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Terra Ziporyn

@terraziporyn.bsky.social
73 followers 55 following 129 posts

Medical writer, novelist & former JAMA editor whose publications include Harvard Guide to Women's Health. Posts promote health/education/arts & sleep-friendly school start times.

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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I swore I’d never write another book. The ROI is absurd, you do your own promoting, and people assume you get 100 free copies (we got 10). So naturally, I just published another one. terraziporyn.substack.com/p/the-last-t... #BookSky #SciComm #startschoollater
terraziporyn.substack.com
The Last Thing the World Needs Is Another Love Song (or Another Book)
Zero dollars, ten author copies, and the unexpected reward of writing a book anyway
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
"For a policy debate that dragged on for years — and divided lawmakers, educators and parents alike — the new data may finally provide the kind of clear-cut answer that was missing when the fight began." #startschoollater #sleeppeeps #SB328 #CApolitics hsjchronicle.com/californias-...
hsjchronicle.com
California's School Start Time Law Wins Praise for Boosting Student Sleep
A new study finds California's later school start law is improving sleep, mental health, and test scores among students statewide.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Estonia mandated 9 am classes. Rwanda moved to 8:30 am. Why is the U.S. so far behind? My new piece explores how we treat teen sleep as a local preference instead of a public health priority terraziporyn.substack.com/p/when-the-w... #startschoollater
terraziporyn.substack.com
When the World Lets Teenagers Sleep—and Why the U.S. Can’t
Across the globe, some nations have shifted school schedules overnight. In America, 13,000 districts and the constraints of federalism make even basic public‑health reforms a slog.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
If we’ve known for so long that early school bells undermine sleep, health, safety, and learning, why have most schools been unable to change? Amy Wolfson and I attempt to answer in our new book, available July 14! #startschoollater #sleeppeeps terraziporyn.substack.com/p/announcing...
terraziporyn.substack.com
Announcing Educating the Exhausted
After decades in the "trenches," Amy Wolfson and I are thrilled to share our new book on the messy, complicated, and wide-ranging battle to align school schedules with the science of sleep.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
If we’ve known for so long that early school bells undermine sleep, health, safety, and learning, why have most schools been unable to change? Amy Wolfson and I attempt to answer in our new book, available July 14! #startschoollater #sleeppeeps terraziporyn.substack.com/p/announcing...
terraziporyn.substack.com
Announcing Educating the Exhausted
After decades in the "trenches," Amy Wolfson and I are thrilled to share our new book on the messy, complicated, and wide-ranging battle to align school schedules with the science of sleep.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
If districts can switch to four‑day weeks (and mounting early-dismissals, professional development, and student-free days), they can start high school at 8:30. Let’s stop using “disruption” as an excuse to ignore student health. #startschoollater www.educationnext.org/the-quiet-er...
educationnext.org
The Quiet Erosion of the Five-Day School Week
Four-day school weeks attract attention and debate. Traditional calendars packed with student-free weekdays deserve it, too.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Families shouldn't have to choose between their child's health and their child's learning (not to mention following the law). #startschoollater #sleepmatters www.businessinsider.com/mom-let-daug...
businessinsider.com
My teen's high school starts too early, so I sometimes let her sleep in and arrive late. I worry I'm not doing the right thing.
My daughter doesn't get enough sleep because her schedule is jam-packed. I worry that school starts too early for her, so I let her sleep in.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The first meaningful statewide evaluation of California's landmark #startschoollater law is out - and it's good news for anyone looking at statewide guardrails to protect student sleep, mental health & learning terraziporyn.substack.com/p/california...
terraziporyn.substack.com
California Finally Has Real Data That's Changing the Conversation About School Start Times
A new statewide analysis brings the rigor this policy has long deserved, moving us past anecdotes and toward evidence—while reminding us how much more we still need to learn.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Encouraging to see yet another education leader, this time in Iceland, openly support later school start times after reviewing the research on teen sleep, mental health, and attendance. #startschoollater #edpolicy #sleeppeeps www.icelandreview.com/news/later-s...
icelandreview.com
Later School Starts Could Benefit Students, Says Education Minister
Iceland’s Minister of Education and Children has said secondary schools could benefit from adopting more flexible morning start times, following research linking later starts with improved student wel...
