To Snooze or Not to Snooze?

As the 2022-23 school year kicks off, Palos Verdes High School implemented a new bell schedule in response to the state law introduced to give students extra sleep before class. 

The previous bell schedule required students to be on campus at 8 AM. for their first period. However, the newly applied schedule sets time forward to 8:30, in hopes of giving students an extra half hour of rest. 

Though there is a large amount of controversy surrounding the updated schedule, and whether getting thirty minutes of extra sleep or allowing students to get out earlier is more important, in my opinion, the change has had more benefits than losses. 

With an extra half an hour of sleep, there has been an increase of students arriving on time and well-rested for their classes than before. 

Providing a sufficient time period for students who live farther away to get to school on time reduces stress in the mornings which is important for their mental health and later academic performance throughout the day. 

Most classes assign one assignment each period to be submitted to the next class. 

Along with extracurricular activities and outside commitments, highschoolers have to balance finishing their homework as well as making sure they get the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep every night. 

In past years, a healthy sleep schedule was rare for students, especially those with zero periods.  From being in class at seven, and having to leave the house as early as 6:30 AM for students who live farther away, this extra thirty minutes, though seemingly small, serves its purpose as providing students with a grace period during a rushed morning.

 With students getting to school on time, getting more sleep, and seemingly doing better academically, the new schedule seems to bring a positive change for most.