St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School - Attendance Expectations

Having regular attendance on the part of students is vital to the process of learning. If regular attendance becomes an issue, parents/guardians will be contacted, and the student will be counselled to assist with promoting regular attendance. If he/she is still unwilling to attend regularly, he/she may fail to achieve credit for his/her courses.

Regular Attendance

Expected Behaviour

All students are expected to attend school regularly
Parents of students who will be away from school for a known period of time (i.e. vacation) must contact the appropriate alpha VP to notify of absence dates
Students returning from an absence must present a note signed by a parent/guardian containing the following information:

- - - - Date of absence
        Student's name
        Specific reason for absence

The note must be presented to the office on the day the student returns to school prior to 8:25 a.m.
Students, 18 years of age or over, may submit their own notes
A phone call may be made in lieu of a note. The school has a voice mail system which is available 24 hours. Call
905-623-3990 ext 1015 to leave a voicemail message
Parents calling the school regarding absences should: state the student's name, date of absence and date of return to school, if known
A voice message system is currently in place, which will automatically call parents of those students who have an unexplained or unreported absence. Students who have unexplained or unexcused absences may be consequenced

Reasons for Expected Behaviour

Regular attendance is directly related to academic success
Regular attendance is required by the Education Act Consequences for Unreported/Unexplained Absences
It is important to note that unreported/unexplained absences are considered a truancy and will be appropriately consequenced.
When a student has been truant for 15 classes, the Principal will review this student's program at St. Stephen.
Students with attendance concerns will be referred to the Student Success Team, and if under 18 years of age, may be referred to the Board Attendance Counsellor.

Consequences for Unreported/Unexplained Absences

It is important to note that unreported/unexplained absences are considered a truancy and will be appropriately consequenced
When a student has been truant for 15 classes, the Principal will review this student's program at St. Stephen
Students with attendance concerns will be referred to the Student Success Team, and if under 18 years of age, may be referred to the Board Attendance Counsellor

Signing In and Out

Expected Behaviour

Students must present a note to the secretary before school begins to be excused for a doctor's appointment or for personal reason
If students do not have a note, a parent/guardian must contact the office prior to the student signing out (905) 623-3990 ext 1015
Parent permission for a student to sign out of class indicates the student will not be permitted to remain on the school property
Students who are on school property are to be in class
Students who become ill must report to the office. The office will contact the parental/guardian
School liturgies and assemblies are part of the school day. The expectation is that all students attend. Sign outs, scheduled to occur during these important events, will only be approved by a Principal. Such requests should be submitted in advance.

Reasons for Expected Behaviour

The school has the legal obligation to know where all students are when they are not in class
Signing in/out is the school's method for meeting this obligation

Consequences for Misbehaviour

Students are not permitted to leave class without parent/guardian permission. If a student leaves class without permission, they will receive an office consequence
Consequences will be progressive if the attendance procedure is not followed
A forged note or phone call is a serious offence and will result in parent/guardian contact and suspension
If a student is found to have skipped a school liturgy or assembly, a suspension may result

Extended Vacations/Absences

Family holidays should not be scheduled during regular school time since student's absences may have adverse effects on their achievement. Students are responsible for connecting with classmates and teachers for any missed work while absent. In cases of family emergencies on compassionate grounds, every effort will be made to support the student during this time.

Late to School

Expected Behaviour

Students are expected to be on time for class
If a student is late to school, contact from parent/guardian is required upon arrival

Reasons for Expected Behaviour

Punctuality shows responsibility and consideration for others. Students who are late to class interrupts the learning in the classroom
Punctuality is a good habit that is expected both on the job and in personal relationships

Consequence for Misbehaviour

Avoidable and unexplained lates will be progressively consequenced

Truancy

Truancy is an unexcused absence from class

Expected Behaviour

Students are expected to attend regularly and be present in all classes

Reasons for Expected Behaviour

Good attendance is essential for continued academic success and for active participation in the school community
Absenteeism adversely affects individual and class progress

Consequences for Misbehaviour

A student who is truant (i.e. skipping) from class(es) will be assigned detentions and parents/guardians may be notified
Persistent truancies from class or school may result in progressive consequences, including detentions, loss of school privileges, removal from school excursions, or suspension from school
Students with attendance concerns will be referred to the Board Attendance Counsellor

Page updated

Report abuse