501.08R - Student Attendance - Administrative Regulations

  1. Philosophy

Students will be expected to attend classes regularly and to be on time in order to receive maximum benefit from the instructional program, to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility, and to assist in keeping disruption of the educational environment to a minimum.  While it is possible for an absent student to make up much of the school work missed, it is impossible to completely compensate for absence from classes.

Absences always cause some disruption in the educational progress of the student who was absent.  In order to maintain interest and understanding in a program of instruction, students should not expect to be absent more than is absolutely necessary.  Students who fail to make up work missed may not understand what the teacher is currently presenting, and may also become discouraged with the double burden of keeping current and making up missed work.  Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only retards their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those pupils who are regular and prompt in attendance.

Students who have good attendance records are most likely to achieve higher grades, enjoy school life to a greater degree, and have more employment opportunities after leaving school.  Prospective employers expect promptness and regular attendance from employees and are reluctant to hire persons who have not established good habits of responsibility and self-discipline.  Life-long patterns of responsibility and self-discipline of regular attendance and promptness are fostered by attention given them during the years of school attendance.

There are times, however, when school officials may determine that the problem associated with absence form school are outweighed by the advantages of an activity in which the student participates and they may endorse or sponsor an activity or tip.  Attendance at such approved trips and activities will not be considered an absence from school.

 

  1. Tardiness
      1.  
    2. Tardies may be excused upon the same reasonable grounds as those considered for absences.  Two (2) unexcused tardies constituting one half day absence shall be considered on unexcused absence.

 

  1. Absences
      1.  
    2. Absences from school will be considered excused but not limited to the following examples:
      1. Personal Illness
      2. Death or serious illness in the immediate family or household
      3. Funerals
      4. Medical or dental appointments which cannot be made other than during school time
      5. Vacations – Whenever possible, family vacations should be planned over Christmas vacation or during Spring break.
      6. Work for parents/guardian
      7. Religious holidays and activities
      8. Court appearances
      9. Hunting trip with a parent (maximum 2 days/yr.)
      10. Other reasons which can be justified from an educational standpoint may approved in advance by the principal
    3. Absences from school will be considered excused but not limited to the following examples:Absences from school for the following reasons will generally be treated as unexcused absences:
      1. Working for someone other than parent/guardian
      2. Shopping
      3. Hair appointments
      4. Over-sleeping
      5. Missing the bus
      6. Car trouble
      7. Truancy
      8. Leaving school without permission
      9. Failure to verify an absence within the one day limit
    4. Reasons for absence from school which can be justified from an educational standpoint may be approved by the principal.  Permission for such absences should be obtained in advance of the absence from school.  Failure to obtain prior permission may result in the absence being considered unexcused.  The principal should document the reasons for excusing or refusing to excuse such absences.
    5. School work missed due to any absence must be completed to the satisfaction of each teacher whose class or classes were missed.
      1. When students can anticipate absences, every effort should be made to see that school work is made up in advance of the absence.  The principal may determine that the completion of school work in advance be a prerequisite to allowing the absence to be excused.

 

IV           When a student is absent form school, the following is the policy for excused make-up

  1. Students will be allowed two (2) days to make up work for credit for each day missed, but may be expected to complete work in a shorter period in the case of a lengthy absence.  If a student is absent on a day which a previously assigned test is given, he/she should be prepared to take the test on the day he/she returns.
  2. Five (5) school days to make up incomplete work at the end of the first semester or following each quarter.
  3. All second semester class work must be completed by the last day of school or unless other arrangements are made with the administration and teachers.
  4. Students shall receive full credit for school work made up due to absences.
  5. Students who anticipate an absence, especially when the absences must have the principal’s prior approval, shall give timely notice to the school office in advance of the anticipated absence.  When time permits, notification shall be in writing and signed by the student and the parents or guardian or the student.  Failure to notify the school in advance may result in the absence being considered as unexcused.
  6. All students who were absent from school for any reason shall submit in written form the specific reasons for their absence, the specific days or times they were absent, verification by the doctor or dentist, if appropriate, and the signature of the student and a parent or guardian.

    Parents and guardians should be encouraged to phone the school regarding a student’s absence on the day of the absence.

    Only when a student of majority age (18 year or older, or married) is not residing with the student’s parents or guardian, may the student present his or her own excuse for absence without parental verification.  The principal should be notified in advance of any such circumstance.

  7.   In the event that the principal determines that it is advisable to verify an excuse given for an absence, the principal may take appropriate steps to do so.  When it is determined that an excuse is forged or misrepresents the facts, the principal may treat those instances of absence as unexcused.

 

V            Unexcused Absences    

    1. Students who are absent from school or class without reasonable excuse shall be subject to disciplinary measures.  Reasonable excuses are those which are acceptable reasons as provided in Section IV of these rules.  All other absences from school shall be considered unexcused absences.
        1. Each day or portion of a day of an unexcused absence from school or class shall be considered a separate violation of these rules
        2. Students who are found to be absent without reasonable excuse may be subjected to one or more of the following disciplinary measures:
            1. Probation
            2. After-School detention
            3. In-school suspension
            4. Removal of school privileges
            5. Short-term suspension from school
            6. Long-term suspension from school

VI.         Reduction of Grades Prohibited

              Reduction of grades shall not be used as a disciplinary measure against a student because of an absence from school.