Can a teacher require a student to arrive 20 mins early?

Question

New grade level - new teacher. She states that my child should arrive to school 20 minutes before the bell rings. Is this legal? acceptable?

Answer 1

Yes, of course. As long as it's strictly a student-teacher relationship. If those 20 minutes are used for learning or meditating, it's a good thing.

Answer 2

It is not illegal, if that is what you mean.  There has to be a reason for it though.  If your child is singled out, there must be a reason for that.  If the teacher is forcing every student to be there 20 minutes early, then there better be a really good reason for that.  I remember as a child getting to school early and denied access to the building until a certain time.  Ask the teacher the rationale for the decision and make a determination if it is reasonable.  If not, negotiate or go over the teacher's head.  Perhaps you can't get your child to school early, then what?  Yes, confront the issue now.

Answer 3

I honestly don't know why a teacher would require a student to arive 20 minutes early but has the teacher mentioned why she wants your child to come early? Is there a learning problem or a diciplin problem?

Have you asked her or him why he or she wants your chid to come early? I know that when I was young, sometimes depending on the grade teacher he or she might help me with a learning problem or how to relate to someone who was teasing me if came to class early.

I once had a teacher who would make any of us who were slow stay a half to an hour after school. My mother talked to the principle. he said that although it's rare to do so in  third grade it is acceptable.

I don't know if things have changed much in 20 years. My first thought would be to confrence with the teacher.

If you know why if you could post it. I could maybe help you more.

Answer 4

Yes a teacher can do that depending on the reason this is done.

Usually its for disciplinary purposes or id they are going to do something like a field trip.

Answer 5

require? no

suggest? yes

Why do you think she said your child should be 20 minutes early? Is you child often tardy? Maybe she was suggesting that your child aim for being 20 mins early so he/she would be on time.

Once, I gave an alarm clock to a student who was consistently tardy. He was never late again.

Answer 6

A teacher can encourage arrival early - it's not a big deal.  A student should be at school at least 20 minutes prior to the bell ringing.  In our school, there are st udents who have breakfast before first period and arriving to school early ensures they will get breakfast and complete it in time before the first bell rings.  Students have a tendency to play around and misuse the time they have. Being early ensures they have time to use the restroom, go to lockers, see friends and get all of that out of their system so they can get to class and be prepared for the day.

Answer 7

Sounds like you have an experienced and dedicated teacher who is willing to go the extra mile to make sure her students are successful. Why are you nitpicking her? Can't you just assume there is a reason for what she does, that she has learned thru her experience as a teacher? If you ask her I am sure she will tell you the reason for these rules. Such as, so the students have already put away their lunches, socialized, and peed and are ready for class to start when the bell rings. So no one is left out or ostracized or bullied during recess. Not to be mean, but you probably need more to fill your days if you are spending so much time thinking about who your kid's recess buddy is.

Answer 8

Sure, just as she could keep your child after school.  It may be that your child hasn't been ready for class when s/he gets in at the last minute, or that s/he has been consistently late to class, and this is a way of ensuring that s/he will be ready to start at the beginning of the school day.