measure results … because I personally don’t think we’re going to see any,” she said, noting that not all youngsters have trouble getting up in the morning.
“I don’t want to put this out there like it’s some kind of magic cure-all,” Kleine said, noting results in Wilton from a similar change did not appear to be helping students.
Superintendent of Schools David Abbey spoke on behalf of the change, explaining that the district should look into possibly creating some morning programs for students that can take place before school.
“I think the proposal is an important one,” he said, calling it less an educational issue than a community one.
He said there was no reason elementary students could not shift to a later time, provided teachers handled the pacing in such a way as to keep a balance.
Abbey said evaluating the change would make sense, and suggested it could be as simple as interviewing students about its impact.
“You might want to just ask the students if it’s made a difference,” he said. “Have they slept more?”
Christine Meiers Schatz, a member of the Representative Town Meeting and parent who spearheaded the proposal and helped form the committee, defended its work in terms of examining the impact on elementary-age students.
She said both elementary parents and administrators served on the SSTC, which unanimously endorsed the recommendation.
“There’s nothing to indicate that moving to nine o’clock, from what I’ve seen, would be to the detriment of our elementary schools,” she said.
Saugatuck Elementary School parent Jen Berniker spoke in favor of the change, as her school starts at 8 a.m., and not 8:30 a.m. like others.
“I’ve just been praying for this,” she said.
Berniker suggested that if students are tired toward the end of the day, maybe it’s because the day is too long.
“Our elementary school is much longer than any of us grew up with,” she said.
