This is a difficult situation because it's not necessarily Casey's fault that she is late, however you do not want Casey to think that what is happening is okay. The first thing that I would do would be to contact her father. I would discuss her tardiness with him and explain that she is missing out on valuable class time and instruction. Additionally, I would speak with Casey about her tardiness and establish a system where there will be consequences if she is tardy more than once in a week. This way, if there is truly an issue and her father is running late, you can let it slide once a week. If it happens more frequently, Casey could have a privilege taken away. Casey would then realize that being late is not okay, and I'm sure she would communicate with her father that she wants to be on time.

I would arrange to speak with the father to tell him my concerns for Casey. Then speak to Casey so she knows that being tardy although not always her fault, is unacceptable. If there is really a problem going on, I would suggest carpooling for Casey and try to find an available parent that would be willing to help.

If a problem is occurring at home, I don't think that they should let that interfere with Casey's education (let alone allow her to think that it is okay to be tardy). However, problems with parents can be sticky, and affect children more than we could ever know, so maybe giving Casey a pass to be late once a week would motivate her to be on time (and give her the motivation to encourage her father as well)--make it green, put a fun picture on it, laminate it, make it hers. Tell her that she can use the pass only once per week and when she doesn't have it anymore, she will be counted tardy and have a consequence. This will allow some leeway for Casey's situation, but still teach her accountability and responsibility.

Yes, I agree that their should be consequences in the classroom for tardiness. We are doing the students a disservice by not teaching them time management skills and the importance of arriving somewhere on time.

This is a sticky situation. It's not really Casey's fault she is late. She needs to know that being late is not responsible. I don't feel a call home to the father to find out the situation would be out of the question, but you have to tread lightly in these situations. I'm sure Casey's father could be reasoned with if you explained not only is she missing time in class, but she may start having to be held accountable for her tardiness. No decent father would want to let that happen to their child!

I would speak with the father and have empathy for his situation but still reinforce the school rules around tardiness. I would hold the student responsible for any continued tardiness.