Length of school day in Chicagoland? (Elmhurst: middle school, kids, students)

[4122]

They really should. The AAP says that high schools shouldn't start till 8:30 am or later. Teens need 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep. Their sleep clock doesn't let them fall asleep until around 11pm, so it's unhealthy for teens to wake up earlier than 7:30am. If teens don't get their recommended amount of sleep, they're more likely to have physical and/or mental health problems. Also, their academic performance is worse with not enough sleep.

[2033nr]

Thanks everyone! Interesting about the earlier/later start times. My high school started at 7:20a and there were many days I was running to catch that bus with my shoes untied : ).

I was more interested about opinions on the shorter school day (regardless of start time). IL is also the only state that mandates Physical Ed every single day so it's interesting that we'd still have a shorter school day in comparison when we're cramming PE every day. Do you think something is being shortchanged in the curriculum because of this?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by 2033nr

Thanks everyone! Interesting about the earlier/later start times. My high school started at 7:20a and there were many days I was running to catch that bus with my shoes untied : ).

I was more interested about opinions on the shorter school day (regardless of start time). IL is also the only state that mandates Physical Ed every single day so it's interesting that we'd still have a shorter school day in comparison when we're cramming PE every day. Do you think something is being shortchanged in the curriculum because of this?

...the "union rep" and it fairly well known that their lobbying is why daily PE is mandated. Kind of a messed situation...

[moderngnome]

My Chicago suburb elementary kids go 8:15-3. That's plenty long enough, IMO.

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by 2033nr

Thanks everyone! Interesting about the earlier/later start times. My high school started at 7:20a and there were many days I was running to catch that bus with my shoes untied : ).

I was more interested about opinions on the shorter school day (regardless of start time). IL is also the only state that mandates Physical Ed every single day so it's interesting that we'd still have a shorter school day in comparison when we're cramming PE every day. Do you think something is being shortchanged in the curriculum because of this?

Probably! I was able to graduate in my Junior year in Illinois. I took 2 classes in summer school to do so. I don't remember having some of the classes my children have had in high school but they didn't have to take PE every day, for four years, only 1 year of PE is required of SC grads so there is more room for basic studies. I took one year of foreign language while my children have taken 3 or 4 each.

[2033nr]

moderngnome, which school district are you in?

[moderngnome]

Originally Posted by 2033nr

moderngnome, which school district are you in?

Elmhurst, District 205

[Paige65]

in District 112 (Highland Park elementary and middle):

Elementary: 8:40 - 3:17
Middle 7:55 - 2:40

District 113 (Highland Park High School, not sure if Deerfield High School follows same schedule though the two schools make up the district)

Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri: 8:00-3:05 (42 minute lunch period)
Wednesday: 9:00- 3:05 (Wednesday and Thursday have 30 minute lunch periods)

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by 2033nr

Thanks everyone! Interesting about the earlier/later start times. My high school started at 7:20a and there were many days I was running to catch that bus with my shoes untied : ).

I was more interested about opinions on the shorter school day (regardless of start time). IL is also the only state that mandates Physical Ed every single day so it's interesting that we'd still have a shorter school day in comparison when we're cramming PE every day. Do you think something is being shortchanged in the curriculum because of this?

I guess it all depends upon the number of days the students are in school. You would have to compare the overall number of days from each state and the hours per day to get a true figure.

I'm a big fan of PE everyday, especially at the elementary and middle school level. I always felt like having them move was a good thing. Now that all of my kids are in high school, it's a little annoying, but they don't seem to mind, even though they all play sports. At our high school you can get out of PE if you are a varsity athlete (unless you are a freshman, because they have another non PE program that is combined with PE that is part of the freshman curriculum).

[4122]

Originally Posted by Paige65

in District 112 (Highland Park elementary and middle):

Elementary: 8:40 - 3:17
Middle 7:55 - 2:40

District 113 (Highland Park High School, not sure if Deerfield High School follows same schedule though the two schools make up the district)

Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri: 8:00-3:05 (42 minute lunch period)
Wednesday: 9:00- 3:05 (Wednesday and Thursday have 30 minute lunch periods)

Deerfield's is 8:10-3:14