On Friday, Oct. 31, students shuffled into class to see only a small percentage of their classmates in their seats. No one was surprised. Just a few miles north, a large number of Carlmont students cheered as the 2014 World Series Champions presented a parade in San Francisco.
Despite heavy rain and traffic, students joined the crowds congregating on Market Street to celebrate the Giants’ victory as players rode by on cable cars.
Students who decided to go to school or were not allowed to skip the day to attend the parade were at certain disadvantages.
Senior Frieda Freeman said, “I feel that it’s unfair that some teachers gave more work to the students that came to school so that those who didn’t come would lose more points. The people who were punished were the students that decided to follow through and be committed to their education.”
Other students were simply disinterested in the parade and saw no point in going to miss a full day of classes.
Junior Matt DeGraff said, “I preferred to not miss a day of school because I don’t care about baseball and didn’t watch the Giants’ games this season.”
School is a priority for many, but the Giants aren’t guaranteed to win the World Series every single year.
Junior Natalie Kiyasu said, “I think so many people skipped school because it could be a really long time before the Giants’ win happens again. Since a lot of people weren’t going to school that day, it seemed silly to go to empty classrooms. It was also Friday, and Halloween; that had something to do with it. I think celebrating at the parade was worth it because it’s such a special and rare event. A home team’s big win can be special for baseball watchers. ”
When a large amount of students skip school on one day, it comes with negative impacts from a Carlmont staff member’s perspective.
Attendance clerk Irma Gomez said, “About 530 students called in absent the day of the parade. The school is not paid per each student that attends each day, so it’s not a matter of money. However, it’s difficult for teachers, as they aren’t able to truly teach because a majority of their class is missing.”
Students are also met with a sense of discouragement when their classmates neglect to show up in favor of a fun activity.
Freeman said, “There was an average of only six people in each of my classes. Coming to school while the parade was going on was a complete waste of my education.”
