tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post7878942777169014226..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: Irwin mom: This isn't good enoughUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-54325292593624649382014-03-18T16:32:42.785-04:002014-03-18T16:32:42.785-04:00Irwin Mom here. I am glad to hear of Mrs. Forrest...Irwin Mom here. I am glad to hear of Mrs. Forrests concerns, these are the types of parents that help improve test scores for any child. There is much to be desired at Irwin including parent outreach. I have been painfully alone learning about my gifted child (did not even know what that meant)and advocating for his needs. I have been volunteering at the school all year and still when I approach administration to address my childs needs I am viewed as the approaching enemy. I am a white educated parent and it is still difficult communicating with the system. I feel deeply for a great, single, uneducated parent who only wants the best for their child. Ms. Forrest I urge you to start an outreach program, a parent group, something to help these parents. I do not know if the PTA can help with this but I wish you the best of "you can do it." This is our last year at Irwin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-64566291255038152762014-03-17T08:53:35.271-04:002014-03-17T08:53:35.271-04:00Has anyone asked how the "failing" Afric...Has anyone asked how the "failing" African American and Hispanic students at Irwin are performing in the classroom? Are they making progress? Are they mastering the material that is being taught on a daily basis? These issues are much more important than their performance on high stakes tests. After they have all of the relevant data, the school should be able to provide targeted intervention to all students who are actually in need provided they have the adequate funding. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-84789114807045456512014-03-12T12:46:53.436-04:002014-03-12T12:46:53.436-04:00Univ of Minnesota, MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (03/12/2...Univ of Minnesota, MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (03/12/2014) —Later high school start times improve student grades and overall health, according to a new University of Minnesota study, released today.<br /><br />The three-year project, using data from more than 9,000 students attending eight high schools in three states, found that, when switching to a later start time:<br />•attendance, standardized test scores and academic performance in math, English, science and social studies improved.<br />•tardiness, substance abuse, symptoms of depression, and consumption of caffeinated drinks decreased.<br /><br />In addition, the study found that there was a 70 percent drop in the number of car crashes involving teen drivers at Jackson Hole High School in Wyoming, which shifted to the latest start time of the eight schools (8:55 a.m.).<br /><br />"The research confirmed what has been suspected for some time," said Kyla Wahlstrom, Ph.D., director of the U of M’s Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), which conducted the study. "High schools across the country that have later start times show significant improvements in many areas. The reduction of teen car crashes may be the most important finding of all, as the well-being of teens and the safety of the general public are interrelated."<br /><br />The study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that high schools that begin as late as 8:55 a.m. have 66 percent of students obtaining eight or more hours of sleep on school nights, which is the recommended amount for high school aged students. Schools that begin at 7:30 a.m. have an average of only 34 percent of students obtaining eight or more hours of sleep on school nights.<br /><br />"Even a start time of 8:35 a.m. allows 57-60 percent of students to get eight or more hours of sleep, which is an important health benefit for a majority of students," said Wahlstrom. "Local school districts, school personnel, parents, and students need to understand the importance of sleep and to make choices using the knowledge from this and other studies."<br /><br />In the first study to examine multiple schools in various locations across the U.S., student data were collected from eight schools that moved to later start times. Over the last three years, researchers surveyed St. Louis Park High School, Mahtomedi High School, Woodbury High School, Park High School, and East Ridge High School in Minnesota; Boulder High School and Fairview High School in Colorado; and Jackson Hole High School in Wyoming. Students were individually surveyed about their daily activities, substance use and sleep habits. Researchers then examined various health factors post-change in school start time and compared them with national average data.<br /><br />The study also collected comparative data about students’ academic performance, including grades, attendance, tardiness and performance on state and national standardized tests. Car crash data were also examined for the communities surrounding the participating high schools.<br /><br />The full report, "Examining the Impact of Later High School Start Times on the Health and Academic Performance of High School Students: A Multi-Site Study," includes an examination of the processes by which local school districts participating in the study made the decision to change to a later start time. Key participants in the discussions and the decision-making were interviewed.<br /><br />"Our research provides evidence of clear benefits for students whose high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later," said Wahlstrom. "More research needs to be done, but these findings are substantive and should provide more information for school districts considering a change in start time."Zoolandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-81678334212253269572014-03-12T12:45:39.381-04:002014-03-12T12:45:39.381-04:00Jeez. How can I make it simpler?
