Power Hour ~ Independent Learning

Strength

To support The Freshman Academy goal to increase the number of students who advance to the tenth grade, Academy teachers and staff utilize Power Hour/Independent Learning to assist students.

Power Hour is a positive school-wide initiative to encourage and support student achievement. This plan allows for a one-hour lunch period from 11:45-12:45. Students are allowed to take advantage of a variety of activities during this time period:

        • Students may eat lunch in the cafeteria, courtyard, media center, and classrooms (based on individual teacher preferences.)
        • Participate in intramural sports in the gym,
        • Participate in club meetings, and
        • Meet with teachers for Academic Overtime during designated office hours.

Guidelines

        • TRHS is a closed campus during the school day. Students are required to remain on campus for lunch/Power Hour.
        • Food is not allowed in the gym, hallways, or bathrooms.
        • PED policy applies at all times, as this is academic time.
        • Hallways are for transitioning; students should not be seated in hallways during Power Hour.
        • Early dismissals are strongly discouraged during Power Hour as making school-wide announcements can be distracting. Early dismissals should be given before or after Power Hour; between 8:45-11:45 and 12:45-3:00.
        • Students are allowed to socialize during entire Power Hour if they are not required to attend Academic Overtime.

Office Hours/Academic Overtime

Each teacher will have designated office hours during Power Hour. During this time students attend Academic Overtime. Students will receive a pass from the teacher that assigns Academic Overtime, but students are not required to have a pass in order to participate.

Teachers will assign Academic Overtime for one or more of the following reasons:

        • Z.A.P. (Zeroes Aren’t Permitted). If a student fails to complete or turn in an assignment, they will be required to attend Academic Overtime until the work is completed. Students will receive a 30% reduction in their grade for late work.
        • The student’s overall class grade is a 65 or lower.
        • The student needs to make up a test or assignment due to an excused absence. (In this case, the student does not have to attend Academic Overtime unless they fail to turn in the assignment within the time frame allotted for their excused absence.)
        • In the event that a student is required to attend Academic Overtime for more than one teacher, End of Course Exam Program (EOCEP) courses (English I, Algebra I, Biology, and US History) will have first choice on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Other courses will have first choice Tuesday and Thursday.

Departments are grouped for Academic Overtime and Lunch Shifts as follows:

“A” Shift: Lunch 11:45-12:15, Academic Overtime 12:15-12:45

        • Math
        • Social Studies
        • CATE
        • Special Education

“B” Shift: Academic Overtime 11:45-12:15, Lunch 12:15-12:45

        • English
        • Science
        • Fine Arts
        • Foreign Language

Physical Education teachers will be in the gym for intramurals each day.