Tardiness

As the seventh grade band is playing an excellent rendition of La Bamba, I'm thinking about the huge amount of tardies in seventh period choir. Thirty-five to be exact.

These thirty-five tardies have accrued since the beginning of the quarter (we're in the 6th week), with twelve students contributing to the score. Our school policy is "three strikes and you're out." Four of the twelve students have already received detention for their tardies, and two students have been referred for disciplinary action twice. One is on her way to a third! (That's 8 tardies in six weeks!!).

I don't know what to do about this lateness. The class isn't even after lunch, so I don't understand how so many students can be late ALL THE TIME. Detentions don't seem to be effective. Any suggestions?