2. Handbook-Attendance

ATTENDANCE * 2009-2010

Frequent absences by students from the regular classroom learning experience disrupt the continuity of the instructional process.  Students who miss school frequently experience difficulty achieving the maximum benefits of schooling, as the regular classroom instruction is lost and cannot be entirely regained.  Indeed, many students in these circumstances are able to achieve only mediocre success in their academic programs.  Students who are not present cannot learn.  Continuity of instruction, classroom participation, involvement in the learning process, and student cooperation are required for a meaningful educational experience.

All students are thus expected to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes.  Regular attendance and punctuality result in improved classroom performance and are expected by employers.  Developing this habit will contribute to success now and in the future.

ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS

In any trimester, when a student accumulates six (6) unexcused absences in any class, the student and parent/guardian will be notified there could be a loss of credit, pending review.  In any trimester, when a student accumulates eight (8) excused absences, a parent conference will be scheduled. After ten (10) excused absences, a doctor’s note may be required.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

For an absence to be excused, the attendance office must receive, within 24 hours (one day) following a student’s return to school, a signed note or telephone call from the custodial parent or guardian.  Students who have a note or whose parent or guardian has called need to report to the attendance office before 7:45 am to pick up an admit-to-class slip.

Parents must specify one of the following reasons in excusing their student.  Excuses not meeting these criteria will not be accepted.  Other excuses (shopping, hunting, senior skip, etc.) are not acceptable and the absence will be considered unexcused*. According to State law and Chimacum School District policy, the following are the only reasons for which an absence may be excused:

• Personal illness or health condition
• A religious observance, when requested by a student’s parents
• Family emergencies
• School approved activities
• Personal prearranged absences
• A court appearance, when requested by a student’s parents

*In order for a student to be excused for a vacation, hunting or other non-approved absence reasons, they must complete a pre-arranged absence form. These can be picked up in the office. The student takes the form to each teacher to get homework and find out whether the absence will have a long term effect on their grades.  The form is then reviewed by the student and parent, signed by both, and returned to the office BEFORE the absence occurs.

Parents may not excuse students to miss class so they can work in the library or in any other school area.

After the six (6) unexcused absence limit, RCW 28A 225 020 (1) (BECCA BILL) may be instituted for unexcused absences and a petition for court intervention regarding truancy may be filed for students under the age of 18.

LEAVING SCHOOL

Any student leaving campus during the school day MUST first check out through the attendance office and obtain a pass.  Early dismissal passes are issued only upon receipt of a written note or phone call from a parent or guardian.  Early dismissals may be obtained only before school or during lunch.  Failure to follow late-arrival or early-dismissal procedures may result in disciplinary action.

EARLY DISMISSALS

Arrangements for early dismissals must be made through the high school office.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE STUDENTS TO LEAVE SCHOOL WITHOUT AN OFFICE-APPROVED EARLY DISMISSAL.  The attendance secretary will give the student a slip to dismiss him/her from class at the appointed time.  The student must then return to the office to sign out on the master list.  If a student returns to school that day, he/she must check back in with the office and obtain a pass to class.  Failure to comply with regulations could result in an unexcused absence.

CLOSED CAMPUS

Chimacum High School is a closed campus.  Once students arrive at school, they are to remain at school in appropriately designated areas until leaving campus to go home after school.  For example, students may not leave the campus after having arrived in the morning before school has begun.  Students who leave campus without permission once they have arrived for the school day are still subject to all school rules.  Violation of school rules while off campus without permission will result in the same discipline consequences as if they occurred on campus.  Exceptions will be granted only if students have permission from a parent or administrator, and check out through the attendance office.

Juniors and seniors may obtain an Off Campus pass for lunch if they meet the requirements of a 2.0 grade point average for the previous trimester, have successfully completed 34 credits, and have completed all their graduation community service requirements.  Loss of Off Campus pass occurs if the student reaches four (4) unexcused absences in any one class during the trimester. Passes may also be revoked for excessive tardiness.