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
If you’ve ever wondered whether later school start times are actually doable—and not just in research papers or in districts with unusual circumstances—I want to point you to something worth an hour of your time. #startschoollater #edreform terraziporyn.substack.com/p/leaders-wh...
terraziporyn.substack.com
Leaders Who Lead: What Happens When Superintendents Decide to Do What’s Right for Kids
Six Pennsylvania superintendents show how later start times aren’t idealistic or impossible—just the result of real leadership, creative problem‑solving, and a commitment to student well‑being
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
My newest Substack post explores why we so often end to blame teens and families—when the real issue is structural—and why that keeps us from implementing a solution that’s right in front of us. #startschoollater #sleeppeeps terraziporyn.substack.com/p/the-screen...
terraziporyn.substack.com
The “Screen Time” Scapegoat
Why We’re Still Blaming Teens for a Systemic Sleep Crisis
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Don’t misread the data: Later school starts widen the sleep window for all, but structural barriers can "cancel out" gains for minoritized youth. The problem's not the policy—it’s the inequity. My spin on a pervasive #SciCom problem #StartSchoolLater open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
open.substack.com
When Science Meets Spin
Why Misreading New Sleep Research Puts Students—Especially the Most Vulnerable—at Risk
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
"Blaming screens is like blaming the thermometer for the fever." Well put! #startschoollater #sleeppeeps dmnews.com/dmn-parents-...
dmnews.com
Parents who confiscate their teenager's phone at bedtime are fighting the wrong battle — the real reason teens can't sleep is structural, biological, and about to get worse this weekend
New reporting reveals that the teen sleep crisis is driven far more by early school start times and biological circadian shifts than by screens — and the daylight saving time change this weekend is ab...
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
The real question is whether we are prepared to redesign school around teenagers’ brains, rather than expecting their brains to fit a timetable built for a different century. #startschoollater #sleepmatters newsreel.com.au/article/educ...
newsreel.com.au
School hours from the 1800s out of kilter with teen sleep - Newsreel
School start times date back to the 19th century when school was timed to maximise daylight and suit factory shifts | Newsreel
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
While reducing screen time before bed may help, research suggests it is only part of the solution. The study recommended that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 am to better align with adolescent sleep patterns. #startschoollater www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/he...
hindustantimes.com
Teen sleep crisis: Study reveals rising sleep deprivation among adolescents since 2007 and phone isn't the only culprit
A study highlights growing sleep deprivation among teens, with 77 percent not getting enough rest, impacting their mental health. | Health
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
In Singapore Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan called on the Ministry of Education to set a national standard to synchronise school start times at 8.30am for primary, secondary schools and junior colleges. #startschoollater #sleeppeps youtu.be/wYct1vxTGxc?... via @YouTube
youtu.be
Dennis Tan urges 8.30am national school start to tackle student sleep deprivation
YouTube video by The Online Citizen
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
"The question now isn’t whether later start times help—it’s whether communities are willing to act on the evidence.” #startschoollater #sleepmatters #ItCanBeDone #sleeppeeps www.stlmag.com/health/saint...
stlmag.com
Saint Louis Public Schools weighs a big shift: later school start times
A district proposal could shift bell schedules as research ties later starts to better sleep, fewer tardies, and stronger academic outcomes.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
If you're in the trenches right now—exhausted, discouraged, or convinced nothing will ever change—remember this: The wall looks solid until the moment it cracks. And when it cracks, it often crumbles fast. #startschoollater #sleeppeeps open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
open.substack.com
When the Wall Finally Cracks: The Start-Time Battles That Looked Hopeless—Until They Weren’t
How some of the most resistant school districts in America became champions of healthy start times.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
“Sleep is about as elusive as an Olympic Trials cut… I set my alarm for 4:30 a.m.… most nights I get barely 5.5 hours of sleep… ‘just go to bed earlier’ ignores homework, stress, and reality… we need sleep.” #startschoollater #sleeppeeps swimswam.com/shouts-from-...
swimswam.com
Shouts From The Stands: It's Time to Ditch High School Early Morning Swim Practice
Teen swimmers are told to work harder and sleep more—yet their schedules make both impossible. One athlete explains why something has to change.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Fourteen years ago I had a high school student who stood in the dark. He grew up and his school system DID end up starting later (wahoo!)--though too late for him. But seeing what it was like for him to go to school reminds me why I'm still at this! #startschoollater #sleeppeeps
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
"By moving the high school start time later, we aren’t just giving our high school students a break. We’re giving them a fighting chance to succeed." – CCSD Superintendent Jhone M. Ebert #startschoollater #sleeppeeps #ItCanBeDone youtu.be/9cnF8Lszlxo?...
youtu.be
CCSD adjusts school start times for upcoming school year
YouTube video by FOX5 Las Vegas
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
They still have work to do on their middle schools—but, wow, after all the sturm und drang about 7 am starts being the ONLY viable way to run high schools, this decision should give hope to school districts everywhere! #startschoollater #ItCANbedone #sleeppeeps newsroom.ccsd.net/ccsd-announc...
newsroom.ccsd.net
CCSD Announces New Start Times to Maximize Student Learning
As the Clark County School District (CCSD) partners with the community to become the Destination District, we are committed to making data-driven decisions that put student achievement first.  To maxi...
