Early Bird Gets the Education

Earlier start time leaves students annoyed and tired

If you had stuck to the same schedule for over a year, it would be really hard to change it entirely, and especially if that change was abrupt. Yet, that is exactly what happened to students at the beginning of this year when the school day was pushed back 20 minutes.

    While any schedule change will have advantages and disadvantages, some have expressed concern that the new times may be difficult to remember and will be hard on the new freshman class.There are also claims that the change is unhealthily and unpleasantly early. Nevertheless, it may be beneficial to have more time after school and to get an early start on one’s day.

   This year, West Albany starts at 7:40 am and gets out at 2:50, which is a change from last year’s 8-3 p.m. schedule. Memorial Middle School starts at 7:55 a.m. and ends it at 2:50 p.m., which is drastically different than last year’s 8:40 a.m. start time.

    “I think it probably affects this year’s freshmen the most,” sophomore Bella Forney said. “Last year they started at 8:40, so it’s a bigger adjustment for them.”

    Previous Memorial student and current freshman Chrystopher Houser is actually in favor of the new start time. “I also get to get out of school earlier,” Houser said, “which is nice because then I get to do all the stuff I want to do.”

    The class of 2020 has had a different start time every year of its high school career. Juniors are the ones that have experienced each schedule, so which one is best?

    Junior Lukas Nguyen enjoyed the simplicity of last year’s 8 a.m.-3 p.m. day. He thinks the new times are awkward. “Last year was the best,” Ngyuen said.     

   Yet, students aren’t the only ones affected by the shifting start times throughout the district. Health teacher Jennifer Bornheimer has two children, one in middle school and the other in elementary. Bornheimer notices that it’s a struggle for her 12-year old in the morning to get up earlier, but overall her morning schedule is actually easier compared to last year because now her son goes to CAPS, Child and Parent Services, instead of a regular daycare.

    “It’s a little bit less chaotic,” Bornheimer comments on her morning routine, “so it’s refreshing.”