policies

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Home : 2002 : January : 30

policies
By Cathy-Dee

I think at times we teachers are also part of the problem, each teacher making their own decisions as to what tardy means to them for example. Quite often it's just not something that the Principal realizes is happening.
I know I've been in schools where this has happened. We all understood the "tardy" rule differently and because we just send an email for our attendance and say that certain students are late, the Principal for the most part is not aware of what late means to everyone. Quite often this happens when there is a lot of movement of staff. The "established teachers" have their set of rules

decided upon perhaps 10 years ago, the newer teachers follow another set of rules, the first year teachers follow yet another set of rules, and so on.

While some problems can be eased by changing policies, etc., some can't and it doesn't help to be frustrated by them. We can't change the physical layouts of our schools for example.

A suggestion - talk with your administrator, don't go in demanding or just bringing up all the problems you see. Go in with solutions as well. Let him know that you find it frustrating that there doesn't seem to be a policy of what "late" means. Are students who arrive on time and then need the washroom first thing considered late, is there any time leeway (5 minutes), etc., Ask if it is possible for the school to try a trial month where everyone follows the same standards and the students know these as well.

I thankfully have found most administrators willing to listen to ideas/concerns if they are reasonable and if we as teachers have solutions as well.