As part of our late work policy at the middle school, students receive a “green sheet” that their teacher fills out and brings to me explaining what late work the student has. As the school counselor, I then meet with students one-on-one in my office. Green sheets are not a discipline concern (not to be confused with the “gold sheet” policy for behavior issues when a student is sent to the office), but it is a way for us to help students stay on top of their work here at school and develop their responsibility skills. They also help us keep the line of communication open between school and home so that you know how your child is doing academically here at school if there are any late work issues.
The first green sheet consequence is a meeting with me discussing why the assignment was late. The second is another meeting with me and an email home. The third is a meeting with me where the student calls home from my office to discuss as a team (parents, student, and counselor) what we can do to help prevent more late assignments. The fourth is another meeting in my office, probably with Mr. Stonewall, and then I communicate with home again to discuss this. The fifth green sheet consequence requires a meeting at school with Mr. Stonewall, myself, the teachers, and the parents of the student to develop a concrete plan to help the student. At the end of every quarter, every student’s green sheet count starts over.
One of the reasons that I value and appreciate this system is because it truly helps us help students develop skills required in the classroom and beyond, specifically in relation to responsibility. Throughout the school year, this late work policy has a positive impact on our students’ abilities to turn in their work on time. Every year, we see the number of green sheets given decrease as the school year goes on.