Parent and School Procedures for Absences
In May, 1996, the Board of Education adopted a student tardiness and attendance policy. Students who arrive late without a legal excuse will be considered tardy. Students in K-8 are expected to be in their homeroom/classroom by 8:20 at the latest. Having students in homeroom by 8:20 a.m. makes it possible for teachers to take attendance, do lunch counts, and provide students with important announcements. Being in homeroom by 8:20 makes it possible for each student to start the day in an organized, timely manner.
Information about Tardiness and Absences
1. All parents and guardians are asked to call school by 8:30 a.m. on any day their child will be legally late or is absent.
2. If a parent brings a student to school late, the parent is asked to report to the general office with their child and to complete
the Late Arrivals Register.
3. If a student is absent, and the school does not receive a call from a parent or guardian, the school will then call home or work by 9:30 a.m. to make sure that you know your child is not in school.
4. An excuse written by a parent or guardian must be sent to school with the student on the next day they return to school. It is very important that parents and school staff cooperate in an effort to make sure all students are safe and accounted for each school day.
The “School Conduct and Discipline Codes,” written by a committee of parents, teachers, students, administrators and Board Members, and passed by the Board of Education, will be sent home to parents of all new students. The booklet includes the following: a bill of rights and responsibilities of students, a discipline code for student behavior setting forth prohibited student conduct and the range of penalties which may be imposed for violationof such code, strategies and procedures for the maintenance and enforcement of public order on school property, procedures for the early identification and resolution of discipline problems, and alternative educational programs appropriate to individual student needs.
In addition, a letter will be sent home to parents of new students which will include a tear off section for them to sign and have their child return to school.
Students May Not Arrive Early
The Board of Education and administration struggled in recent years with the delicate issue of allowing students to enter the school prior to the start of the regular school day. Our school attorney has informed the Board on several occasions that the school is liable for injuries to students once they are dropped off at the school by their parents. Early arrivers present a problem because the school cannot provide the supervision necessary to take care of these children. The Board of Education has approved an administrative policy stating that unsupervised students in grades K to 8 will not be allowed to enter the school prior to 8:10 a.m.
PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF EARLY.