Lower Merion School District in Montgomery County moves back start times to promote student health [Video]

LOWER MERION TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) — The Lower Merion School District will have its classes starting later this year in the hopes of promoting student health.

The high school will start at 8:30 a.m. instead of the usual 7:30 a.m. starting the first day back, September 3.

The middle school start times will be 15 minutes earlier (8 a.m.) and the elementary start times will be pushed back 10 minutes to 9:10 a.m.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Laura Goldenberg, whose son, David, is going into his junior year.

“I think it’s good because, you know, it’s nice to sleep in,” said David Seibel.

Goldenberg has been pushing for the change in start times since moving into the district two years ago.

She said the science supports the idea of kids getting more sleep.

“We change it because it’s the right thing to do for the kids. For the kids’ mental health, for the kids’ physical health, …