The most recent edition of School Leader magazine, available online, shines a spotlight on the topic of later school start times.
Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, chairman of the pediatric department at Penn Medicine Princeton Health Center, explains the science behind adolescent circadian rhythms, and why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools not begin the school day before 8:30 a.m.
A companion article, by the superintendent of the Princeton school district and the principal of the district’s high school, details how Princeton navigated the logistical, financial and community relations challenges to push back the high school start time.
The issue also includes a piece on the efforts to make sure that New Jersey’s population is accurately counted in Census 2020, and what schools and communities can do to help.
The special section in the issue focuses on school law, and includes articles on how districts can make the most of their board attorney, when it’s appropriate to discipline students and staff for off-campus behavior, and the legal implications behind classroom apps.
School Leader is published six times a year, and is mailed to all New Jersey school board members. It is also available here online.