Volleyball setting up the absence rates for seventh period BY ZACHARY TYSON Staff Reporter Mikaila Miller, a sophomore, plays varsity volleyball and while it is the second month of school she already has 17 absences, which are excused but not her homework. These absences can lead to a lot of built up work for the student to do because of the missing class time and all the classwork done in class turning into homework. Seventh period occurs at the end of the day when most students get out at 2:40 p.m., others stay around for their last class of the day and get out at 3:40 p.m. However, some students who have seventh period also play school sports and this causes some students to miss many seventh period classes. At Sequoia High School these students are still required to get the work done for the classes. “I always try to get my work done as quickly as possible in class, and if I don’t I get it done at home, and if I miss anything I communicate with my classmates and teacher to see what I’ve missed and to get it done as soon as possible,” Miller said. Sometimes though, a student can’t do it all at home because it is a test given in class. Teachers who teach seventh period classes take into consideration the students missing classes for school sports and how to get around this so students get the full learning experience. “I’ve definitely had to extend deadlines for assignments, along with having make-up quizzes. Doing these things are all fine as long as the student communicates.” history teacher Dustin Waters said. Students can still struggle with missing class time because some things happen in class that only happen in class and can’t be made up at home. “There have been times where I just completely miss what happens in class and it’s hard to catch up on the days I’m in class, and have to ask friends for help,” Miller said. Sometimes schedules get complicated and some classes are dropped or moved around throughout the early months of school. “I’ve never actually had someone drop the class, as long as they are organized and communicate well with me, things tend to work out and students do well in the year,” Waters said.
Sports and school are constantly conflicting with each other, but it teaches things that are used later in life. Nardini is a junior varsity volleyball player for Sequoia High School. Not only time management, and advocating
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I think 7th period is pretty manageable while also playing sports, it teaches you great time management, and how to advocate for yourself. Emma Nardini, sophomore for yourself, but communicating as a whole is an important aspect. “Communicating with your teacher is very important, because I miss many days because of volleyball, and if I don’t know what I’ve missed then I’ll be very lost and won’t
understand what I’m doing in class,” Miller said. “I took seventh period freshman year but it’s a lot more different now because last year was online school, however it’s manageable just gotta make sure to communicate with my teacher,” Nardini said. Everyone, Miller, Nardini, and Waters emphasized the importance of communication while playing sports and taking a seventh period. Juggling academics and sports is not new, as Miller expects it to happen throughout high school and has experience from middle school. “I have taken a zero period in middle school, but this is the first time I’ve ever taken a seventh period class and along with missing some class time it’s stressful, but doable,” Miller said. In the conversation with Miller and Nardini they both provide tips to future students in this situation. “Get as much work done as you can in class, and make sure you communicate with your teacher well, and don’t get lazy because you’ll fall behind, and maybe keep a planner to be on top of everything.”
Mikaila Miller finishing up classwork as she missed class the day before for her volleyball game.
RAVEN REPORT | NOVEMBER 2021
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