In an effort to motivate chronically late students to get to class on time, the Howell administration has begun to implement a new tardy intervention program.

“There is a small percentage of students who get a lot more than the average amount of tardies and that is who this intervention program is targeting,” Dean of Students Elaine Brune said.

The program includes signing a tardy contract after the student’s fourth tardy detention and is in effect for the remainder of the school year. By signing the contract, the student agrees to a number of consequences after subsequent tardy referrals such as three days of ISAP after the 6th tardy referral or three days of out of school suspension and a loss of parking permit after the 8th referrall.

“Tardiness is our biggest discipline problem and we are hoping that harsher punishments will make kids think twice before being late to class,” Brune said.

One of the prominent features included on the contract is an area for students to check a reason for their frequent tardy infractions. Some reasons include failing to avoid distractions on walk to class and the use of their cell phone between passing periods.
“We have found that the most common reason for frequent lateness is that students spend more time socializing with their friends than using passing periods to actually get to class,” Brune said.
The administration hopes to set good time management skills in students for the future.
“Students have to realize that in the real world, tardiness and not coming into work can have larger consequences than just a detention,” Brune said. “Being late will get you fired.”