GHS Attendance policy
The Guilford Board of Education considers learning experiences which occur in the classroom to be essential components of the learning process. Missed class time is essentially irretrievable, resulting in a lost opportunity for instructional exchange. Therefore, standards of attendance have been established and will be implemented in accordance with the Board of Education Regulation 5118.
ATTENDANCE REGULATION
I. ABSENCE LIMITATION
A. Credit will be withheld in a semester or year course if a student exceeds 9 unexcused absences in a semester. Credit will likewise be withheld in a quarter course if a student exceeds 5 unexcused absences in a quarter.
B. An absence from a double period class will be counted as a single absence. Absences will accrue for the entire semester. Reaching 10 absences in the course will result in .50 loss of credit. Should another 10 absences accrue during the semester, a full 1.0 loss of credit will occur.
C. For purposes of this policy all absences will count, except those for participation in an approved Guilford High School activity.
D. A student who arrives more than 10 minutes late to class, without a pass from an administrator, may be refused admittance by the teacher. Such instances will be recorded as an unexcused absence.
E. The school will send written notice to parents after 5 and 10 absences in a semester/year course, and after 3 and 6 absences in a quarter course.
F. The Deans will review all cases of loss of credit under the provisions of the policy and will notify parent/ student in writing within 5 school days of the decision.
1. In determining whether or not credit should be restored, the Deans will review all absences. If they determine that a student would not have reached the absences limitation because of reasons set forth in I-B or because of the reasons listed below, credit will be restored
a. Personal illness: A note from a physician is required within five school days of the student's return to school.
b. Mandatory court appearance: A note from the court is required within five school days of the court appearance.
c. Religious holiday.
d. Suspension/Expulsion
e. Death in the family
2. College visitations and family trips and vacations will not generally be regarded as reasons for exceeding the absence limitation. Parents are strongly discouraged from scheduling vacations during times when school is in session. Any parents contemplating family vacations during the school year should contact the Principal at least two weeks prior to the vacation to ascertain its probable impact on their child's absence and credit situation.
II. EXPLANATION OF STUDENT ABSENCES
A. All class absences, including those for tardiness and early dismissal, other than for the reasons listed in I-B and I-F (1) (a,b,c,d) will count toward the absence limitation even if explained by a parent, as provided in paragraph II-B.
B. Procedure for parents to explain absences:
1. Absence from school
If a student is absent from school, the parent or guardian must call (453-2741 Ext. 261 or 263) between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. to report the absence. If a parent is unable to call the school, the student will be required to bring a note from the parent to the Attendance Office one school day after returning to school explaining that day's absence. Failure to bring in a note results in that absence being regarded as unverified and unexcused.
2. Tardiness to school
a. If a student will be late to school, parents are expected to call the Attendance Office prior to 9:00 a.m. to inform the school.
b. No student will be admitted to school after 9:10 a.m. unless the tardiness is for one of the reasons listed below or the parent has called prior to 9:10 a.m. and had the tardiness approved by the school administration.
(1) Verified doctor or dentist appointment
(2) Verified court appearance
(3) Verified motor vehicle appointment
3. Early dismissal from school
a. If a parent wishes to have a student dismissed from school early, the student should bring in a note from the parent to the Attendance Office before school starts and secure an Early Dismissal Pass.
b. Students are not permitted to leave the building or school grounds without securing an Early Dismissal Pass. Students who leave school grounds at anytime without permission will face disciplinary action and the class absences will be recorded as cuts. Repeated incidents may result in suspension and loss of parking privileges.
c. The Guilford Board of Education treats all students equally regardless of age. Students who are 18 or older are responsible for abiding by all attendance regulations including absences, dismissal, tardiness, and class cutting. Students age 18 and over who do not live at home and who have filed with the high school office a verification of their legal and financial emancipation may provide their own verification.
d. Failure to account for absences as described above will result in an unexcused / unverified absence and may be treated in the same manner as cuts.
III. CUTS
A. A cut is an absence from a scheduled class unless (1) authorized in advance by appropriate school personnel, or (2) explained by a parent to the satisfaction of the administration, as described in the previous section.
B. Cuts will be handled in the following manner:
1. First cut for the semester or quarter course in any class: The Deans will discuss the cut with the student and report it to the parent or guardian. Students may also face disciplinary action.
2. The second cut for the semester or quarter course in the same class will result in loss of credit. The parent or guardian will be notified.
C. Work missed because of an unverified, unexplained absence or cut may not be made up for credit. However, in order to maintain the continuity of instruction, it is expected that students will be responsible for all work covered during the unexplained absence or cut. This action will assist the student in maintaining his or her academic average.
D. If students miss (cut) one or both periods of a double period class, they will receive one cut. A second cut of any type during any quarter in this course will result in .50 loss of credit.
IV. TARDINESS TO CLASS
A. A student will be considered tardy to class if he/she arrives after the passing period has elapsed. After that time the student must have a valid late pass from a staff member or be able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances to the satisfaction of the teacher. Any contested situations will be adjudicated by an administrator.
B. Each teacher will establish and enforce a late policy, which should include the use of classroom detentions. A third tardy will result in a referral to the Student Affairs Center and the appropriate Dean. Subsequent tardies will also be referred to the appropriate Dean.
3rd Tardy – 1st office referral - Administrative Warning
4th Tardy – 2nd office referral - 2 hr. Saturday Detention
5th Tardy – 3rd office referral - 2 hr. Saturday Detention
6th Tardy - 4th office referral - 4 hr. Saturday Detention and Parent Conference - 1st Cut
7th Tardy – 5th office referral - 4 hr. Saturday Detention
8th Tardy – 6th office referral - 4 hr. Saturday Detention
9th Tardy – 7th office referral - 4 hr. Saturday Detention- 2nd Cut and loss of .5 credits
Students who persist in tardiness may be suspended from school and withdrawn from the class with an F.
C. Loss of credit for double period classes due to tardies will be .50 per quarter.
V. APPEAL PROCESS
A student losing credit due to absences may appeal the decision in the following manner:
A. The Principal will establish an Attendance Appeal Committee, which will consist of one administrator and four other certified staff members. The appeal committee may restore credit when they feel there are justifiable, extenuating circumstances.
B. All requests for a hearing before the Appeal Committee must be made in writing to the Principal within five days of the mailing of the decision to the parent/student.
C. A hearing will be held before the Appeal Committee within five days of the request.
D. The student will bring to the Appeal Committee hearing corroborating information to support the appeal.
E. The decision of the Appeal Committee will be mailed to the parent/student within five days of the decision.
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