Unsure how to use me Lincoln Middle School asked if we could help with their chronically tardy students, a group large enough to cause concern to the school’s administration. Willingly we used the list to begin calling the families of the truant kids. Importantly we took the approach of offering support. Rather than an administration rep we asked if they were aware of the problem and it’s possible negative impact on their kids and themselves and asked if there was anything we could do to help.
Interestingly it turned out that the violators fell into three categories: Those who were not aware that their kids were arriving late every day; those who were actually the problem for their kids as they were challenged at getting the kids “up and out,” and finally the third group who were families with real problems and who needed help.
The first group was by far the largest. They were generally very thankful for the information and quickly resolved the problem. The second group were usually apologetic, and “beat themselves up,” for the most part they solved the problem for a couple of weeks but then needed another friendly call as a reminder. The third group was interesting and usually help through the transportation services or guidance solved the problem completely. One particular case was uniquely touching in that a single Mom was getting up at six in the morning going to work and taking an early lunch break to hurry home and take her daughter to school before nine. Then she would work the rest of the day before picking her daughter up. They lived too close to school for a bus but her fear was for her daughter’s safety as she was a small middle school student who had to cross several busy streets. They were new in the neighborhood and knew no one to ask for advice. I put this lady in touch with guidance who worked out a plan where a group of neighbor girls would pick her up on their way to school and home each day. The problem was solved, the woman’s job security enhanced and she and her daughter made new friends all in a matter of a couple of days.
The unique nature of the solution here reflects the Gadzooks! approach. Build community, seek the answers from within and often, very often, a powerful synergetic effect is created.