Attendance Procedures
School Absence
Procedures for absences
If a student is to be absent, the parent or guardian should:
1. Fill out the attendance form using the following link Attendance Form by 9:00 AM and upload or return any documentation within 5 days of the absence.
Or
2. Notify the school by calling the Attendance Line at 888-2561 and selection #2 “Attendance” or dialing extension 1100 by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. Then fill out the hard copy SHS Reason for Absence Form and return it to school within 5 days of the absence.
If a parent/guardian wishes to be notified of their student’s attendance status, they may opt in to receive notifications through PowerSchool on their mobile device
NOTE: We have updated a Q&A for athletes and club members. Please see this link for the Q&A.
Attendance and loss of credit
We will be reinstituting a procedure regarding absences. More details can be found in the student handbook.
§ Each missed class period counts as one absence for that class.
§ Unexcused Tardies more than 20 minutes late are considered class absences for attendance purposes.
§ Class cuts are absences. Students will receive a zero for the class period and missed work, including tests, which may not be made up.
§ Any student who has been absent without authorization from class, (a class cut), one or more times in a marking period may jeopardize his/her academic standing in that class, which could result in a failure. The parents of the student who has cut class may be informed by phone and/or letter and requested to attend a conference with the administration, teacher and/or guidance. Students may receive an after-school detention for the first cut, and in school suspension for any additional cuts.
§ A student who is absent from class six (6) or more times in a given marking period, may not receive a passing grade for that quarter unless all absences are validated by parent and/or doctor's note within 5 days of each absence and all missed work is made up.
§ Students may lose up to and including all school privileges such as participation in athletics, clubs, field trip, dances, attending school sponsored events, senior privilege, parking on campus and senior activities including senior banquet, trips and prom, junior and senior exam exemptions and honors cord eligibility.
Credit Loss/Maximum School Absences - resulting in administrative review and potential appeals board meeting to possibly restore credit.
Semester (half-year course) 10 (credit loss at 11)
Full-year course 20 (credit loss at 21)
The Attendance Procedure is not designed to deny credit to a student who, through no fault of his or her own, was unable to come to school due to legitimate illness or other conditions described earlier in this procedure. The Appeals Board will ask only that the documentation, that was required, to be handed in within 5 days of each absence and was handed in within 5 days of the absence, be provided substantiating the absences.
It is when unexcused absences, class cuts and/or truancies are intermixed with the absences that a problem arises. When a student deliberately chooses to be absent from class, he or she is intentionally violating the intent of the procedure. Remember that a “class cut” (even one) will combine with legitimate absences such as illness, hospital stays, etc. to cause a loss of credit.
An administrative review of attendance will occur prior to the scheduling of appeals. The administrator or designee who reviews the attendance in question reserves the right to excuse absences and to re-instate credit or can choose to forward the absences and courses in question to the full Appeals Board.
The Appeals Board is composed of appropriate school staff which can include, but is not limited to, the student’s Guidance Counselor, Teacher, Assistant Principal and School Nurse. The administrator or designee will assemble the Appeals Board as needed at the end of each semester for the purpose of hearing requests and ruling on the appeals.
At the time of the appeal:
Students and parents of students who have lost credit due to absence will be contacted before the Appeals Board meeting. The student or parent must indicate whether he/she still wishes to appeal. A schedule for the Appeals Board will be compiled and the student and parent will be notified of the time of the appeal.
The student must submit a letter at the time of the Appeals hearing explaining why the Appeals Board should restore his or her credit.
The following evidence will be considered only if turned in within the timeframe outlined in the Attendance Policy: (within 5 days of absence).
1. Absence with a valid medical excuse. A signed physician's statement will be required if a medical appeal is to be made.
2. Notes dealing with:
1. Death in the family
2. Extenuating circumstances
3. Official dated documents providing proof of presence in court (dates subtracted from attendance total).
4. Further support may be provided by parents or legal guardians, i.e. explanatory notes from doctors or therapists.
The following types of absences are not considered as excusable:
1. Unverified absences (absences without a note provided within 5 days of the absence)
2. Absences due to class cutting
3. Truancy
An Appeals Board decision is final. It will only be reviewed by the principal at the written request of the parent/ guardian or student as a result of the introduction of additional information which has not been shared with the Appeals Board. Doctors, Dentists and Therapists or other notes, which should have been handed in within 5 days of each absence, will not be considered by the principal. The principal, at their discretion, may or may not hold additional parental or student meetings depending on the additional information presented in this written request before making a decision.
In cases involving special education students, the principal may refer a case to the Planning and Placement Team for review.
If a student is denied credit, he or she should see the guidance counselor about the possibility of attending credit recovery or summer school.