To: Brian Whiston, Superintendent and Mary Lane, President of the Board of Education

Dearborn Public Schools

We respectfully request our school board to officially recognize the large and compelling body of research regarding teen sleep and academic achievement, and, with a resolution, to set a goal to start high schools in Dearborn Public Schools after 8:15 AM.

Why is this important?

When teens get the required 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep:
• School attendance goes up,
• Tardiness decreases,
• They sleep less in class,
• They get in fewer traffic accidents,
• Visit nurses and counselors less often, and,
• Report less depression and irritability.
Starting school before 8:15 AM, without a doubt, undermines optimal academic achievement.