Attendance Policy

Philosophy

The Portage Public High Schools are committed to the philosophy that every student should attend all of his or her classes every day. Punctuality and regular attendance are required if students are to achieve maximum success in their pursuit of academic excellence. Learning to participate in group discussions, developing an appreciation for the views and abilities of other students, understanding explanations and clarifications, participating in guided practice and viewing varied audiovisual materials, etc., cannot be duplicated outside the classroom and do constitute valid and crucial elements of course work. If a student must be absent, the expectation is that they not on school grounds for that day.

Absence

An “Absence” shall mean that the student was not present for a class period, left class before the ending of the class period, or was more than ten minutes late to the class. Students at school are expected to be in their designated locations. There are five types of absences: Excused Absences, Unexcused Absences, Medically Waived Absences, Administrative Absences and Non-Totaling Absences.

Excused Absences

These absences are limited to those verified in a timely manner by a parent or guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to determine a verified absence. Examples include:

Personal illness
Professional appointments
College campus visits
Personal/family emergencies
Personal transportation issues

Unexcused Absences

Any absence that does not qualify for one of the other three categories is an Unexcused Absence. Examples of unexcused absences include:

leaving school without parent's/guardian's permission or not signing out in the appropriate administrative office.
An adult-status student leaving school without signing out in the appropriate administrative level office.
Being truant from class.
Any absence normally covered as an Excused or Non-Totaling Absence for which the student or parent/guardian does not provide verification in a timely manner.

Medically Waived Absences

Absences due directly to a verified medical condition or verified medical appointment. Examples include:

Absences due to the student exhibiting symptoms of sickness (or who is otherwise believed to be contagious) as verified by the student’s doctor or directly observed by the school personnel.
Absences due to injury or chronic medical condition as verified by the student’s doctor.
Medical and dental appointments verified by the medical office.

Non-Totaling Absences

The classification of Non-Totaling Absence is used for certain school-sanctioned or legally required absences where the student is not in the direct supervision of the school. Examples include:

Subpoenaed court appearances,
The funeral of an immediate family member,
Religious holiday observances,
Suspensions,
Administratively approved scheduling conflicts associated with off-campus classes.

Administrative Absence

The classification of Administrative Absence is used for certain school-sanctioned absences where the student is in the direct supervision of the school. Examples include:

Meetings with counselor or administrator when pre-arranged by the student or requested by the staff member.
Participation in a school-sponsored field trip, early dismissal for curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.
Missed classes due to district-provided transportation issues.

Absence Total Reporting

The sum total of all absence types (Excused, Unexcused, Medically Waived, Non-Totaling, Administrative, and Out of School Suspension) will be indicated on the report card. Attendance information is not included in the official school transcript.

Excessive absences

Students with excessive absences in a class (15 or more combined excused and unexcused absences in a semester) will need to pass the final exam with a score of 59.5% or better in order to have the opportunity to receive credit in that class. Students in these instances must also earn an overall passing semester grade in the class to earn credit.

Impact of absences on Lunch Pass

Students with more than 3 excused absences, or more than one unexcused absence, in a calendar month will not be eligible for a lunch pass the following calendar month. (August/September and May/June will be considered single calendar months due to the low number of school days in one of the months.) August/September permission will be granted based on attendance in May/June the previous year.

Attendance for students participating in extra/co-curricular or athletic activities

A student is required to have a full day of attendance on the day of extra/co-curricular competitions, performances, events, practices/rehearsals and other activities unless an un-avoidable pre-arranged absence is approved by an administrator.

Pre-Arranged Absence

A Pre-Arranged Absence Form is recommended for anticipated absences of three (3) or more days at one time. The form is available from the appropriate administrative office. With the exception of an emergency, a Pre-Arranged Absence Form should be completed at least five (5) days before the period of absence. The Parent is requested to call the appropriate office if an absence is known in advance.

Parent(s)’/Guardian(s)’ Responsibility

Regarding Attendance:

1. The Michigan School Code states, with a few exceptions, that it is the responsibility of parent(s)/guardian(s) to see that their children between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) be in regular attendance at school.

2. All parents/guardians are encouraged to support their student’s attendance in school regardless of age.

3. It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to notify the student’s appropriate office if the student is going to be absent and to explain the reasons for the absence by 7:40 AM.

4. Verification of a student’s absence by a parent/guardian is required (unless otherwise indicated by the appropriate administrator) and must accompany the student to school the day after an absence. The school reserves the right to require medical verification for excused absences.

5. To notify the student’s administrative office if the parent/guardian wishes correspondence (progress reports, attendance letter, etc.) from school to be mailed to an address other than the one listed on the student’s registration card which is completed at the beginning of each school year.

6. To notify the appropriate administrative office throughout the school year of any change in the student’s home address or telephone number.

Student’s Responsibility

Regarding Attendance:

1. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the teacher(s) and appropriate administrators in advance of any upcoming absences.

2. After absence from any class, the student is to report to the appropriate before returning to class.

3. If a student arrives to school ten (10) or more minutes after his/her first class begins, he/she will be marked absent and must report to the appropriate administrative office.

4. Early dismissal must be done through the appropriate office.

5. Once a student signs out, he/she must leave campus unless given authorization by an administrator to remain on campus.

Regarding Tardiness:

1. Tardiness rules may differ in the high schools. Students are responsible to know what the policy is in their building and to honor it. Building rules may change from time to time based on effective discipline procedures.

2. Excessive tardiness will result in disciplinary consequences.

School’s Responsibility

1. To maintain accurate, daily attendance records.

2. To monitor the entire attendance procedure and work closely with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to ensure students’ success in school.

3. To monitor students’ tardiness and assign consequences in case of chronic tardiness.

4. To notify the parents/guardians when a student reaches six (6), ten (10), and fifteen (15) totaling absences in a class.

5. To enlist the resources of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency and the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Court in the event a student is chronically truant and under the age of 18.

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