The Joy Meadows Award is presented to any student that achieves perfect attendance for the current school year. To qualify for this award, the student(s) must be present every day that school is in session. Attendance for at least 4 instructional hours on full days and 2 hours on short days are required to be considered present at school.
Students are considered “tardy” if they arrive at school or to their assigned classroom after 8:00 AM. Upon late arrival, students must check‐in at the school office and receive a tardy slip before proceeding to class. Middle and high school students are considered tardy if they arrive at any of their classes after the scheduled start time. Your students’ tardiness to class may result in a detention during lunch or after school, or an unexcused absence if three unexcused tardies are exceeded in one quarter, or a reduction in their grade by decreasing their class participation grade.
Each parent or guardian of a child within the compulsory attendance age is responsible for their child’s attendance. The parent or guardian may call or email the school office on the morning of their child’s absence.
An absence will be excused in the following situations as prescribed by Florida Statutes and as it is reflected in the stated HDA board policy:
Illness, injury, or other insurmountable condition or hardship
Illness or death of a member of the student’s family
Recognized (or established) religious holidays and religious instruction
Medical appointments
Head lice infestation
Stay at-home order
Catastrophic disasters that significantly impact the life of the student
Participation in an activity that has educational value
Participation in an approved activity or class of instruction held at another school site
Arranged absence approved by the administration
Other absences approved by the administration
Absences that are a part of the regular school calendar for a particular grade or group
ARRANGED ABSENCES
Arranged absences will be required to obtain administrative approval. Arranged absence forms are available online at the school website under Parent Resources.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Overall Unexcused Absences: Sixteen (16) unexcused absences are allowed per school year (8 per semester). Any absences exceeding the allotted number may result in a Parent/Administrative conference or an action of truancy.
Short Term Unexcused Absences Issues: If a student five (5) unexcused absences (or absences for which the reason is not known) in a calendar month, or if a student has ten (10) unexcused absences (or absences for which the reason is not known) in a 90 day period, the student may be referred to the administration for unexcused absence action. If a student exceeds fifteen (15) unexcused absences (or absences for which the reason is not known) in a 90 day period, the student may be referred to a truancy officer for action.
Possible consequences: Exceeding the allotted number of unexcused absences could result in the loss of financial scholarships and the student may be automatically and administratively unenrolled from scholarships without prior notice.
Excessive absences may result in an automatic administrative withdrawal from the school without prior notice.
If the allotted number of absences are exceeded it could result in denial of course credit and a requirement for summer school.