Definition
Tardiness is defined as the appearance of a student without proper excuse after the scheduled time that a class begins. Parents/guardians will be notified (via IC or email) of all penalties regarding tardiness.
Tardiness is disruptive to the educational environment. Because of the disruptive nature of tardiness and the detrimental effect upon the rights of the non-tardy student to uninterrupted learning, appropriate penalties may be imposed for excessive tardiness.
Lunch Break Tardy Policy
Timely return to campus following lunch is essential to maintaining instructional continuity and student accountability. Students are expected to be in their assigned classroom before the start of class after lunch. Failure to return on time will result in disciplinary consequences, following a progressive discipline model.
Tardy (Return from Lunch)
A lunch detention will be assigned at the front entrance doors. Students must report to the designated detention area during the following lunch period and are expected to bring schoolwork or reading materials.
Failure to Attend Detention:
The student will be assigned a half-day Saturday School, typically 1 ½ hours. Attendance is mandatory, and failure to attend may result in additional disciplinary action.
Ongoing or Excessive Tardiness
Continued violations may result in additional lunch detentions or full-day Saturday School assignments, in-school suspension, or an administrative behavioral contract, depending on the frequency and circumstances.
Notes:
Students with extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, emergency) must provide appropriate documentation (a doctor’s note) or guardian physically check them in (walk-in) and may be excused at the discretion of administration.
Consistent communication from families is encouraged if support is needed to help students meet expectations.
This policy is designed to encourage responsibility and reinforce the importance of punctuality while providing a clear framework for accountability.
Weekly Tardy Monitoring
Tardies will be counted on a weekly basis—every first school day of the week; staff will review tardies from the previous week. If a student has excessive tardies, they will receive the following consequences:
4-5 tardies: 1 lunch detention
6-7 tardies: 2 lunch detentions
8+ tardies: Saturday School
Monthly Tardy Monitoring
Tardies will also be reviewed on a monthly basis—every first school day of the month; staff will assess tardies from the previous month. If a student has excessive tardies, the following consequences will apply:
20+ tardies per month: Assignment to Saturday School and placement on an Attendance Plan for tardies.
Attendance Plan for Tardies
Students placed on an Attendance Plan due to excessive tardies will be required to meet with a designated Dean to discuss strategies for improving punctuality. The plan may include:
Parent/guardian communication
Behavior reflection activities
Additional interventions based on individual student needs
We appreciate students' efforts to be on time and engaged in learning. By arriving promptly, students contribute to a focused and respectful classroom atmosphere that benefits everyone.
Identification/Communication
Parent/Guardians are limited to excusing (through the Attendance Office) three (3) tardies per semester, per course. Each additional tardy must be excused through the grade level administrator/designee. Teachers are expected to establish appropriate penalties for all students who are tardy to their classes and enforce the tardy policy. Failure of a student to cooperate with a teacher may result in a disciplinary referral and possible action for insubordination. Students missing fewer than forty-five (45) minutes are considered tardy; students missing forty-five (45) minutes or more of a class are considered absent.
Excused Tardiness
In an unavoidable situation, a student detained by another teacher or administrator would not be considered tardy provided that the teacher or administrator gives the student a pass to enter the next class. Teachers will honor passes presented in accordance with this policy.
Unexcused Tardies
The following are examples of unexcused tardies:
Woke up late
There was a lot of traffic
Parents dropped me off late
We have 10 extra minutes before PE class starts
There was a long line in the restroom
I was at the vending machine
I forgot my phone/wallet in my car
I was waiting for my counselor
The provisions of this policy are applicable to all students attending Pine Creek High School, including those above and below the age for compulsory attendance as required by law. Accumulation of tardies begins each new semester. “Discipline” means detention, progressive detention, suspension, or possible expulsion.