Attendance

 

            Learning is a day-by-day process, and thus regular attendance is extremely important.  Both parents and students must be conscious of the fact that successful academic achievement and personal growth are enhanced by regular attendance.

 

            a)   IF A STUDENT WILL BE ABSENT for the day or part of the day, parents are asked to phone the school by 8:30 A.M. to report the absence to the Principal’s office.  When the student returns to school, the parent is to send a written excuse for the absence; this excuse is maintained in the student’s file for the academic year.  A normal excused absence is considered unexcused if the note is not brought by the student or a phone call received from his/her parent.

 

            b)  EXCUSED ABSENCES              

            Reasons for excused absences are as follows:

            1)  Personal illness

            2)  Professional appointments (medical or legal) that could not be scheduled outside of the

                  regular school hours.

            3)  Death in the family.

            4)  Special request by parent beforehand.

 

            In the case of an absence, homework is due within 48 hours after the absence, and an additional 24 hours is granted for each continuous day of absence.  If no homework is submitted after an amount of time, the teacher may give a letter grade or a zero.

 

            c)  EXCESSIVE EXCUSED ABSENCES can cause a decline in academic achievement.  The student’s class grade can be affected by excessive absences as determined by the instructor.

 

            d)  UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:  (TRUANCY)

                  Students who are absent from school without parent knowledge and permission, or without school permission, will be considered truant and will be dealt with accordingly.  This includes a student who leaves school without checking out with a secretary or the Principal.

 

            e)  PERMISSION TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL:

            If for some reason a student needs to leave the school grounds during the class day, he/she should bring written permission from his/her parents or from the teacher.  The Principal or Secretary will thereupon issue a pass to leave the grounds.  If the student becomes ill, he/she should contact the Principal or Secretary and contact will be made with the parents about procedures to be followed.

 

            f)  NOON HOUR:

            Students may not leave the school grounds during the lunch periods without permission.  All lunches, whether purchased in school or a sack lunch, must be eaten in the cafeteria.  Students who are tardy to class from their lunch period must obtain their excuse from the lunchroom supervisor.

 

            g)  TARDINESS TO SCHOOL:

            Students who are tardy to school are to report to the office.  The tardy will be considered UNEXCUSED unless a proper excuse is received from the parent or employer; this excuse should be submitted in writing.  Three unexcused tardies in a semester results in a detention.  Each additional tardy in a semester will result in a detention

 

            h)  TARDINESS TO CLASS, STUDY HALL, OR LIBRARY:

            Students who are tardy to class, study hall, or library during the school day are to report directly to the class, study hall, or library.  The question of excused or unexcused tardy will be handled by the teacher, study hall moderator, or librarian.  For a tardy to be excused, the student must present a note from the teacher who detained him/her so as to cause him/her to be tardy.  Without such a written note, the tardy is considered to be unexcused.  Three unexcused tardies per semester will result in one hour of detention.  Each additional unexcused tardy will result in another detention.  After 5 unexcused detentions in a semester, a one-day in-school suspension will be served.  Excessive detentions could result in an in-school suspension (principal’s discretion).

 

            i)  COLLEGE DAYS:

            Students are to obtain a permission slip to visit a college and complete the form three days in advance of their anticipated visitation.  The guidance counselor will determine the appropriate number of days needed for college visitation.