Use the following letter to contact an expert to help you in your campaign. Add your specific information, and you're ready to go!

Dear [sleep expert]:

[Your group/school district] has begun to understand the importance of sleep in the learning and well-being of adolescents. The issue of school start times has become a central one in our community, and we’d like to learn more.

An important aspect of the pursuit of a more reasonable bell schedule will be to educate our community. We would like to set up an event where parents, students, teachers and anyone else can learn about the vital role sleep plays in everyone’s life. The more people know about sleep, the healthier they can be, and the more they can participate in the process of re-orienting schools to provide a sleep-friendly, and learning-friendly, environment for students.

Given your expertise in sleep, we are hoping you can help. We would like to have you give a presentation about sleep at our event. Some aspects of your presentation may include: basics of sleep and why it is important; how much is needed; what changes occur in sleep in adolescents; the effects of sleep deprivation; the relationship between sleep and learning; the impact of sleep on health, athletic performance and other activities; sleep disorders; and anything else that you feel would be pertinent.

We are excited about working with you and would like to discuss dates for this event as soon as possible. I’ll give you a call in a few days, and you can reach me at [your phone and e-mail].

We look forward to working with you. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

[your name]

[your group/school district]