Numerous incidents of early release are unacceptable and unfair to the other students whose instruction is interrupted when students leave classrooms early.
Once students arrive on campus, they may not leave without permission from the school director or administrator or have an Early Dismissal or Lunch Release form signed by a parent. Students who do not have an Early Dismissal form and must leave school during school hours must have their parents request this release by phone (in case of an emergency only) or in person at the office to obtain pre-approval.
Students who are planning a leave from school must:
- Complete a Student Request for Leave Form, two weeks before the requested date of the leave. In the case of an emergency or sickness the Student Request for Leave Form should be completed in the week the student returns to school. Otherwise, the absence will be unexcused.
- Provide documentation of illness from a physician. The maximum number of days that a student may be absent without acceptable documentation justifying the absence is five (5).
- Notify the school of any change of address, phone numbers and emergency contact numbers.
- Be aware of the school calendar and coordinate trips, vacations, and personal business to support attendance on school days.
When a student accumulates five (5) absences during a grading period, other than out-of-school suspensions, whether excused or unexcused, school personnel will make a good faith effort to contact parents to discuss the reasons for the absences and will document the contact.
A letter will be sent to the parent or guardian and a referral will be made to the school counselor for a student who has had at least five unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a quarter.
Parts of this policy were adapted from Student Attendance for High Schools
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. In special cases, such as illness, the subject teacher, school nurse or designee, or the school administration may give permission to be absent. In case of illness, the student must have a pass from the subject teacher to visit the school nurse.
Students “skipping classes” will be referred to a school counselor. Parents will be informed immediately.
Make-up work for credit and grade is allowed for all excused absences. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the missed work.
