Having trouble making it to school on time every day?   Then it’s time to come up with a new plan.  Tardiness is a chronic problem for some students at Cowan Avenue, and it can create problems for all students and teachers.

Did you know that the most important learning of the school day occurs between 8:05 and 10:00am?

Students are the most alert and attentive at this time of day, so important subject matters and concepts are taught at this time.  When students arrive late to school, they miss out on some or all of these important subjects.  They also create a distraction when they walk into their classroom after other students have already started working.  Teachers must stop what they are doing and refocus the group.

Studies show that students who have perfect, or near-perfect attendance and are not tardy have much better grades and overall success at school than students who miss many days and are tardy.

An occasional tardy is not really a big problem, and sometimes cannot be avoided.  However, consistent tardiness creates not only the problems discussed above, but also does not prepare students for future success in middle and high school, or for the job market.

Remember that being on time means being in line and ready to walk into the classroom when the bell rings.  Students who are at school, but not in their classrooms after the bell has rung, are tardy.

Cowan is a great school with bright students and involved parents.  By refocusing our efforts on being on time each day, we can be even better.

Keep up the good work,

Richard Da Sylveira,

Principal