ELMA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Sleep could be the key to a better learning environment.
School superintendents across Western New York are looking into the possibility of a later start time for students.
Iroquois School Superintendent Doug Schofield is one of them.
"If we can provide a better learning environment for students, then it's worth it," he said.
The new plan would give students grades 5-12 an extra hour of sleep in the morning. Currently, Iroquois starts school at 7:30, the elementary schools start at 8:30. Because of busing, these schedules would flip flop, Schofield says.
This idea comes just a couple months after the Gowanda Central School Superintendent gave a presentation to his board about the benefits of a later start time.
Schofield says technology and constant communication plays a role into why students don't get enough sleep. Students may be up later, distracted by electronic devices and in turn they go to bed later. Many students are also involved in after-school activities like sports which could cut into sleep time.
Schofield says a committee to look at this will be formed in Spring/ early summer.
