What are the salient issues of equity and access in your school and/or community? How does this impact your students?

 Two major issues of equity and access in my school are internet and the distance to school. Many of my students struggle with their internet connection. Being in class is vital to learning. Students who miss class fall behind on curriculum and may not understand the materials and content as well as their peers. Many of my students will alert me of internet issues that they may have. During class, students will write in the chat that they might have to leave class because of a poor internet connection. Students may show up late to class because of internet connection and miss out on vital introductions to class, leading them to be confused during the period. While many students voice their internet problems, even more say nothing. I'm sure there are a lot more internet issues going on in my classes than I realize.

A second issue of access is the students' distance to school. While this problem has decreased due to e-learning, it can still affect students through extra curricular activities. I am a coach for Mather's volleyball team and I seen this issue first hand. At first, the coach told me some students and players live an hour and a half away from school. Many students have to take public transportation which will further lengthen their ride. Because of that many students cannot participate in extra curricular activities after school in the e-learning environment. Volleyball practice begins at 4 and the school day ends at 3:16. That means players only have 45 minutes to get to the school gym. That may not be enough time. Some players have missed practice because they did not have a ride to the school. Some students are not able to play at all because the ride to Mather is too long. This can effect students' mental health since after school activities may be the only social interacts they have with their peers.

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