SCHS Attendance Guidelines
2015-2016
High School School Attendance Policy
It is imperative that students be in attendance each school day in order not to miss a significant portion of their education. Many important learning opportunities result from active participation in classroom and other school activities which cannot be replaced by individual study. Attendance is important in the development of a high quality work ethic which will be a significant factor in a student’s success with future employers. One of the most important work habits that employers look for in hiring and promoting a worker is his/her dependability in coming to work every day and on time. This is a habit we want to help students develop as early as possible in their school careers.
TARDINESS
Students are expected to be in the classroom when the tardy bell rings. A students is considered tardy if they are up to nine (9) minutes late to class. Consequences for unexcused tardies are as follows:
3rd unexcused tardy in a class - Teacher will contact the parent.
4th unexcused tardy in a class - Teacher will assign one (1) Morning Detention and contact the parent.
5th and additional tardies to class - Teacher will submit a referral to the appropriate Assistant Principal.
ABSENCES
A maximum of “10 Absences will be allowed per Semester” for each class.
• If a student has 11 or more absences in a class, he/she will earn a maximum grade of 59% in that class.*
• A student will only be able to ‘make-up’ the 11th and 12th absence in a class by attending Attendance Recovery Sessions.
• If a student has 13 or more absences in a class, he/she will NOT be able to use Attendance Recovery Sessions to make-up any absences and will earn a maximum grade of 59% in that class.*
*Any student who has 11 or more absences in a class at the end of the semester will have the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the required course content by scoring a minimum of a C+ (77%) on the final exam for that course. If successful, the student will receive a grade of a D- (60%). If the student’s averages on assessments/assignments for the course are higher than a D- (60%), then the student will receive that higher grade and not the D- (60%).
Unexcused/Excused/ No Count Absences:
• Absences will be considered Excused or Unexcused.
• Excused Absence – Students who are absent will have the opportunity to make up work missed providing they make arrangements with classroom teachers. Students have one (1) school day to make up the work for each day absent from school.
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• Unexcused Absence – Assignments missed on the day of an unexcused absence may be requested by a student or parent/guardian. However, credit will NOT be given for tests, quizzes, projects or assignments due or done on that unexcused day.
• Special trips or family vacations should be planned during vacation periods and weekends so that learning can proceed without interruptions. If parents choose to take their child out of classes, they need to realize that they are placing the student at an academic disadvantage. These absences will count toward the student’s absence total.
• Absences due to bereavements, medical/dental or hospitalization and religious holidays are considered NO COUNTS and do not count against a student’s absence total if proper documentation is provided.
• Absences due to school functions, field trips, performances and athletic events are considered NO COUNTS and do not count against a student’s absence totals.
• Absences due to school-imposed suspensions will have those specific days of suspension exempt and will not count against a student’s absence totals.
• Absences due to Homebound Services or Seat-Time Waivers will have those specific days exempt and will not count against a student’s absence total.