Why are we having ‘tardy sweeps’?

By Maria M.

In January 2023, CATS began implementing a new system called “tardy sweeps” to ensure that students make it to class on time.

A major reason why the school proposed having the tardy sweeps is because “More than 100 students were coming late to school,” according to attendance counselor Ms. Del Castillo. “Every period is 80 minutes, and we noticed that students were missing learning time.”

The tardy sweeps were something that the support staff and the counselors proposed as a way of trying to get students to go to class.

The problem now is that “students come later or until the next period when there’s no tardy sweeps,” Ms. del Castillo said.

Assistant Principal Mr. Roque said it’s working. “It is helping students by getting them to class on time and what that means is that they have more time to learn, they have more instructional time, they have more time to participate in class and things like that.”

The times that students struggle with the most are first and second periods, he said.

One student shared reasons for why the tardy sweeps affect him.

“Personally, the tardy sweeps do affect me because I live far and it’s hard for me to come early,” senior Brian B. said. ”Meaning we have more tardy sweeps in the morning because of traffic, students living far and we have issues with the drop-off process.”