Terra Ziporyn
@terraziporyn.bsky.social
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.
"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...
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.
www.baltimoresun.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
"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...
Look what's happening in East Baton Rouge! It CAN be done! youtu.be/-ZmH_2aprWU #startschoollater #sleepmatters
EBRPSS School Start Times
YouTube video by EBRSchoolsTV
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Look what's happening in East Baton Rouge! It CAN be done! youtu.be/-ZmH_2aprWU #startschoollater #sleepmatters
🕰️ 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...
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.
www.sanfordherald.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
🕰️ 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...
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...
#startschoollater #sleepmatters #sleeppeeps www.reviewjournal.com/local/educat...
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.
www.reviewjournal.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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...
#startschoollater #sleepmatters #sleeppeeps www.reviewjournal.com/local/educat...
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...
#startschoollater #sleepmatters
www.nbc4i.com/news/politic...
www.nbc4i.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
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...
#startschoollater #sleepmatters
www.nbc4i.com/news/politic...
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...
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...
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.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
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...
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...
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
#startschoollater #schoolhealth #MASS #MASC
November 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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
#startschoollater #schoolhealth #MASS #MASC
"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...
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
www.thenewatlantis.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:54 AM
"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...
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...
www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
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.
www.wftv.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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...
www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
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...
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.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
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...
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
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
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
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
#scicomm
November 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
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
#scicomm
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?...
Advocating for school start times: S7-Ep2
YouTube video by Mayo Clinic
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 2:28 AM
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?...
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
November 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
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
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...
#startschoollater #sleepmatters www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/29/f...
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...
www.ffxnow.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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...
#startschoollater #sleepmatters www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/29/f...
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...
#startschoollater #sleeppeeps
neurosciencenews.com/sleep-teen-s...
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.
neurosciencenews.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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...
#startschoollater #sleeppeeps
neurosciencenews.com/sleep-teen-s...
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...
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
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
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...
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...
#startschoollater www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/lei...
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.
www.freemalaysiatoday.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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...
#startschoollater www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/lei...
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...
#startschoollater
www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/8610...
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
www.hellomagazine.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:08 PM
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...
#startschoollater
www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/8610...
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...
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.
spectrumlocalnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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...
Report On How Stockholm Schools View Later Start Times For School Day | The National Tribune www.nationaltribune.com.au/report-on-ho... #startschoollater
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
www.nationaltribune.com.au
October 7, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Report On How Stockholm Schools View Later Start Times For School Day | The National Tribune www.nationaltribune.com.au/report-on-ho... #startschoollater
This is just one of MANY examples adult convenience trumping kids' interests (and common sense)
#startschoollater #collegeboard
youthtoday.org/2025/09/sat-...
#startschoollater #collegeboard
youthtoday.org/2025/09/sat-...
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.
youthtoday.org
September 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This is just one of MANY examples adult convenience trumping kids' interests (and common sense)
#startschoollater #collegeboard
youthtoday.org/2025/09/sat-...
#startschoollater #collegeboard
youthtoday.org/2025/09/sat-...
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...
#startschoollater open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
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
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
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...
#startschoollater open.substack.com/pub/terrazip...
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...
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
www.nola.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
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...
The science is settled; the logistics are not. As this piece rightly notes, "the real test now is whether states and districts can solve the bus math and the calendar politics well enough to let teenagers sleep like, well, teenagers." #startschoollater www.mentalfloss.com/culture/educ...
The Surprising Reasons Why School in the U.S. Starts So Early
The data is clear: Students need more sleep before hitting the books. So why can’t they get it?
www.mentalfloss.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The science is settled; the logistics are not. As this piece rightly notes, "the real test now is whether states and districts can solve the bus math and the calendar politics well enough to let teenagers sleep like, well, teenagers." #startschoollater www.mentalfloss.com/culture/educ...