Aurora Sinistra (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_sinistra) wrote2012-09-18 05:21 pm
alt_sinistra) wrote2012-09-18 05:21 pm
Mid-September
In New London for the afternoon, a combination of errands and catching up with two of my sisters. It is amazing how quickly things fall into place after just a week or two back at school, really - I’ve been working tidily through my list and plans, and it’s so satisfying to see things checked off.
The weather, alas, not so much - we’ve had some glorious stargazing weather the last week, but I’m afraid it’s the last gasps before the far more uncertain days of the fall and winter.
Temp - thanks again for rounding more of those up. And for the other set of used-book searching, too. Gilly - no worries that you had to cancel, I found other company, but next week? Could do lunch at one.
The weather, alas, not so much - we’ve had some glorious stargazing weather the last week, but I’m afraid it’s the last gasps before the far more uncertain days of the fall and winter.
Temp - thanks again for rounding more of those up. And for the other set of used-book searching, too. Gilly - no worries that you had to cancel, I found other company, but next week? Could do lunch at one.
Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
I do wonder if you might be able to spare a little time to help both Aurora and I with a question.
We had quite the conversation in the journals with Aurora Sunday night and Monday, but she raised several points I’ve been thinking over, and I wasn’t able to catch you today. She did say that you’d mentioned something to her about our dear students and sleep, and that there were sound reasons that early morning activities had not historically gone over well.
Would you perhaps be willing to expand, here, so I can better understand the issues? And Aurora, I'm asking here of course to make it easier for you to share what you'd been thinking if Poppy has questions.
Dolores
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
It's all quite clear in the research. (e.g., Balastiel, 1990; Strangeweale, 1993) Adolescents timeshift, so whereas at nine years of age, a child will wake earlier than her parents wish and is sleepy by seven or eight o'clock, by age twelve or thirteen, a young person will have begun both waking later and falling asleep later. This is not merely a matter of their interests keeping them engaged longer into the evening; indeed, studies show that it is a quite natural function of the maturing process.
Equally, adolescents require more hours of sleep than children do. Inconveniently so. The upshot is that at the same time that their internal clocks shift, urging them to stay awake longer past the fall of darkness (and as their academic obligations increase, requiring them complete more hours of homework), their bodies also begin to require more and more rest to enable them to replenish their reserves.
Consequently, it is extremely difficult to wake adolescents in the morning. And if one does demand early morning wakefulness from eleven to seventeen year olds, it is more than likely that one will produce whole classrooms full of dullards, nodding off between sentences of the lectures they are meant to be attending. Worse still, studies of adolescents and accidental injury show a strong correlation between injury and insufficient rest.
I can provide a list of relevant studies if you wish more information.
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
I admit I had not thought through some of the complications of the Hogwarts schedule until the last week or so. It is then your advice, I gather, that early morning gatherings would indeed be quite problematic? And I scarcely want every teacher in the school annoyed at me at once.
Aurora did suggest that late afternoon, between their classes and supper, might be preferable. (I would also be interested on references you may have on that topic, or on the scheduling and amount of exercise designed for optimum fitness.) Is there wisdom in that, or would you have another suggestion?
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
I believe, in fact, that our school timetable was built around an appreciation for the sleep patterns of young people. The first lesson hour begins at 9 am, and if I'm not mistaken, the older students are generally scheduled later than the youngest ones.
I quite agree with you that afternoons might be a wise and more welcome time to propose additional physical activities. If nothing else, it should encourage healthy appetites for supper even in those most apt to grumble about the fare that comes up from the kitchens.
As for the amount of exercise, there are, of course, issues that arise when still-growing adolescents push themselves too far--broken bones in both sexes, delayed or deferred monthly cycles for witches, stunted growth, elemental imbalances--but surely you're not thinking of instituting an extreme regimen?
I'll send you a packet of items on the subject, and I will be happy to answer any questions as you continue to consider the matter.
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
On the specifics - had you not heard? Though I suppose you might not. I had hoped to start a series of exercise sessions for our YPL students, lead by our CCF corps (Rolanda's graciously agreed to provide adult supervision when necessary.) Some running, some calisthenics, some flying work.
I do not believe it too extreme - more along the lines of the work the CCF corps were doing this summer, intended to keep them in the best possible fitness. Three times a week, I thought. More would be better, but I am aware of the complaints about the schedule in general, and we could always ease into that later.
It does look like afternoons may be the best choice, but I will think on it a little longer. Not being young myself, I should also take myself to bed, I think. It is a busy morning for me, and I am sure for you both.
Aurora, do let me know if you have additional comments, when you get a chance.
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
I'm so glad you could be of help, Poppy - I knew that my faint memories of what you'd told me about sleep cycles had a much more solid form somewhere.
Dolores, I apologise for the delay - I was in New London and then otherwise occupied last night, and by the time I caught up, Poppy had clearly already been far more use than I was going to manage. I do continue to think late afternoon is your best choice, but if you've more interviews today or tomorrow, I'm sure the students would be glad to share their thoughts as well.
I did stop by the WEA office yesterday to drop off a book for Helena, and I understood from a passing reference that some of the YPL files were still giving your staff trouble? Entirely my fault, I'm sure - Felix and I did settle into some patterns I'm sure are obscure to others. My time's largely committed through this week, but I'd be glad to spare an hour or so this weekend to help, if you'd like.
A.