Missing school for any reason can easily make a student fall behind in class. Continuing to miss can cause failing grades and stressful homework pileup.

Most students agree that missing school is not typically a good idea unless absolutely necessary. Of those students, freshman Paige Zamechik said she hasn’t missed a single day of school so far this year.

“It really affects grades if you miss even one day,” Zamechik said. “That’s four classes. Four classes of homework can really add up. It’s always important to stay on top of things.”

Junior Caitlyn Fisher and Gaby McLoughlin said they also try not to miss school due to homework buildup.

“My mom is strict when it comes to my attendance,” Fisher said. “I haven’t missed a day of school yet, which probably helps me to keep up with my work.”

McLoughlin said she tries to keep her attendance up to help with her grades.

“I’ve only missed around two days of school this year,” McLoughlin said. “It’s hard to get caught up when you miss an entire day. If you have to miss school for something other than being sick, you should try to make it to at least one of your classes.”

Senior Rachel Stritt said missing class for more than two days in a row is very hard to catch up on.

“The homework pile could kill a person,” Stritt said. “You really shouldn’t miss that much school. It’s important to be in class.”

On the other side of the spectrum, freshman Tressidy Barenberg said she doesn’t think missing class affects her grades.

“I miss school pretty often,” Barenberg said. “I don’t think it really bothers me. I still do my homework and my absences are usually excused.”

Sophomore Erin Adams and junior Kodi Custine said they also don’t think missing school affects their grades.

“I used to miss a lot of school,” Adams said. “At first I felt stressed about all the homework I’d not finished, but really if you just stay on top of things you’ll be okay.”

Custine has a similar opinion.

“You just have to be diligent with your homework,” Custine said. “If you make sure you don’t fall behind then you should be just fine.”

17aweber@usd489.com