As of Aug. 27, the new tardy policy is now actively enforced. Teachers can now count students tardy between 9:00 and 9:10, and absent after 9:10 a.m. Since the policy is stricter this year, how is this policy affecting students and teachers?

This new policy requires students to discuss their tardies with their teachers, leading to mixed experiences with different teachers. Additionally, the policy for doctors’ notes can be especially challenging for students meeting with multiple doctors, who may be hesitant to provide a note.

“The new tardy policy makes me go and talk about my absences to teachers and my counselor about changing the absence,” Juniors Santiago Yanes said. “One of my teachers was very understanding when it came to being late and one had a tough policy last year if you were five minutes late you were absent.”

 Additionally, the policy for doctors’ notes may be challenging for students meeting with multiple doctors, who may need more time to provide a note.

“I find the new policy difficult especially for doctor’s notes,” Yanez said. “For instance, if you have an appointment but not with your main doctor, sometimes they are not willing to give a signed note because they aren’t the main doctor you usually see.”

On the other hand, some structure is needed to provide overall campus coordination. 

“I think that we’ll see if the tardy policy is fair as time passes,” French Teacher Livia Tuctuc said. “But some reinforcement I think is necessary on our campus especially at the beginning of class to keep kids out of the hallways.”