I quoted a &quo...Jeez. How can I make it simpler?<br /><br />I quoted a "pro" late start time article with three suggestions for the sleep deficit problem.<br /><br />1. Later school start time.<br />2. Earlier parent-set bedtime.<br />3. Fewer extracurricular activities.<br /><br />TWO of these can be done by the parent and child with a little discipline.<br /><br />THE OTHER requires the NANNY STATE to change the rules.<br /><br />WHY is everyone focused on the nanny state solution when they obviously haven't tried the other two?<br /><br />They'll have to do those anyway because they won't get more time to sleep by simply shifting the school schedule.<br /><br />This is a simple scheduling issue.<br /><br />For every hour you delay the start of school, you get one less hour AFTER SCHOOL for ALL activities (including sleep).<br /><br />So to get more sleep, you need to cut activities, too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-39503030305707529962014-03-12T12:32:30.115-04:002014-03-12T12:32:30.115-04:00I'm not saying go to bed earlier, I'm sayi...I'm not saying go to bed earlier, I'm saying cut out the extra activities keeping him up.<br /><br />Then go to bed earlier.<br /><br />Otherwise, you don't get the extra time to sleep anyway.<br /><br />SHIFTING the school day will not help if he doesn't cut back on the extra-curricular activities.<br /><br />Don't you see the problem?<br /><br />I don't see why NO ONE wants to acknowledge the 24-hour in a day restriction here.<br /><br />So if your kid STARTS school an hour later, he STOPS an hour later, doesn't he?<br /><br />That leaves him AN HOUR LESS in the evening for ALL those extra-curricular activities.<br /><br />So either he cuts an hour off THAT or goes to bed at 12pm on a good night only to wake at 6:45.<br /><br />Or goes to bed at 1am to wake at 7:45, etc., etc.<br /><br />HOW ELSE WILL HE GET ALL THE ACTIVITIES INTO A 24 HOUR DAY?<br /><br />BUT if he can cut that hour WITH the time shift, then why can't he cut it now?<br /><br />Why does the whole world have to change its schedule for nothing?<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-29849848267755617012014-03-12T08:10:55.391-04:002014-03-12T08:10:55.391-04:00To the people that say "just put your kid to ...To the people that say "just put your kid to bed earlier", the problem is that most kids CANT go to bed earlier.<br /><br />My son plays Varsity ball at a south charlotte high school, he also takes AP and Honors classes and is involved in Student Govt, and a church group. The earliest he can get to bed is 11pm on a good night. Please don't lecture parents on putting kids to bed earlier. What a joke. the kids are so exhausted by 11pm they can barely function. Then it's up again at 5:45am. This is an awful cycle, and really makes no sense if we are considering what is best for teen students.<br /><br />I'm all for changing the start times.the momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-51848446072720726472014-03-11T12:26:32.459-04:002014-03-11T12:26:32.459-04:00Anon 8:49am.
The problem isn't the research s...Anon 8:49am.<br /><br />The problem isn't the research saying that sleep is good.<br /><br />That's pretty much a given.<br /><br />It's the implementation of the schedule change that will probably get screwed up.<br /><br />That and still getting enough sleep with the later start times.<br /><br />Unless someone is willing to cut back on those extracurricular activities.Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-30733096288570366492014-03-11T12:03:31.165-04:002014-03-11T12:03:31.165-04:00Anon 8:49 am
It's not about me? Really?
