Attendance Policies

All students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit maximally from the instructional program. This will also aid in the development of the habits of punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility.

Absence defined:

Kindergarten (5k) – 5^th Grade – An absence will be assigned to any student who misses 60 minutes or more of either half of the school day.

6^th – 12 Grades - An absence for a particular class/subject block will be assigned to any student who misses more than 15 minutes at any time during a class/subject block.

Excessive absences – Excessive absences and/or tardiness may adversely affect a student’s performance, advancement, self-esteem, achievement and disrupt the continuity of the instructional process. Typically, any absences above ten percent (10%) of the semester (usually 5 per block or 7 per everyday class) per semester would be considered excessive. More than five (5) late arrivals (tardies)/early dismissals per quarter are considered excessive. Excessive absenteeism and late arrivals/early dismissals may result in the requirement of third party documentation (doctor, etc.).

In order for a student to receive credit in any grade level he/she must be in attendance as follows:

• Kindergarten through grade 5: students may not be absent more than 7 total days per semester period.
• Grades 6-12: students may not be absent more than 5 times in a class per semester (7 in Everyday block classes).

Exceptions from our attendance policy will be granted by the school board exclusively and only after a petition by the parents of the student has been heard.

Tardies defined:

In grades Kg-5^th, a tardy will be assessed for any student who misses 59 minutes or less of either half of the school day. In grades 6-12, a tardy is determined as 14 minutes, or less, from the start of a class, or after break. Classroom doors will be closed at the bell. Tardiness will be recorded by the classroom teacher.

Tardiness is detrimental to the learning environment of the classroom. Students who miss work due to tardiness may not be allowed to make up the work.

Excessive tardiness may indicate a more detrimental pattern of behavior that can disrupt the student’s learning and/or the learning of his/her classmates. With excessive tardiness the student also runs the risk of receiving an incomplete in the above-mentioned course(s) and/or further disciplinary action, such as refusal of breaks, etc. Excessive tardiness may result in a student being placed on contract.

Kindergarten - 5^th grade policy:

• If a Kg – 5^th grade student receives 5 tardies* per quarter in his/her class, his/her parents may receive a call from the administration.
• Upon 10 tardies per quarter, a parent/administration conference may be scheduled to determine a proper course of action.
• Any student that continues to exceed this limit (10) may be subject to committee review and/or dismissal.

6^th-12^th grade policy:

• If a 6^th-12^th grade student receives 5 tardies* overall in any or all of his/her classes during a quarter, he/she will be assigned to Tardy Detention and will lose eligibility for final exam exemption status for that semester.
• 1^st time offenders will be assigned 2 ½ hours of Tardy Detention.
• Repeat offenders (those who have already attended Zero Hour/Saturday School any previous quarter during that school year) will be assigned 4 hours of Tardy Detention.
• If a student receives 7 tardies per quarter overall, in any or all of his/her classes, in addition to his/her Tardy Detention assignment he/she will receive 1 day of in-house suspension (IHS).
• If the student reaches 10 tardies per quarter overall, in any or all of his/her classes, he/she will additionally receive 2 days of out-of-house suspension (OHS). Obtaining 10, or more, tardies in one quarter may result in the student being scheduled to appear before a faculty committee.