Attendance Procedures

 

 

 

Attendance Policy and Procedures- Policy #204

Student/Parent Handbook, Pages 31-38 

 

The following procedures shall govern students who have been absent from school or classes in the Spring Cove School District:

 

1. Excuses - A student who is absent must present an excuse to the office upon returning to school.

-Any student absence that required medical attention should have an attached medical note or doctor’s excuse from the medical professional who saw the student in their office. Students who attend the Greater Altoona Career & Technology (GACTC) students must turn in two excuses; one for the High School and the other for GACTC school attendance.

 

2. Any student who fails to return an excuse within three (3) days of any absence will be recorded as unexcused/unlawful for the absent day(s).

 

3. Three (3) or more days of continuous absences due to illness shall require a doctor’s statement of illness.

 

4. Drivers Exam - Students will be excused for Drivers Exams upon presentation of an appointment card or confirmation from parent before being excused and the return of a confirmation card showing that the appointment was kept. Parents are encouraged to attempt to schedule appointments after school hours if possible.

 

5. Educational Tours and Trips - Upon receipt of a written request from the parents of the pupils involved and with prior approval from the Principal, students may be excused from school attendance to participate in an educational tour or trip and the absence will be considered excused. The request must be acquired prior to the trip or all days will be considered unexcused/unlawful. The tour or trip must be adult supervised, either by parents or adults approved by the school district. The Principal will then make a decision guided by limits established by the Superintendent. Trip permission will be based on academic and attendance records of the student. Trips are to be limited to no more than ten (10) school days and will not be approved during scheduled Keystone Exam testing dates. No more than one trip approval will be granted to any student per school year, unless approved by the Superintendent. It is the student’s responsibility to make up any schoolwork missed during that time.

 

6. Unexcused Tardies shall be calculated as follows:
a. Five (5) unexcused tardies will result in an assigned detention. Parental contact.
b. Ten (10) unexcused tardies will result in two assigned detention halls and 5-day loss of driving privileges for driver. Parental contact.
c. Fifteen (15) unexcused tardies will result in in-school suspension and 10-day loss of driving privileges for drivers. Parental contact.
d. Tardy minutes will accumulate and unexcused minutes will be converted to an unexcused day once the lost minutes total the length of an instructional day.

 

7. All students in extracurricular activities must report to school before 8:30 am in order to be eligible to practice, play, or participate in any after school event.

 

8. College Visit – Juniors and Seniors are permitted two days excused absences to visit a college or military installation. College visit forms are available in the School Counseling Office. Visits without prior approval will be marked unexcused. Additional visits by seniors or underclassmen may be approved on an individual basis, but approval must be granted in advance by the administration. A letter from the college verifying attendance should accompany the student’s return.

 

9. Students aged eighteen (18) years and residing at home must still have all notes, excuses and permission forms signed by parent/guardian.

 

10. SAIP (School Attendance Improvement Plan) will be developed for students who are habitually truant from school to include parental conference. SAIPs may include referral to SAP (Student Assistance Program), referral to a community agency for support, and/or referral to Children & Youth Services. Students who are habitually truant may be required to stay activity period to remediate for time lost from unexcused/unlawful absences and subsequent loss of class instructional time.