The Exciting No Tardy Party

The no tardy party has arrived at Springville Junior High School. (Make your lead sentence past tense.)  Students that had no tardies during first term watched the movie Wreck-It Ralph on November 19 at a theater in Payson. According to a couple SJHS students, the No Tardy Party rewards students for not being tardy to class for the whole term.

The No Tardy Party is for students who were on time to every single class during the first term. “Sometimes the reward is just the good feeling of doing something right, but sometimes we like to recognize students as well,” said Mr. Mikesell. Over the last school year, on average 530 students would have no tardies. According to Mr. Van Ausdal, the principal, this term, about 523 students didn’t have a single tardy.

Many people think that being on time is very important. "The state law says that everyone must attend class on time," said Mrs. Bales, the attendance secretary. According to the Nebo School District Attendance Policy, school attendance has a direct impact on a student’s level of academic achievement. In order to make the most of one’s educational opportunities, a student must have consistent, punctual, daily attendance. It is primarily the responsibility of the secondary student to achieve punctual, daily attendance as set forth in the Utah compulsory education requirements. “Being on time is such an important skill to learn. When you are late to class, it interrupts the class and is just selfish, it basically shows that you care more about yourself than anyone else,” said Mr. Mikesell.

According to Mrs. Bales, most teachers give instructions at the beginning of class.  If you are tardy, then you are interrupting everyone else. When students are on time the teacher doesn’t have to repeat the instructions, and the class isn’t disrupted. It shows respect to the teacher. According to Carter Call, a seventh grader who went to the No Tardy Party, when you come on time to class, kids won't get distracted, and you and your classmates won't miss part of class.

Last year during the first term, 525 students didn’t have any tardies. During the second term, 560 students didn’t have any tardies. During third term, 563 had no tardies. During the fourth term, 542 students had no tardies. So far this year, the first term, 523 students have had no tardies and had the opportunity to attend the No Tardy Party. Mr. Mikesell said, "I think the No Tardy Party is effective if it motivates student to get to class on time."