Attendance Policies & Procedures
Overview
Teachers have the responsibility to promote regular class attendance and to inform a parent/guardian when an attendance problem exists. Teachers need to explain to students that every absence is a concern since every class, lesson, and activity is important in the learning plan of each course. Learning is maximized and desirable behavior patterns are developed when a student attends school regularly and arrives in classes punctually.
Students are expected to attend every activity they are scheduled for each school day. Specifically, students must attend all classes; report to the cafeteria, cafeteria hallway, outside walkway between the cafeteria and auditorium lobby, library, or senior courtyard during lunch; go to designated area of the school for assemblies, pep rallies, and other special events; and be punctual.
Students are not allowed outside of the school building or off school grounds, without teacher permission, from 7:20 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. The one exception to this rule is that students are permitted be outside on the walkway between the cafeteria and the auditorium lobby or in the senior courtyard during lunch. Student cannot go to their cars, or be in the parking lot, from the time they arrive at school until dismissal at 2:10 p.m. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary consequences which may include suspension.
Classification of Absences
When it is necessary for a student to be absent from school, the parent is requested to notify the Attendance Office of the student's absence and explain the reason for the absence. Parent must either call the Attendance Office or write a note explaining the reason for the absence within 72 hours after the student returns to school. The administrative staff determines when an absence is classified as excused.
Excused absences include:
Unexcused absences include:
A student forfeits any grades on the day of his/her unexcused absence. Make-up work for unexcused absences does not receive credit; however, it is encouraged so that the student will profit from future instruction.
Contact with Parents Regarding Student Attendance
Teachers should examine the daily attendance list carefully, and ensure that home contact is regularly made.
"Skip Days"
"Skip Days" planned by any group of students are unexcused absences. They are not sanctioned by the school and make-up work receives no credit.
Prearranged Absences
Students who plan an absence from school are expected to complete arrangements for that absence at least 48 hours before their absence occurs. A student with a prearranged absence is expected to be fully prepared on the day of his/her return (i.e.. homework, etc.) and should assume the responsibility for requesting assignments before leaving. The student's administrator will review the request from the student's parent to determine if the prearranged absence is excused. The assistant principal will use professional judgment in excusing a prearranged absence based on such factors as the educational value of the proposed experience, the personal or family benefit, and the impact of the absence on the student's academic progress.
Students who receive approval of a prearranged absence 48 hours before the absence occurs will receive input from their teachers on the assignments to be missed and information about the advisability of the absence. Approval for prearranged absences provide students time to complete the missed assignments while they are away and the opportunity to keep pace with the class, while avoiding the requirement to complete make-up work and regular work at the same time after the absence. Assignments advertised by a teacher before an approved prearranged absence begins will be due upon the student's return.
Process for the student:
Admission Following an Absence
Parents are requested to call the Attendance Office (714-5447) by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the absence to explain the reason for the absence. The administrative staff determines when an absence is classified as excused.
If the parent contacted the Attendance Office about the absence by phone, the student is to go directly to his/her first block class the day he/she returns. If the parent has not phoned, the student should present a note written by his/her parent to the Attendance Office upon arrival to school. The student has only three days to present his/her parent's note. If a note is not received within three days the absence will be classified as unexcused.
Students Out of Class and Hall Passes
Students miss instructional time when they are outside the classroom. Accordingly, students should be in class and remain in class working on planned instruction for the entire period. Avoid having students out of class. When it is absolutely necessary to send a student out of class for any reason, the student must be given a completed pass signed by the teacher. Students who enter a class, library, gym, etc., late must enter with a pass to avoid consequences. Any student arriving late to class must be admitted to class, with or without a pass.
Tardiness to Class
The teacher is in the best position to expect and encourage punctuality and to affect constructive behavior when tardiness is a problem. To reinforce school policy regarding punctuality to class, all teachers are expected to:
If the student fails to serve the after-school time, the teacher will double the time (e.g.. 10 minutes to 20 minutes, or 1 day of 10 minutes to two days of 10 minutes) and inform the student of this action. If the student fails to report for the new assignment(s) without providing a reason accepted by the teacher, the matter will be referred to the administrator on the discipline referral form.
A student who is tardy to school during the first block must report to the Attendance Office. Tardiness, like absenteeism is classified as excused or unexcused. Two unexcused tardies to class during a grading period are classified as one unexcused absence.
If the pattern/rate of tardiness is disturbing, the teacher should contact the parent and counselor and must inform the appropriate administrator, on the discipline referral form, who may increase the consequences for continued unexcused tardiness.
Note: Students should not be sent out of his/her classroom to the office for a tardy pass. The only exception is if the student neglected to report to the Attendance Office when he/she arrived tardy to school.
Teachers must not detain students at the end of the period, and causing them to be tardy to their next class.
Late Arrivals (check-ins)
When a student comes to school late, he/she should bring a note signed by a parent that explains the tardiness and estimates the time of the student's arrival to school. This note should be presented to the Attendance Office. If a student does not have a note, he/she should report directly to class. Tardiness that is caused by a school bus breakdown will be classified as excused, and each student on the bus will be given a late bus pass to show to his/her first period teacher.
Early Dismissals (check-outs)
Before leaving the school early, a student must bring a note signed by a parent to the Attendance Office stating the reason for leaving and the planned time of departure. The student will be given a check-out form that will be stamped by the attendance secretary. This will be his/her pass to depart from class at the indicated time. The pass must be stamped again in the Attendance Office when the student leaves school. A record of each student's check-outs will be kept by the attendance secretary. In some cases, the Attendance Office staff may ask that doctor, dentist, court, or attorney appointments be confirmed in writing on office stationery by the professional visited. If a student returns to school again later the same day, he/she must check-in at the Attendance Office.
Career Center, Student Services Appointments, and Attendance
Student Services: Guidance counselors are available before-school (7:10-7:20) and after-school (unless a meeting has been previously scheduled) to see students on a drop-in basis to briefly answer questions. Students may sign-up to see counselors during class time on the sheets posted on each counselor's door. The counselor will send a note to the student to leave class. A student must receive his/her teacher's permission to leave class prior to the appointment. After the appointment, the student must show his/her pass to the teacher effected.
College and Career Center (CCC): Presentations about specific colleges by college representatives are announced regularly. Students may use the CCC during the lunch period or during class periods when a teacher grants special permission. Any student who wishes to use the center during class periods must get a pass from Mr. Lazarowitz 1 day before reporting to the CCC. This pass must be approved by the effected teacher. The pass will be stamped with the time the student leaves the CCC.
Student Attendance and Athletics
A full day of attendance is required by students in order to participate in athletic contests, other student activities, or practice that day. Reasonable exceptions, such as dentist or doctor appointments, may be approved by the Director of Student Activities prior to participation.
Truancy
Truancy will not be tolerated. Students do not have "free cuts." Teachers are expected to communicate consequences for unexcused absences to students. To ensure that unnecessary class absences are eliminated, teachers must keep accurate attendance records for ALL students assigned to their classes. Attendance data is needed for parents and other adults working with the student, including court officials.