Schools need later start times; students need less homework

Editor:

Columbia County middle- and high-school teachers should reduce the amount of homework and projects theyre assigning students. Every day, students have hours of homework, including on Fridays. In addition, they have numerous projects which are taking up many weekends. They also have to go to bed earlier because of the early start time, so there isnt much time left for extracurricular activities. Weve had to miss several after-school classes that weve paid for.

I suggest that, starting in the fall, the teachers either reduce the amount of homework and projects theyre assigning students, or have a "no homework on Friday" policy.

I also think we should return to the original plan of giving high school students more sleep time. The survey which 60 percent of parents voted for was for an 8 a.m. start time, not 7:35 or 7:40. The congestion created at Lakeside High School and Lakeside Middle School is causing buses to have to pick up students earlier, not giving them enough sleep time. Middle school students are going to school earlier than ever.

Lakeside High School should begin at about 7:50, with Lakeside Middle beginning about 7:40. This 10-minute gap can help alleviate the congestion and buses wont have to pick up students so early.

The later start time also gives students more time for sleep. This will help them perform better academically, and reduce the number of sick days.

M. Murro

Martinez