let them in

Written By: Hans Appel

A few months ago, I was asked to review Jimmy Casas and Jeffrey Zoul’s OUTSTANDING new book “Stop. Right. Now.”  It’s the type of book that entices you to examine educational practices with fresh eyes.  Stop. Right. Now. offers readers thirty-nine culture killers coupled with an exceptional how-to guide to avoid common pitfalls.  I’d like to add #40 to the list...
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In my district, secondary schools start at 7:55a.m.  Many students arrive to school around 7:15-7:45a.m...with the bulk of students showing up by car, bus, or bike around 7:30.  Other parts of the country operate on different daily bell schedules but the overall timeline of students arriving approximately 20-30 minutes prior to school starting seems to be fairly universal. ​

There are schools around the country that INTENTIONALLY lock students out of hallways in the morning until the first bell.  This leaves most of the students unsupervised, unconnected, and out in the cold weather for nearly 20-30+ minutes. Some school houses do allow students into the building (usually a cafeteria or gym) but do not let them down the hallway or into classrooms until the bell rings. ​
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