Ava Fonss, News Editor
@afonsscourant
Over the past few weeks, students and teachers have experimented with ways to remain productive during newly-implemented RAM time. According to communications sent by administration, RAM is an acronym for Review with teachers, Access support, and Manage time.
Created to provide students with time to access teachers and complete work, RAM time acts in lieu of last year’s half-day Wednesdays. Many students have already used the time to receive extra help from teachers, work on assignments, and study for upcoming assessments. Over the course of the year, RAM Time may be adjusted as more feedback is collected.
The idea was introduced this year with the goal of helping students academically. “For years we have heard from kids that they have so much homework and don’t always have access to their teachers,” Principal William Egan said. “We were looking for an opportunity to allow students to access their teachers, get extra help, and find additional resources during the course of the school day. It’s really about what you need when you need it.”
To keep track of attendance, teachers will be scanning student IDs at the start of RAM Time. “We wanted to make the process convenient for teachers so that not all of the responsibility would be on them,” Mr. Egan said. “Students can scan into each class to make sure they are present. If students stay in their assigned class for that period, they can scan in to stay. If they go see another teacher, they can scan in to go see that person.” According to Mr. Egan, closing the campus ensures that all students stay in the building to use the time appropriately and access the help they need.
Both students and teachers have been adjusting to the schedule change in recent weeks. “Students are trying to find the best ways to utilize their time and teachers are trying to find the best ways to help the greatest number of kids,” Mr. Egan said. “Anything new takes some adjustments.” According to Mr. Egan, feedback about RAM Time from faculty has been mostly positive so far, and student feedback is expected to be collected in the coming weeks.
Math Department Chair Rebecca Pavia had a positive first experience with RAM Time. “I had students come for extra help who might not have otherwise,” she said. “I also had other students who normally forget to complete homework finish their homework before they left the class.” Ms. Pavia’s students engaged in a variety of activities during RAM Time which included finishing their math homework, completing work for other courses, and reviewing for an upcoming quiz.
Many students have already used RAM Time to receive help. “The time period set up allowed me to meet with a teacher I needed help from,” junior Avery Morawa said. Avery has already decided how she will spend RAM Time throughout the year. “I plan to work on my independent study, review with teachers, and go over previous assignments,” she said.
According to Ms. Pavia, the implementation of RAM Time will help the transition to full-time in-person learning. “Last year, teachers adjusted their expectations for the hybrid learning environment. In the math department, many teachers did not give any tests, and students did not have midterms,” she said. “Having built-in time to reinforce skills on a regular basis can only be a benefit.”
During RAM Time, students may only go to only one location and must remain at that location for the entire block, which can create challenges for some. “After I was done meeting with my teacher, I was unable to leave the classroom,” Avery said. “I had other teachers that I needed to discuss with but I was unable to because of the closed campus.”
Junior Julia Paine has also found RAM Time beneficial. “It is a really useful tool to get caught up on classwork and homework, especially with the demanding course load that comes with junior year,” she said. “Throughout the year, I think it will be really helpful as it will allow me to stay on top of my work.”
Julia has alternate opinions on the closing of campus during RAM Time. “I believe that if the campus was open, students would be a lot more productive by using the time as they need,” she said. “Some students may not have homework or a question for a teacher, and instead may need to prepare for sports or other extracurricular activities.”
According to Mr. Egan, RAM Time may be adjusted to better serve the school population as more feedback is received from both students and staff. “We have really dedicated and driven students at our school, and I think that they’re going to come to love it because it’s an opportunity for them to get help and get started on their work,” he said. “There’s really no downside.”
