Attendance and Tardy Policies and Procedures

The purpose of the Attendance Policy is to keep parents/guardians informed of the number of student absences in any particular class. Class attendance relates directly to positive class performance. These policies are designed to keep students in the classroom for maximum learning potential. Students are ultimately responsible for their attendance records and correcting any inaccuracies.

Tardy Policy

1. A student is marked tardy if he or she is not inside the designated classroom with all necessary materials when the late bell rings. Individual teachers may require that a student not only be in the classroom but in their seat when the late bell rings in order to be counted on time. This policy is supported by the administration. It is the student’s responsibility, with the support of parents/guardians, to be on time for school each day for every class. Tardiness is a disruption and a form of disrespect to teachers, peers, and the administration.   Arriving late for school, regardless of the reason, with coffee and /or food in hand demonstrates a lack of respect.   Therefore, drinks / or food may be confiscated with no reimbursement. Punctuality is a skill that must be practiced and enforced.

2. Each student is allowed eight (8) unexcused tardies per quarter without penalty.  After 8 unexcused tardies, behavior correction may be needed.  Therefore, 1 detention is earned for every subsequent tardy.  Additional consequences may be, but are not limited to same-day detention, which can result in missing extracurricular activities, sporting practices, games, etc.  Additional consequences can be designated School Service days, a $50 fine/completion of school service.  No finals may be taken until the fine is paid and detention is served. Continued tardiness will lead to the student coming before the Discipline Board to determine if expulsion is appropriate to enforce a punctual and respectful student body.  All detention must be served within 1 week of detention hours earned. 

3. If a student arrives in the appropriate classroom after 20 minutes of class time they are considered absent (Code T-A - See Absence Policy below.) 

   • Students who arrive after the first bell at 8 am may be held at the administration's discretion until 8:20 am to limit the disruptions of multiple students entering class tardy during that time period. Students who are held will receive a T-A when they enter class. Students may have additional consequences for T-A at the administration's discretion. 

4. Any student who arrives tardy to school must check into Student Services prior to going to class. Students may be held as a large group due to excessive tardies.  Students must either have a signed note from a parent in order to have the tardy excused, or Student Services personnel must have a phone conversation with a parent to excuse the tardy. Please note: simply having a note from a parent or having a phone conversation does not automatically excuse a tardy. Whether or not the reason offered by a parent constitutes an excused tardy is completely at the discretion of Student Services personnel. Examples of reasons that are not acceptable include, but are not limited to:

   • “Slept in late”

   • “Running late”

   • “Had to run an errand for a parent”

   • “Troubles at home”

   • “Traffic”

5. Students who are tardy due to an appointment with doctors, dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists, etc., must bring a note on the letterhead of the professional being consulted with them when they check in to school. Every effort should be made to schedule appointments outside of the school day.

6. Any forgery or misrepresentation in attempting to excuse a tardy, or check a student out of school, either by a student, a parent, or any other person, may result in the student being immediately suspended and a discipline meeting being scheduled with JD Administration. The email address from which any excuse note is sent must match the guardian email address on file.  Given that safety and location of JD students is a key priority, consequences for forgery or misrepresentation can have serious consequences.

Absence Policy 

1. Regular attendance is expected for all students. Missing classes not only affects individual learning but can also impact the overall classroom environment. Excessive absences may result in failure of enrolled course(s).  Attendance is a necessary component of active participation. Students are allowed 5 absences per quarter. If a student is absent for more than 10% of their classes and/or surpasses 5 absences in a quarter the following procedures may be implemented at the discretion of the dean:

   • • The Dean will call and/or meet with the student and their parent/guardian

     • Mandatory study hall. If a student is enrolled in mandatory study hall they may not participate in extra-curricular activities 

     • An attendance contract may be issued. Should a student not adhere to the policies in the attendance contract, consequences such as in-school suspension or administrative withdrawal may result.

