To Keep Teenagers Alert, Schools Let Them Sleep In. Many schools are starting their days one to two hours later to accommodat​e teens’ procliviti​es.

The NY Times is better staffed than TPV.  Only their multi cultural and multi generational staff could report: To Keep Teenagers Alert, Schools Let Them Sleep In. TPV, however, has Marquel, our superhero, TPVs Times Correspond​ent, and he says: This is a ploy; schools’re adjusting to teens’ sleep, and other, habits.

Marquel thought it about time that schools did this. Not for the kids but for the parents. “Getting up at 6am to send a kid to school at 7 who’s just going to fall back asleep during first period,” he said, “seemed nonsensical.” But Marquel sensed there was more to the story so he travelled to the Seattle school district that changed its hours “to accommodate to teenage hormonal behavior.”

The school superintendent was very laid back and seemed more than unusually accessible so I dove right in. “Don’t you think that changing everything to fit the students behavior is going too far?” I asked.

“How do you mean that?” He asked right back, “we just changed the hour. We changed nothing else.”

“But teenagers have many other strange habits that you may be asked to accommodate.” I said.

“Well if it’s important we will listen just like we did to this.” He said. “Anything specific you’re thinking of?”

“Well when grownups with teens get home, we frequently have to boot the kids out of the recliner even though they say that’s where they study best.” I noted, “are you going to install recliners in all the classrooms?”

“No I don’t think so,” he said.

“Why not?” I asked.

“I just don’t think so.” He answered, seeming a little less laid back than he had initially.

“Okay, fair enough,” I said. “What about loud music? The kids always say they can’t study without it, and frequently say they do better with it. Loud music in the classrooms?”

“No,” he said simply, “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” I queried.

“Just don’t” he answered.

“Okay how about chips and soda?” Asked I, “they always say they need a big bag of chips and a large quart container of pop to study well. Chips and soda in the classrooms?”

“Nope,” he answered curtly.

“Why not?” I asked politely.

“Nope” he just repeated.

“Hmm,” I murmured. I felt I was losing him. “Say, how about phone calls during class? I know a lot of teens who study with their cell phones within reach. They text during studying, and say it helps. How about texting in class?”

“You’re nuts,” he answered.

“How’s that?” I asked.

He said nothing. So I went on. “I can understand change is sometimes traumatic and I don’t mean to upset you.” He scowled at me. “But if not texting, how about sending selfies during class?”

“Selfies?” He asked.

“Sure,” I said, “I’ll show you.” I got up next to him, pointed the camera at both of us, and snapped. I asked him for his cell number which he blurted out without apparently  thinking. “Look at your phone,” I said which had just started vibrating.

“Hey,” he said, looking at the screen, “that’s me.”

“And me,” I added.

He nodded. “Hey can I send this to someone else?” He asked.

“Sure but it might be more fun if you took your own,” I suggested. “So maybe selfies in class?” I asked.

He didn’t answer.

I said, “Sometimes they send nude or partially nude selfies. I don’t think you have to go that far.”

“No, how would you do that?” He asked.

“Well,” I said, “just like we just did but undressed. And usually just one of us.”

“Just one,” he said, “yeah. I think you can go now.”

I’ve had interviews end more abruptly, so I just walked out. He closed the door behind me. Then I heard it lock.

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You may take a selfie with Marquel if you follow him on Twitter @MarquelatTPV