BlendEd Student Resource Time (SRT), a program that allows juniors and seniors to leave the building during their SRT, was launched this year to increase student attendance and grades, Ronald Bean, Assistant Principal and Dean of Students, said.
BlendEd SRT allows students to leave school during a 90-minute block, similar to having open lunch, which gives students more freedom and responsibility, Bean said.
BlendEd SRT was created to recognize students with a 90 percent attendance rate, passing all classes with a C or higher, and no major behavior discipline incidents, Bean said. The program, created by the Principal Advisory Council, Principal Dr. Barbara Georges, the Assistant Principals, and the Deans, was based on a similar program run at Georges’s old school, Georges said.
“This program is common at different districts,” Georges said. “Districts have to determine standards for attendance, grades, and behavior. When those standards are met, students can qualify for privileges during study halls or open campus during free periods.”
The opportunity of having a BlendEd SRT block resets each semester, so the requirements from the previous semester will help determine who is eligible, Georges said. During winter break, grades will be reviewed and then during the first week back in January students will be notified if they have BlendEd SRT, Georges said.
The program was piloted last spring with a small number of students, Georges said. The program collected feedback on whether or not the open campus option had a positive impact on the students, Georges added.
“Their feedback was clear that the flexibility had a positive impact on their ability to manage their classwork, responsibilities, and get more rest,” Georges said.
Over the summer, Bean and Georges worked together to refine the program and make sure it provided as much as it could for students, Bean said.
“It was an opportunity for us to recognize kids that are making good choices, and then to give them an opportunity to make their own choices about how they study best,” Bean said.
BlendEd SRT has also had many positive effects on students, senior Maina Chander said. Chander has enjoyed her BlendEd SRT more than the regular SRT she had last year because it gives her a break from school, she said. It not only allows students to work where they want, but also gives them more free time, Chander said.
“I like that it allows me to leave if I need to,” Chander said. “It gives me freedom and opportunity to choose whether I focus on studying for a test or finish homework.”
