The school board has implemented new school start times that started at the beginning of this year to solve issues with the lack of bus drivers. This has been put into effect in all Olathe schools and has affected not only students, but teachers and administration too.
“It was actually two full school years of a committee of parents, teachers, and then community members and principals, as well as, of course, the bus company coming together to talk about possible solutions,” Principal Dr. DeMaree said.
DeMaree describes the issues that contributed to the solution of earlier start times.
“We’ve seen a huge drop in available bus drivers. And so because of that, we had 3000 students in Olathe no longer get a bus,” DeMaree explained. “And of that 3000, a majority of them, and I’m talking like 80% or higher, were students who come from families that are already in need, with things like food and electricity and transportation and just low income families.”
Additionally, DeMaree explains how the buses were not only an issue in the mornings, but the afternoon as well.
“We also, on the reverse side at the end of the day, you would notice things like when choir was going to a competition that was in Shawnee Mission, or when the an athletic team is going to a competition outside of Olathe,” DeMaree said, “They’re having to leave between noon and 1:30 because the bus company had to get back in time to pick up all the students. And so you’re missing half a day of school for a competition that doesn’t even start till five or six o’clock.”
DeMaree also explains how this can be difficult for staff working in the building, including himself.
“I’ve got to be at work by 7:15 but my daughter’s elementary school does not open until 8:35 and JCPRD, the company that helps us with before school care, opens at seven. But that’s not enough time for me to drop my daughter off and then get to work.” DeMaree said.
Additionally, teachers have seen some drawbacks associated with student tardiness, especially in the first hour.
“They’re just absent a lot more than usual, probably because they’re having to wake up a little bit more earlier, but yeah, really, just my first hour is the one that’s been impacted the most.” English teacher Ms. Thompson said.
Administration also has noticed an increase in student absences and tardies.
“So first hour tardies has been a lot. We need to work on that as a school, and I know it’s tough for students to be here that early.” DeMaree said.
The earlier start times have been harder on students however, as a lot of them tend to lose sleep.
“I go to sleep much later actually, cause I just, I get past that sleepiness and then I’m stuck awake.” Senior Erika Cartwright says.
Students are also having more trouble staying awake in school, due to the lack of sleep.
“I have trouble with sleeping at night and I sleep a lot in school because of that, and having earlier school has not helped with that.” Junior Gabriel Bryant said.
DeMaree also worries that many students have lost sleep this year due to the earlier times.
“We still just stay up as late, or we work a job, and our managers don’t understand that we’re not getting up earlier. So I do worry quite a bit that students have lost a significant amount of sleep this year.” DeMaree said.
DeMaree talks about a possible solution to the issue of not getting enough sleep.
“…And the easy solution is to go to bed earlier. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially if I’m in a household where I’m expected to work, or I’m doing something like I’m in performing arts or an athlete,” DeMaree said. “So I think that is a challenge where the solution is really easy, but it’s not always an easy solution to follow.”
Administration and teachers are both struggling with being at school for too long and not having enough time to spend at home.
“Or if you’re a teacher, sometimes late at night, the only quality time you get with your spouse or your loved ones, and you want to enjoy time watching a movie with them, so you don’t want to give that up,” DeMaree said. “I’m usually here on 6:30am and then I’ll be here for a concert or a game or a competition, clear until sometimes 9 o’clock, 10 o’clock at night.”
Teachers have noticed that while students may be sleepy in the mornings, it has also benefited them in some ways.
“Oh, I feel like the first hour has been a little bit more sleepier than usual, but I will say I think the earlier release is a lot better for our kids.” Ms. Thompson said. “Like, I feel like people, once they wake up, are a little bit more motivated and know that they’re going to be done at two now instead of three.”
Principal Dr. DeMaree also gives insight into how this could benefit students as well. The new start times also mean new end times – school now gets out 20 minutes earlier. This can directly benefit students who have sports games, extracurricular activities, and jobs.
“That’s now 20 minutes to an hour of time where you can get caught up on work, or you can finish homework, so when you get home … you’re not staying up even later to complete work.” DeMaree said.
Teachers have acknowledged that this can be better for students, especially if they do extracurricular activities or have other responsibilities outside of school.
“I feel like it’s been really good, too for kids that are involved in activities and clubs, or have jobs outside of school, because now they have more time for those things, which is good.” Ms Thompson said.
When asked about backlash towards the new times, DeMaree replied with a request for people to see the bigger picture.
“And it’s really easy to kind of get, I’d say, tunnel vision, where you’re focused on yourself and you’re focusing on the impact on you and your family, but when you step back and go, there’s 3000 kids who didn’t have a bus, and now they have a bus, that argument becomes a lot less loud.” DeMaree said.
