In a recent decision, Wilmington Friends School has announced the removal of their 45-minute late starts on Wednesdays. This tradition at WFS aimed at providing students with additional rest and preparation time mid-week. Despite the good intentions of this late start, it has become apparent that a significant portion of students consistently arrive late on Wednesdays, disrupting the start of classes and impeding the learning process for themselves and the students around them. This late start has been a part of the WFS schedule for several years. With each year, administrations have been complaining about the same thing, when would the students start holding themselves accountable for their lateness and actions?

 The administration first raised concern over student lateness, in the fall of 2022 when the late start was integrated into the schedule. The late start has always been a two-way street; students show up on time, and teachers get the extra time to schedule or sleep in themselves. Although it has become a single-beneficiary relationship students view this late start as something more optional, or as an excuse to be late, while for teachers, it has become a burden to their scheduling. 

One teacher who asked to remain anonymous stated, “The consistency of students being late not only affects the students around them but also cuts [teachers] already shortened day plan”. Other faculty have spoken out against the consistent lateness, specifically teacher Madam Bulk, “I support the return of the 8 am start on Wednesday. I was at the point where I was going to go to kid’s homes and be their alarms”. 

Moving forward, Wednesday’s schedule will look like this.

Period 1: 8:00-8:45 

Period 2: 8:50-9:55

US Flex Time: 10:00- 10:40

Period 3: 10:50 AM – 11:55 AM

Period 4: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Lunch 12:46 PM – 1:24 PM

Period 5:1:25 PM – 2:10 PM

Period 6: 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM