Since the second full week of school, the halls of Troy have been a little bit quieter. Halls sweeps have been implemented in order to crack down on the large issue of tardiness. The tardiness issue has become so rampant and has caused many students to get into a bad habit and mindset that being late is okay.
“A lot of those super chronic kids were also struggling academically and so part of it is just habits. People, not just kids, fall into bad habits that are hard to break.” said Division 1 Principal Rob Hays.
Administrators began discussing this idea last year in order to crack down on chronic tardiness. They felt hall sweeps were the best way to fix this issue in an effective way. Administrators were prepared for pushback, but have so far administrators been surprised by how successful the new policy has been.
Some students were not thrilled to start the new policy but have found a way to cope and deal with it. “I would say initially it was kind of shocking just because in years past we haven’t had strict hallway rules, but as we get more into it, I think it does a lot of good for the school,” said Delaney Murphy, all school vice president. “With kids being in class it has helped teachers get what they need taught and helps students with their grades.”
When people talk about the policy, most of their complaints are about the disciplinary action side of the policy. According to administration, there are three main courses of action;
The first tardy (if no pass) will result in two hall passes being taken away.
If there is no pass, it result in a trip to BEARS for the hour.
The second tardy will result in a visit to the BEARS room for the remainder of the hour as well as two passes taken away.
The third tardy will get you sent to the BEARS for the rest of the day and two passes taken away.
“Now, if there is someone who throughout the month is just chronically tardy, meaning that you’re getting swept quite a bit within a week we [administration] are going to pull you aside and chat with you about problem-solving and ways to get to class on time,” Hays said.
There is another new policy that offers an incentive for good attendance. If a student has a 90% attendance as well as a B or higher in a class then that student will have the option of not attending that final.
Administrations hope is that this will get kids to work harder and get to class.
“I think it’s good motivation for them to come to class because no one wants to have to study and take a final,” said Murphy, “especially because it’s around the holiday so everyone is ready for a break.”
With all this change, good and bad, people are going to have an issue. But if everyone cooperates and works together then there will be nothing to fret about. These new policies are all to work for a better Topeka High.
