Absences
Students with more than five unexcused absences during any nine-week grading period may receive failing marks for that grading period, which may jeopardize promotion to the next grade or result in loss of credit. Students who miss ten days or more during a semester may receive no credit for that semester’s work. Students who accumulate two or more unexcused absences in a semester may forfeit extracurricular activities and trips.
The administration reserves the right to excuse absences. Doctor’s notes or documentation must be received in the school office within three days after the absence. Absences will fall into one of the following categories:
Tardiness
Students are expected to be on time for class. When a student receives three unexcused tardies the following penalty will be administered:
Kindergarten through sixth grade student: $10 fine
Seventh through twelfth grade student: $10 fine and detention
Examples of excused tardies include family or personal emergencies, car accidents, extreme weather/traffic conditions, illness or injury.
Students who are late for school or tardy for any class must first report to the school office to receive a pass to be admitted to the classroom.
Early Dismissal
When it becomes necessary for a student to leave school early, parents must contact the school office prior to the student’s dismissal. Students must sign out through the school office. It is recommended that parents notify the teacher when a student is to leave early.
Pre-arranged Absence
Personal days off from school require a Pre-Arranged Absence Form be completed and submitted to the school office three days in advance of the absence. Upon approval, students will receive assignments in advance and will make up assignments in accordance with the MCA make-up work policy.
Family vacations and trips should be scheduled to correspond with the school calendar. Should it be absolutely necessary, students may be absent up to five days each school year for such reasons.
If a Pre-Arranged Absence Form was not filled out and approved prior to the first day of an absence, the absence may be considered an unexcused absence.
Students with an approved pre-arranged absence will have an equal amount of time to make up assignments. For example, two days of absence would mean two days to make up assignments.
Unplanned Absence
Occasionally, absences are unplanned (such as an illness or an emergency). When it is necessary that a student be absent, parents should notify the office the morning of the absence stating the reason. No absence will be excused without communication with the school office. Students who have been absent for more than three days due to illness may be requested to* provide a doctor’s note upon returning to school.
Secondary students with an unplanned absence are responsible to contact their teachers to make up assignments. Parents of elementary students are responsible to contact the teacher for make-up assignments.
*Updated 10/10/22
The following will apply to tardies and absences:
Excused absences
(student illness, death in the family, medical or dental appointments, approved pre-arranged absences)
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Students with an excused absence will have an equal amount of days to make up work as days absent. (Example: If a student is absent on Monday and returns to school on Tuesday, the make-up work is due on Wednesday.)
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In the case of extended absences, e.g., serious illness, hospitalization, etc., more time will be given depending upon individual circumstances.
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A student with an excused absence the day before an assigned quiz or test may be excused from taking the quiz or test on the first day back to school only if the student was absent when new material was given or when significant review was accomplished.
○ If excused from taking the quiz or test, the student must take the quiz or test the following school day. Students cannot make up more than two tests in a day.
Unexcused absences
(absences for reasons other than those authorized under the school’s policies)
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Any class work or quizzes administered during an unexcused absence may not be made up, and zero credit will be issued.
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Students who are late for school must first report to the school office to receive a pass to be admitted to the classroom.
Timing of Tardies and Absences*
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Students arriving to school and reporting to class after 8:00 AM but before 9:55 AM will be counted as tardy.
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Students arriving to school after 9:55 AM but before 1:10 PM will be counted as absent for one-half day.
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Students arriving to school after 1:10 PM will be counted as absent for one entire day.
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Students departing before 9:55 AM who do not return will be counted absent for one entire day.
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Students departing after 9:55 AM who do not return will be counted absent for one-half day.
*Updated 11/29/22
