Students and Staff Share Thoughts on R&R Time
Written by Noah Groonwald
Photo by Noah Groonwald
This year, students have been greeted with a new schedule change. Every Tuesday and Thursday, there is R&R time, or Relearn and Retest Time. R&R is 45 additional minutes for students to meet up with one of their teachers and do whatever they need, such as test corrections, test retakes, or homework. After two months, people have started to get into the rhythm of the schedule, and both staff and students have mostly positive opinions to share.
While the new schedule change is appreciated, it can be difficult for teachers to plan out lessons with the shortened schedule. AP Physics teacher, Mr. Howard, states, “I like it [R&R time] in general. I think it is important to have some time in the day that is available for all students for them to retake, relearn, and do all that stuff. I like it conceptually, but I’m still trying to figure out exactly how to utilize it.” He also mentions, “I’ve had to do some mental gymnastics trying to keep up with all the schedules. I have had to shorten up some of my lessons. It has not been a dramatic change, but I have had to do some changes.”
For teachers in creative departments, the time has also been appreciated. The East Ridge Orchestra recently had a concert and used R&R time to prepare. Mrs. DeMorett explains, “I like R&R for music because I think it gives us the chance to do the things we do in the classroom. like small ensembles and sectional rehearsals.” When asked about how she uses R&R, she comments, “Before our concert, we were able to bring people in for a big joint rehearsal, we have used it for our string quartet to rehearse and kids come practice.”
Students have been very grateful for R&R time since it allows for extra time in person to do homework and test corrections. Saahithi Maddukuri, a freshman, enjoys R&R and shared, “Recently, I have been doing test retakes.” Sophomore Anuraa Venkat says, “I do homework and test corrections during R&R. On Thursdays, I leave school to teach debate at Lake Middle School.”
Generally, R&R time is well-liked by the East Ridge community. Before R&R, many students could not retake or do corrections because they could not make it to school. Student Jack Aldrich mentions, “It has helped me catch up on work or do test corrections without going in early in the mornings when I had practice or when I couldn’t get a ride.”
