Attendance
It is the philosophy of the Whiting Community School that students must be in attendance everyday to receive the full benefit of our educational system. The activities, conversations, and relationships built within the classroom setting cannot be completely replaced. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and to be on time in order to receive maximum benefits from the educational program of the Whiting Community School. This also will help the student develop habits of punctuality and self-discipline. While it is possible for a student to make up much of the schoolwork that is missed, it is not possible to completely compensate for the missed classroom activities.
Upon students return to school, he or she must provide a written note from a parent or guardian indicating the student was absent. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to provide this note immediately upon the students return to school. If a note is not presented, the absent shall be declared “unexcused” and the appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken.
When students are absent, they shall obtain a signed admit slip before returning to class. An admit slip shall be required before a student is allowed to enter the first hour class. Admit slips can be obtained daily in the office area from 7:50 AM to 8:15 AM. Mr. Dumkrieger will be in the office area at this time. In the event that Mr. Dumkrieger is unavailable that morning, Mrs. Kirkpatrick may provide the signed admit slip. Failure to obtain an admit slip shall result in a detention.
A. ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION
1. If a student has excessive absences the following shall apply:
§ After 4 absences in a semester the student’s parents/guardians will be notified in writing by the building Principal and a copy of this policy will be enclosed along with a report showing the number of days and periods missed by the respective student
§ After the student has accumulated 6 absences in a semester, a conference shall be held with the parents, student, affected teacher/teachers, and the Principal. This meeting shall take place on the next school day to discuss the loss of credit following the 7th unexcused absence.
§ After the 7th unexcused absence in a semester, the student shall lose credit for any class that is affected by lack of attendance. If the principal has knowledge of extenuating circumstances, the administration will determine whether or not any of the absences may be exempted.
§ After a student has lost credit for the semester due to an excess number of absences, the student may, with advanced administrative approval, have the option of enrolling in classes at the Flexible Learning Center located in Sgt. Bluff, Iowa, or enrolling in a summer school program approved by the administration.
§ After a student has missed 9 days for an academic year, a conference shall be held with the parents, student, affected teacher/teachers, and the Principal. This meeting shall take place on the next school day to discuss the student’s makeup work, attendance expectations, and student and parent responsibility in regard to attendance.
§ Additional conferences shall be held after 9 absences to inform parents and students of missing work, grades, and expectations of attendance. (In re Barbara Hay, 4 D.P.I. App. Dec 67 (1985))
B. EXCUSED, UNEXCUSED AND EXEMPTED ABSENCES
1. The determination whether an absence is excused or unexcused will
be determined by the Administration
2. An excused absence may be exempted from counting towards a student’s limit of six absences per class if it is for one of the following reasons and is properly documented:
§ Illness that is verified by a doctor with the verification presented upon the student’s return to school.
§ The student must physically be seen by the doctor in the doctor’s office in order for the absence to be exempted.
§ All doctor’s notes should state that the student should not attend school because of the illness/injury.
§ Doctor or dental appointments that are of a continuing nature or with a specialist.
§ Serious family illness in the immediate family. Immediate family includes: parent, grandparent, sister/sister-in-law, brother/brother-in-law, child, aunt or uncle.
§ A death in the immediate family as defined above.
§ Verifiable family emergencies.
§ Non-custodial parental visitation with court documentation and advance notification.
§ Long-term illness.
EXEMPTED ABSENCES MUST BE VERIFIED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE STUDENT’S RETURN TO SCHOOL!!!
C. ATTENDANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM – Semester Test
1. Any student who has 3 or less absences in each semester will have the opportunity to “Opt Out” of one semester test in May. The student may choose which test he/she would like to “opt out” of. A student shall not be permitted to “opt out” of any test in which their cumulative grade point average reflects a grade of a “D” or an “F” as indicated on the districts grading scale. Absences are not cumulative in nature and cannot be carried over to the next semester. Example: If you miss 1 day in the first semester and 4 day in the second semester, you are not eligible for the “Opt Out”.
2. Unexcused and Exempted absences shall both count towards a student’s “Opt Out” total.
3. High school students who qualify for an “Opt Out” shall complete all classroom work up until the day of the final test. This includes, but is not limited to, taking part in lectures, review sessions, and homework. Failure to meet the classroom requirements shall result in the student having to take the respective final test.
A. Attendance Incentive Program – Positive Based Rewards
1. Students with perfect attendance (not missing a day of school), shall be recognized by the Whiting Community School quarterly.
2. Students recognized shall receive a privilege to be used during school the following week. These privileges may change quarterly and can be suggested by students for consideration.
TARDINESS
Students are expected to be on time for school and for each class during the school day. Tardiness is an example of poor time management and reflects an individual’s inability to be responsible for his/her time. Any student who has two tardies per semester will be warned at the time they receive the 2nd tardy, and will receive a detention for the third, fourth, and fifth tardy. Any student who accumulates six (6) tardies per semester will receive one day of In-School Suspension . This policy goes into effect at the start of each semester.
Students missing up to 10 minutes of a class will be considered tardy, students missing 11 minutes or more will be considered absent for that period.
TRUANCY
Truancy is an absence with an unreasonable explanation and is unexcused. They will be dealt with on an individual basis. Sanctions for truancy may range from an assignment of appropriate detentions (two detentions for each period missed) or suspensions (if skipping four periods or more) as the circumstances may dictate.
LEAVING SCHOOL
No student will be permitted to leave the building during the day without expressed permission from the Principal or, in his absence, the Superintendent. When leaving the building, students must sign out in the office prior to leaving. Permission will only be granted if the student has a note from their parents/guardians requesting that the student leave the building or via a confirmed phone message with the parent/guardian. Any time that a student is sent home the parents will be notified prior to the student leaving. A student will not be allowed to leave the building until the parent/guardian or the student’s emergency contact has been notified. Even with parental permission, school personnel must be informed by the student prior to leaving school property. If administration is not informed prior to leaving, it shall constitute “Leaving without permission” and a suspension is warranted.
ENTERING SCHOOL LATE
Students who are reporting late to school or are returning from leaving school must sign in at the office prior to receiving a pass to class. An admit slip is required and can be issued by Gary Schrage or by Andrea Wood.
