Healthier Sycamore Start Times

As Sycamore Community Schools plans for the future, the district is engaged in a research-driven review of high school start times to best support the needs of our adolescents. This comprehensive page provides all the documentation, research, and community feedback related to this important topic.

The Rationale for Review

Research shows that teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep nightly to function optimally. However, our current 7:20 a.m. start time is not only the earliest among Ohio’s top 25 public school districts, but it contributes to a significant issue: 81% of Ohio teens report getting less than the recommended eight hours of sleep. This chronic sleep deficit is strongly linked to several negative outcomes, including lower academic performance, attention issues, vehicle accidents, negative mood, suicidality, obesity, and pain. As part of our commitment to providing the best possible environment for our high school students to learn, grow, and succeed, we are carefully examining all start time possibilities and are actively gathering feedback from the entire school community.

Community Feedback

We encourage all parents/guardians, particularly those with high school students, to share their unique and valuable perspectives on how potential schedule changes may impact their family's daily logistics and routines. Staff members and taxpayers are also welcome to share feedback. Your input is essential as we thoughtfully and carefully explore all possibilities

Please click the link below to provide feedback:

Healthier Sycamore Start Times Survey

Research Presentation

Informational Session #1

Friday, November 28

Dear Sycamore Families,

We are excited to welcome our students back to school and hope that the recent holiday break provided a valuable opportunity for rest and time with loved ones.

As we plan for the future of Sycamore Community Schools, we are thoughtfully reviewing all options for school start times, particularly at the high school level.

Established scientific research from leading pediatric psychologists and physicians has shown that later school start times correlate with more sleep, better academic performance, and significant mental and physical health benefits for adolescents. In an effort to ensure we are providing our high school students with the best opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, we are diligently and carefully exploring all possibilities, while actively gathering feedback from our school community.

As part of this process, we would like to invite you to attend one of two informational presentations and discussions taking place in December. One session will be in person, while the other will be virtual.

At these sessions, you will hear from district leaders and Dr. Dean Beebe, a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in sleep medicine and adolescent health. Members of the Sycamore Advisory Commission (SAC), who analyzed school start time data as part of a SAC research project during the 2024-2025 school year, will be present as well to share specifics about their own findings.

In-Person Event: Healthier Sycamore Start Times Presentation #1

When: Thursday, December 4th | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sycamore Junior High Theatre

5757 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242

Virtual Event: Healthier Sycamore Start Times Presentation #2

When: Thursday, December 11th | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Join via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83625861194?pwd=1UvQe8dPCtlHaktsNzKVHe476g6Ztq.1

Meeting ID: 836 2586 1194

Passcode: 462110

If you are not able to attend either session, please be assured that we will continue to keep you informed. A portion of the district website will soon be dedicated to this topic, allowing us to share the latest information, research, and opportunities for feedback in the weeks to come.

Thank you for your continued support of Sycamore Community Schools.

Friday, December 12

Dear Sycamore Families and Staff,

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Healthier Sycamore Start Times Informational Sessions! Now that they have concluded, we wanted to update you on our next steps. The district is continuing its research-informed review of high school start times to ensure we are best supporting the needs of our adolescents.

If you were unable to attend either session, a recording of the virtual presentation is now available on the district's YouTube channel: Informational Session #1 .

We are also now opening an initial community survey to gather your essential feedback about a possible adjustment to our high school start time. This survey is directed toward parents/guardians, staff members, and taxpayers. Your insight is invaluable to our review process, and we kindly ask you to share your perspective here: Healthier Sycamore Start Times Survey #1.

A dedicated portion of our district website focused on Healthier Sycamore Start Times is currently in progress and will be launched soon. There, you'll be able to find all of the information we have shared thus far, including research and presentation materials.

We sincerely appreciate your willingness to engage in this process, and we thank you in advance for taking the time to provide us with your perspective.

FAQs

What are the current school start times?

Will any potential change to the high school start time also affect the schedules of other schools?

Will high school students still have access to busing?

How would a later start time impact athletics?

District administrators, including Athletic Director Andrew Ovington, are committed to ensuring a later start time would not negatively impact our athletic programs. Other districts that are part of the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) have already shifted to a later start time. The Sycamore Advisory Council looked into this and discovered that student-athletes who get more than eight hours of sleep have a 68% lower risk of injury. SAC also found there is no evidence of long-term negative athletic impact in districts that have made the change.

What would a later start time mean for extracurriculars, outside activities, or after-school jobs?

While the district cannot directly control logistics related to after-school jobs or non-Sycamore activities, this is a topic that will be thoroughly considered and discussed throughout the decision-making process. Sycamore extracurriculars would be reviewed and adjusted as necessary to accommodate a later start time. The goal of this review process is to prioritize the health and safety of our students.

Would it cost money to change the high school start time?

How can I offer feedback on school start times?

Additional Questions?

If your question has not been answered here, please contact Superintendent Chad Lewis, Assistant Superintendent Meghan Lawson, or Director of Communications Jessica Schmidt.

For questions specifically related to research on this topic, please first view the presentation or informational session.

Email Chad Lewis

Email Meghan Lawson

Email Jessica Schmidt

Proposed Timeline

This timeline, developed by the Sycamore Advisory Council, represents a potential framework for research and logistical planning. It is a proposed schedule for exploration only, as the district has not made any decisions related to changes to high school start times.

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