2. Both “Excused” and “Unexcused” absences count toward class absences. An absence is missed class time regardless of the reason. Every effort should be made to schedule appointments, vacations, and/or other reasons for absences outside of the school day. (Exceptions to this policy can be made on an individual basis if extenuating circumstances apply and are approved by the administration) The following are situations that may be considered acceptable excuses for absences:

2. • Illness

   • Funerals

   • Religious Observances

   • Extraordinary Family Situations

   • Dental and Medical Appointments (Every effort should be made to schedule appointments after school or during school vacations.)

3. In case of student absences, a parent/guardian must call the attendance line at 801-984-7648 or email attendance@jdchs.org and explain the cause of the absence, followed up with a signed, dated note of explanation. The email address from which the note is sent must match the guardian email address on file. If a note is not submitted within 48 hours of the absence, it will remain unexcused and make-up work may not be accepted. Excessive absences may result in consequences such as in-school suspension or administrative withdrawal.

4. A student along with their parent/guardian may request permission for a planned extended absence. The student and parent/guardian must schedule a meeting with the student's counselor and dean at least two weeks prior to the absence to create a communication and realistic assignment plan with teachers and student services. If this does not occur a student may not be given extensions on assignments or allowances to make-up tests or quizzes.

5. In situations when a Parent/Guardian calls/emails the school to inform us that a student will be absent on that day, and the absence does not qualify for one of the above-mentioned excused absences, then the attendance code “AN” will be used in PowerSchool indicating that the Parent/Guardian has informed us of the absence. These absences are not excused and are considered an absence.   Make-up work is allowed, at the discretion of each teacher, upon return to class. Please note: Checking out of school prior to a school liturgy, religious services, or activity, is NOT permitted under any circumstance. If you have questions about this policy, please see your Counselor or the appropriate Dean(s) in Student Services.

6. While Juan Diego Catholic High School sponsored events (theatre, sports, music, etc.) are excused absences, all coaches and advisers will make every attempt to limit out-of-school time and to reinforce to their students that it is the student’s responsibility to see teachers regarding missed work for school-sponsored events. Students must be in attendance at 2/3rds of the school periods in order to participate in any game, practice, competition, performance, or activity held that day at the discretion of the Dean(s).

7. Because we encourage students to visit college campuses in an effort to make the best decision about their future, the policy for college visit absences is as follows:

   • Second Semester 11th grade: 2 absences per class period per quarter

   • First Semester 12th grade: 2 absences per class period per quarter

   • Second Semester 12th grade: 2 absences per class period per quarter

A parent or guardian must send a note, email the attendance line (Attendance Line), or call in (801-984-7648) in advance, to inform Student Services of the college visit. The email address from which a note is sent must match the guardian email address on file.

8. The penalty for truancy (deliberately missing class)= 2 hours of detention per class period missed. A second truancy absence results in a two-hour Saturday detention and a $50 fine/completion of school service, which is due the day Saturday detention is served. A third unexcused absence is a cause for the student to appear before the Discipline Board to determine if expulsion is appropriate. If a student receives any truancy notification, they will not be allowed to participate in any game, practice, competition, performance, or activity held that day.

9. No finals may be taken until the fine is paid and all detention is served.

10. PowerSchool computer codes for attendance are:

7. • A = absent unexcused  parent/guardian has not notified the school

   • AN = absent notified Parent/guardian notifies the school that the student is/will be absent. Student must have a signed, dated note excusing absence on file within 48 hours of absence, or the absence will be re-coded “A” and make-up work will not be accepted.) Students are allowed a maximum of 5 absences per quarter. Call 7641 or attendance@skaggscatholiccenter.org

   • T = tardy

   • T/A = Late Tardy  (more than 20 minutes late for class. This will count as an absence and a tardy for discipline purposes)

   • TE = tardy excused

   • C = Counselor meeting (make-up work is allowed)

