It’s A Miracle

My Parents Could Read

To the Editor:

One could infer from all the recent letters, plus a lengthy article in The Newtown Bee, that sleep deprivation due to circadian rhythms will pose a significant threat to our high school students’ ability to learn should they start the school day at 7:30 am. After reading all this information, I consider it a miracle my parents, both raised on a farm and working for several hours before walking to school each day, even learned to read!

In my high school, the farm kids were among the highest achievers despite a very demanding work environment before and after school each day and throughout the weekend. How is this possible? Deep into the article in The Bee, there was a suggestion for minimizing the effects of circadian rhythm by maintaining a normal schedule each day. One cannot expect students to go to school each day, participate in a full slate of afternoon activities, study late into the night, burn the candle at both ends throughout the weekend and then attempt to return to school on Monday morning and be attentive in the classroom.

Starting the school day later is not going to solve this attention problem. This can only be solved by the parents. Parents need to take an active role in their child’s schedule. Of course, in many households, both parents work, have a long daily commute, and are exhausted themselves, but this was their choice. My suggestion (and many may not like it) is to insist the kids are in bed at a reasonable hour on weekday nights, realize they cannot participate in everything and moderate their activities, and strictly enforce a weekend curfew. Finally, insist they get up at a reasonable time on the weekend so Monday morning will not be such a shock.

Sincerely,

Mark Dennen

6 Old Green road, Sandy Hook                                August 25, 2003