I. ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS POLICY 5113
Absences for any reason (with the exception of school sponsored activities administratively approved and excused absences) that exceed any of the following limits shall result in no credit for that class(es). (Excused and unexcused not to exceed 18 days.)
A. Eighteen (18) days in a full-year course.
B. Nine (9) days in a half-year course.
More than five (5) absences from a class in a marking period shall result in no credit for that marking period. A student shall be recorded as absent in the school register when not in attendance unless the absence is due to a religious holiday and then it shall be recorded as excused. An excused absence for any reason other than due to religious holiday approved by the state shall not be counted as a day of attendance in the school register.
Parents should call the morning of a student absence. When a pupil returns to school he/she will bring a note containing the name of the student, all dates of absence and an acceptable explanation for not attending school. The note is to be given to the appropriate vice principal.
An absence shall be considered an “Excused Absence” for the purpose of determining promotion, retention, truancy, grades, course credit, eligibility to make up missed assignments and tests for full credit, and violations of the school code of conduct for attendance, for the following reasons:
1. The student’s illness
2. Requirements of a student’s individual health care plan
3. A death or critical illness in the student’s immediate family,
or others with permission of principal
4. Quarantine
5. Observance of the student’s religion on a day approved for
that purpose by the State Board of Education
6. The student’s suspension from school
7. Requirements of the student’s Individualized Educational
Plan (IEP)
8. Alternate short or long term accommodations for students
with disabilities
9. The student’s required attendance in court
10. Interviews with an admissions officer of an educational
institution
11. Necessary and unavoidable medical or dental appointments
that cannot be scheduled at a time other than the school day
12. Such good cause as may be acceptable to the principal
11. An “unexcused absence” is a student’s absence for all or part of a school day
for any reason other than those listed above. Examples of such are:
1. Family travel
2. Performance of household or babysitting duties
3. Other daytime activities unrelated to the school program
4. Leaving school without permission when school is still in session
5. Leaving class because of illness and not reporting to the school nurse as
directed
6. Being present in school but absent from class without approval. Such
absence from class is a “class cut”
Any student that has been diagnosed as being chronically ill must submit documentation from a certified physician. This information will be reviewed by the principal, vice principal, guidance counselor, school nurse and school physician to determine if an attendance waiver is appropriate. A doctor’s note shall be required for pupil’s re-entering school from a serious illness or injury. This will be required of any student returning from home instruction. Consideration will be given by the Attendance Appeals Committee for exemptions to the attendance policy in case of extreme or unusual circumstance. The appeals committee will consist of the principal, vice-principal, school nurse, and the student’s guidance counselor. The committee shall review all pertinent data and interview the student and parent/guardian before rendering a decision. A decision shall be renderedwithin three (3) school days of the meeting. THE DECISION OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE FINAL. The appropriate vice principal shall be the chairperson of the Attendance Appeals Committee.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Students may be recognized for having perfect attendance during their three years at the middle school. In order to be eligible for a perfect attendance award, student must not have:
1- Any absences
2- Any unexcused tardies
12. EARLY DISMISSAL
Students may be released from school for medical or dental appointments. In each case, prior to the early dismissal, the appointment must be verified on appropriate stationery with the designated school personnel. A parent/guardian or designated person (whose name is listed on the student’s emergency card) must come into the main office to sign a student out. ID will be required and must match emergency information on record in the school’s data base.
LEAVING SCHOOL DUE TO ILLNESS
The school nurse is the only person who can send a student home ill. The nurse will contact the parent/guardian to inform said person of illness.
TARDINESS
A student is tardy if he/she reports to homeroom after 7:45 a.m. Late for homeroom is considered late to school, you must report to the Main Lobby and sign in with the on-duty teacher. You will receive a Tardy slip which you will give to your homeroom teacher. Consequences are assigned according to the discipline policy.
LATE TO CLASS
A student is late to class if he or she reports after the bell rings. Consequences are assigned according to the discipline policy. For any reasons above: Students must be in attendance for four (4) hours in order to get credit for the day. Any class missed due to early dismissal or tardiness will count as an absence towards that class.
