Better late than never

At John D. O’Bryant High School of Mathematics and Sciences (the OB) of Roxbury, Massachusetts, students and administration have locked into a power struggle. The issue is student tardiness.

Newspaper accounts relate that the school’s headmaster (principal) felt that tardiness was becoming a chronic problem, where students would simply loiter in the halls for 7 or 8 minutes before showing up for class. So he ordered a “sweep” of students who were still in the hallway after the late bell, and ordered them into the gymnasium for a lecture on punctuality and the composition of a reflective essay on the importance of punctuality. This, of course, made the students even later to class than they would have been, and in a fighting mood. Later that day, having communicated with each other via text messages, another protest was planned; when the plot was revealed, the headmaster ordered a lockdown for the last two periods of the day. It may or may not end with that. The school’s junior and senior class advisors have declared that they would not assist in anything related to student life as long as they continued their protests. This means that such events as the prom would be cancelled.

I’ve been reading the student reactions in some of the comment sections here and here. They claim that the school is so big that it is impossible to make it to class in the allotted time. They can’t carry more than one book to class at a time because they weigh ten pounds each. They assert that they have tried to get the administration to pay attention to this problem, but they are always in meetings and unavailable. They don’t mind taking a detention for tardiness, but find it ridiculous that the penalty for being late was to write an essay on being late which made them even more late.

On the other hand, teachers, the headmaster, and adults in the community are rather unsympathetic to the plight of the students. I've got to admit a lack of sympathy as well. We have a much smaller school, and most high school classes are within a few footsteps of each other and within easy reach of individual lockers. When I look out in the hallways during passing period, I do not see students forced to rush to class because they are not given enough time to make it. I see lots of socializing. In my opinion, we should trim the passing time to 3 minutes and create a 15-minute break after third hour. All socializing can take place then, as can all bathroom functions. What need is there for a student to socialize for the entire 5 minute passing time, and then ask to use the bathroom as soon as they walk into class? Having a 3-minute passing time would also ensure that students stay focused, instead of losing that focus by whooping it up in the hallways between classes and continuing to carry on long after the bell to start class rings.

At any rate, why do administrators and teachers at "OB" high school, or at any school, for that matter, make such a big deal out of school attendance and tardiness? Why all of the disciplinary action? They serve as reminders to students that punctuality is a vital trait. For example, this article from “Career Opportunities” tries to explain why, especially in the workplace, tardiness is considered intolerable. Here is an excerpt:

The problem, of course, is that the late person has wasted one of the most precious resources in today’s world – time. Worse still, they haven’t just wasted their own time, but the time of everyone involved with them. Meetings start late. Medical patients sit waiting in the lobby. Long lines start to form. The actions of one person can end up effecting hundreds of people and every one of them will feel abused by the waste of time that could have been applied, more effectively, elsewhere. People will forgive you wasting their money, to some extent, but they are unlikely to forgive you for wasting their time.

Think about that the next time you decide to miss a deadline or arrive late for an appointment. Multiply the wasted time, and ill will, by everyone involved and I think you will quickly see why everyone is so irritated. Your actions do have consequences regardless of what you might think.

Here is another bit of advice from “Career Superstar.” These are the things punctuality says about you. You can draw your conclusions about what chronic tardiness says about a person as well.

1. You care. Showing up and on time is one of the best ways to show someone that you care about them.
2. You respect others. Arriving on time shows that you respect others. Respect is the foundation for creating great long-term relationships.
3. You are professional. Being on time is a fundamental tool for anyone who wants to be perceived as being the very best.
4. You are confident. When you show up on time, it’s a sign that you are confident to take on whatever might lay before you. Tardiness can imply that you aren’t confident, or that you are hesitating to deal with a person or situation.
5. You are open to others. Punctuality says, “I’m ready” -- to be involved with whatever is set before you. People who aren’t ready often show up late or not at all.
6. You have an edge. Being punctual gives you an edge in business. The early bird truly does get the worm. Timing is everything. Being punctual is great; being early is even better!
7. You’re in control. People choose to do business with those they like, know, and trust. They like doing business with people who are in control. If you always arrive early or on time, you give the impression that you are in control and manage things well.
8. You have a standard for excellence. Punctuality is but one standard of excellence. It implies that you are in control of your life and shows that you respect yourself and others.
9. You keep things in flow. Other people are affected by what you do and don’t do. If you don’t show up or deliver as promised, you adversely affect others. By showing up on time, you allow other people to get things done on time as well. Everybody wins.

Your habits are your brand. Brands take time to build. When you become known as someone who is punctual, you will enhance your brand. The common sense point here -- be punctual. You’ll enhance your brand and create a positive personal impact.

What do you say about the Massachusetts situation? Are the students learning anything through their actions, or through the actions of the administration? Are you a punctual person who gets irritated at the tardiness of others to make their appointments with you on time? Or do you think that punctuality is overrated?