By Jacob Miller-
Early morning detentions that begin at 7:30, or “7:30s” as students and faculty refer to the detentions, are ICJA’s primary form of discipline. Students who accumulate multiple tardies or break dress code regulations are often punished with 7:30s.
7:30s are given for chronic misbehavior and “a variety of issues… teachers are granted lots of discretion” said Rabbi Matanky.
In recent years multiple health agencies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), have urged schools to start later— ideally after 8:30. Ida Crown already begins its school day at 8:05, 25 minutes before the recommended school start time and students with 7:30s must arrive at school an entire hour before school is recommended to start by the AAP.
Teenagers aged 13-18 are supposed to sleep eight to ten hours on a daily basis according to recommendations published in 2016, in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The American Medical Association (AMA) reports that only 32% of teenagers regularly sleep eight hours per day.
Dr. Judith Owen wrote a 2014 policy statement urging schools to start later. In an AAP press release, Owens asserted that “By advocating for later school start times for middle and high school students, the AAP is both promoting the compelling scientific evidence that supports school start time delay as an important public health measure, and providing support and encouragement to those school districts around the country contemplating that change.”
Scientific evidence indicates that sleep deprivation contributes to loss of attention, weak memory retention, poor moods, inferior grades, and diseases amongst teenagers.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a statement saying: “Sleep is also essential for healthy physical development. Studies have found that sleep deprivation may result in hypertension, metabolic disorders (including diabetes) and impaired immune function. Additionally, unhealthy body mass index is directly related to sleep, and those with shorter sleep durations are more likely to be underweight, overweight or obese.”
Studies indicate that late school starts result in better student attendance and grades.
The RAND corporation, a think tank, estimates later school start times would contribute 83 billion dollars to the US economy in improved education and reduced car crashes, while the Brookings Institute estimates later starts could contribute an extra $17,500 to individuals’ lifetime earnings.
Ida Crown’s unique position as a modern Orthodox Jewish high school with a dual curriculum, demands different needs than ordinary schools. Starting school later could prove a halachic problem with davening on time.
“While good recommendations [by the AAP], there are limitations in terms of halacha and programming,” explained Rabbi Matanky in an interview.
Rabbi Matanky related that in his days at the Academy, detentions were held on Sundays from anywhere from a half hour to two hours. This form of punishment, while not forcing students to wake up earlier, is “more complicated,” according to Rabbi Matanky. This is because students tend to have activities planned for Sundays and after school, prompting the administration, in later years, to provide punishment in the mornings instead of other times.
David Newman, the current biology teacher who taught Rabbi Matanky and has witnessed the switch from Sunday detentions to 7:30s, echoed Rabbi Matanky, saying 7:30s are “less intrusive into a kids life [than Sunday detentions].”
Rabbi Matanky also defended the policy by noting that despite AAP’s recommendation, many public schools still begin earlier than the recommended time.
The AAP notes this phenomenon, reporting that the median start time in American high schools is 8:00; Ida Crown actually begins later than half of high schools in the United States.
Daniel Harris, the associate dean at ICJA, explained that the AAP’s policy statement is overly optimistic, joking that the AAP would like to start school at 11 AM. “I’d love to start at 11 AM, too,” he said “but that’s the way life goes.”
Students asked for anonymity in commenting. Some were upset with the administration of 7:30s; others understood that the dual nature of the ICJA curriculum demands a heavy time commitment, including early morning attendance.
Some students complain that siblings’ of students punished with 7:30s, who receive rides from siblings, often need to arrive at school early with their sibling. In addressing these claims, Mr. Harris conceded that the issue was “complicated,” but maintained 7:30s are still a “just punishment.”
With regards to punishing students, Rabbi Matanky expressed the need for consequences that “are not overly painful, but uncomfortable and manageable.” 7:30s satisfy these requirements best, said Rabbi Matanky.
Mr. Newman opined that 7:30s are “valuable in the sense that it gives students an opportunity to reflect and think that they could instead be sleeping, doing homework, or taking a hot shower.”
Rabbi Matanky explained that 7:30s are effective when administered consistently. Like punishing speeders on a road, 7:30s must be granted consistently to discourage future offenses.
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