Teen Sleep Program
October 2009: Teen Sleep Program Awarded Statewide Honor
Menlo-Atherton's Teen Sleep Program, now in its fourth year, has received the prestigious Golden Bell Award. This award is given by the California State School Boards Association and honors schools and county offices of education throughout California for their outstanding programs. M-A will accept the award in December at the association's Annual Education Conference. Menlo-Atherton has received a Golden Bell Award only once, 15 years ago.
M-A's Teen Sleep Program collaborates with Stanford to educate all freshman about adolescent sleep and its important role in academic and athletic performance, mood and safety. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D. of Stanford and Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D., an internationally renown sleep scientist, have worked with M-A to educate thousands of our students. This year, the freshman class will once again be educated on teen sleep issues when Stanford students from Dr. Dement's Sleep and Dreams class come to Menlo-Atherton.
Last year the program focus was expanded to advocate for instituting a later school start time at M-A. This October, a presentation was given to the Sequoia Union High School District Board outlining the many benefits to students in high schools across the nation who have moved to later morning start times. Dr. Rosekind presented national data showing the positive outcomes in academic and athletic performance, safety and mood after later start times were adopted. Dr. William Dement was also on hand to talk about the benefits for adolescents of later start times.
April 2008: M-A Sleep Program Receives National Award
The National Sleep Foundation recognized Menlo-Atherton's Teen Sleep Program with an Honorable Mention in its 2008 Healthy Sleep Community competition. The Sleep Foundation acknowledged M-A for providing "an innovative, far-reaching sleep education campaign". M-A and the University of Arizona received honorable mentions with "Cribs for Kid's", a Pittsburg Pennsylvania program, winning this year's award.
Congratulations to the M-A community for receiving this national recognition, and thank you to everyone who has supported the program!
Statement of Purpose and Vision for M-A’s Sleep Program:
“The Menlo-Atherton High School Sleep Program will create and support a dynamic and enduring sleep education program that will strengthen the health, performance and resilience of M-A students and benefit faculty and families in our community.”
