Silent Sustained Reading (SSR), 20 minutes after second block set aside for reading but what most students use as a time to relax, calm down and regroup before going throughout the rest of the day.

“I used to use SSR to kind of rejuvenate and recollect myself before going into third block,” junior Maddie Mayfield said. “It was just 20 minutes of relaxation that helped me push through the rest of the day.”

However, the time set aside for SSR is now being altered for ACT preparation including practice tests and problems to help students get prepared for the college entrance exam. Some students aren’t very thrilled about this change.

“I would be more okay with SSR becoming ACT prep if it weren’t required to do it every single day, maybe just two days of the week,” Mayfield said.

Assistant Principal Andrew McMillan understands that the time could become stressful and overwhelming but tells students not think of it as a core class; instead, he encourages students to think of it as helpful information to earn more opportunities.

“This time period shouldn’t be stressful or strenuous, but just little tips and strategies to improve your ACT scores,” McMillan said. “Hopefully they’ll see the bigger picture, that with improved scores comes scholarships and college opportunities.”

English teacher Alex Cater agrees, saying that the little “tidbits” of information are helpful and will boost scores without overloading our students all at once.

Mayfield said that she’s glad Chapman has a faculty that has its students’ best interest in mind at all times.

“I’m thankful that they have our success as a priority, but I think we need to rest more than we are pushed,” Mayfield said.