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
The biggest barrier to humane school hours isn’t buses or budgets. It’s imagination. This study shows what happens when districts choose solutions over fear. #startschoollater terraziporyn.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
terraziporyn.substack.com
The End of ‘We Can’t’: What a New Study Reveals About School Start Times
San Francisco stopped hand‑wringing and solved the problem. Other districts can, too.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
The insistence on uniform school and work schedules often reflects control and tradition rather than operational necessity. rollingout.com/2025/12/26/n... #startschoollater #sleepmatters
rollingout.com
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
How long have we been saying this? But this exciting and novel analysis shows longstanding excuses that sleep-friendly school hours are too hard, too complicated, or too costly just lost a lot of ground. #startschoollater #sleepmatters #itCANbedone phys.org/news/2025-12...
phys.org
New analytics show US schools can adopt later start times without raising costs
For decades, school districts have struggled to adopt later high school start times, despite overwhelming medical evidence that early bells harm teen health. A new study in the journal Management Scie...
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
After years in the trenches of education and public health advocacy, I’m sharing the hard-won lessons I’ve learned about systems that resist change—even when the science is clear and the stories are heartbreaking #startschoollater #edpolicy terraziporyn.substack.com/p/what-ive-l...
terraziporyn.substack.com
What I’ve Learned from Getting School Start Time Laws Passed (and Why It’s Still So Hard)
Hard-won lessons from a public health advocate working for policies to protect kids
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
"The purpose of the school district is not to make things easy for the adults. It’s to educate the kids and give them the best possible." - Andra Williams Broadwater, #StartSchoolLater Baltimore County Chapter Leader www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/25/b... www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/25/b...
baltimoresun.com
Science says children need more sleep. Can Baltimore County schools start later?
Cost concerns may stand in the way of efforts to delay school start times in Baltimore County, a move that some studies say is necessary to improve kid’s health and academic performance.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Look what's happening in East Baton Rouge! It CAN be done! youtu.be/-ZmH_2aprWU #startschoollater #sleepmatters
youtu.be
EBRPSS School Start Times
YouTube video by EBRSchoolsTV
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
🕰️ Teens aren’t lazy—they’re sleep-deprived. A youth-led NC study shows early school start times clash with adolescent biology, harming health & focus. Science backs later starts. So do students. #StartSchoolLater #TeenSleepMatters www.sanfordherald.com/archives/ext...
sanfordherald.com
EXTENSION NEWS: ZZZs and teens: A study of adolescent sleep
I see firsthand the incredible pressures and packed schedules our teenagers manage daily, and there is a quiet crisis affecting almost every teen: chronic sleep deprivation.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Clark County school officials agree: If you want to base decisions on kids and research, moving 7am school bells later is the way to go #startschoollater #sleepmatters #sleeppeeps www.reviewjournal.com/local/educat...
reviewjournal.com
School Board mulls later start times after survey nets 48K responses
After receiving over 48,000 responses to a survey on the topic, Deputy Superintendent Jesse Welsh said most were supportive of making school start later in the day.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
We legislate safe (or unsafe) work hours for kids but feel we can't do the same for school hours. Sad. #startschoollater #sleepmatters www.nbc4i.com/news/politic...
nbc4i.com
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Buses at 4:52am??? Florida’s school start time law was weakened—but it still has teeth Some districts are stepping up. Others may just file reports and opt out What’s really happening—and what’s at stake for teen sleep #StartSchoolLater #FLedu #sleeppeeps open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
open.substack.com
When One Door Closes: Florida's School Start Time Reform Isn't Over Yet
Despite a watered-down school start time law, some Florida districts may still end up complying.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Start School Later is reaching out to education in leaders in Massachusetts today, showing not only that schools must - and CAN - start at sleep-friendly times #startschoollater #schoolhealth #MASS #MASC
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
"Opposition to public health measures is most intense when large numbers of individuals are asked to accept a personal risk to benefit the community, especially when the risk is imposed by “experts” whom those individuals don’t trust." #startschoollater www.thenewatlantis.com/publications...
thenewatlantis.com
Two Hundred Years to Flatten the Curve
How generations of meddlesome public health campaigns changed everyday life — and made life twice as long as it used to be
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Despite the watering down of Florida's school start time law, some districts are looking to start school later anyway! When one door closes... #startschoollater #sleeppeeps #ItCanBeDone www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
wftv.com
Orange County Public Schools seeking public feedback on changing school start times
Orange County Public Schools is seeking public feedback on possible school start time changes.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Scotland's school days could start later to reflect teen sleep needs and help tackle the rise in challenging behavior and violence in secondary school #startschoollater #sleeppeeps www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
dailymail.co.uk
Scotland's school days could start later
School days could start later because pupils 'struggle to get up in the mornings' under reforms planned by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Public health is easily the "biggest bang for the buck" we have in healthcare. Yet we've created a system where we have to prove its cost savings, notes Aaron Carroll at #APHA2015
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
The most important part of trust is listening. It's making people feel heard. Social media has none of that. - Aaron Carroll of #AcademyHealth at #APHA1925 on building public trust in science #scicomm
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
How can sleep professionals help advocate for later school start times for adolescents? In this podcast the Mayo Clinic features a sleep specialist who was successful in his efforts. #startschoollater #sleeppeeps youtu.be/AtFHEwgogrM?...
