But we're more than a little chagrined to consider the reason tardies have become a problem.

The school, along with Wendell Elementary School started this year on an earlier bell schedule, in an effort to better coordinate transportation issues resulting from a schedule change at East Wake High School.

Regardless of when the schools begin class each morning, we can't help but notice the tardy problems arise at elementary schools, where parents usually play some role in helping their children get ready for school each day. While many of them my ride a bus, rather than being driven by a parent to the school house door, it seems there remains a responsibility on the shoulders of parents to ensure their youngsters arrive on time - either to the school or the bus stop.

With the school year now slightly longer than one quarter, it's past time parents ought to know when their child should be at school.

Get 'em there. And get 'em there on time.