We...Anon 8:49 am<br /><br />It's not about me? Really?<br /><br /><br />Well, I checked out your website and have seen the same stuff before. <br /><br />Sure the sleep helps, but the kids need to actually sleep, not play Midnight Basketball.<br /><br />Did you look at some of the issues people are having with all the rescheduling as a result of the changed school times?<br /><br />The ripple effect is amazing.<br /><br />So SOMEONE is sure to have problems with that. Especially those dependent on "free" school transportation.<br /><br />Also, you still have the 24 hours in a day problem.<br /><br />Something has to "give" for the kids to find an extra hour to sleep even with a later start time.<br /><br />Parents still have to enforce an early bedtime, or it's just no good for Bonzo.<br /><br />Moving activities from after school to before school (as many have done) doesn't help.<br /><br />From your suggested website:<br /><br />http://www.startschoollater.net/successful-approaches-thanks-to-sleepinfairfax.html<br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-41404725593713170372014-03-11T11:47:54.269-04:002014-03-11T11:47:54.269-04:00Wiley,
Nah, I saw it and agreed in principle.
It...Wiley,<br /><br />Nah, I saw it and agreed in principle.<br /><br />It's the practice that I think will get screwed up.<br /><br />Sound data and logic won't matter because CMS won't use it anyway.<br /><br />Can you imagine the charts they'd need to accommodate everyone and find an optimum schedule for everything including everyone's extracurricular activities.<br /><br />They'll just pick a time and run with it without thinking too hard about the scheduling conflicts.<br /><br />Some "solutions" to scheduling problems with later start times I've seen have kids coming in for sports practice in the early mornings.<br /><br />So much for their sleep...<br /><br />Bottom line is 24 hours in a day.<br /><br />If the kids get more sleep it has to come from somewhere.<br /><br />It's unlikely to come from increased "efficiency" at homework or schoolwork.<br /><br />And the total number of school hours aren't changing.<br /><br />So I think their "extracurricular" calendars are probably just too full (and will have to give anyway)<br /><br />But that's probably what's important to them anyway.<br /><br />Maybe we just need a shorter school day, too. Four hours should suffice.<br /><br />As it is, school start times are just ONE factor.<br /><br />And changing them is unlikely to solve the problem by itself.<br /><br />http://schoolstarttime.org/delaying-school-start-times/will-students-squander-opportunity-extra-sleep/<br /><br />"Factors such as a later school start time, parental monitoring of bedtimes, and moderation in the number of hours spent on extracurricular activities are all likely to optimize sleep opportunity and so sleep. These factors have a cumulative effect.<br /><br /> For adolescents who have a constellation of negative factors, such as an early school start time, no parent-set bedtime, and a heavy extracurricular load, the impact on their sleep and functioning is likely to be so detrimental as to present a significant negative impact. "Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-76746232542703657102014-03-11T10:34:34.769-04:002014-03-11T10:34:34.769-04:00Shamash,
You must have skipped over this part of ...Shamash,<br /><br />You must have skipped over this part of what I said:<br /><br /><i>"Again, start schools at an optimum time based on sound logic and data and if parents don't like it, too bad."</i><br /><br />That pretty much sums it up. Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-63267123130207784742014-03-11T08:49:07.404-04:002014-03-11T08:49:07.404-04:00This is not about you Shamash.
