Is Frank Hurt’s New Late Program Making a Difference?

Pardeep Sanghera, Staff Writer
June 7, 2012
Filed under Frank Hurt News

As most students have heard, Frank Hurt started a new late program this semester to help decrease the amount of late students. On random days, announcements are made immediately after the chosen block has begun, leaving all late students to report to the Hive to get a late slip. When getting a late slip, the student’s late is recorded by administrators so they can monitor how often they’re late. Consequences of frequent lates include a conference with Frank Hurt’s principal, Mrs. Sarmento to discuss why being on time is necessary.
Teachers and administrators are hoping to see a fewer late students and therefore an increase of productivity in classrooms. Most teachers acknowledge that the first 10 minutes are the most important for students because it sets the tone for the rest of the class. The beginning portion of class sets students up for success, which would mean that punctual students have a better chance at success compared to frequently tardy students. Generally, students have been making an effort to get to class on time, but there are some problems.
There are a few flaws in the program that can eventually be resolved. The major flaw that has been noted by students is that going to the Hive along with all the other late students, causes a line-up for the late slip, therefore extending the amount of time the students have to wait to get back to class, which does cause a disruption.Over time, however, the problem will be resolved because students will be sure to attend class on time to avoid being sent to the Hive for a late slip.
Frank Hurt Psychology teacher, Mr. Taddei, said that “the program is great if the teachers, students, and administrators use language that supports and embraces people and teaches people to address their need of arriving on time. However, if the teachers and students think that the program is negative, it’s seen as more of a “stick” than a “carrot”, which won’t necessarily result in a change of behavior.” Mr. Taddei brought up the fact that the way that the program is being spoken of makes a big difference in terms of how the students perceive the program. If everybody sees the program as a positive change to Frank Hurt, then the program will be effective; if the program isn’t taken seriously, then the program will not have the effect that the administrators were hoping for.
After over a month of testing the program, there has been a general change in how motivated students are to make it to class on time. When the first bell rings, students are making a conscious effort to make it to class on time so that they don’t risk having to attend the ‘late discussion’ with Mrs. Sarmento.  The program instills a bit of fear in students because it’s not a predetermined date and block when the announcement will be made, therefore the students are aware that at any time they may be sent to the Hive to get a pink slip.
Not only does the program benefit teachers, because they have less interruption in the class with late comers, but the program benefits the students as well. The late system was put in place with the students best interest in mind. Students may not appreciate the constant fear of being sent to the Hive, but in the long run if the students are in attendance in the beginning portion of class, they have a good chance of being more successful in class.
The late program is still being tested, therefore changes may be made to improve any faults the program might have. Overall it appears that the program will stick around for the remainder of the year, as well as next year to ensure the success of Frank Hurt students.