Will Newtown Follow Wilton’s Lead?

To the Editor:

I want to publicly express my high esteem for David Clune. By refusing to yield to the status quo and giving teenage students 40 minutes more sleep before starting school, he has pledged his solid commitment to protect the well-being of our children.

A former member of the Wilton community, our family moved to Newtown in 1974. Last year, with the addition of a 5/6 school, our school system had a perfect opportunity and incentive to change start times. Despite suggestions from members of the community whose arguments referred to the same sleep-deprivation studies among teenagers, our superintendent apparently determined that other factors outweighed the benefits of working with the circadian rhythms of its students.

Because it is Wilton that has taken this leadership position I am encouraged that other towns will follow. One of the major arguments on behalf of keeping the status quo is that interscholastic sports schedules would be out of sync. Wilton is very heavily oriented toward those activities, more so I believe, than Newtown. I highly doubt Wilton will be left out; rather, every other town will end up amending its team schedules. If this becomes the case, there will definitely be a crack in the door of change. Let’s hope so.

Judy Fishman

11 Farm Meadow Road, Newtown                                 June 18, 2003