Running Start, PI and Work Based Learning students may leave campus to go to their specific work assignments.  PI students are to be on the high school campus only during their assigned classes, but may use the library when not in a Chimacum High School class.

CLASS TRUANCY

A student is considered truant when he/she is out of class without teacher or office staff authorization and has failed to produce a written excuse within 24 hours. Students must present an admit slip from the office to the teacher(s) of each class designating excused or unexcused.  Students will be notified by their teacher or the Dean of Students of any truancies that have been recorded in the attendance office.  Parents will be notified when their student has been truant.

15/10 POLICY

All students are in class during the first 15 minutes and the last 10 minutes of every class every day.  Restroom use and office or counselor visits are NOT considered in class.

FORGED NOTES/UNAUTHORIZED TELEPHONE CALLS

Violations may result in suspension or other disciplinary action.  Additional offenses will result in referral to the Assistant Principal and suspension.

TARDY POLICY

Each student has ample opportunity (four minutes) to get to classes on time.  Tardiness is mainly due to carelessness or poor planning and must be avoided.  The only excuse acceptable for tardiness is when a teacher detains a student or when a student obtains an excuse from the office.  Teachers will make every effort not to detain students.

It is the responsibility of the student to get a note from the appropriate teacher/staff to verify their tardiness. This pass must be submitted to the office.  If the student is absent first period, the student must get a note from the office.  A student is tardy when he/she is not in their classroom when the bell rings to start a given period.  After three unexcused tardies, disciplinary action may occur.  If the teacher so desires, additional time with the teacher can be assigned.

A student who misses ten (10) minutes or more of the start of class will be marked absent. It is the student’s responsibility to clear up attendance issues.

CLASS ABSENCE LIMITS/ LOSS OF CREDIT

In any trimester, when a student accumulates six (6) unexcused absences in any class, the student and custodial parent/guardian will be notified there could be a loss of credit.  The student will remain in the class and will be allowed to go through the appeals process if they are receiving a passing grade at the time of the appeal process.  Therefore, if a student reaches the six (6) unexcused absence limit early in the trimester, it will be to the student’s benefit to remain in the class to continue making progress towards a passing grade.  In any trimester, when a student accumulates eight (8) excused absences, a parent conference will be held to work out an attendance plan.

If long-term extenuating circumstances or a chronic health condition cause the absences, the student or parent/guardian should make the appropriate arrangements with teachers for homework pick-up or make-up.

Students with a long-term illness or extended health conditions will not need an appeal if a letter is submitted by the physician in charge stating the reasons for the student to miss an extended time.

Students will have the right to appeal the loss of credit.  The Attendance Appeals Committee will thoughtfully consider the appropriateness and circumstances of each absence record.  The committee will notify the students of its decision within one week of the appeals hearing.  ALL COMMITTEE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND WILL NOT BE RECONSIDERED.

ATTENDANCE, GRADES

Teachers may use attendance and class participation as a basis for grading in their courses.  Chimacum High School staff will notify their students if attendance and class participation will be a part of their class grade.

STUDENT “SKIP” DAYS

Chimacum High School does not support or condone “skip” days.  Students who participate in such activities will be marked absent unexcused unless a valid note from parent/guardian is presented to the attendance office within the timeline outlined in this handbook.  Students marked unexcused may not make up missed work.

Because of the school’s concern for the safety of our students on these “skip” days, our attendance office may contact parents/guardians at work to verify absences.

ATTENDANCE/BEHAVIOR EXPECATIONS FOR EARLY RELEASE DAYS PRIOR TO BREAKS/HOLIDAYS

Students who choose not to attend class or who disrupt the educational process the day prior to a holiday, end-of-school, or the day of an early release may be asked to leave the school grounds.  Every effort will be made to contact home regarding a student’s early removal from school.  In the case of major disruptive behavior, the student may be suspended.  A disciplinary action may be carried over to the next school year.