LATER SCHOOL TIMES HELP LEARNING, GIVE TEENS LESS TIME FOR TROUBLE

As nurses in the community, we applaud the attempt by the Anchorage School
Board to change school start times to better meet students' biological
sleep needs. We encourage the community to support this change for
additional reasons. Specifically, a time change would decrease the amount
of unsupervised time that teens have available for experimentation with
alcohol, drugs and sex. This could reduce the rates of crime, sexually
transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.

It would not only give our teens a good night's rest and promote learning
but would also promote a safer and healthier community.

Lisa Kruschwitz-RN

Angelia Zinsli-RN

Liz Butera-ANP

Marisa Protasel-RN

Deb Riner-RN