Kinsey Gardner
As the 2013-2014 school year neared the end, students became far too relaxed, causing the administration to make some changes. As of Monday, April 28, the punishment for tardies became Saturday school.
“We have had a huge issue recently with students not getting into class on time – to the point where it’s out of control. One of our administrators came up with this idea for Saturday school. The way it works is that students who are not in class when the bell rings for class to begin are assigned Saturday school,” administrator Nelba Thomas said.
GHS teachers and administration noticed that the previous tardy policy was failing, which then led to the idea of creating a more improved policy.
“It wasn’t effective and we couldn’t keep up with it. Kids knew we couldn’t keep up with it,” Principal Barbara Harmon said.
Administrator Shawn Terrell agreed.
“I believe that students were not adhering to it. They were lackadaisical about getting to class on time. Students wanted to stop in between breezeways to communicate and not worry about whether or not there was a penalty for being tardy,” Terrell said.
While this change seemed to come at an odd time of the year, the motive is clear.
“The new tardy policy is to get students to class on time. It’s not to punish anybody; it’s just to motivate them to get to class on time. I know that some of them seem to think that it is a punishment, but I think that those are the ones standing outside talking and not getting where they are supposed to go. Ninety percent of our kids get to class on time. I’m in enough classes to see that they’re present; there’s one or two that come in late, but sometimes none come in late. It’s for safety, and it’s so they can get the most of their education. That’s the reason behind it,” Harmon said.
Teachers are especially thrilled about the change in policy.
“I think it shows a ton of ambition to tackle such a big issue head on like the administration and faculty are doing with the new tardy policy,” teacher Daniel Ford said. “The consequences might seem harsh, but the goal for everyone is the same – to maximize time in class for instruction. That's something I think everyone at GHS should be able to see the benefit in.”
Students are running to class, which helps prove the success in the policy.
“From what the teachers are saying, students have been getting to class on time. I’ve noticed kids not standing around and talking; they are actually getting to class on time,” Terrell said.
In regard to the consequences of being tardy, according to an email sent to all GHS teachers from Harmon, Terrell will monitor Saturday school for now. Each Saturday, he will give students a SCS handbook to copy down; teachers also have the option to assign work. Terrell is well prepared for every Saturday school that will occur.
“We will be able to accommodate any number,” Terrell said. He further noted that if students have a religious observance or work on Saturday, he or she must provide documentation before the assigned Saturday to prove the reason of absence.
The first Saturday school saw around 100 students; only 4 failed to show.
The GHS faculty is not looking for reasons to punish students; they simply want to see students present in class.
“We hope that Saturday school is enough of a deterrent that kids will go to class,” Harmon said.
This deterrent will continue into the next school year.
As the 2013-2014 school year neared the end, students became far too relaxed, causing the administration to make some changes. As of Monday, April 28, the punishment for tardies became Saturday school.
“We have had a huge issue recently with students not getting into class on time – to the point where it’s out of control. One of our administrators came up with this idea for Saturday school. The way it works is that students who are not in class when the bell rings for class to begin are assigned Saturday school,” administrator Nelba Thomas said.
GHS teachers and administration noticed that the previous tardy policy was failing, which then led to the idea of creating a more improved policy.
“It wasn’t effective and we couldn’t keep up with it. Kids knew we couldn’t keep up with it,” Principal Barbara Harmon said.
Administrator Shawn Terrell agreed.
“I believe that students were not adhering to it. They were lackadaisical about getting to class on time. Students wanted to stop in between breezeways to communicate and not worry about whether or not there was a penalty for being tardy,” Terrell said.
While this change seemed to come at an odd time of the year, the motive is clear.
“The new tardy policy is to get students to class on time. It’s not to punish anybody; it’s just to motivate them to get to class on time. I know that some of them seem to think that it is a punishment, but I think that those are the ones standing outside talking and not getting where they are supposed to go. Ninety percent of our kids get to class on time. I’m in enough classes to see that they’re present; there’s one or two that come in late, but sometimes none come in late. It’s for safety, and it’s so they can get the most of their education. That’s the reason behind it,” Harmon said.
Teachers are especially thrilled about the change in policy.
“I think it shows a ton of ambition to tackle such a big issue head on like the administration and faculty are doing with the new tardy policy,” teacher Daniel Ford said. “The consequences might seem harsh, but the goal for everyone is the same – to maximize time in class for instruction. That's something I think everyone at GHS should be able to see the benefit in.”
Students are running to class, which helps prove the success in the policy.
“From what the teachers are saying, students have been getting to class on time. I’ve noticed kids not standing around and talking; they are actually getting to class on time,” Terrell said.
In regard to the consequences of being tardy, according to an email sent to all GHS teachers from Harmon, Terrell will monitor Saturday school for now. Each Saturday, he will give students a SCS handbook to copy down; teachers also have the option to assign work. Terrell is well prepared for every Saturday school that will occur.
“We will be able to accommodate any number,” Terrell said. He further noted that if students have a religious observance or work on Saturday, he or she must provide documentation before the assigned Saturday to prove the reason of absence.
The first Saturday school saw around 100 students; only 4 failed to show.
The GHS faculty is not looking for reasons to punish students; they simply want to see students present in class.
“We hope that Saturday school is enough of a deterrent that kids will go to class,” Harmon said.
This deterrent will continue into the next school year.