It was the second week of the chemistry class. Eighth period, the end of the period.
Several students had lined up near the door as they had all put their chairs on their desks. (The janitors ask us to do this so they can sweep up the room. Someone keeps tracking dirt in, so the sweeping up is appreciated.)
I watch the door as sometimes students like to slip out. And the previous week, I had had someone pull that, but I hadn't caught them.
This time, I did. Austin.
I reported him to the office. The discipline office "had a talk" with him, and I was told if it happened again, the consequences would change.
I'd been keeping an eye on Austin ever since, but he didn't try to leave class early again.
On my last day in the chemistry class, Austin asked to use the restroom.
I did not think too much of this. I scanned his student number ID bar code into the app on my phone and hit "restroom pass".
Some time later, a different student asked to go. I do a one-student-at-a-time thing. (The restroom is close. It shouldn't take them more than five minutes, and if it will, I'll give them more time.) And that's when I noticed Austin had been gone a while.
I don't usually note the time when a student leaves, but with the app it was easy enough to look up. Austin had been gone thirty minutes.
Yikes.
I called the office and reported the cut. They called security.
Austin returned a short time thereafter.
I really, really like the hall pass app. It's such an amazing tool. (I had to ask for access, and I'm really glad I did.)
Now, if only Austin would do his schoolwork. But that's a battle for another day.
It's too bad students like Austin make it necessary to have the hall pass app and not allow them to use the restroom when they need to. As things are, it does sound like a great app.
ReplyDeleteThe paper method (which is what we used last year) generally works fine. There will always be students who abuse the pass system.
DeleteI would definitely appreciate that app, if I was a teacher!
ReplyDeleteOne wonders where the kids go when they leave class for extended periods.
ReplyDeleteSome just walk around campus. Then there were the two students who were caught, ahem, doing the deed the other week.
DeleteWell he's certainly not doing his work if he's disappearing for most of the class period.
ReplyDeleteIt must be interesting moving from class to class.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
There's an app for everything, apparently. This one (with it's time stamp) is a useful one.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like being able to look up when a student left class.
DeleteYou definitely have your hands full regardless.
ReplyDeleteOh yes...
DeleteAustin is readying his life to be in a career at Walmart...either that or become a billionaire
ReplyDeleteNah. Walmart would fire him after a week or so.
DeleteCaught him! That's a great tool to have, that app.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very helpful.
DeleteIndeed such an app is a great help, because it leaves a trail of all activities. But at the same time, I wonder if if such an app is at all necessary. Are they common in the US, to ensure the safety and security of schoolchildren?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great app
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteAnother case of thinking they are smarter than their teacher. Trouble is, they don't seem to get that they raen't different, they are the same as all the kids before them and all the ones coming behind them.
ReplyDelete