Students share mostly positive thoughts about new Nest Time, content recovery opportunities

At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Airport students found themselves adjusting to a new schedule that changed the amount of lunches from four to two and added a new time in between second block and first lunch called Nest Time. Additionally, a new initiative has been added called content recovery, which is used to help students, who fail assignments that largely affect their grade, to pass a class and relearn the material. Most students think that these new opportunities in place will be beneficial to this school year.

In the past three years, Airport has seen a series of schedule changes. However, this year there are two new opportunities in place, called Nest Time and content recovery, that were made to ensure success in Airport High students. Nest Time gives students extra time in between classes to work on assignments that they may not have time to do at home. Content recovery gives students a second chance to learn content that they have failed. The group most affected by these changes are the students. So, what do they think?

Caitlyn M., a varsity soccer player and member of theater at Airport, said that Nest Time was beneficial to her because it allows her “to do work at school rather than at home,” especially because she has “a really busy schedule.” Students who participate in after school activities usually show higher engagement in their classes, but also have less time to study in their classes. Having less study time can cause stress in students. “[Content recovery] has certainly lowered [my test anxiety],” said Caitlyn M.

The Nest Time and content recovery opportunities work within the natural flow of Airport's schedule. Airport has a semester schedule where students take four classes in a semester and then switch to new classes for the second semester. “I like that our schedule is only half a year for a class,” said Caroline H., “[because] you don't have to take the same classes for a whole year.” Most elementary and middle schools have semester schedules, but classes stay the same throughout the entire school year.

Part of the reason Nest Time and content recovery have come into existence is due to the new administration. Airport High School has had frequent changes in administration for the past four years. Due to frequent administrative changes along with Covid-19, the schedule has seen changes every year for the past several years. Last year, Airport tried to incorporate ILT into the everyday schedule near the end of the school year. Nest Time has essentially replaced ILT, but content recovery is totally new.

Whether or not these opportunities have an effect on students' GPAs and test scores remains to be seen.