Being on time for class helps build good habits for future

By Michelle Hirsch

“I’m late, I’m late—for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye. I’m late; I’m late; I’m late!” exclaims White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Apparently there are numerous “White Rabbits” running around town. One survey showed that 15 percent of people in the U.S. are consistently late to work or school. In 2012, several parents in a Virginia school district were criminally charged with making their children habitually tardy for school. One parent faced nearly $5,000 in fines for repeated offenses. While no one in our local-area school districts has suggested arresting parents for making their children late for school, there are some good reasons for making sure students arrive on time. “Not only does every minute count in order to maximize the learning experience,” said Sean McDonald, principal at Marcos de Niza High School, “but our ultimate goal is to prepare students for success in life after high school. Whether they choose college or a career, there will be an expectation that they be on time.” Some parents may argue that their children are doing well in school and, therefore, being tardy causes no serious academic or behavioral concerns for the child. However, educators note, those parents At Corona del Sol High School, excuses for getting to the campus late can meet tough resistance from attendance- should consider the effects that being late has on not only their child but on other students and teachers, such as teaching and learning disruptions, missing important instructions or announcements and instilling poor time-management skills that could affect a child’s future school performance and job success. “It’s important for parents to help us avoid instructional interruptions by having their children at school on time each day,” said Gina Taylor, assistant superintendent for instructional services in the Kyrene Elementary School District. “Being on time is also a way to teach them that school is important.” Parents should consider that getting their child late to school has consequences beyond embarrassment or a tardy mark. When students arrive late, it takes time to check in at the front office; they miss important announcements or assignment instructions, disturb the learning of other students and cause distractions. It’s important for the child’s optimal learning to be present and ready at the start of a class, say school officials. Most students can learn to take responsibility for planning for school the night before by gathering their homework and any other supplies they need in their backpack, planning their breakfast, packing a lunch, setting their own alarm, setting aside sufficient time to get ready, knowing their bus schedule or what time they need to leave the house to walk or bike to school. When parents give their child the responsibility to be accountable for their time, those children develop the skills to be on time, and that can benefit their academic and career success, say experts. There are also the social or professional benefits of arriving early for a class or event, such as meeting other classmates or attendees, finding a good seat at an outside venue, getting handouts before they run out and reducing anxiety. Students are often late because parents control their schedule and transportation. Regardless of the reasons or excuses, most who are chronically late, or cause their children to be late, are first to admit they want to be on-time. Students may learn in class that the planet Mars spins a bit more slowly than Earth (a day on Mars is about 30 minutes longer than on Earth). But until there are neighborhoods on Mars, schools ask that parents do their best to manage a more timely schedule here on Earth—and help break the White Rabbit habit.