Attendance Policy

Summer Bridge Attendance Policy

Our first priority at MHS is education, either in the classroom or in other activities planned by classroom teachers. Classroom attendance is the first expectation placed on students by parents, teachers and administrators. A student in the classroom is part of the learning community. The student owes it to themselves to be present.

• Parents must report absences due to illness and must give permission for all other absences.

• Absence from the classroom without parental or teacher approval is a cut.

• Missed class time may impact a student's eligibility to earn their summer bridge credit

Prior Notification Absences/Planned Absences

Notifying teachers prior to a planned absence encourages students to communicate proactively with their teachers. This applies for scheduled doctor’s appointments, special events, or family trips. Please note that although these absences will be marked “excused”, they will still count towards a students total number of absences which could impact their ability to earn the summer bridge credit.

Day of the Absence Notification

The parent or guardian will call Summer Bridge Coordinator Kyle Hiranaga by 8 A.M. The number is 808-594-0938. An absence will be considered a cut if a parent or guardian does not notify the school within 48 hours. If a student stays home due to illness, one of the following is REQUIRED to return to campus:

1. 5 day home quarantine and no symptoms - student does not return to campus for 5 days. (Please note this may affect the student’s ability to earn the 1⁄2 credit)

2. A signed doctor’s note approving return to campus and no symptoms

3. A negative COVID-19 test result and no symptoms. A copy must be provided to the summer bridge coordinator.

If a student is kept out of school due to quarantine, instructors can provide assignments so that the student can still earn their credit. A student should NOT return to school from an illness unless one of the above criteria are met.

Lateness

A student is marked tardy if they arrive after the class' starting time. Parents may call or send in a note to excuse a student's lateness. Any tardy over 20 minutes will be counted as an absence, either excused or unexcused.

• The teacher will communicate with the student the first and second time they are tardy unexcused to their class and deal with the issue at the teacher/student level.

• The Summer Bridge Coordinator will meet with a student after three unexcused tardies to develop an improvement plan.

• After 5 unexcused tardies, the coordinator may assign one or more of the following consequences: Communication with home, Removal of recess period privilege, or after school detention.

Makeup Work

Absent students are responsible for asking the teacher what assignments or handouts they missed. Before a planned absence, the student will show the teacher a plan for making up written work that is missed, and the teacher must approve this plan. If the student takes a planned absence without a makeup plan, grades for late work may be reduced at the teacher’s discretion.

The student must complete work missed due to their absence. The student will be allowed time equivalent to the number of days missed, unless the student and the teacher agree to other arrangements.

Work assigned before the absence will be due on the scheduled date or on the day of return from the absence, unless the student and the teacher agree to other arrangements.

In cases of family emergencies, illnesses, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control, deadlines for papers, tests, projects, etc. will be extended by arrangement between the student and the teacher. For example, if the student is absent due to illness and misses a two-day review for a test, they will have two days to receive and study the review material before taking the test.

Cutting a class at McKinley High School is a serious offense with serious consequences. An absence is considered a cut when it has not been excused by a parent, guardian or school staff.

Consequences for Cutting

• The student will receive NO CREDIT for work done that day in the class(es) he or she missed. Any other academic penalty must be described in the class’s course standards.

• In a first instance, the coordinator will contact the student. The student will have a 24-hour period to resolve any misunderstandings with the teacher.

• If the student cuts a second time, the coordinator will speak to the student and the student’s parents to inform them. The coordinator will remind them of the consequences for more cutting.

• If the student cuts the class a third time, the student and the student’s parents will be notified and an attendance plan will be created for the student.

Excessive Absenteeism

Extended or persistent absences from class and school are detrimental and disruptive to the learning process and may have long term negative impacts on a student's education. Chronic absenteeism also denies students the opportunity to participate in school activities and events, and other beneficial social interactions. Students, their parents and the school have an obligation to minimize a student's absences from class and school.