ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES: GENERAL 

Classes are in session for a minimum of 180 days (or 75,600 minutes), in accordance with TCCEBD guidelines. Every student of compulsory school age is required to be present for daily class unless legitimately excused. Prompt, daily attendance is important for the logical and sequential development of the subject matter. The emphasis that home and school place on prompt, regular attendance helps students understand the value parents and teachers place on education and school success. For these reasons, the school asks the parents’ understanding and cooperation in helping their children arrive at school on time each morning and also in striving to limit their absences from school. Student attendance is reported daily on RenWeb. 

Written or verbal notification is given to the parents of a student whose continued absences or tardiness endangers the student’s progress or promotion. If 10% of the school year (18 days) is missed for any reason, the student may be retained in his/her current grade. The parents must meet with the designated school administrator at this time and may request a waiver. If a student misses more than 18 days, the student will be required to attend 3 hours of tutoring for each day missed at the cost of the parents. The school will provide tutoring options.

For the purposes of attendance, all absences are simply recorded as "absent" and are not categorized as excused or unexcused. 

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT EARLY RELEASE 

Parents must notify the homeroom teacher and greeter@strita.net  by 8:00 AM if the child is to leave early for a doctor, dental, or other appointment. In the event the appointment was obtained after that time, the parent should notify the homeroom teacher and greeter@strita.net as early as possible. Students are responsible for coming to the Greeter's Desk at the time they are to leave. Parents or other persons authorized by the parents must sign the student out from the school greeter's office. Only parents, or adults authorized by the parents in writing, are allowed to take the student from school. A student who is in attendance for at least four hours of a school day is considered present for the day and is not assessed an absence. In the event of a noon dismissal, a student in attendance for two hours is considered present for the day. Parents should enter at the Greeter's Desk, where they will sign out their child. The student will be released to them there. 

ADDITIONAL RULES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING ABSENCES 

• Parents are required to call the school greeter at (972-239-3203 Ext. 6548) or send an email to greeter@strita.net, copying the school nurse (nurse@strita.net) and the student’s homeroom teacher, before 9:00 a.m. on the days when their children are not attending school. 

• After an absence of three or more days due to illness, students must report to the clinic before attending class. The school nurse may require a doctor’s excuse to readmit the student to school. 

• After an absence for more than one day, schoolwork may be picked up by parents at the end of the second missed school day at the Greeter's Desk after coordinating a mutually agreed-upon time with the child's teacher. 

TARDY RULES AND PROCEDURES 

• A student who is not in the classroom when the 7:50 AM bell rings is tardy. 

• Each student begins with a clean slate for tardies at the outset of each semester.

• Traffic is not usually considered an excused tardy. However, major traffic issues that affect a considerable number of students could be considered excused. It is recommended that if a family believes they are going to be late due to traffic that they call or email greeter@strita.net  as soon as they realize they are going to be late. 

• The tardy student must first report to the greeter desk for a tardy slip. If the tardy is due to a medical appointment, a note from the doctor or dentist is required. The student must then present the tardy slip to his/her homeroom teacher before proceeding to class. 

• Tardiness is not acceptable at St. Rita Catholic School. Excessive absences and tardiness (5 or more per quarter) by students will result in an email being sent to the parents requesting a conference to address ways to remediate the issue. 

• Because tardy students disrupt the other students and the learning process, the school may require that a student with frequent tardiness may be retained or may be asked to withdraw from the school. 

• Students with unexcused tardies will not be eligible for Perfect Attendance recognition.