This past week, the BSM administration has decided to implement required silent reading time during homeroom every Wednesday. The purpose of this was to help students become faster and overall better readers. Additionally, administration is hoping to help improve standardized testing scores, specifically in the reading sections.
Some students who enjoy reading are happy about this change, as they like to read outside of school anyway. Other students who prefer not to read are discontented about this new required activity as they believe it is a waste of time and would rather work on homework or other assignments. Although the majority of students have the same opinion on this new requirement, most said that they like their homeroom time for working on homework and other assignments.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s senior Sarah Humphrey has a strong opinion on the new implementation. She has always used her homeroom time to finish assignments, work on homework, or enjoy some breakfast in the cafeteria. Humphrey also believes that if students wanted to read, they would use their time outside of school. “I think it can be helpful for freshmen and sophomores because COVID hit them right when they’re [learning] to read aloud in class, but I think for juniors and seniors it should be like an option because were older and more literate,” Humphrey said.
I think it can be helpful for freshmen and sophomores because COVID hit them right when they’re [learning] to read aloud in class, but I think for juniors and seniors it should be like an option because were older and more literate.”
— Sarah Humphrey
New BSM freshman, Aida Parker, uses her homeroom time for productive activities. She likes to use her homeroom time to finish up some homework that she didn’t finish the night before. Parker also doesn’t like to read outside of school, as she struggles to stay focused and doesn’t find it enjoyable. She does see a benefit to the reading time for required books for class but besides that, she would rather use her time for other purposes. “I think it was a good idea, but I think it takes away time from people’s homework time that they might not have gotten done last night, and I think that we should have free time in homeroom back,” Parker said.
Kendall Hassler, BSM junior, feels that she was already using her homeroom time wisely in the past years. Hassler thinks that this required reading time could be helpful if used in the correct way. She believes most students will abuse that time and end up wasting it. “I think it’s a waste of time because I like to do my homework in homeroom but I don’t have the chance to do that if I’m reading,” Hassler said.