Welcome to the Electronic Eagle, Wolcott High School's online student newspaper, advised by Library Media Specialist Rudy Cabata. Each week the newspaper spotlights student writings, poems, and cartoons. The moniker of the paper is, "with malice towards none." We encourage our students to develop an appreciation for writing and to promote the enjoyment of expressing oneself through the written word.
Occasionally one of our students writes a piece that falls outside the boundries of conventional journalism. The following poem by Niik Mattei is one such example. We hope you will read it and make your own judgement.
Welcome to the 2007-2008 edition of Wolcott High School Newspaper, the "Electric Eagle". I would like to introduce you to Michelle Slavin a Senior and frequent contributor to the "Electric Eagle." Her article is about the the importance and impact of sleep on our students. It is a subject that has the universal interest of the entire school community. I hope you will enjoy her work.
Snoring Students May Have a Biological Excuse
By: Michelle Slavin
Teens are always complaining that they are exhausted. In class, every day, students struggle desperately to keep those heavy eyelids open. Is this the fault of irresponsible sleep habits, or is it inevitable to feel drowsy as a teen due to their lifestyles and body chemistry? And what should be done to help the students stay awake? Some believe in the philosophy, “Well, if you are tired, go to bed earlier!” However, research in teenage sleep patterns argues against this philosophy.
In order for teens to be fully rested and alert during the daytime, they need 9.25 hours of sleep each night. However, most teens get almost 7 hours of sleep each night, and even that is generous. With the stress of full-time sports, part-time jobs, around the clock schoolwork, and other after school activities, it is evident that teens have a very hard time putting their heads on their pillows before 11:00 pm. This is detrimental to teen health, being that most schools start at 7:30 am, only eight and a half hours after they first go to bed!
In addition to the lack of sleep the teens get due to busy schedules, problems with teenage sleep patterns involve the biological clocks of adolescents. After going through puberty, teens’ biological clocks go through drastic changes. Most teens cannot even fall asleep before 11:30pm or midnight! Their bodies are just incapable of the relaxation needed to fall asleep. Melatonin, a hormone secreted to promote sleepiness, starts about an hour later in teens than in preteens, and ends about an hour later in teens than in preteens as well. The endocrine system itself prefers the nighttime over daytime.
So why do the teens need to bother with proper sleep habits? And why should high schools accommodate their hours for teens that complain of drowsiness? Well, sleep deprivation takes a very serious toll on teenagers and their bodies. Lack of sleep prevents the integration of cognitive and emotional processes, which is essential for teen maturation and growth. Constant lack of sleep, not only in teens, produces a “sleep-debt”. The result of “sleep debt” is inability to focus and constant sleepiness during the daytime. Also, having a “sleep-debt” can cause teens to have mood swings and behavioral problems. If teens go long enough without proper sleep, the effect on their bodies is very similar to the effect of alcohol and drugs; they will hallucinate, have very little motor control, have slowed reaction times, and an altered state of consciousness. Sleep is just as important to teens as exercise is for the mind and body to function normally.
So, what to do? Be an advocate for your child. Give your child a proper opportunity to succeed in school and in life by talking to your Board of Education. Press for schools to be opened later. The research proves that sleep is necessary for teen health. Do not let your child fall asleep and fall behind in class any longer. Links to Previous Articles
What is Really Important? Iona Brochie
I am a Femminist Marissa McCann
If You Want to Make a Little Money..Dan MacDonald
The College Entrance Ordeal Diana Filar
Forever in Memory Brittany Jenkins
The Origin of Hallowe'en Alison Yusov
Stygian Darkness Alison Yusov
Food for Thought Brittany Jenkins
A Trip to the City Ali Inglese
A Death Grip on School Meals Ed Nowak
Changes in the New School Year Andrew Fredericksen |