At Terra Linda High School, the standard for tardiness used to be a mark on an attendance sheet and note in Aeries. Recently, however, the school took their policies a step further, requiring a mandatory tardy pass for all students who enter their classes past the bell. This means that if a student shows up to class any time after the second bell rings, they must go to the office and get a late pass from the front desk, which they must then give to their teacher. An excessive amount of tardies may lead to punishment, like being kicked off of a school sports team.
The policy incentivizes students to show up to class on time, improving student’s education by increasing their time spent in class. Also, said Ms. Tinnel, “students’ academic and social emotional health improve when they attend school daily.” The policy aims to make both students and teachers happier. Though, Tinnel did share that for the staff, adjusting to the limited entry points past 8:30 has taken some time. There are teachers who have free classes throughout the day, and some who mainly enter through the back as well. Since arriving late and entering from Devon is now more restricted, some staff members have found their days faced with more obstacles when coming onto campus.
Said entry points were put in place because of the San Rafael City Schools district. Recently, they partnered with an agency to review the school’s existing safety protocols and improve them. The agency determined that a single point of entry would be a beneficial improvement, as well as implementing the tardy policy.
Because of this new rule, gates have been constructed around the Terra Linda campus. Additionally, the doors at the backs of the 100 and 300 halls are regularly locked. Now that there are fewer access points onto campus, students have no choice but to obey the new tardy policy. Those trying to sneak past the office will be easy to spot, especially for the security guards monitoring the front gates in the morning.
On campus, there are a variety of feelings over this policy. “Even if you’re a few seconds late, you still have to go to the office,” says junior Kira Martin. “And the walk there and the waiting makes you even later than you would have been before.” Martin notes the ‘waiting’, referring to the line that inevitably forms in the office to receive a late pass. Most of the time, this line is so long that it extends outside.
On the other hand, Ms. Frack shares that the policy has improved overall student attendance and is a good lesson in professionalism. After all, being late regularly is not a good habit. “Students are realizing that they have to get up on time in the morning,” says Frack. “And they can’t take a leisurely lunch and then walk into school with their Chipotle bowls, sushi, or lattes in hand.” The policy has definitely cut down on such activities, since students are now required to throw away food and drinks when they are late.
Terra Linda’s administration states that it is working toward creating a both safe and happier environment for students. However, their means to achieve this hasn’t been approved by all. Though staff members seem relatively content, students have found the change to be troubling. Nevertheless, the policy has been effective thus far.
