Picture this; you have a big test for English class. You spent all night studying and you know this assignment is going to be a good portion of your grade. The test may ultimately determine whether you pass or fail this quarter. However, as you begin to settle down, finally focus and read the first question, drums start blaring in the next room over.

It’s no secret that every period, there is a new class playing instruments in the music room. Practically everyday since the first day of school, the music class has been working as hard as they hit the drums during class. Although music may be a required class to graduate, the sounds coming from the room also affect the classes going on around it. Steven Gavrielatos, UACHS’ sophomore English teacher, finds it hard to teach.

“The sounds can be a distraction from time to time, but I have a lot of respect for what the music teacher is doing,” Gavrielatos said. “I find myself having to raise my voice, and I fear that a lot of the students may not be able to hear what I’m saying.”

Being an English class, students have to read and most of all, comprehend what they are learning and being taught. However, there are some students that can not seem to function in their English classes with the sounds coming from next door. Monica Ibrahim, a sophomore in Gavrielatos’ class, noticed that exact behavior amongst some of her classmates.

“Kids may not say anything, but they do seem a little distracted,” Ibrahim said. “The drums can be loud and a distraction to kids trying to focus on reading and writing.”

Students should have an environment where they can work on their assignments and focus on their tests. However, there are things that can happen to allow students to quietly focus on their work. For one, soundproofing the music room would allow students to pay attention in music class, without having to change what goes on in the music room. According to Gavrielatos, he brought up his concerns to administrators in the past.

“I have spoken with admins about it in the past and was told the room would be soundproofed eventually,” Gavrielatos said. “Any level of soundproofing will make our lives easier, my students will benefit from it and it would eliminate the sounds from being an ongoing topic in the school.” 

With word from administration and the school year progressing rapidly hopefully those installments will occur by the start of next school year. Until then, classes will continue to run through the beat of the excessive drumming.