By Meghan Runte
Rockets are nearing the four-week mark in the 2025 to 2026 school year, and as homework starts picking up in classes, so do the excuses for why students don’t have it.
Common excuses minds tend to go to include the old phrase “my dog ate my homework” or the more modern phrase of “my computer didn’t save it.” However, students have become more and more creative over the years with their excuses. Teachers Matthew Brunner, Tracey Canisalez, and Ellen Bungenstock shared some of their experiences with homework excuses over their years of teaching.
Math and Robotics teacher Matthew Brunner shared that he can trust the vast majority of his students to be honest when they miss an assignment. Brunner said that two common excuses are that students “didn’t have time, or that they didn’t understand the material, but both of these stem from them waiting until the last minute.” However, Brunner shared that most McNick students are trustworthy and there are only a few each year who lie about their missing homework.
Spanish teacher Tracey Canisalez said that most students use the excuse of technology not working, sickness, or simply forgetting about it. Canisalez said that she can tell when a student is lying about an assignment. “Call it teacher’s intuition, but you get a feeling, it might be that the student seems to be a little nervous and lacks eye contact or their story seems to be too rehearsed when they tell me.” She stated that teachers can usually tell when a student is lying.
French and Culinary French teacher Ellen Bungenstock, or Madame B, also agreed that common excuses are technology, lack of understanding, or forgetfulness. Although, Bungenstock tries “to nurture an environment where my students can be honest about why they do not have an assignment finished.” She believes that students only lie about their work for fear of getting a poor grade or afraid of getting in trouble. Bungenstock also believes that giving a few extra days on an assignment can help a student’s understanding and completing the assigned work.
Some anonymous students shared excuses they use. Most students shared that they say they forgot it, that they did it but forgot it at home, or that their computer shut down right when they were about to save it. However, about 48% of students surveyed shared that teachers could tell when they were lying about their homework.
Overall, most teachers think that the McNick student body is honest about their work, don’t lie when something is missing, and would rather the student be honest than try to lie.
The McNicholas Milestone 