Punctuality and Attendance Principal Bill Bagshaw, February 16, 2005

Recently, students and staff have been discussing the issues of tardiness and attendance at Hope Street Academy. These issues have posed challenges to educators since the inception of schools. It is debatable as to whether or not any real progress or successful conclusions have been made.

It really boils down to student responsibility at the high school level. High school students often drive, take a city bus or walk to school. They are not transported by an adult as frequently as younger children. As a result, there are more opportunities to stray from an expected daily schedule that involves going to school or getting there on time.

Students who are habitually late or absent are also not likely to stay after school or report on Saturdays to make up time. It is somewhat a defiant behavior and a conscious choice made by the student on any given day. Records are kept, parents are notified and truancies are filed as required.

At Hope Street, we believe the answer is a process. Students are counseled and encouraged to attend on a regular and expected basis. Teachers continue to find ways to engage students in their learning. Providing coherent instruction that is of interest to students is a strategy that must be ongoing. Reward for punctuality and attending seems to be more effective than punishment. “Bell ringer” activities and immediate classroom instruction are proven strategies that have helped students feel the need to be in class when expected. After all, the most respect we can show for a student is to demonstrate a reasonable and lofty expectation for learning.

Teachers are expected and trained to set goals for student learning, create an environment of respect and rapport, and to establish a culture for learning. We do a good job of that at Hope Street Academy.

Educating our children is a responsibility to be shared and has reasonable expectations of staff, parents, and students.

Bill Bagshaw, Principal