^ATTENDANCE

^Definitions

 ^{For your convenience, the following terms used in the section of this handbook under the heading Attendance, are being defined:}

 ^{Absent: A student is not in school.  A student arriving after 10:00 a.m. or leaving before 12:00 p.m. will be counted absent 1/2 day.}

 ^{Tardy: A student reports to class after 8:15 a.m. but before 10:00 a.m.}

 ^{Perfect attendance: A student is absent no days and no days tardy during a nine-week grading quarter.}

 ^{Excused absence: A student is absent for a legal reason and is allowed to make up missed work with credit towards a final grade. This does go against perfect attendance, however.}

                                                                           

 ^{State law requires that students attend school regularly and be on time. This helps the school provide the best possible learning environment and insure pupil safety.}

^{A WRITTEN COMMUNICATION OR PHONE CALL TO THE SCHOOL FROM THE PARENT IS REQUIRED WHEN A STUDENT IS ABSENT OR TARDY.}

 

^{Frequent, unnecessary tardiness disrupts a child’s learning and interrupts the learning process of the class as well.  If a child must be tardy, the student will be counted as tardy if he/she comes in before 10:00 a.m.  Arrival after that time is considered a half-day absent.  If a child leaves school after 12:00 p.m., he/she will be counted present the whole day.}

 

^{According to state law, excessive tardiness and/or absenteeism is to be reported to proper authorities for investigation of educational neglect. When a student has been absent for five (5) days in a quarter, a letter will be sent to the parents/guardians.  When a student has been absent eight (8) days a second letter will be sent to the parents/guardians and a conference will be requested.  Upon the ninth day absent, a third letter will be sent and Child Protective Services contacted.  For tardies, when a student has been tardy five (5) times, a letter will be sent to the parents/guardians, eight (8) tardies a second letter will be sent and a conference requested.  Upon the ninth tardy, a letter will be sent and student will serve in-school suspension.}

                                                                               

^ABSENCES

^{There are only two (2) legal reasons for student absences. These will allow the student to have  excused absences. An excused absence means that the student will be allowed to make up missed work and to have the make-up work counted towards a final grade. These absences do count against a perfect attendance record, however. If a student is not in the building, he/she will not be counted present.}

^{The legal excuses for absences are...}

^{1. Illness:  Students who are truly ill should not be sent to school. A child who has a fever over 100 degrees should remain home. This protects the student who is ill and those with whom the child might come into contact at school. Students absent three (3) or more days in a row must have a doctor’s admittance slip to return to school.}

^{2. Family Death:  When there has been a death in the immediate family, it may be necessary for a student to miss school for a reasonable number of days. Please notify the school of the days that he/she will not be in attendance.}

^{FAMILY VACATIONS}

 ^{Families should make every effort to arrange vacations during school break times.  If it is necessary to go on a family vacation on school days, the student will be counted absent, and he/she will be expected to make up missed work upon arrival back to the classroom.}

^{EARLY  DISMISSALS}

 ^{Early dismissals must be acknowledged and arranged through the school principal's office. Parents/guardians are encouraged to make every effort to schedule doctor, dentist, or other appointments after school hours. Early dismissals are not granted for extracurricular activities. If an appointment can be arranged so that the child leaves school after 12:00 p.m., the student will not be counted absent.  Excessive use of early dismissal for students will require a conference with the parent and may require further action.  Please inform your child’s teacher or the office as early as possible if your child needs to leave early or will be picked up early.  Again, please try to keep early dismissals to a minimum.}