Attendance Procedures for Absences 

1. Parents should phone the Attendance Office (472-4737) between 8:00 – 10:00 AM the day the student is absent.  The fax number for the attendance office is 472-4751.
2. ALL excused absences require a written verification by a parent or guardian on the day of return.  PLEASE INCLUDE: 
   1. Dates Absent
   2. Student’s First and Last Name
   3. Grade
   4. Reason for Absence
   5. Parent Signature
   6. Number Parent can be reached for verification
3. After an absence, students will need to have their planners marked as excused or unexcused.  
4. The student must take responsibility to get assignments when absent.  It is recommended that the student go to his/her teachers before or after school if the student cannot obtain adequate information from classmates.  Make-up work should be completed in a timely manner.

Excused Absences

Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day that school is in session.  Conditions for which a student’s absence may be excused are (County Policy):

1. Illness of the student.  The principal may require a doctor’s note.
2. Illness in the immediate family, which requires absence of the student from school.  The principal may require a doctor’s note.
3. Death in the family.  Absence should not exceed 5 days.
4. Religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the student’s faith.
5. Absences for other reasons may be excused if, in judgment of the principal, the circumstances warrant.
6. Absences up to 10 days may be excused if a parent or guardian sends in a written note explaining the reason for the absence.  Absences beyond 10 days are automatically unexcused unless written medical documentation is presented to the Attendance Office.

Unexcused Absences

1. Students who have had five unexcused absences within a school year will have violated the attendance laws of this state.  The name of any student who has accumulated five unexcused absences shall be submitted to the Attendance Department for proper disposition.  The Director of Schools shall report any child who habitually and unlawfully absents himself from school to the juvenile judge, where said the judge shall deal with the matter as he may determine to be in the best interest of the child.
2. It could result in getting a “zero” on assignments missed that day.
3. SKIPPING SCHOOL – Any student who is absent from class for an unacceptable reason is considered to be skipping, and the absence is unexcused.  LUNCH IS A CLASS PERIOD AND STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE.  The penalty for skipping will result in in-school or out-of-school suspension and/or loss of parking privileges.  Seniors are reminded that any form of suspension means a loss of exam exemptions.

Pre-Arranged Absences

If a student knows in advance that they will not be in school for other reasons than are stated under Excused Absences, the student must have prior approval of the teachers and principal one week in advance.  We have Pre-Arranged Absence Forms in the Attendance Office.  It is the student’s responsibility to request and return all make-up work as designated by their teachers.  No additional note is needed when the student returns to school.

Arriving During School Hours

1. A student arriving to school less than 15 minutes late will report directly to his/her first class.  The teacher will determine whether it is necessary for the student to report to the Attendance Office.
2. Students arriving to school more than fifteen minutes late must SIGN IN and bring a note to the Attendance Office immediately upon arrival. 
3. If a student has left school and is returning, the student should report to the Attendance Office, sign in immediately, and get their planner signed.

Early Dismissals 

1. Any student requesting an early dismissal should leave a note signed by his/her parent or guardian in the Attendance Office before 7:30 A.M.
2. STUDENTS MUST SIGN OUT.
3. Parents are urged to schedule dental and medical appointments outside school hours.  When such appointments cannot be scheduled outside school hours, parents must send a written request for dismissal to the school or call for the student in person.  When the student returns, he should submit an official statement from the professional involved citing the date and time of the appointment.
4. A student who becomes ill during the day SHOULD report to the Clinic with a his/her planner signed by the teacher of his/her class.  The student’s parents will be contacted to make arrangements for the student’s care.
5. No student shall be sent from the school during school hours to perform an errand, retrieve forgotten items, or act as a messenger, except with the approval of the principal and the consent of the student’s parent or guardian.  Errands are considered UNEXCUSED.

Tardy Policy:  Promptness to class is very important.  Tardiness not only involves the student who is late, but also disrupts the entire class.  In order to avoid disciplinary action, the student should be in class and ready to work when the class bell rings.

1. Verbal Warning from the teacher
2. Verbal Warning from the teacher
3.  TEACHER calls HOME to a parent/guardian and the student will be assigned a day and time for a 15-Minute Detention with the Classroom Teacher.
4.  Referral to office and will be assigned to ISS (in-school suspension) during DIRECTED STUDIES ONLY
5. Referral to office and will be assigned Saturday School
6. Referral to office and will be assigned ISS for a FULL DAY.
7. Subsequent – OSS (OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION)