School Policies : Attendance Policy

Student Attendance/Tardy Policy

There is probably no factor more important to successful school progress than regular and punctual school attendance. Students who are tardy or absent excessively from the instructional program will fall behind in academic achievement. Excessive school absenteeism precedes grade failure, loss of interest, and may result in students withdrawing from school. Student attendance is a means of improving student performance and is critical in raising student achievement. It is expected that our students will be “model students”; students who are present at school each and every day, attend class as scheduled, arrive to school and class on time, and demonstrate appropriate behavior and a readiness to learn.

Absences

The South Miami Senior High Attendance Policy is in strict accordance with School Board Rule (6Gx13- 5A1.041) which was adopted on April 19, 2007. This rule can be accessed on the District’s website at http://www2.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules/Chapt5/5a-1.041.pdf and serves to strengthen accountability for parents, students, and schools. The critical points of this rule are as follows:

1. Absences will be initially recorded as “unexcused” and will be changed, if appropriate, upon receipt of reason for absence. Parents/guardians must provide a written notice to the school as to why the student was absent within three (3) days upon the return of the student to school. The written notice must be presented by the student to the attendance clerk in the main office prior to 7:30 AM. The attendance clerk will issue an “admit to class” to the student. This admit must then be presented by the student to all of his/her teachers. Failure to provide required documentation within three (3) days upon return will result in an unexcused absence. Absences will be classified as follows:

a. Excused Absences

i. Illness of Student
ii. Medical Appointment
iii. Death in the Family
iv. Religious Holiday
v. School Sponsored Event
vi. Subpoena by Law Enforcement Agency or Mandatory Court Appearance
vii. Outdoor Suspensions
viii. Absences Beyond the Control of the Parent as Approved by the Principal

b. Unexcused Absences

i. Vacations
ii. Personal Services
iii. Local Non-school Event, Program or Sporting Activity
iv. Providing day care for younger siblings
v. Illness of others
vi. Non-compliance with Immunization Requirements (unless lawfully exempted)
vii. Any other absence not identified as “excused”


2. Students accumulating ten (10) or more unexcused absences in an annual course or five (5) or more unexcused absences in a semester course will be subjected to the withholding of credit pending a review of all absences by the Attendance Review Committee.


3. No students will be released within the final thirty (30) minutes of school (after 2:00 PM).

 

** All absences beyond ten (10) require written documentation from a health care provider, hospital, or court in order to receive an excused absence permit to class.

Make-up Assignments

Students are expected to request make-up assignments for all excused absences/tardies from his/her teachers upon his/her return to school or class. Students are expected to complete the make-up assignment within a reasonable time, as determined by the teacher. Failure to complete make-up assignments will result in lower assessment of the student’s academic grade and effort. Any work missed by a student because of an unexcused absence cannot be made up or resubmitted.

Tardy to School/Class

The school day begins at 7:30 AM daily. Students are expected to be seated and prepared to begin learning activities by the sounding of the tardy bell. Students will be considered tardy to school/class if they are not seated when the tardy bell rings.

Students who are tardy to school/class should report to the designated area to receive a pass to class. Class time which is missed due to an unexcused tardy will be counted as an unexcused absence from that class. Excessive tardies to school/class (excused or unexcused) will result in administrative action.

Leaving School Early

Students leaving school early are required to go to the attendance office for a Permit to Leave and to sign out. The student must be signed out by a parent, legal guardian or adult listed on the student’s emergency contact card. The parent or guardian must come in person with picture identification to pick the student up. Facsimile transmissions will not be accepted to sign a student out of school. Students will not be permitted to leave school on their own. Students leaving early will be marked absent from all classes missed. If a student returns to school on the same day of an appointment, he/she must check in to the attendance office before reporting to class.

Extra-curricular Activities

Students accumulating ten (10) absences or twenty (20) tardies (excused or unexcused) during the school year will not be permitted to participate in or attend extra-curricular activities including, but not limited to: pep rallies, homecoming and senior activities (Prom, Grad Nite, Senior Picnic, Senior Breakfast), and other school related special events.