ATTENDANCE / TARDINESS

Attendance

Punctuality and regular attendance are absolute necessities for real progress in school. Students should only be absent in case of a serious illness or a very grave reason. Excessive absenteeism is a contributing factor to a child’s academic difficulties. Attendance regulations are as follows:

• If a student is to be absent, please call the school before 9:00 A.M. Parents may call to request homework and textbooks, which will be ready after 2:30 P.M. for pick up in the office.
• Upon returning to school, a student must bring a dated, written note from the parent/guardian to the homeroom teacher confirming the reason for the absence. This note will be kept on file. Without a note, the absence will be considered unexcused. Florida State Statute 1003.26 will apply to unexcused absences.
• Absences in excess of ten (10) days per semester (without a doctor’s note) may lead to retention in that grade. The principal, after consultation with the student’s teachers/counselor, will make the final decision.
• Students who leave school early for reasons other than illness must have a written statement from the parent/guardian. If someone other than the parent/guardian is picking up the student, this also must be stated in the note. If a student is to be excused during the school day, the parent/guardian or person picking up the student must sign out the student in the school office. PLEASE DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE CLASSROOM.
• Students arriving to school after 10:00 A.M. or leaving before 1:00 P.M. are marked absent for one-half day. Students in extra-curricular activities must be in school all day on the day of the event in order to participate in that day’s event.
• Parents are encouraged to make doctor/dentist appointments outside of the regular school hours.
• Parents are asked to honor the school calendar and plan vacations to coincide with the school holidays. Teachers are not responsible to provide tutorial help for the time missed during a family vacation. It is the student’s responsibility to make up work upon his/her return to school.

Tardiness

Parents are expected to have their children at school on time and, in this way, reinforce the importance of responsibility. Students not in the auditorium at 7:55 A.M. are considered tardy. Students who are tardy to school must come into the office to be signed in by a parent. Five tardies will count as 1 day absent. Florida State Statute 1003.26 will apply to unexcused absences, including those that result from accumulated unexcused tardies. Excused tardies (still reflected on the report card, but not counted toward absences) would include the following:

• Doctor or dentist appointments with a note from the office.
• Unusual weather or traffic conditions.