ATTENDANCE POLICY:
To fully benefit from the instructional program, students are expected to attend school regularly, be on time for classes and satisfy all course requirements. Poor attendance or excessive tardiness may result in failing grades.
TO REPORT AN ABSENCE:
1. It shall be the responsibility of the student's parent or guardian to explain a student's absence to the designated office in person or, by telephone. Parents are expected to notify the school the day of the absence. Schools may require additional documentation upon a student's return.
2. The school shall make an effort to contact the parent or guardian on the day of the absence whenever a student's absence has not been explained.
3. Records of telephone calls or parent contacts shall be retained by the school for future references.
4. Students not in class at least one half of the class period shall be counted absent from that class. Secondary students (middle and high school) in attendance for any part of the day are counted present for the day, but shall be counted absent for any class missed.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
1. Examples of excused absences are:
• an illness of the student or a medical or dental appointment; a doctor's statement may be required by school officials;
• an accident resulting in injury to the student;
• a death in the immediate family of the student;
• an observance of an established religious holiday; documentation of the religious affiliation of the student may be required by school officials; in secondary schools, absences on approved religious holidays shall not cause a graduating senior to forfeit quarter four, second semester exam exemption;
• If the religious holiday observance cannot be identified as a traditionally well-known day such as Rosh Hashanah, school officials should require a note from the parent and a letter from the leader of the faith organization stating that the day, if celebrated, would result in an absence. If the letters are submitted, the absence should be excused and also recognized as an established religious holiday that does not impact any attendance incentives including exam exemptions.
• a pre-planned absence for a personal reason that is acceptable to the principal or designee. In order for the absence to be excused, the principal or designee must be informed three days prior to the absence.
• a subpoena by a law enforcement agency or a required court appearance;
• an emergency for a reason acceptable to the principal or designee for an emergency such as:
* severe weather conditions;
* a major personal or family problem;
* fire, flood, or other major damage to the home;
* an accident on the way to school; or
* a breakdown of the school bus (failure to pick up the student).
2. Under certain conditions, students may apply to be released for a maximum of one period per day for religious instruction at an off campus site. For further information, the parent should contact the principal.
3. Suspended students attending and successfully completing an approved school board alternative program may be eligible for excused absences.
4. College visits by students shall be considered an excused absence. School business shall be granted for college visits only if a visit is required for admission and is documented on the college letterhead.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
1. Unexcused absences are absences that:
• are not accepted as excused;
• are caused by truancy of the student;
• are caused by an out-of-school suspension; students who attend and meet the requirements for the Alternative Out of School
Suspension (ATOSS) Program shall not be considered absent and shall not receive any grade penalty.
2. A student suspended out-of-school shall receive a grade of "zero" for tests and/or graded work missed.
3. A student found truant from school or any class period(s) shall receive a grade of "zero" for tests and/or graded work missed.
4. A student who receives an unexcused absence shall receive a grade of "zero" for tests and/or graded work missed.
5. If no test or other graded work is missed on any given day during the truancy, suspension, or unexcused absences, the student shall receive a two percent (2 points on a 100-point scale) grade reduction for that day. The reduction shall be made at the end of the nine-week grading period and shall be taken from the final grade average.
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