2nd sleep study meeting

District plans second community meeting to discuss sleep study
Walla Walla Public Schools is conducting a sleep study to determine if Walla Walla High School should start later based on adolescent sleep pattern research. The study consideration is for first period to start at 8:30 a.m. instead of the current 7:30 a.m. start time. The new schedule would have 7th period begin at 3 p.m. with school getting out at 4 p.m.

Business Services Executive Director Ted Cohan and Dr. Richard Simon are planning a second public meeting on this topic Thursday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Walla Walla High School Commons. Approximately 40 people attended a public meeting on the study Tuesday at the Garrison Middle School library. Dr. Simon discusses the research linked to chronic sleep loss in teens and some of the potential benefits to starting school later at Walla Walla High School. Cohan explains the committee’s process, some of the challenges associated to changing the schedule and how a recommendation could potentially move forward. The district will also launch a community-wide survey soon to get additional input. No decisions have been made.

For more information on the Sleep Study, contact Ted Cohan at (509) 526-6717 or tcohan@wwps.org.