Attendance Policy

If you’re interested in learning more, you may read the following detailed information.

Absences

It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to report every student absence. Please call the school office before 8:00 a.m. and provide the student’s name and grade level. Your call will either be recorded on the answering machine (available 24 hours a day) or answered directly by office staff.

To ensure the best possible education, it is essential that students attend class daily and arrive on time. Regular classroom participation is critical to creating an effective learning environment for all students. This policy has been established to promote good attendance and reduce tardiness. Our goal is to maximize each student’s opportunity to learn.

Attendance is a shared responsibility between parents and students. According to Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-803, students under the age of 16 are legally required to attend school.

A student must attend class regularly to earn a passing grade. If a student is absent more than 4.5 days in a quarter, and the absences have significantly affected academic progress, the student may receive a lower grade or be retained at the discretion of the school administration.

Excused Absences

  • Illness: A doctor’s note or a parent note explaining the reason for the absence is required for the student’s attendance file.

  • Medical Appointments or Treatments: A doctor’s note is required for the student’s attendance file.

  • Religious Holidays: A parent note is required for the student’s attendance file.

  • Death in the Family: A parent note is required for the student’s attendance file.

  • Personal or Family Emergency: A parent note is required for the student’s attendance file.

Unexcused Absences

  • Family vacations.
  • Non-Medical appointments.
  • Babysitting.
  • Absence for any other reason that does not meet the criteria of an excused absence.
  • A student who is absent from school without notice.

Early Release

Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments after 3:15 p.m. to avoid early dismissal during the school day. However, if it becomes necessary for a student to leave school early due to a medical appointment or other unavoidable emergency, the following procedure must be followed:

  1. The parent/guardian must send a handwritten note or call the school in advance. The message should include the student’s full name, the date and time of dismissal, and the reason for leaving early.

  2. The student must bring the note to the school office before the start of the school day.

  3. All students must be signed out in the office by a parent/guardian or an individual listed on the student’s emergency contact card before leaving the building.

  4. The written note will be kept in the student’s attendance file.

Tardiness

Punctuality is a valuable life skill that plays an important role in every student’s future success. Schools share the responsibility of teaching students the importance of being on time. When a student is tardy, it disrupts instruction for the entire class. Arriving on time allows teachers to begin lessons promptly and ensures a productive learning environment for all.

Tardiness is defined as not being physically present in the classroom by 8:00 a.m.

  • Three tardies will be counted as one unexcused absence.

  • After three unexcused absences due to tardiness, the student will be assigned a 7:00 a.m. detention on the following school day.

  • Continued tardiness may result in further disciplinary action, including suspension, at the discretion of the school administration.

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Student’s Responsibilities

To attend school daily, on time and participate fully. The student who has been absent has the responsibility for securing and completing make-up assignments. The class work must be made up within a specific time period equaling one day make-up per one day absence. In case of a pre-arranged absence, the class work is due the day the student returns to school. All work not made up within the time limit will be graded zero.

Administrator’s Responsibilities

       Attendance Monitoring and Intervention Policy

  • The school will regularly review student attendance and will contact the parent/guardian if a student has excessive absences.

  • Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that students attend school consistently and on time.
    Attendance Intervention Steps:

  • 5 Absences: Parents will be notified of the number of days missed and reminded of the importance of regular attendance through a letter or phone call.

  • 10 Absences: A mandatory meeting will be scheduled with the parents and the principal to develop an intervention plan. This plan will focus on proactive strategies and problem-solving to improve attendance.

  • 18 Absences (equivalent to 4.5 per quarter): Excessive absences may result in retention at the discretion of school administration.

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