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All students are expected to attend regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit maximally from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility. There is a direct relationship between poor attendance and class failure. Students who have good attendance records generally receive higher grades, enjoy school more and are much more employable after they finish secondary school.
Note: Parents are asked to call the school office between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. any day their child is going to be absent or tardy. This will protect our students and will greatly reduce the calls that need to be made from school to home as required by law. Call 899-3408 to report an absence.
Calling & notes - Every time a student is absent, the student must bring a note on the day they return to school unless a parent has called the office to report the absence. The note is to be turned into homeroom first thing in the morning. Failure to present a note from parents may result in the absence being counted as unexcused. The student should bring the note to school from the parent or the Doctor in order for the absence to be excused.
1. Excused/Unexcused Absences - Legal excuses for absence include:
a. Personal illness (includes doctor/dentist appointments)
b. Illness in the family or death of a relative
c. Observance of a religious holiday
d. Unusual circumstances where permission from principal has been obtained
e. Extended vacation with family if prior arrangements have been
made with the principal three days in advance.
All other absences will be considered unexcused. Examples of unexcused absences include: missing the bus, oversleeping, vacation without prior approval, car trouble, baby-sitting, shopping, working, truancy, hair appointments. and class cutting.
Students on a school-sponsored field trip are not counted absent. Disciplinary action may be appropriate for unexcused absences. After ten (10) days absence, a doctor's statement will be required for an absence to be excused.
School Procedure for Unexcused Absence
1. Two (2) unexcused absences - Warning letter sent
2. Five (5) unexcused absences - Truancy Intervention Meeting
3. Seven (7) unexcused absences - Unofficial Hearing with Court
4. Twelve (12) unexcused absences - File complaint and Official Court Hearing
2. Tardiness - Tardiness refers to class and to school. Students who are excessively tardy will be disciplined. Students who are tardy to school must sign the green sign-in sheet in the main office. In order for the tardy to be excused, a note must be presented to the main office stating the specific reason for the tardiness. Then, only the reasons cited previously as legal excuses for absence will be excused. All other tardies, whether or not a note is presented, will be unexcused. Excessive tardiness will result in discipline.
3. Early Dismissals - Written requests for early dismissal are to be turned into the homeroom teacher before the tardy bell (7:45 a.m.). A telephone number where the parent can be reached during school hours must accompany the request for early dismissal. If no telephone number is available, one parent must call the school to verify the request for dismissal. A written request does not mean that an early dismissal will automatically be granted. Generally the request will be honored as long as the student does not have an attendance problem and the excuse is a legitimate reason for dismissal. Students WILL NOT be given early dismissal for reasons which would constitute an unexcused absence. Early Dismissals will be limited to four (4) each trimester. The following information must be provided on an early dismissal request:
1. Student name
2. Grade level
3. Phone number where parent/guardian can be reached
4. Name of person picking student up if other than a parent
5. Date and time requested for early dismissal
6. Parent signature.
A photo ID will be required at the time of student sign-out.
If at all possible prior arrangements for early dismissal should be made at home. Please try to eliminate calls made to the office to have students ready and waiting for early dismissal unless it is an extreme emergency.
Tardies vs. 1/2 Day Absence If a student arrives before 9:30 a.m., If a student leaves at 1:00 he/she will not be charged with a he/she will not be charged 1/2 day absence. a 1/2 day absence. 4. Vacations - Parents are asked to plan family trips and vacations to correspond with the school calendar. If this is impossible, absences of one or two days will be excused as other legal absences provided the requirements of a parental note or phone call is adhered to and the student has not accumulated ten (10) days of absences to date. Students missing three or more days, or missing any school just prior to or just after a holiday break, must submit a completed vacation form to the Principal/Assistant Principal for approval a minimum of one week before the scheduled vacation. To complete this form, students must take the form around to all of their teachers for a signature and current grade. Students are also responsible for securing any assignments and projects from their teachers and having them ready to be turned in upon their return to school. Previously assigned projects that fall due while a student is away should be submitted to the teacher prior to the student leaving for vacation. Any homework, class performance or quiz not assigned before the student left for vacation should be made up with two (2) days of their return to school.
Students assume the sole responsibility for securing missed assignments from their teachers or fellow students. Students who have an attendance problem, have been truant from class or school, or are in danger of failing any class may have their vacation request for excused absences denied. The final decision will rest with the Principal/Assistant Principal.
5. Residency - The school reserves the right to require verification of residency (i.e., rent receipt, utility receipt, etc.).
6. Extracurriculars - Students who miss school the day of an extracurricular activity (clubs, athletics, dances etc.) will not be permitted to participate in the after school event unless he/she has obtained permission from the principal to take part in the activity. This applies to tardies, early dismissals, half-day and full-day absences.
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