Late nights or early mornings?

That’s the question that has parents unsure about whether school should start later or whether it should remain the same time it has always been.

In a recent national poll on children’s health conducted by C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital, half of the parents surveyed argued that school should start at 8:30 a.m. or later because it would give their children more time for sleep, while the other half disagreed because a later school day would interfere with after school activities.

Half of the parents in the study argued that school should start later because their children go to bed later; it would give their children more time to sleep.

The parents argue that later mornings will improve their children’s grades significantly, but other parents think that will not work out with the things in their children’s schedules.

Ms. Misty Harris, a Kearsley mother of a freshman, disagrees with starting school later because she think it will affect grades and household duties.

“I have a son who plays basketball. We already make it home late because of games and practice,” Harris said. “He barely has time for homework as it is. I think the later time will make it harder to focus on school and things that he has to do around the house.”

Harris also thinks that the later time would interfere with her work schedule.

“I go to work before 8:30 a.m. I wouldn’t be able to drive my kids to school if it started that late,” Harris said.

Students like Narielle Wheat, senior, believe that school starting later will make students less cranky in the morning.

“Waking up later gives me a good vibe,” Wheat said. “I go to bed late so when I go to school early, I am not as happy.”