HS Essentials: Attendance

All learning experiences that take place in the classroom are meaningful and an essential part of a student’s education. It is not possible to replicate the learning opportunities and experiences that occur daily in the classrooms. Therefore, classroom attendance is an integral part of a student’s course of study for which make-up work is no substitute.

ICS realizes that at times a student may be absent due to illness, family emergency, or participation in school-sponsored trips. ICS also realizes that in an international community, families must occasionally travel. However, the school discourages extended vacations and other recreational travel that interfere with student learning.

ICS HS Students are expected to attend 85% of all classes. This is 153 days out of 180 school days. If a student attends 3 out of the 5 teaching Blocks this constitutes a full day in school. If a student is absent from school for 27 days or more then, they may not have fulfilled the ICS HS requirements regarding graduation and transcripts. Each student will be handled on a case by case basis in consultation with the ICS High School Leadership Team.    

Teachers will record attendance in PowerSchool at the start of each class period.  The following codes will be used to record attendance:

• Present:  Student is inside the classroom at the published start of the period.

• Late Unexcused:  Student arrives to class within ten minutes of the scheduled start time of class without a pass from another teacher or administrator

• Absent Unexcused:  The student did not attend class and the school has not been notified of their absence, or the absence does not fall under the Excused Absence category (see below).  

• The administrative assistant will enter Absent Excused in PowerSchool to acknowledge the appropriate contact from the parents or guardians.

Excused Absence

An excused absence is one for which a parent or guardian has informed the HS office with a valid excuse.  Any absence or tardy is considered unexcused, except where the administration is satisfied that the absence is for a valid reason.  Valid reasons for being absent are as follows:

• Personal Illness

• Family Emergencies

• Dental or Medical appointments

• Parents are urged to make medical appointments outside of school hours.

Excused absences may also be granted for religious holidays, exceptional educational opportunities, travel difficulties, or for any other reason which the Principal deems to be valid, provided that all such absences have been requested by the parent or guardian.

If a student misses a class for which work is due and is at school at any time during the school day on which it was due, the assignment will be due that same day.  This includes situations such as late arrivals, visits to the Health Office, doctor’s appointments, or early departures. 

Students who need to go to the Health Office during the school day must obtain a pass from their teacher.  If a student wishes to go to the Health Office during a break, then the pass should be obtained from the teacher whose class starts immediately following break or lunch.  The Health Office will send a student back to class with a pass.

Absence Procedures

At those times when a student must be absent from school, please contact the High School Administrative Assistant for Attendance at 011-371–1544 ext. 4005 , or via email: hs.attendance@icsaddis.org 

If a student's parent has not contacted the school, ICS will call home to verify that the parent is aware of the absence.