[Teachldsseminary] Encouraging Class Punctuality

[Kim]

We had a real issue with that here when I started teaching in this area.
For me 2-5 minutes is not that big a deal, but it was 20-30 minutes late
that was happening.  I had been counseled to communicate with the parents.
Last year I did it quarterly, this year I am doing it monthly so that
corrective action can happen earlier before it is a big problem.  The
handbook says that credit may be withheld for flagrant tardies.  My current
area does not and will not define what flagrant is; it is left to each
individual teacher and the bishop too determine what is flagrant, thus
allowing for the carpool issues, etc.  After meeting with the bishop to
discuss each family's situation, we decided on what we felt was acceptable -
thus allowing for those mornings when the alarm didn't go off or you get
behind the slow driver, get a flat tire, or you're just having a bad
morning.  Anything after that amount needed to be made up.  Because I do
scripture mastery the first few minutes after devotional, we decided that if
the students would come 5-10 minutes before class started and do a scripture
mastery activity that it would make up a tardy, thus encouraging them to
arrive early to class as well as helping them with their scripture mastery
that they had been missing.  Once it became an issue of credit being
withheld, things turned around quickly.  We had some real attitudes from
parents, but with the Bishop and my CES supervisor supporting me and all
three of us explaining that part of seminary is teaching the youth to honor
their appointments with the Lord, these attitudes are slowly changing.  This
year all of my students, with the exception of one, are here within the
first couple of minutes of class to participate in the opening prayer.  We
always start on time so that is the expectation.  

I also base my grades on a point system and they get three points each day
they are on time, so excessive tardies will also lower their grade.  They
then fill out a report at the end of each month that I give to their parents
along with our calendar for the next month with devotional assignments,
reading assignments and weekly scripture mastery focus.  This report has
their attendance, tardies, reading, and scripture mastery memorization on it
for the month and the year as well as if any make-up work is needed.  This
way at the end of every month they know exactly where they stand and their
parents do as well.  

This seems to be working for my class right now, but, like everything, will
need to be tweaked over time.  

~Kim
Savannah, GA
 
-----Original Message-----
From: teachldsseminary-bounces at latter-dayvillage.com
[mailto:teachldsseminary-bounces at latter-dayvillage.com] On Behalf Of Mc Gina
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:32 PM
To: Free Email list for LDS Seminary Teachers
Subject: [Teachldsseminary] Encouraging Class Punctuality

Does anyone have any good ideas about encouraging class punctuality for
early morning seminary?  
   
  This has been an ongoing issue.  We give out points for those who come on
time -- to be used at an auction at the end of the year.  We've even given
out hot chocolate in years past, but that didn't change behavior.  I've
given lectures about reverence, which inlcudes showing respect and love to
the Lord by coming to class on time.  We're thinking about sending out a
blanket letter to all the parents and writing their student's number of
tardies on the form.
   
  What have you done that has worked for you?
   
  Thanks so much,
  Gina
   
   

       
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