Under Senate Bill No. 328, the late start policy states that high schools cannot begin earlier than 8:30 a.m. and middle schools at 8:00 a.m. The bill will be in effect at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, meaning that current freshmen will experience the new changes.
“I hope the bill will help students get more sleep and not be super tired during class,” freshman Amy Liang said. “Having extra time in the morning will definitely help me get more sleep, allow me to complete my homework and go to school feeling well-rested.”
The new policy aims to improve student health and academic performance by adjusting school start times in hopes that they will allow students more time to sleep. Teachers, parents and students may have to rearrange their schedules and activities.
“The people behind the bill have good intentions, but I can’t imagine that 20 minutes will change much,” geometry teacher Jeff Bulgin said. “It seems that it could create more problems than it solves.”
Schools will end at a later time, forcing communities to adjust their bus and sports schedules. Some schools, such as La Cañada High School, already follow the senate bill.
“I think the point of late start was to allow students more time to sleep,” LCHS senior Sheldon Watanabe said. “For me, it hasn’t done that. Since everything is pushed back an hour, I just go to bed an hour later.”
According to the bill, it encourages schools and organizations to educate students about sleep deprivation and the benefits of a late start.