Memo to teachers: SHSTV should actually be shown in classrooms

Walk around the hallways during third and fourth periods most Thursdays and Fridays, and most teachers are playing SHSTV on their screen, but some don’t bother to play the broadcast at all, and they should be required to do so.

This neglect shows disrespect toward those students who put effort into actually making these broadcasts.

While some teachers may feel that playing SHSTV broadcasts cuts into their class time and activities, the school already allocates 5 extra minutes to third- and fourth-period classes dedicated to announcements and weekly broadcasts by SHSTV. This means teachers’ curriculum shouldn’t even be impacted by showing the broadcast.

Students can also be impacted by teachers not showing these broadcasts. SHSTV broadcasts are an entertaining and informative way for students and teachers to gain insight into different events happening around campus and connect with their peers. 

More importantly, students may miss important announcements regarding upcoming events that they otherwise would have seen. After all, morning PA announcements aren’t played on days when SHSTV is supposed to be shown.

Broadcast students dedicate hours of class and free time into drafting, recording and editing the shows. When teachers choose not to show the broadcasts, they send the message that this part of the school doesn’t matter, and this is especially tragic at a time when the leader of the country devalues all journalists and calls them the “enemy of the people.” Especially these days, teachers should set a better example when it comes to student media.

“I understand the point of view that SHSTV takes away from instructional minutes,” said junior Ryan Le, an anchor on the broadcast, “but if teachers knew how much work all the students put it, I think they would value showing it more.”

While SHSTV may not be a teacher’s highest priority when class material is more urgent, they should still make an effort to accommodate these broadcasts within their schedule and make the statement that students’ efforts — whether in the arts, athletics or media — are important and worthy of attention.