Late to School? You're in Trouble...
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-02-13/late-school-youre-trouble
Everyone knows it can be hard to get kids out the door and to school each morning. But when the bell rings, children are supposed to be in class ready to learn. So what's a school to do if a child is repeatedly late -- even if it's only by a minute or two? One local county is bringing criminal charges against the parents of repeatedly tardy students. We explore why they've taken this approach, and ask whether it makes sense or whether it goes too far.
Guests
Janice D'Arcy
reporter, The Washington Post; 'On Parenting' blogger
William Bosher
Executive Director, Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University; former teacher, principal, local superintendent, and Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Commonwealth of Virginia
Comments
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One idea to get little ones ready for school the night before:
They had a bath after dinner, then wore to bed clean, knit clothes (no jeans, zippers, etc.) that they wore to school the next day! No need to discuss what to wear or room to change mind in the morning. Up, breakfast, brush teeth and ready to go! I had hear too many stories of clothes becoming an issue in the morning, and we never had that delay.
Parents need to be educated as to how to get the kids to school in a timely manner, but also need to be reprimanded when they allow their young children to be chronically late. It's the parents, not the children's fault. Being on time is a life skill and it's the parents' responsibility to teach this skill.
I'd love to know if there are any other issues with the families concerned. I am a parent of a child who is late a lot however he has ADHD and ADHD often has co-existing disorders and in the case my son he has sleep disorders. I do organize as much as possible the night before however if your kid has taken 1 or 2 hours to fall asleep it is impossible to get up and out of the house in time. It can take up to 45 minutes for him to get out of bed. Thankfully I have an understanding teacher and most days we are there just before the bell. Trust me I would prefer him being there earlier. I just wanted to see if any of these issues have been considered.
Great show today and a very important topic!
I am amazed at the rigidity of the comments. Traffic in this metro plex is horrid. Things happen. Why not find a structural way to handle tardies rather than browbeating the parent or child? There are cultural differences in relating to time as well as economic barriers. I don't think that I have heard this level of righteousness over a minor issue since schools used to get bent out of shape over the length of someone's hair.