youtu.be
Advocating for school start times: S7-Ep2
YouTube video by Mayo Clinic
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Excited that Start School Later will be attending APHA’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo (Nov 2-5 in Washington DC) for the first time & connecting w/others interested in adolescent health, sleep & #schoolhealth! #APHA2025 #PublicHealth #startschoollater #sleeppeeps #teensleep www.startschoollater.net
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
It's been over a decade since this school system "fixed" high school start times and promised to do the same for middle schools. Shameful. #startschoollater #sleepmatters www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/29/f...
ffxnow.com
FCPS leaders vote to delay changes to middle school start times | FFXnow
The Fairfax County School Board voted last week to delay consideration of new middle school start times in order to focus on ongoing school boundary adjustments and identify an option that won’t affec...
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Teenagers who don't get enough sleep or get interrupted sleep on school nights are at greater risk pf suicide, new study of 8500+ adolescents finds #startschoollater #sleeppeeps neurosciencenews.com/sleep-teen-s...
neurosciencenews.com
Lack of Sleep in Teens Linked to Higher Suicide Risk - Neuroscience News
Teenagers who sleep less or experience frequent night awakenings are significantly more likely to attempt suicide later in adolescence, according to a major longitudinal study.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
I’m proud to have been part of this change alongside Beth Malow, and to have this opportunity, thanks to Braver Angels’ Citizen-Led Solutions initiative, to help tell this story. #startschoollater #sleeppeeps open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
open.substack.com
Braver Angels + Start School Later: A Case Study in Delaying School Start Times
How one Tennessee community used civil discourse and sleep science to overcome fear and division—and make mornings more humane
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
In Malaysia, young people often have to wake up at 6am or earlier to prepare for school, putting them at risk for sleep and mental health disorders. It is time to reimagine school schedules in ways that reflect both science and compassion. #startschoollater www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/lei...
freemalaysiatoday.com
Biology vs the bell: rethinking school start times
As young people's tendency to sleep late is actually influenced by biological factors, Malaysia's early schooling hours might be detrimental to their well-being.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Spir Efterskole has recently updated the day's start times to "accommodate teenagers' sleep patterns." The school website explains that students won't be woken up until 8:45 am, with lessons not starting until 10:20 am #startschoollater www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/8610...
hellomagazine.com
Denmark's Princess Josephine, 14, very surprising daily routine at prestigious boarding school revealed
Princess Josephine's new school have a rather surprising daily routine - find out all the details about the royal's new lifestyle
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
This NY district found a way to follow the research on what's best for students by combining community feedback w/creative thinking, flexibility & will to change #startschoollater #ItCANbedone #sleeppeeps spectrumlocalnews.com/section/acro...
spectrumlocalnews.com
Fairport CSD releases details of plan to shift school start times
The district says the updated schedule will go into effect for all students starting in the 2026 school year.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Report On How Stockholm Schools View Later Start Times For School Day | The National Tribune www.nationaltribune.com.au/report-on-ho... #startschoollater
nationaltribune.com.au
Report On How Stockholm Schools View Later Start Times For School Day
Many young people in Sweden do not get enough sleep – a factor that can affect both health and academic performance. A study conducted by the National
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
This is just one of MANY examples adult convenience trumping kids' interests (and common sense) #startschoollater #collegeboard youthtoday.org/2025/09/sat-...
youthtoday.org
SAT start times: A simple systems change
While adolescents are naturally inclined to sleep later than their young peers, the systems they engage in have decided that things should start earlier.
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
My newest Substack post tackles the topic of cherry-picked evidence. The conversation often goes astray when critics citing isolated studies as proof that later start times “don’t work” ignore the overwhelming body of research showing otherwise. #startschoollater open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
open.substack.com
Later Isn’t Everything. But Earlier is Harmful
The evidence is clear: delaying the bell may not solve every problem, but ringing it too early creates them
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Terra Ziporyn @terraziporyn.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Superintendent Cole's "pilot program adjusting start times — moving elementary schools to 8 a.m. and high schools to 8:50 a.m. — reflects his willingness to prioritize student well-being and academic success." #LeadersWhoLead #startschoollater www.nola.com/opinions/let...
nola.com
Letters: Keep moving forward in EBR schools
One year ago, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board ended a grueling superintendent search that left the board and community divided. In the end, they chose Superintendent LaMont Cole
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