Tips For Sleep-Deprived Kids

To the Editor:

I applaud Joeline Wruck’s letter to the editor last week. The voters of Newtown did not support the budget, forcing the Board of Education to make several cuts, including the revision of the bus schedule and school start times. These cuts were made and now we must move on and deal with them the best way possible.

My sympathy goes out to all the working parents that are still scrambling to make child care arrangements due to the late elementary school openings. To the parents of middle school and high school students who are still complaining of the early start time I have some suggestions that might help your sleep-deprived child. These simple steps have been in effect in our house since the beginning of the school year.

At a reasonable hour:

1. Turn off the TV

2. Turn off the computer

3. Turn down the radio

4. Turn off the light

5. Go to sleep

Both my children are definite night owls during summer vacation, yet, after the first full week of school, when I asked both my middle school children if they were awake and ready for their first class in the morning, they said they were.

It may be hard to do at first, but perseverance will pay off.

Thank you,

Sharon Roodhuyzen

60 Schoolhouse Hill Road, SandyHook             September 14, 2003