Attendance Guidelines
Absences from School
School attendance is an important part of student success and achievement. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student's mastery of academic skills; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.
Excused Absences
With documentation, the following are considered legitimate reasons for excused absences:
* Personal Illness
* Illness or death in the immediate family
* Medical or dental appointments
On the day of an Absence
Please call the school to notify the office when your student will be absent.
After an Absence
Upon returning to school after an absence, the student must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian that describes the reason for the absence.
Excessive Absences
A court of law may impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student:
* Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or
* Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
If a student has established a questionable pattern of absences, the attendance committee can require a physician's or clinic's statement of illness after a single day's absence.
If there is a question concerning whether or not an absence is acceptable, please call the assistant principal, Mrs. Althaus, at 257-2209
TARDIES
Our expectation for all Dolphins is that they arrive to school by 7:50 a.m.
* This allows our students extra time to put away supplies and start the day unhurried.
* Being on time:
* Teaches the student responsibility
* Eliminates unnecessary class disruptions
* Allows the teacher to begin instruction immediately with no loss of time.
The tardy bell rings at 7:45 a.m. Students will be counted tardy if they are not in their classroom by 7:45 a.m. Students who are consistently tardy will be assigned to make up the loss of educational time from 7:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES Q&A
Q: If my child arrives at 10:01 a.m., will he be counted absent:
A: Yes, the student was not present at school by 10:00 a.m.
Q: If my child arrives after 10:00 a.m. with a medical note verifying that he was at an appointment, will he be counted absent?
A: No, since you provided a medical note, your child's absences will be considered "Medical" and will not be applied to the tardy policy.
Q: If my child arrives at 8:30 a.m. due to oversleeping will he be counted tardy?
A: Yes, this is considered a tardy and will be applied to the tardy policy.
Q: Do I have to provide a note for all absences:
A: Yes, a note is necessary in order for the absence to be considered excused.
Q: If my child is eating breakfast in the cafeteria when the 7:45 a.m. bell rings, will he be counted tardy?
A: Yes, this is considered a tardy because the student is not in their classroom at 7:45 a.m.
Q: How do I report an absence?
A: Call the office on the day of an absences at (830) 257-2209, and send a note with the student upon return to school.