Dear DPS Community,
As you may know, DPS has been preparing for the shift to Healthy Start Times, following the Board of Education’s resolution last year. Beginning in the fall of 2023, all middle and high schools will start no earlier than 8:20 a.m. in order to support healthy sleep habits in teenagers.
This change is based on multiple research studies that show later start times support the academic performance, as well as the overall physical and mental health, of adolescents.
We want to make sure the new schedule is informed by what our community values most, so we’ll be hosting virtual events — beginning next week — to talk you through some options. Please join in to learn more and let us know what you think.
In the meantime, there’s a lot of great information available about this shift. Visit our Healthy Start Times webpage, watch our informational video, and mark your calendar for a Zoom call next week to hear about the proposed options. And keep an eye out for a survey in the weeks ahead where you can share your thoughts with us.
With your participation and feedback, we’ll be able to make a positive impact for scholars and families across the district!