The Science of Sleep and Why Secondary Schools Should Start Later
April 26 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
The Science of Sleep and Why Secondary Schools Should Start Later
Friday, April 26, 2024
Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 12pm
Presented By: Gail Karafin, Ed.D. and Indira Gurubhagavatula, MD, MPH
Location: Online Workshop
3 CE Credits
Act 48 Available
This program will focus on the science of adolescent sleep and circadian biology. The ramifications of early school start times on sleep health will be reviewed, along with the benefits of later start times.
Objectives:
- List three benefits of adequate sleep for secondary level students.
- List three negative consequences of sleep deprivation for secondary level students.
- Explain the circadian rhythm changes for sleep in adolescents.
- Describe the sleep cycles.
- Discuss the obstacles to implementing later school start times.
Dr. Gail R. Karafin is a licensed and school certified psychologist. She has earned a Doctorate of Education degree in school psychology and a Master of Education in counseling, both from Temple University. She is in independent practice in Doylestown Pennsylvania and was a school psychologist in the Bensalem Township School District for over 25 years.
Dr. Karafin participates on a number of professional Boards. She served as Chair of the School Psychology Board (2007-2011) and the Secretary of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee (2012-2016) for the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Additionally, she served as President (2016-2018) of the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, now named, PSCP: The Psychology Network. Dr. Karafin is the Pennsylvania State Leader for Start School Later, a national, nonprofit organization (2014 to present). Most recently, Dr. Karafin was appointed to the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on “Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents: A Case for Delaying Secondary School Start Times” (October 2019). She has a strong interest in pediatric sleep issues and has published articles and conducted workshops on the topic. Recently Dr. Karafin received the Pennsylvania Psychological Association 2021 Public Service Award.
Indira Gurubhagavatula, MD, MPH is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Training program at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at the Crescenz VA Medical Center. She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
She was the 2021 recipient of the Mark Hatfield Award of the AASM for her work in health policy and advocacy in sleep medicine.
Her focus on preventing drowsy-driving related car crashes in teens has led her to her work in school start times, a major contributor to teen sleep deprivation and sleepiness. She has also authored language on teen drivers’ education manuals regarding drowsy driving and worked to inform senators on the issue of drowsy driving in teens. She has given lectures, chaired prior symposia and served as keynote speaker on School Start Times, published on this topic, and served as a consultant and educator for school districts in Pennsylvania and Delaware, in her role as a parent and as a sleep specialist.
PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.