Update from our district office:

“Due to Senate Bill 328, the “Late School Start Time Bill”, which mandates beginning in the 2022-23 school year that all high schools in California begin instruction no earlier than 8:30 AM, SMJUHSD school site bell schedules will be adjusted to the below schedule. The district understands the challenges for our staff, students, and families that come with this change, and we did not make the determination to implement the schedule below without considerable input, including negotiations with the Faculty Association and input from CSEA. We will be evaluating the impacts of the change throughout the year and will consider making adjustments for the 2023-24 school year if necessary.

The Certificated Staff workday will begin at 8:15 AM and end at 4:00 PM. We understand that this change is difficult and want to thank you in advance for your cooperation. Students and families will also be receiving a communication later today. Take care and we hope you have a restful Spring Break.”

OFFICIAL: Comprehensive Site Regular Day beginning with the 2022/2023 school year

1             8:30 – 9:20

2             9:30 – 10:20

Break     10:20 – 10:35

3             10:35 – 11:25

4             11:35 – 12:25

Lunch    12:25 – 1:05

5             1:05 – 1:55

6             2:05 – 2:55

7             3:05 – 3:55

For the past years the school hours for  schools in California have been the same, but during his term, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law which is now making it illegal to begin the school day before a certain time. The new law requires all middle schools to begin classes after 8:00 am and for high schools to start after 8:30 am. This new law does not affect elementary school, so their school hours won’t be changing.

Governor Gavin signed the legislation in October 2019. The law won’t take effect until next school year which is 2022/2023. After Governor Gavin signed this legislation California became the first state in the nation to have requirements for later school start hours.

The law won’t take effect until next school year which is 2022/2023.One reason for the new school hours  is because research has shown that teens focus more if they get more rest and it might decrease the chances of them being late or absent.

Some people weren’t happy about this while others were. Most students were happy about this because they have more time to sleep and they worry less about being late. On the other hand, some students were upset because they have adapted to their schedule and they don’t want to have to make a change. Some students also do sports and this new schedule may effect that.  One of the students who disagree with the new schedule is freshman Jessica, who said, “I don’t like the new school hours; it will mess up my schedule and other students’ schedules.”

Many won’t like the new schedule, but since it is now mandatory, everyone will have to adjust.  Including teachers.  Starting next school year their new contracted time will be from 8:15 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Currently, it’s 7:25 a.m. until 3:10 p.m.  How this will impact sports seasons and the athletes who participate is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure: if you are always late to class because you oversleep, this can help!  For more information on brain studies on teens, click here.