By Neval Mulaomerovic
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) is a unique feature of MHS’s schedule—20 minutes set aside for students to read in their fifth-period class. Yet, few students actually spend the allotted time as intended. Though some argue that SSR is useless because of this, it is still a useful part of the day that can be an advantage to many students.
One of the most common ways students spend their time in SSR is by doing their homework. Having extra time throughout the day to catch up on work is especially important for students taking multiple advanced classes with heavy workloads or students with after-school jobs and obligations that limit their available study time. Since MHS doesn’t offer a homeroom or study hall period, SSR serves as this much-needed opportunity for students to study.
SSR is also often used by teachers. For many teachers, the 20 minutes are default office hours where students can ask questions and seek help on their homework. This chance for one-on-one time is unique to SSR, since students may be unable to track down teachers during lunch or after school for help. In other cases, SSR is the time for students to retake or make-up tests. Skipping an entirely different period for a retake or make-up is never ideal, and no one wants to come to school at 7:00 a.m. or stay until 4:00 p.m. for something that can be done in the 50-minute timespan of lunch and SSR.
Without SSR, the current system of Clubs and Organizations (CLOGs) wouldn’t be possible. CLOG Council and CLOG Congress always take place during SSR on select Thursdays. Additionally, every club is required to participate in Campus Beautification for four Tuesdays in the year during SSR. These programs are essential to keep CLOGs organized, accountable, and informed of the Associated Student Body’s (ASB) updates. Moving these meetings to lunch would create a new set of problems for clubs that host their meetings on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Again, meetings taking place after school would be inconvenient for students with jobs, sports, or extracurricular commitments.
One of the biggest complaints against SSR is that students do not use the time for academic purposes. Many students designate SSR as their regularly scheduled nap time to catch up on their lack of sleep from the night before. While napping isn’t quite as academic as silent reading, no student deserves to be sleep-deprived. If SSR is an opportunity for students to rest in the middle of a long and stressful day, so be it. There are always going to be some who are purely unproductive during SSR by scrolling on their phones or talking to friends, but that is up to the student. Every student has the right to choose.