   • S = JDCHS School Sponsored (make-up work is allowed)

   • M = medical (make-up work is allowed) Medical note required within 48 hours

   • N = nurse’s office

   • V = college visit (make-up work allowed upon return to class)

   • BR = bereavement or funeral (make-up work is allowed)

   • I = in-school suspension (make up work at the discretion of the Dean) 

   • O = out-of-school suspension (no make-up work allowed) 

   • X = truant (no make-up work allowed) 

   • D = meeting with a Dean

By adhering to this policy, we aim to foster a productive and supportive educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

In-School Illness 

If a student becomes ill, he/she should ask permission of the class teacher to report to Student Services, where the student will receive attention.  If a student is not able to report, the teacher will call Student Services and request assistance. Students should be seen in Student Services before calling their parents. If students need to go home, parents or guardians must give permission.

A nurse is on staff on the Skaggs Campus. When the nurse is there, she/he will assist students in need and contact parents if necessary. The nurse's office must be informed if a student is not well enough to remain in class.  Parents will be called if a student is too ill to be in class. Students will not be allowed to stay in the sick room for extended periods unless they are waiting for a parent to pick them up. Students are not permitted to leave school at any time without the specific permission of the parent/guardian or a person acting on behalf of the parent/guardian as designated on the student emergency contact form.

Leaving the Building

Any student leaving the building without permission from the administration will be prohibited from participating in any game, practice, competition, performance, or activity that day. Students must check in at Student Services before leaving the building for any reason. They must sign out and then sign back in upon their return.

Any student requesting an early dismissal must submit a written request by a parent or guardian explaining the reason for the early dismissal prior to being dismissed. This note is to include the parent or guardian’s phone number for verification purposes. This note must be given to Student Services before the student attends the first class of the day. Requests for early dismissal should be rare and only for serious reasons. Doctor and dentist appointments, etc., should be made outside school time as much as possible. Early dismissal prior to a school liturgy, religious services, or activity, or on assembly days or the day before a vacation begins is not permitted under any circumstance.

Field Trips

Field trips are privileges, not rights. Students can be denied participation if they fail to meet academic and/or behavioral requirements. Field trips are educational experiences provided to the students outside of the classroom environment. The experience must represent a unique educational opportunity and facilitate the attainment of specific educational objectives. All field trip activities must have a faculty sponsor.

• Parents must complete a parent permission form on PowerSchool. Students who fail to submit the proper form will not be allowed to participate in the field trip. Telephone calls will not be accepted in lieu of written permission. Faxed permission forms are accepted.

• On the day of the field trip, students need to wear the school uniform. Exceptions must be cleared through the Student Services Office.

• The student is responsible for making up any classwork missed because of the field trip.

• Appropriate behavior in accordance with the rules established in the handbook is expected.

Pregnancy Policy

As a Catholic high school, Juan Diego affirms the sacredness of all human life. If a student becomes pregnant while attending Juan Diego it is our policy to strongly encourage the student to continue with the pregnancy. The school will work with the student and her family so that she will be able to remain at Juan Diego. Pregnancy is not a reason for dismissal from school. The offices of Campus Life and Student Services will partner with the student and her family during this time.

The first thing the student should do is to discuss the pregnancy with her parents. If the student has not informed her parents in a timely manner, and if the school is aware of the pregnancy, the school will initiate a meeting with the student, her parents, and a school Counselor to help the student inform her parents. If the father is a Juan Diego student, the school will arrange a similar meeting with his parents, as well.

The school and family will meet with school officials to work out an academic plan for the student during the pregnancy and after the baby is born. The school encourages continuing medical care for the student during her pregnancy and will require counseling for her and her family. If the father is a current Juan Diego student, the school will require the same counseling for him and his family.

At some point, based on a doctor’s decision, the student may need to remain at home for a prolonged period of time. During this time the student will remain enrolled at Juan Diego Catholic High School and will be provided with home study by the school.