Controversy over East Greenwich school start times

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Schools are back in session in Rhode Island, but East Greenwich is getting a late start. Wednesday was the first day of school for East Greenwich public schools and the debut of the district’s later school start times.

East Greenwich High School kicked off the first day thirty minutes later than usual. The high school and area middle schools now start at 8:00 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m.

The district has become the first in the state to adjust its start time based on the students’ sleep schedules. The school committee voted to push start times back based on research that shows the more sleep students get, the more they learn.

But not all parents are on board with the extra 30 minutes of sleep. In fact, many of them ABC6 spoke with are pushing for the old start times to be brought back.

One reason why some parents are upset is because of the hefty price tag. In pushing back start times, the bus schedule is changing which costs the district an extra $90,000.

Another reason is the later release time. Parents are concerned with the affect it could have on athletics. Students at the high school are now getting out at 2:30 p.m. instead of 2:00 pm.

Other school districts in Rhode Island have expressed interest in implementing a later school start time.

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