Concern erupted at the Academy of American Studies when a rumor spread that the administration was considering doing away with short Wednesdays.
Short Wednesdays are a staple at the Academy; many use them to catch up. Both students and teachers can get extra sleep, which is proven to boost cognitive function for memory and focus because of the later start time. That, in turn, can boost performance in school. Many student-athletes and their coaches also rely on Wednesdays for extended practices and recovery. Captain of Academy’s varsity basketball team, senior Ali Hbabou, said, “Wednesdays offer me an opportunity to make up missing or late work and receive extra help from my teachers. As a student-athlete running on a tight schedule, it’s extremely important for me to stay on top of my academics. Having morning practices on Wednesdays allows me to get to bed early and reset for the next day. I find it so helpful to have a shorter day in the middle of the week.”
Many students said a half day in the middle of the week contributes to a better Thursday and Friday, which then transitions into the weekend. History and economics teacher Isabella Jimenez said, “Wednesdays benefit me in creating extended one-on-one time to provide my students with extra help, makeup work and extra time to make sure students fully understand the topics being taught.”
After hearing from many in the community, Principal Shermilla Bharat put the rumor to rest. “I don’t know where this rumor came from, but there’s no plan to get rid of short Wednesdays. They are a great thing for the school. Short Wednesdays are beneficial to our community. Even if I wanted it to, it’s beyond my power to do away with them. It would need to be voted on by the school’s administration and heavily favored by the school community for changes to be made,” she said.
Her statement brought relief to the Academy community and finally put the worrisome rumor to bed.