The start of the new school year is bringing a major change to morning routines for families across Clark County. Beginning August 10, the Clark County School District (CCSD) introduced new start times for elementary, middle, and high school students, prompting many parents to rethink everything from bedtimes to morning routines.
With thousands of students adjusting to the new schedule, Nevada Dental Sleep expert Dr. Gerry Hu recently shared advice with News 3 on how families can make the transition easier while helping children get the quality sleep they need.
Why Sleep Matters for School-Aged Children
The new CCSD schedule is intended, in part, to better align school start times with the natural sleep patterns of children and teenagers. High schools now begin at 8:30 a.m., while middle schools start at 7:30 a.m. and elementary schools at 9:15 a.m.
Adequate sleep plays an important role in children’s ability to learn, focus, and manage their emotions throughout the school day. According to the Cleveland Clinic, teenagers between 13 and 18 generally need eight to 10 hours of sleep per night, while children ages 6 to 12 need approximately nine to 12 hours.
For families, however, getting children to bed early enough to meet those recommendations can sometimes be challenging.
Dr. Gerry Hu Shares Tips for Better Sleep
Speaking with News 3, Dr. Hu emphasized that later school start times can have meaningful benefits for students.
“Having later start times does improve performance. It does improve concentration,” Hu said.
At the same time, adjusting to a new school schedule requires consistency at home. Dr. Hu recommends several practical steps families can take to encourage healthier sleep habits.
Turn Off Devices Before Bed
Phones, tablets, computers, and televisions can easily become part of a child’s bedtime routine. However, using electronic devices immediately before bed can make it more difficult to transition into a restful state.
Dr. Hu recommends turning off devices before bedtime and avoiding television and screens as part of a healthy nighttime routine.
Creating a consistent period without screens can help children recognize that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
Keep a Consistent Bedtime
A consistent sleep schedule can make it easier for children to get enough rest each night. Rather than dramatically changing bedtime from one night to the next, families can establish a predictable routine that gives children adequate time to sleep.
This can be particularly helpful as students adjust to new school start times.
Make Sleep a Household Routine
Dr. Hu also recommends having everyone in the household go to bed around the same time. When parents and children follow similar nighttime routines, it can make healthy sleep habits easier to maintain.
A household-wide approach can also reduce distractions and create a calmer environment as everyone prepares for the next day.
Adjusting to a New School Schedule Takes Time
While the later start time for high school students may give teenagers more opportunity to get adequate sleep, middle school students are facing an earlier start than many had previously.
That means families may need to make adjustments based on their child’s specific schedule. Parents may need to revisit evening activities, homework routines, dinner times, and morning preparations to ensure children can get sufficient rest.
The goal isn’t simply to get children into bed earlier. It is to establish a routine that allows them to consistently get the amount of sleep their growing bodies and developing brains need.
Sleep Health Goes Beyond Bedtime
For families in Las Vegas, the new school schedule is also an opportunity to take a closer look at the quality of their children’s sleep.
If a child regularly has difficulty falling asleep, wakes frequently during the night, snores loudly, breathes through their mouth while sleeping, or continues to seem excessively tired despite getting an appropriate amount of sleep, parents may want to discuss those concerns with a qualified sleep professional.
At Nevada Dental Sleep, Dr. Gerry Hu and the team focus on identifying and addressing sleep-related concerns so patients can work toward healthier, more restorative sleep.
As Clark County families settle into the new school year, establishing consistent sleep habits can be one of the simplest ways to help children start their mornings and their school days on the right foot.
Read the full News 3 story featuring Dr. Gerry Hu for more tips on helping your family adjust to the new CCSD school schedules.
