Lynn Wilcox is a Freeport parent with a 3-year old at home during the day and a 9-year old daughter at school. Getting her ready every morning follows the same tune. "Get up, get dressed, get breakfast, teeth brushed and out the door," Wilcox said. That routine could start earlier under a proposal to change start and end times at Freeport public schools. A special committee is tackling the issue. The latest option is here on your screen, showing a later start time for the older students and an earlier one for the younger kids. The main driving factor behind these changes is focused here at the high school getting students into those doors a little later in the morning, so they'll perform better in the classroom. "What Research will show you is attendance, punctuality and behavior all improve because the adolescents are better rested," Freeport High School Principal David Thake. Thake says his committee is studying this sleep research as well as the hurdles that could arise. "For example, how early will elementary students be required to get to the school bus. 6:30 would be to early," Thake said.
"I think it's a good idea. The younger kids should start earlier, they get up earlier," Wilcox said. Principal Thake says his committee will consider that and other public opinions as the dialogue continues on when students will shuffle in and out of class. The committee working on possible schedule changes next meets in June. And the earliest we could see those changes take effect would be second semester, next year.