Waking up just in time to join class before you get marked absent, you’re still in the same position you were eight hours ago and you just can’t get up. This is one of the reasons the Study Nest sessions were created. To provide students some structure and a space to focus. According to 11th grade GLC Aaron Scholler, grades of students have improved tremendously since joining.

“Yeah, there’s significant great improvements, 30, 40, 50% in four or five classes. Times, however many kids needed. That is pretty common. Again, that’s just them paying more attention to what they need,” Scholler said.

The Oriole Study Nest opened in response to the School Board’s decision to go back into distance learning after a few weeks of hybrid learning towards the end of November. According to freshman Ben Newpower, the Nest has helped redirect him back into school.

“I come here because it’s a little easier to focus and also easier for me to go to basketball practice. It’s better for me because I’m not distracted by things at home,” Newpower said.

Sophomore Queen Henderson said her first experience at the Nest was positive and she has resources for assistance if needed. 

“I feel supported by the staff here because they always ask me if I need help and I usually don’t, but it’s nice to know they can help if I need it,” Henderson said

Scholler said his favorite thing about the Nest and working this year has been interacting with new students. 

“My favorite thing this year I would say, is probably helping new kids that I hadn’t met yet. I’d spent a lot of the last few years with kids that I had known. This year, there’s a lot of new kids who I would have never known had we not been doing the Nest and hearing what they have to say doing their classes with them is pretty enjoyable,” Scholler said. 

Newpower said his times at the high school aren’t very exciting, but they do spark a little joy which has made the transition from middle to high school easier.

“It’s a little boring but it’s better than sitting at home in a way. It’s nice seeing people; it makes me a little happier just to see people,” Newpower said. “Coming into high school is not as hard as I thought it would be; it’s better than middle school because I can connect with people a little better.”

According to Scholler, staff members are there for support but the students are the ones making changes for themselves and hopefully, students can bring this newfound structure back home.

“I’d like to take credit, but really, we’re offering them an environment in which they can be more studious versions of themselves, and we’re helping them facilitate that, for themselves. So they’re doing all the work … mostly, it’s just giving them a space to do it themselves that’s not distracted,” Scholler said. “Hopefully it’s behavior reinforcement. I see that it’s successful and feels more relaxing and less pressured, less anxious (for students) to do it this way. Maybe that translates to when they go home.”

To attend Oriole Study Nest sessions, go to the Student Support Time website, look for an available slot and sign up with your GLC. If you need to receive transportation, there is a form that can be filled out.