To the Editor: 

Do you think that kids are getting up too early for school? Well, if so, then keep reading!

Studies show that when kids get up at 7 a.m., 66 percent of kids feel unhappy or depressed. I don’t think it is good to get up this early for school. It is affecting the way kids are learning.

Most kids who get less than eight hours of sleep do not learn as well as kids who get eight or more hours of sleep.  It is difficult for teens to fall asleep before 11 p.m. or get up before 8 a.m. I think teachers are making it even harder by giving kids a lot of homework. It is making them stay up even later so they are getting even less sleep.

I have noticed that, when I get home late from an activity and sleep in, I find that I do a lot better in school and I am more ready. I'm a lot more focused and aware of what I am doing in class.

When I get up at the normal time for school, I find that it is harder for me to focus and I get distracted a lot more easily. Some teachers think that getting up early has a positive impact, that it is better for the kids.

Some schools begin before 7:30 a.m. and others are beginning at 9 a.m. Some people might think that getting up this early is good for you and helps. They think that it is better for the kids and they should be getting up this early.

I think that getting up this early is bad for kids’ learning. Studies show that kids do better in school when they get more sleep. I think schools should change the time kids are getting up for school.

Marissa Simeone

Farnsworth Middle School

Guilderland