Attendance Policies
Attendance Philosophy
1. We believe that regular daily class attendance is essential
for a student success at Churchill High School.
2. We believe the benefits of regular on-time class attendance
include the acquisition of knowledge and skills, the development
of positive attitudes and behaviors, progress toward graduation
and post-high school opportunities.
3. We believe that each student has the responsibility
to attend all scheduled classes. This responsibility is supported
by the parent or guardian at home and by teachers, Counselors,
and Administrators at school.
Responsibility for Attendance
a) Students and parents are responsible for school attendance.
Excessive absences may result in loss of credit and/or grades,
removal from class (es), and even removal from school.
b) Excellent attendance is necessary for successful performance
in the classroom. Students are responsible for clearing absences
in on of two methods:
i. When students are absent parents/guardians are asked
to call the Attendance Office at 687-3424. A call is especially
important if the student is expected to be absent for more than
two days.
ii. If a call has not been made, when the student returns
to school he/she should bring a note to verify the absence. After
the note is received by the Attendance Office, the student will
take the Readmit Slip to their teachers to verify the reason for
the absence. Students have only two days after returning to school
in which to bring a note verifying the reason for the absence.
After the two day limit, parents must contact an Administrator
to have the absence excused. A student may be suspended for up
to five day if involved in forging a note.
iii. Parents may not excuse absences for students who
are at school and supposed to be in class.
iv. Students absent from class without permission (i.e.
unexcused or truant) May be required to complete makeup work in
order to remain current in the class, but may not receive credit
for that work or any other assignments done in that class or due
that next day.
v. The school may issue disciplinary action for unexcused
absences in an effort to correct attendance problems and strongly
encourage the student to attend classes as scheduled.
Definitions
Attendance will be taken in each class. An absence is defined
as missing a class altogether, or arriving more than 10 minutes
late to class or leaving class for more than 10 minutes. Further,
for every two tardies (missing class but for 10 minutes or less)
in any class, the student will be charged with one unexcused absence.
For the purpose of compiling the seven absences described below,
prearranged absences (such as vacations) do count in the total,
but school-related absences (such as field trips, in-school counseling
appointments, special school programs or school activities) do
not count in the total. Absences are classified as excused or
unexcused. Absences due to illness, preplanned medical or dental
appointments, medical or dental emergencies, school activities,
or family crisis are considered excused.
Procedures
4. Parents will be contacted either in person or by voice
mail for all absences.
5. When a student accumulates:
a) Four excused or unexcused absence per semester in a
class, a phone call and/or a loss of credit warning letter will
be mailed home by the Attendance Office to notify the parent.
b) Seven (7) excused or unexcused absences in a class per
semester, the Attendance Office will issue a loss of credit notice
to the student and once again contact the parent/guardian by phone
and/or mail. After receiving the loss of credit notice, the student
may choose to appeal the loss of credit. If the student loses
credit in the class, he/she will remain in the class for continued
learning as appropriate. If, in the teacher’s professional
judgment, the student is actively working to learn, he/she will
receive an N (no pass) grade rather than an
6. Appeal Procedures: If the students absences have occurred
as a result of extenuating circumstance,, such as serious/lengthy
illness or personal crisis, the student may request reinstatement/credit
by following these steps:
a) The student and/or parent may obtain an appeal form
from the Attendance Office the last two weeks of the semester.
Then the student should make an appointment to discuss the appeal
with his/her counselor. If the counselor approves, the student
would then request that the teacher approve the appeal and, lastly,
request that the Administrator approve the appeal. IF the appeal
is approved by the Counselor, teacher and Administrator, the student
turns the form in to the Attendance Office.
b) If the appeal is denied, the student and/or parent may
request that the appeal be referred to the Attendance Review Committee
in the Attendance Office within five school days of receiving
notification of a denied appeal.
c) The student must schedule an appointment with the Attendance
Review Committee in the Attendance Office within five school days
of receiving notification of a denied appeal.
d) The student must appear before the Attendance Review
Committee at the appointment time to account for all absences
and explain extenuation circumstances(10 min. presentation limit).
Parental attendance is expected.
Following the Hearing:
e) The attendance Review committee will notify students
of their decision within three school days.
f) The dicision's of the Attendance Review Committee may
be appealed to the Principal
g) If the loss of credit is appealed and denied, the student
is expected to remain in the class. By remaining in the class
working to complete the course requirements, the student may earn
an N rather than an F.
Note: The Attendance Review Committee consists of: One
teacher, one Counselor, one Administrator and the Attendance Secretary.
