Making Homeroom Count
Data from the Rutgers Safe and Civil Schools initiative as well as from a survey by Dr. Rust indicated that there were students here who, after four years, did not feel connected to anything. The RHS Respectful Schools Committee began a program which includes every staff member in the building (CST, guidance staff, etc.) partnering with another in a homeroom of 24 students (ratio 1:12). These homerooms stay together for four years. At various points during the year, homeroom is extended to provide time for a relationship building activity. Recently each student and staff member in the building had an opportunity to complete a RAM heart which will be displayed throughout the building, indicating a completed or potential good deed. The goal is to have our seniors (RAMbassadors) lead these activities at various points during the year with 9-11 grade homerooms to foster a culture of compassion and respect for each other and our community. Two mornings each week, announcements are limited to the Pledge of Allegiance so that homerooms have time for conversations and/or individual self-directed activities. We already have homerooms running mini type competitions to encourage interaction and enjoying breakfast fare together on a regular basis. In the words of Dr. Daggett, relationships make rigor and relevance possible. A student developed acronym R+A+M=S says it all - Respect plus Attitude with Maturity equals Success.