ATTENDANCE

Laws of the State of Arizona specify that parents have the primary responsibility for ensuring the attendance of their children at school. The law further states that students shall be regular and punctual in their attendance. The attendance procedures are designed to assist parents in carrying out their responsibility, to help students recognize the importance of regular and prompt school attendance as it relates to school progress and to promote the safety of students by knowing their whereabouts during the school day. Consistent with Arizona state law, students will attend and be punctual to regularly scheduled classes unless officially excused. Attendance and punctuality are skills which prepare children for the future.

 

Excused Absences or Tardies*	Unexcused Absences/Tardies
1. Any personal illness	1. Truancy (skipping school)
2. Illness in the family	2. Leaving school grounds without permission
3. Family subsistence activities which have been requested in advance	3. Over-sleeping
4. Death of a relative or other family emergency	4. Showering
5. Observance of religious holidays	5. Baby-sitting
6. Funeral with parent's approval	6. Absences resulting from suspension
7. School-sanctioned activities which necessitate student's absences- i.e. sports	7. Any absence/tardy without a note or call from home

*MUST HAVE VERIFICATION BY NOTE OR PHONE CALL FROM HOME!

When a student is absent, a parent/guardian should notify the school by 8:30 A.M. A note must be brought in stating the reason for the absence when the student returns to school.

For early dismissal, a student must receive approval of the Superintendent before leaving school. In the case of professional appointments or dismissals at the requests of the parent/guardian, a note, which indicates the reason for dismissal signed by a parent, should be presented in the office prior to the start of homeroom in the morning.

Students who are tardy to school in the morning must report to the office before proceeding to class.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Class participation is an integral part of successful learning and is essential for meeting course requirements.

Absences for the following reasons are not counted for each semester:

1) absences or verified professional appointments (doctor, dentist)

2) absences due to illness that are documented by a note from a physician

3) school sponsored trips & activities

4) cases in which the attendance policy has been waived by a student's IEP

5) absences due to a death in the family, serious illness of a family member or other extreme emergencies

6) absences for personal or educational purposes that have been approved by the Superintendent

7) absences for observance of a recognized religious holiday

The normal penalties for truancy will be imposed when appropriated.  Parents will be notified of attendance problems on the eighth absence, and on the eleventh absence.  Students are responsible for keeping their own account of the total number of days they miss during a semester.  Students missing more than ten days per year may be considered for retention.