Students, parents mixed about later start times at Novato high schools

Thursday, August 17, 2017
NOVATO, Calif. (KGO) -- The new school year is coming with some changes to school start times for high school students at two schools in Novato.

The extra time gave some students a little extra energy- while others say it's hard to tell.
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"I could probably feel the difference if they were right after each other but since there was the summer I can't feel a difference," said David Solis, a high school junior at San Marin High School.

"I feel more refreshed I feel ready as compared to last year when we had a start time of 7:10 which is ridiculous. It's nice," said Brandon Barrera, a high school junior at San Marin High School.

That's the goal of the new 8:00 a.m. school bell. Administrators say they want teenagers to get the recommended amount of sleep that research shows they need.

But change is hard, especially for working parents.
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Kids with after school activities point out that the change just gets them to bed later.



"Everything's later so we don't get home till 9:30-10:00ish," said Madison Peterson, a parent.

The vice principal at San Marin expects that this will take some getting used to-but says classes are full today and he has seen a lot of bright smiles.

"Questions about carpools, parents with kids all over town work out kinks, but over all a positive experience," said Mike Casper, the Vice Principal at San Marin High School.
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