Attendance Policies

If a student has to leave school during his or her scheduled classes:

The student must SIGN OUT at the Attendance Office. The student must have parental permission in the form of a note or a phone call received at the Attendance Office before the student leaves the premises. Reasons for signing out must be deemed legitimate by the Principal or Vice Principal; if the student is 18 years of age or older, he or she must produce a written appointment slip or parental permission. Students are asked to schedule appointments after 2:32 when possible. Driver’s Ed instruction must take place outside class time.
 
If a student misses a test or assignment because of truancy:

The student will receive a mark of zero for the evaluation skipped. The student is responsible to inform him or herself of the work missed and to make up work missed when he/she is not present. Lateness, sleeping in or missing the bus are examples of truancy.

If a student becomes ill during school hours:

The student must report to the Attendance Office for assistance.

When a student returns to school after missing scheduled class time:

Students must always sign in at the Attendance Office with the Student Handbook to be admitted to classes. Reasons for signing in must be deemed legitimate by the Principal or Vice Principal.

Lates

Late arrivals to class cause delays and interruptions for those who arrive on time, which reduces the total amount of class instruction.  As a sign of respect for the learning process, every student is expected to arrive on time for class.

Students are considered to be late if they arrive to period one after the opening exercises have begun or arrive at any other scheduled class after the second bell for that class period.

When a student is late to class:

    * On the first and second lates to class, the teacher will assign a consequence to the student (e.g. detention, assignment.)
    * On the third late to class, the teacher will assign a consequence to the student and will contact a parent.
    * On the fourth and subsequent lates to class the teacher will refer the student to the Vice Principal.  A detention will be assigned. If the problem becomes persistent the student may be suspended.

What are the consequences of skipping classes, lateness, or not adhering to Attendance policies?

Students will be assigned detentions or community service equivalent to the time lost to truancy.  On subsequent truancies, parents will be notified that the student may be suspended for “persistent truancy” or “persistent opposition to authority.”
 
FAILURE TO CLEAR ATTENDACE UPON THE STUDENT’S RETURN TO SCHOOL WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC DETENTION BEING ASSIGNED.
 

Truancy

All students are required to attend every class, as well as school events, functions and activities deemed to be part of the curriculum by the school. (liturgies, retreats, assemblies, etc.)  Failure to do so is considered TRUANCY.

Other forms of truancy are:

    * Failure to report to the office immediately if sent out of class.
    * Failure to report to the office immediately to sign in after arriving late at school.
    * Failure to report to class within five minutes after signing in at the office.
    * Failure to sign out when leaving

Unjustified absences will be considered truancies.

Students who participate in organized absences such as “beach days” are truant from school.

Excessive Absences

A student who misses a significant number of classes will be asked to provide a medical certificate.  Students are expected to catch up on - to the best of his/her ability - the material that would normally be covered in class during any period of the absence.  Students who are persistently absent from school will be referred to the board’s Attendance Counsellor.

Extended Absences/ Vacations

Absence by reason of choice for a vacation is NOT encouraged or supported.  It is very difficult to recover the academic losses caused by prolonged absence.  Students and parents must recognize that such absences may not be accommodated with assigned work and all tests, quizzes and other evaluations missed will result in a mark of zero.  Final exams may not be altered to accommodate vacations.  Parents should contact the principal, in writing, one month prior to the vacation.  If approval is granted the student will be required to pick up a Request for Extended Absence Form, from the Main Office that is to be signed by each of the student’s teachers and returned to the principal.

Backpacks/ Gym Bags

Students are not to bring backpacks or any bags into classrooms. This is a Health and Safety concern. Students are to store their “bags” in their lockers upon arrival at school, and leave them in their lockers until the end of the school day.

Buses

Bus transportation is subject to the same regulations and policies enforced within the school.  Bus transportation is an extension of the school and classroom, and misbehaviour will be reported to the Vice Principal.  Students who misbehave on a school bus will be dealt with in a strict manner, with bus privileges being revoked, suspension from school, and/or financial retribution for damages.  Riding a school bus is a privilege and the safe operation of the bus and safety of all students is our prime concern. 

Late Bus

To accommodate students staying late after school for supervised activities only, late buses will leave the school each day at 5:15pm. (unless otherwise announced). Late buses drop students off along main routes and students must find their own way home from local stops.  Student Council may arrange late buses to get students close to home after certain evening events.