"We’ve gotten to a point where so much of our population is nonchalant about getting to their classes on time that we’ve had to have a more general policy," French teacher Georges Lesperance said. "We’ve had to take more drastic measures."

Do the Hustle!

Before winter break, Assistant Principal Ken McCard and business manager Jacquelyn Torano handpicked a committee to create a new lockout policy. The team included McCard, Torano, Lesperance, and teachers Connie Higgins, Debra Simmons, Brian Larsen, Robert Hemp, Andrew Kearns and Commander William Welp.

"McCard and Torano selected individuals with experience in dealing with [discipline] situations," Assistant Principal Francisco Garnica said.

After three meetings, the group decided to play "The Hustle" over the intercom to hurry students to class on time. If late, administrators would reprimand students accordingly. Principal Matthew Welker had the final say on the details.

"The Hustle" indicates lockouts. If a student arrives late, they are sent to the cafeteria where McCard awaits.

Writing "I will not be late to classes anymore" multiple times was the initial consequence. That morphed to a more interactive assignment. Prompts on behavior and attitude, and multiplication tables replaced the lines.

"We’re dealing with students that didn’t understand the importance of being on time," Lesperance said. "If our students are late, they are not just being disrespectful to teachers, but also to classmates. Being on time is expected, normal behavior."

In terms of reducing the number of tardy students in the hallway, the policy has proven to be effective as wanderers have gone down significantly.

Since "The Hustle" was implemented, the number of tardies decreased by one -fifteenth.

Still, critiques of the new tardy policy have surfaced. Students have complained of the music choice. The response:

"The music is annoying on purpose," Lesperance said. "We’re not trying to entertain the students."

Teachers have made comments about "The Hustle" and the occasional "Another One Bites the Dust." E-mails with teachers’ suggestions have been soaring through the school’s cyberspace.

"I love the [new] tardy policy, but I don’t like ‘The Hustle’," biology teacher Gary Feilich said. "I didn’t like it 30 years ago. I don’t like it now."

Instead, Feilich plays music from his own library, such as "Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" by Fleetwood Mac. He says his students enjoy his music more.

But, the policy is effective in reaching its goal.

"I’ve only had two students coming in late," Feilich said. "Missing my AP class — that’s punishment enough."

A sense of urgency has been created with the new lockout policy. Still, the administration and faculty hope students learn the greater lesson. In their eyes, "The Hustle" sets a precedent for the future — punctuality counts and can be advantageous in college and throughout the rest of students’ lives. So, "DO THE HUSTLE!"