Starting August 31, a new tardy policy will go into effect.
In previous years, if students received three or more unexcused tardies, points would be deducted from their grades. Now, students will receive discipline points instead.
A student may be tardy to their first period five times. Afterwards, the teacher is required to contact a parent. If a student is tardy three more times after the first warning, they will receive a referral and five discipline points. Their parents will also be called in for a meeting with a dean.
As for periods 2 through 7, students are only allowed three unexcused tardies before a parent is notified. For each time the student has three or more unexcused tardies after that, they will be given a referral and receive five conduct points. If the behavior continues, their parents must meet with the dean.
The decision to change the policy is a fairly recent one. “With our new software systems, we have found that tracking tardies and deducting points can’t necessarily happen the same way, so we are treating it as a disciplinary action,” said dean Natalie Cashman.
According to her, the old policy was not effective for all students. If students continue receiving discipline points, they may eventually be suspended or expelled, which may motivate them to arrive to class on time.
