SLEEP to Host 'Sleep Night' at Annandale High School

The Fairfax County Council of PTAs, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT), and SLEEP (Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal) will host the first countywide “Sleep Night” at Annandale High School next week.

The meeting will be in the Lecture Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The goal of the meeting is to explore why the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board is considering exploring starting high schools after 8 a.m. 

There will be a presentation from Dr. Judith Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine at Children's National Medical Center. Owens will present findings from her study that explains how early start times harm some students, according to a news release.

A panel discussion will follow the presentation. Panelists include Owens, Dr. Helene Emsellem, author of “Snooze or Lose: 10 No War Ways to Improve Your Teen's Sleep Habits”; teacher Steve Greenburg, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT); and an FCPS high school student. 

There will also be a student photo contest with cash awards and a raffle for teachers and students. The theme for the photo contest is “I can't do my best when I don't get my rest." The deadline to enter is Sunday, Feb. 24.

The public is invited to attend, ask questions, and share their thoughts on early school start times. Light refreshments will be served.

Additional information about the contest and sleep night can be found at fccpta.org. 

Related stories:

• Sandy Evans' Goals for Fairfax Schools in 2013 (including later start times)
• FCPS to Explore Later Start Times for High Schools
• PatchChat Live: A Later School Start Time
• Volunteers Push SLEEP for Success During Back-to-School Nights