Attendance

Being present matters!

The JCPS Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook states, “All students are required by law to attend school every day and to be on time for school and all classes.”

With or without the law, students must be present and on time in order to learn, grow, and achieve. Please help us help you by coming to school every day ready to learn and with the necessary materials in hand. 

Absences

Excused absences are granted for personal illness, medical/dental appointments accompanied by a physician’s statement, and/or a death in the family. An excused absence still counts as an absence. 

A student with one or more excused absences cannot obtain a perfect attendance certificate. Students who are absent from school should have their parent/guardian notify the school on the morning of the absence by calling the office at 485-8279.

All absences require a note explaining the reason for the absence. Notes must be submitted within three school days of the student returning to school. Such notes must include the signature of the parent/guardian and a telephone number where he or she may be contacted. Students and parents are reminded that class participation grades are adversely affected by a student’s absence. Participation grades weigh in the determination of final grades. 

Only ten parent notes stating the illness of the child will be accepted as an excused absence. After the tenth absence, only a doctor’s note will be accepted as an excused absence. Students who have accumulated more than ten days of excused absences due to illness must request an extension for additional days from a medical professional. 

Three or more absences in one academic year are considered truant. This three-day attendance guideline includes the total number of both excused and unexcused absences tallied within one school year. Students enrolled at Kammerer Middle School on hardship transfer status will have their transfer revoked should their absences be considered truant.

Note: Students who are excessively absent, who are tardy to school, or who cut classes may face the loss of the right to participate in athletics and co-curricular functions.

Tardies

In order for students to go to their lockers and/or stop by the bookstore, etc., they should arrive at school no later than 7:30 a.m. Students arriving after 7:40 a.m. are considered tardy to school and must sign in with the attendance clerk. Excessive tardiness (three or more) to school or class will result in disciplinary action, which may include, but is not limited to, after-school detention. 

Note: Being tardy to school will affect perfect attendance! Per the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), attendance dates are calculated based on the number of minutes a student is in school each day. 

Tardy Policy

Students should arrive at school no later than 7:30 a.m. in order to go to their lockers, stop by the bookstore, etc. Students are expected to be in their classrooms before the 7:35 a.m. bell signaling the start of the school day. A student will be considered tardy if he or she: 

• Arrives in the building prior to 7:40 a.m. but is not in class by 7:40 a.m. This student is considered tardy to class. Students must enter the class as soon as possible and will receive a demerit for being tardy to class. The team teachers will keep a record of all tardy arrivals. As a result, any student who is tardy to class will receive consequences based on the Schoolwide Discipline Plan. 

• Arrives in the building after 7:40 a.m. This student is considered tardy to school and must sign in at the attendance office, where he or she will receive a pass for admission to class. The attendance office will keep a record of all late arrivals. As a result, any student who is tardy to school (whether excused or unexcused) will receive the following interventions in an effort to curb excessive absences from class time: 

  • First Tardy— A verbal warning will be given to the student. 

  • Second Tardy—A warning letter will be sent home that indicates the student has received a second tardy violation. 

  • Third Tardy—A letter will be sent home that indicates the student has received a third tardy violation. 

  • Fourth Tardy—A letter will be sent home that indicates the student has received a fourth tardy violation. 

  • Fifth+ Tardy—A letter will be sent home, and the student will be assigned to the In-School Adjustment Program (ISAP). 

Early Dismissals

Students who plan to leave school early must follow the proper procedure for early dismissal. Parents must come into the building to sign the early dismissal log. Any adult checking out a student must be listed on that student’s enrollment form—no exceptions. 

Medical and Dental Appointments

Whenever possible, medical and dental appointments should be made after regular school hours. 

Address Change

Students who move during the school year must provide the office with updated information. 

Transfers

Students who are moving out of Kammerer’s district must notify the records clerk on or prior to their last day at KMS. Students should bring a copy of their new address to the office to begin the transfer process. All outstanding debts must be paid and books must be returned before a student will be allowed to withdraw. 

Make-Up Work

A student receiving an excused absence shall have the opportunity to make up missed schoolwork and not have his or her grades adversely affected for lack of class attendance or class participation due to the excused absence. A student returning to school after an excused absence or suspension may have the number of school days of the absence or suspension plus one school day from the time he or she receives the make-up work to complete it and submit it to the teacher. A student who has an unexcused absence cannot make up any work.