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Attendance Policy
Many students do not realize the negative effect poor attendance has on their classroom performance. Most students cannot afford to miss class for the normal excused absences let alone many of the unexcused reasons. If a student's absences become excessive, he/she could have their grade lowered, or be in jeopardy of failing the class.When an absence occurs, we ask the parents to call the office by 9:00 a.m. the day of the absence. If the office hasn't heard from the parent by 9:00 a.m. the school will attempt to contact one of the parents. If contact is made, a written note will not be required for readmittance. If contact is not made, the student will need to bring in a note when he/she returns to school. The information needed in the call or on the note is as follows: Name of the Student, Date(s) of Absence, Reason, and if by note a Parent/Guardian Signature. The student is responsible to get a readmit slip from the office prior to the first class of the day upon return from an absence. If after a planned absence or where phone contact was made an additional note from a parent is not needed. An absence where a parent has not been reached by a phone call, or a parent/guardian note or planned absence form has not been brought to the attendance office is an "undeclared" absence. An undeclared absence will be changed to "Unexcused" if not cleared by the third day after returning to school. In addition a detention will be assigned if the absence is not cleared within three days. Absences fall into the following categories: I. Excused Absences
This includes absences caused by illness, medical or dental appointments, a death in the family, court or DMV appointments, and approved planned absences. The student will have the number of days of the absence to make up daily homework. (Example: If absent on Monday, work is due on Wednesday) In the case of a planned absence the work is due upon return. Students should expect to make up quizzes and tests on the day they return to class, if they were assigned before their absence. If a student's absence is long term or if he has missed class reviews for a quiz or test, then arrangements by the student with the teacher may be made to make up the work. Papers and projects which are assigned two weeks or more prior to their due date must be turned in on the day a student returns to school from an absence. Where frequent or intermittent absences cause long delays in completion of homework, a teacher may institute a five-day (school days) deadline on all materials due. Such action is to be taken after consulting the Secondary Principal. Planned Absences may be excused if a Secondary Dean is notified in advance. A Planned Absence form should be obtained in the office and must be completed at least 48 hours before the absence. On a Planned Absence, work is due the day the student returns. No extra time is given. If a test is scheduled during the planned absence, arrangements to take the test must be made before the trip or it will be considered an unexcused absence. Students must be in class during finals week. Prior approval of the Secondary Principal is needed for any finals to be made up except in cases of doctor's excuse!! As stated previously, it is important for students to be in class. While family activities are encouraged, every effort should be made to work within the school calendar for vacations and family activities. Any junior or senior will be excused to visit a college. Work can be made up the same as any other excused absence. It is best if students check with teachers to avoid missing major tests. Doctor's appointments should be made after school hours, if at all possible. If an appointment is scheduled during the school day, a note must be brought to the attendance office before school that day to be put on the attendance sheet. II. Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences are those not listed in the excused section. Classes missed due to students being home to study, to complete term papers, over sleeping, etc. will be considered unexcused. A note from a parent will not excuse an absence for the above stated reasons. On the first unexcused absence per quarter there will be no disciplinary action taken. On the second unexcused absence, the parent will be notified. On the third and subsequent unexcused absences, a detention will be assigned. Make-up for Unexcused Absences Classwork and assignments due on the day(s) of the unexcused absences will receive no credit for each day of class missed. (See Discipline System on Page 19 for information about making up homework for days missed due to suspensions.) Major tests and assignments missed must be made up with reduced credit. Student participation in extra-curricular activities If a student has an UNEXCUSED absence for any part of the day, he/she may not be allowed to participate in any extracurricular activity that day at the discretion of the administration. In order to participate in extra-curricular activities a student must arrive at school prior to 10:30 a.m. Permission to miss school later than that time would be granted for unavoidable appointments as covered by the attendance policy, except illness. A student arriving after 10:30 a.m. or leaving school during the day due to illness is considered too ill to participate in athletic events. |
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