Better late than gone

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  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  December 18, 2014
  
  This year, Waianae High School (WHS) has decided to attack a long time problem in a new way. At the beginning of this term WHS implemented a new attendance and tardy policy to help combat the large number of student absentee issues.
  
  “We had over 100 students being tardy at first and third period which is the beginning of school and right after lunch,” Vice Principal, Michael Kurose said.
  
  The new system is built on a series of consequences in order to get students to be in class on time and ready to learn. The first three tardies are considered a warning, then afterwards, the consequences grow more severe. After the fourth tardy, there comes after school detention, Saturday school, and weekend detention. Although the repercussions are severe, the administration’s intentions are good.
  
  “We really want our students develop good habits now so when they do go to their careers you know they’ll be ready for it,” Kurose said.
  
  Although the administration feel that the policy will benefit students in the future, students are not feeling very appreciative of the new system.
  
  “I think the new system is stupid, because it punishes students who actually have a reason for being late,” sophomore Kesiah Castellano said.
  
  Students also have found other flaws or loop holes in the system.
  
  “Instead of coming to school late and getting detention or something, you could just stay home and get an excused absence,” freshman, Kylie De La Cruz said.
  
  While some students see the policy as a negative, teachers have a different opinion on the situation.
  
  “The tardy system actually brings students to class on time. You either come when you need to, or face the consequences. It’s on you,” English teacher, Scott Bondurant said.
  
  Despite the issues within the system, it has been upholding its promise.
  
  “In the month and a half that we’ve had this system, the number of tardies have dropped significantly,” Kurose said.
  
  This tardy system’s purpose is to train students to be punctual, but it’s only a small step in Waianae High School’s long term goal.
  
  “We want to not have a punishment system that kinda prevents students from not coming tardy, but really for the students to understand what is the purpose of this school and how being on time benefits them not just in learning the stuff they gotta learn in their classes, but also in their future careers as well,” Kurose said.
  
  Although students may not see the good intentions behind the tardy policy, WHS’s administration knows that their being punctual will help them in the future.

LOOKING BACK

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"I learned that this new tardy system isn't as bad as it really seemed."



Tyler Chanthakham, Photographer 

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"I learned that although the tardy system seems bad to most students, it actually has positive intentions."



Kayla Manuel, Reporter

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