Judith Owens, MD, MPH, Director of Sleep Medicine, Children's National Medical Center stated that, "There is no question that later [school] start times pose significant challenges and barriers , ... but [making a change to these start times] is something within our control, something we can change to have a significant impact on children's long-term health” (Clarkson par. 29). when the start of the school day should begin may not seem like a threatening topic that drastically affects our lives, but as Owens stated it has a “long-term” effect on tomorrow's generations. In other words, the start time of school affects many individuals, not only in the present, but extends throughout life. These long-term effects may result from sleep deprivation and the stress accumulated on students during the school year. These problems may not seem insignificant in this moment, but they can and will negatively affect children. Therefore, the starting time of schools should be postponed by at least one hour to not only benefit students physically and mentally, but also academically, and although there are some conflicts in doing so, the overall result results in giving students adolescents a healthier future, with the possibility of achieving greater opportunities. School start times have changed in the past, and these changes have pushed back the start of school by approximately one hour to adapt to our changing society. The history of modern-day start times is quite recent; the times when schools start today are not the same as in the 20th century. In the early 20th century, school began around 9 a.m. to accommodate the many children who helped with the family business... middle of paper... Waking up for adolescent sleep needs." Chicago Tribune. September 11, 2013: 1.SIRS Issues Researcher Web. February 21, 2014. Painter, Kim "Teens Grow Up, But They Certainly Don't Shine Before School" USA TODAY 2011: D.3. SIRS Issues Researcher Web. Rosenberg, Russell, and Michael Monaco “Should High School Students Start the School Day Later?” SIRS Issues Researcher Web.February 21, 2014. Shea, Virginia, Phyllis Payne, and Sandy Evans “School Bells and Buses in Fairfax: A Brief History of changes in school days and transportation for students." 2007. Web. March 15, 2014. "Sleep Drive and Your Body Clock." National Sleep Foundation. Np, 2013. Web. April 13, 2014. Wrobel, Gordon D. “The impact of school start times on family life.” Phi Delta KappanJan 1999: SIRS Issues Researcher. February 21st. 2014.