School start times are pushed back
California schools have until July 1, 2022 to comply with new start time requirements.
In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would place restrictions on the time school starts. This new bill requires all California high schools to start after 8:30 am and all middle schools to start after 8:00 am.
It’s better for their mental health, it reduces depression and other mental health problems
— Celia Jaffe
According to the Associated Press, the law was signed after concerns began to rise about the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers.
“It’s better for their mental health, it reduces depression and other mental health problems,” said the president of the California State PTA, Celia Jaffe.
However, many are concerned that later start times will pose more problems for students. Some have expressed that starting later will have an impact on after-school sports and practices, after-school work for teens and bus schedules.
Hart High School will be voting soon on a new schedule that complies with the new law. Changes will be implemented starting at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
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