Annual changes to the school schedule regarding early releases cause differing opinions to circle. What is the preference among the student body? Which is more beneficial? Only the students and staff can tell.
Some students at Camas High School (CHS) experienced late starts throughout their middle school careers or due to inclement weather. While some want to revive late starts, others prefer to stick with the current calendar.
Those who prefer early releases argue that instead of having an additional two hours to sleep in, they would rather have the afternoon off when they are more active. In contrast, those who favor late starts say that two added hours in the morning for extra sleep energizes them to get through the school day with ease.
“I can be more productive in meetings if I’m not worried about teaching class later in the day,” CHS U.S. History teacher Cameron Long said. “Preparation for students always takes priority.”
Long also noted that student turnout is better on early release days than late starts.
In a survey sent to students, many said they preferred early releases because having more time to complete homework during the day is more important than having two hours to sleep or prepare for the day. They argued that if students can prepare in the morning on a typical day, they do not need two more hours.
“You get more time at the end of the day [during early releases],” junior Samantha Miller said. “I have too many assignments, so the extra time [after school] helps me out.”
The common similarities between those partial to early release were that they favored extra time in the day to finish homework, later having more time to relax before heading to bed. However, those who prefer late starts would rather sleep in.
“Late starts are efficient for me because I don’t have to get up at 7 a.m.,” junior Zoe Webster said. “I can sleep in, which I rarely do on school days.”
Proper sleep is essential to teens, so, understandably, catching extra z’s is preferred over more time in the afternoon. However, early-release lovers maintain their views about the superior schedule.
To top it off, only one person preferred late starts to nine early-release choosers, making it safe to say that early release beats late start among students by a long shot.
