Throughout the 2025-2026 year at EHHS there have been several new changes and improvements made to school policies and procedures. One of the most noticeable changes is the new study hall policy. Up until last year, study hall was seen as a free period by students. By not allowing students to use their phones, students are forced to use study halls wisely. This change benefitted the organization, education, and responsibility of the students.
In Principal Vincent DeNuzzo’s words he wants students to “understand that the study hall period, that 74 minute block, is an opportunity for our students to use their time for academic purposes.” The idea of having a study hall was to give students a space for them to be academically successful and have an allotted time for work; not to take a nap, watch a video, or put your headphones in. The new idea of a study hall is a formal structured class. But there has been data of improvements throughout study hall periods, Mr. DeNuzzo said, “We see [fewer] students just sitting back in a chair scrolling on Instagram or Snap, and [more students are] engaged in Chromebooks.”
Even though DeNuzzo and administrators view study hall as a class instead of a free period, other teachers like Mr. Russell Lee see it as a place where “people tend to come in here and handle their business and stay pretty quiet. So it’s a pretty peaceful time. It allows me to get work done and allows them to get work done.”
Even though study hall is like a working period, teachers like Mr. Lee also see it as a place where students can unwind and take a breath from the academic stress they may face. English teacher Mrs. Lauren Myers states that, “ I feel like students are less stressed because they have time to do Quill or long term assignments. But overall I think the study hall is a really good time to take a break, and make a plan. And I see a lot of kids doing that.”
English teacher Ms. Haley Lutar says that, “I find that students I have who are in study halls tend to have work in a more timely manner. They seem to have a more positive attitude in completing work and how they work with their peers.” This shows how study hall plays a role in improving students attitudes, organizational skills, and timeliness to better themselves as students and also as young adults.
Overall, there are many different viewpoints and understandings of study halls, especially since the implementation of the new study hall policies. But we see how it has different benefits based on your academic status, stress, and outside influences. Not only is the study hall a comfortable environment for students to catch a break and rest, but it is also an academic place of work.