This is about mak...This is not about you Shamash. <br /><br />This is about making common sense, healthier decisions for our teens. And, this has nothing to do with sleeping late. Do you think waking up at 7am for classes that start at 8:30am is sleeping in? <br /><br />For those of you who want accurate, scientifically based data on this subject, from groups/schools like the American Academy of Pediatrics, National Institute of Health, National Sleep Foundation, Stanford University, Brown University, The University of Minnesota, Harvard School of Public Health (just to name a few), please check out the Start School Later website at http://www.startschoollater.net/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-44727743315779686132014-03-11T08:41:09.677-04:002014-03-11T08:41:09.677-04:00On a personal note, though, I like to sleep late, ...On a personal note, though, I like to sleep late, too.<br /><br />It's just that I've had to adjust to all kinds of schedules in my life and just think it is a part of modern life off the farm, so you learn to cope.<br /><br />My son's school starts at 7:15, some kids get on buses well before that. <br /><br />And some will have problems getting out later rather than earlier. So it goes.<br /><br />My first job out of high school (the summer before college) was working night shift in a paper plant.<br /><br />Lots of people work evenings and nights now.<br /><br />And if you ever have kids, they cry in the middle of the night, too.<br /><br />The world just doesn't cater to your needs all the time, so it's best to learn how to cope instead of expecting everyone to change to suit YOUR needs.<br /><br />We simply cannot accommodate everyone in every little way.Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-68266705573997971082014-03-11T08:30:53.781-04:002014-03-11T08:30:53.781-04:00Wiley,
Well, since MOST people aren't blind.....Wiley,<br /><br />Well, since MOST people aren't blind...<br /><br />The one-eyed man ain't king around here.<br /><br />Nothing against using logic (and science or technology), just not blindly.<br /><br />Why avoid the obvious personal solutions and make the whole "village" cater to your personal "needs", though?<br /><br />Everyone can find SOME issue that the world needs to address to make them more comfortable.<br /><br />I'd like to minimize that through personal effort.<br /><br /><br /><br /> Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-72318423014511296032014-03-11T08:01:19.259-04:002014-03-11T08:01:19.259-04:00Despite the technological advances of "modern...Despite the technological advances of "modern" society, the overall health, as in sleep, diet and lifestyle of our children is worse than it was a century ago. The consequences of poor health among our children has never been more problematic or prevalent, possibly due to technology. Sleep deprivation is a part of our "modern" society.Dr. Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-87181751678038070902014-03-11T07:15:11.831-04:002014-03-11T07:15:11.831-04:00Hope the Irwin Mom can make a positive impact at h...Hope the Irwin Mom can make a positive impact at her school.<br /><br />As far as the early bell schedule, I have two middle school students who participate in competitive sports and other activities. Along with homework, there is no way we could ever get them to bed by 9pm. Yes, those are our choices but we see value for our children in all of our other activities as well as school activities. <br /><br />I know very few adults who have to be to work by 7:15, and no college classes start at 7:15.<br /><br />We have actually considered moving to fort mill due to the 8:30AM start time because we are not willing to sacrifice our sports and sleep. You have to admit that 7:15am does not make any sense.Joan E.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-41495524634382917922014-03-10T22:06:58.801-04:002014-03-10T22:06:58.801-04:00School start times aren't at the top of my lis...School start times aren't at the top of my list of school concerns, however, my college aged son recently mentioned that more colleges are ditching 8 AM classes including Duke and USC which he wholeheartedly supports because having to wake up in a frat house at 8:30 AM is killing him - on my dime. On the other hand, my college boyfriend signed up for all 8:00 AM classes on his "foreign exchange" program at the University of Hawaii in order to spend the rest of his day sleeping on the beach. <br /><br />Good for the Irwin Avenue mom. We need more soccer mom's like this one. <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-37743506659765319602014-03-10T22:04:11.098-04:002014-03-10T22:04:11.098-04:00Shamash, Bolyn...
Since people who are blind expe...Shamash, Bolyn...<br /><br />Since people who are blind experience continual circadian desynchrony through a failure of light information to reach their hypothalamic circadian clock, wattage of light bulbs seems..... trivial.<br /><br />Again, start schools at an optimum time based on sound logic and data and if parents don't like it, too bad. Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-41469281691947631172014-03-10T18:40:32.161-04:002014-03-10T18:40:32.161-04:00Black students will never score as well as white s...Black students will never score as well as white students because of the "war on poverty" started by LBJ. This has done more harm to the black community than slavery. It has kept them dependent on the government for assistance to the point that they will never try to feed themselves. About as useless a program as the wasted trillions spent on the "war on drugs"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-4561481670694418722014-03-10T17:54:35.866-04:002014-03-10T17:54:35.866-04:00Bolyn,
"Free and Reduced Light."
