Posted on: Thursday, December 9, 2004
Maui school fights tardiness
By Christie Wilson
Neighbor Island Editor
WAILUKU, Maui — It's 7:55 a.m. and cars are still streaming into Baldwin High School, even though the bell rang 10 minutes ago.
Christie Wilson • The Honolulu Advertiser Baldwin officials launched the anti-tardiness campaign two weeks ago when the number of late arrivals hit 175 a day, roughly 10 percent of enrollment. "Three (instances of tardiness, for one student) is too many. I can see an occasion when 'I forgot to set my alarm,' but when you let it happen three, four or five times, you've got to step in and nail it," said Vice Principal Philip Gilbert.
He said the campaign has cut tardiness by half, but getting to school on time is still a struggle for some students.
"I just fully slept in 'cause I was up super late (doing homework)," said Baldwin senior Kacyn Figueira.
"No ride," said junior Brittany Ignacio, explaining why she was late yesterday. "Usually my cousin takes me but he had to do something and everybody else was working so I had to call my other cousin last minute."
Christie Wilson • The Honolulu Advertiser Vierra organized student government leaders to hold signs at the school entrance this week.
Principal Stephen Yamada said that ultimately it's the responsibility of parents to make sure their children are on time, whether the students get dropped off, take the bus or drive their cars.
"Our philosophy is that you've got to be in class in order to learn," Yamada said.
To make sure parents know what their children are up to, the school mailed out notices detailing attendance in every class period.
Baldwin held its first four-hour "Saturday school" session last weekend for about 15 students, not all of them punished for problems with lateness. Some were caught smoking; others failed to complete detention hours during the week. The students are given assignments by their teachers.
That's the stick; the carrot is a drawing at the end of the semester to give away four new surfboards and other prizes to students with good attendance records.
Gilbert said tardiness is an issue that goes beyond high school. He said business managers complain to school officials that most young people lack self-discipline and the proper attitude about such basic job requirements as arriving at work on time.
"We're concerned about getting our kids ready for the next step in life. College professors wouldn't put up with it, and on the job it can affect co-workers and productivity," Gilbert said.
Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
"Sum Shame," "No B Late" and "Get up, Go school" read three of the signs that greet the latecomers, who are locked out of class and must stand in line in a highly visible spot outside the campus auditorium to get a tardy pass. If they are guilty of chronic tardiness, the students could find themselves at "Saturday school."
Student government leaders at Baldwin High School on Maui met tardy students yesterday with signs reprimanding the latecomers. Late students are subjected to high visibility when they wait in line for a pass. Those who are chronically late go to "Saturday school."
Baldwin teachers are locking their classroom doors at 7:45 a.m., forcing tardy students to troop to the auditorium, which fronts the parking lot and can be seen from busy Ka'ahumanu Avenue. The public display is meant as a reminder to students and parents to get to school on time, said student activities coordinator Donna Vierra.
Tardy students wait in line to get passes outside the Baldwin auditorium. Such high visibility is meant to deter late arrivals, which rose to 175 a day two weeks ago — equivalent to 10 percent of enrollment.
