Students may miss class for reasons that are unpredictable. This pattern might lead to instances of students falling behind. However, this is preventable if students learn how to handle their absences.
Sicknesses can be an obstacle for students and their academic performance. Students tend to get overwhelmed by their workload and become stuck in a whirlwind of assignments and missed content. Trying to catch up on your own can only do so much, and can be frustrating.
Advisory has always been an advantageous time for students to meet with their teachers after missing class. This year, advisory was switched to be 30 minutes in between second and third period. This is different from last year’s schedule, which had advisory immediately after fourth period and connected to lunch. Last year’s schedule provided a more flexible use of time because meetings with teachers could leak into the lunch period. “It’s cumbersome because it’s hard to catch up on work when the class keeps moving. I’ve tried to go in for advisory and lunches but I have too many classes and not enough time,” senior Emre Wright said.
There are ways that students can contact all of their teachers without having to spend their entire week trying to meet with them individually. Most teachers have their emails open for any questions and updates on class. An email is a great way to gain an understanding of what the class went over during an absence.
Math teacher David Fantegrossi posts his daily agenda on the calendar featured on his tab in MCPS Classroom. He also has a Youtube channel named “Mr. F Teaches Math,” where he posts lessons and quiz reviews frequently. “Students can go on Canvas and access the live Google document that contains the days and lessons and notes and homework and answer keys,” Fantegrossi said.
Teachers may have a folder or bin in the front of class that contains the paper handouts for every day, separated by date. Almost all papers should be present in that area and students can collect any missing assignments at any time. There is typically a bin present that students can use to turn in work after missing a class period as well. These are helpful for students to be able to manage their assignments.
Classes have gravitated more toward online assignments and presentations. As a result of this, catching up on work is easy. If you are at home during the day, you can check MCPS Classroom and see the Modules tab where teachers typically post presentations from class. Students can see any online assignments that were created. “I usually go to advisory to ask my teachers what I missed and when I’m at home I check Canvas,” sophomore Keon Gray said.