I sme...Bolyn,<br /><br />"Free and Reduced Light."<br /><br />I smell Gubmint Cheese and I need some rats to take my bait.<br /><br />You know some of these CMS folks, don't you? <br /><br />Do they need a "lighting" consultant? <br /><br />(I can do a few PowerPoint slides and a flashy Web page to get their attention, if necessary.)<br /><br />I've identified a known medical disability that CMS should address immediately.<br /><br />There MUST be some federal money in this for me (or a relative) somewhere.<br /><br />My brother used to hang garage doors. <br /><br />I could re-train him to change light bulbs for the right "shovel-ready" job.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-91447343577322580412014-03-10T17:53:13.073-04:002014-03-10T17:53:13.073-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-83474322363074473302014-03-10T17:46:34.823-04:002014-03-10T17:46:34.823-04:00I've also thought that if I was a poor black s...I've also thought that if I was a poor black student I would be mad that less was expected of me. That is CMS in a nutshell. And being white, I'm mad that they completely ignore my needs. Try getting around to a class at either AKHS or Community House. <br />One thing is true-CMS will punish you regardless of color.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-42846024352468356302014-03-10T17:39:26.787-04:002014-03-10T17:39:26.787-04:00Anon 4:27pm.
"The students are in class. How...Anon 4:27pm.<br /><br />"The students are in class. How will they get the day light? Does florescent bulbs count?"<br /><br />(Heh, Free and Reduced Light...Dang, I shoulda thunk it. Must be getting slow.)<br /><br />Well, there ARE fluorescent lights that simulate daylight and can help those who are indoors during the day. <br /><br />6500K (Full Spectrum) lighting is what it's called.<br /><br />All this "scientific" research that everyone mentions about those "circadian rhythms" should mention this since they have been used in light therapy for decades for folks with sleep disorders or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).<br /><br />Hey, isn't that great? <br /><br />Maybe these kids have a MEDICAL DISABILITY and can SUE for "equal access" to an education?<br /><br />(Wow, think of the bucks to be made with that by some educratic thunktank...)<br /><br />Don't see why schools couldn't use them. I do. Have one on my desk now made by Verilux.<br /><br />I have an even older one (20 years old) nearby made by Ott-lite that still works.<br /> <br />As I said, this technology has been around for decades.<br /><br />Maybe the schools could use something like that, if they haven't already.<br /><br />Or someone could sue them and get new lighting.<br /><br />Modern LED bulbs can be adjusted for "hotness" as well. <br /><br />I also use a computer program called f.lux which adjusts the brightness of my LED computer screen to simulate daylight and evening light.<br /><br />It was designed precisely to help your "biological clock" adjust to all that "blue light" from the electronics.<br /><br />So, again, it is amazing what you can do with a little research and some effort. Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-25654266918221751492014-03-10T17:06:50.503-04:002014-03-10T17:06:50.503-04:00Behind successful students, of any race, you are a...Behind successful students, of any race, you are apt to find very supportive/involved parents.<br /> Sadly, being an involved parent is simply not the norm within the African American community, specifically those who are less affluent. As a consequence, African American students, on average, are woefully behind their white counterparts. Until this culture is addressed, it is highly unlikely we shall see much improvement in the academic performance of African American children. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-34788980453925970972014-03-10T16:31:16.016-04:002014-03-10T16:31:16.016-04:00.
FRL
Free and Reduced Light
Bolyn McClung
Pinev....<br />FRL<br /><br />Free and Reduced Light<br /><br />Bolyn McClung<br />PinevilleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05404611851984737013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-37132792185101553792014-03-10T16:27:06.830-04:002014-03-10T16:27:06.830-04:00The students are in class. How will they get the d...The students are in class. How will they get the day light? Does florescent bulbs count?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com