Northwood students have been marked tardy to class an astounding 44,000 times this school year according to attendance records, leaving little wonder as to why administrators have been trying to crack down. For some, the tardy sweeps are an extra push to get to class on time. For others, it’s anxiety inducing. Here are some opinions from staff and students about how tardy sweeps have impacted them.   

“I think that the tardy policy adds stress to students because the school doesn’t do well in the parking lot. It’s really hard to get into the school on time, especially when they do a tardy sweep in the beginning of the day and you’re in the car and you can hear the music. It causes a lot of anxiety. I understand why they implemented it though; I know it’s because they want students to be there and have a consequence if they’re always coming in late just because they think they can. I do think that’s important to have, but I think that they could do a better job with the execution of it.”

Megan Levering (10)

“The tardy policy allows all students to be on time to class in an orderly fashion and it’s important that we respect the teachers’ time. In my sophomore year, I was tardy a lot to class, but in my junior year, I learned my lesson and I started going to school on time because I didn’t want detentions any more. I think it really doubles down on the troublemakers.”

Justin Cheng (11)

“It helps me get to class on time better because I acknowledge that there are consequences for not getting to class on time. As a senior, sometimes I get senioritis and I don’t want to get to class on time or I don’t even want to be in class to begin with, but the tardy policy helps me remind myself that I should be working just as hard even though I’m a senior.”

Chloe Park (12)

“We implemented tardy sweeps because of the egregious amount of tardies, and what’s interesting is that there are days when we do a tardy sweep and there are almost no detentions given, which tells you that it is possible for kids to get into class on time before the bell rings. But if you look at attendance on the days when there isn’t a tardy sweep, there are so many students who are tardy to class, and not even just by a few seconds or a couple of minutes. People will frequently say traffic makes them late, but the traffic isn’t going to disappear, and it’s true of every high school. I know it takes some planning and you have to leave earlier than you may want to leave, but there are ways you can get to school on time.”

– assistant principal Christina Banagas-Engelerdt

“I think it’s important to have an open line of communication between students and parents, because there could be different reasons why students are tardy, so making sure that it’s all fair and that teachers and students are on the same page. I know sometimes it’s easier said than done, but establishing consistent routines in the morning really helps me be on time. Doing things other than just getting ready, like having a cup of coffee or walking my dog, that I know will get me up in the morning rather than just rolling out of bed and going to school.”

– Integrated Science 2 teacher Erica Kelley