School Social Workers also fulfill the role of Attendance Counsellors at the elementary level. They will consult with school personnel and Parents/Guardians, to examine patterns of irregular or problematic attendance for students under the age of 18.

The Education Act states that it is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian to ensure that their children attend school regularly. This is mandatory for every person who attains the age of 6 years on or before the first school day in September until the end of June of the year in which the student turns 18.

The identification, intervention and resolution of attendance issues is a shared responsibility amongst Parents/Guardians, education personnel and the community.

The Attendance Counsellor will help to identify the cause of student absenteeism and mobilize the resources of the family, school and community.

Each school will have a system of monitoring daily attendance, which includes notifying Parents/Guardians when the student is absent on a daily basis. We ask that Parents/Guardians call the Attendance Secretary on the day of the student's absence. This procedure will ensure that our automated phone system does not call home to report an absence.

When there appears to be an ongoing attendance issue, the school will first utilize its resources to seek resolution at an early stage. In-school resources may include:

• Phone call to Parents/Guardians

• Letter to Parents/Guardians

• Meeting with the student/Parents/Guardians to discuss:

• A possible timetable change

• Daily attendance monitoring system

• Consideration of a modified day

• Alternative school placement

• Referral to counselling agency

• Meeting with Parents/Guardians to determine reasons for absence and to develop a plan of action to address the concerns

• Consultation with Attendance Counsellor

When the school has taken the necessary steps and no positive outcome has been achieved, a referral to the school's Attendance Counsellor will be initiated through the School Support Team. The Attendance Counsellor will then investigate the matter, develop an intervention plan, and report back to the school on the course of action.

Attendance Counsellors at the secondary level are specifically assigned to examine patterns of irregular or problematic attendance for students. Regular attendance is important to academic success. Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are registered and to be on time for each class.

The Education Act states that it is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian and/or student to ensure that each student attends school regularly. This is mandatory until the end of June of the year in which the student turns 18.

The school is legally required to maintain an accurate attendance record for all students.

• Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period and sent to the office.

• Students under 18 years of age are required to provide a note from their Parent/Guardian when absent from school. The note is to be given to the office immediately upon the student's return to school.

• In addition, we ask that Parents/Guardians and/or student call the attendance secretary on the day of the student's absence. This procedure will ensure that our automated phone system does not call home to report a missed class.

• Students over 18 years of age are able to write their own notes and should also be calling the school if they are absent.

The automated attendance system contacts the homes of students absent from one or more classes on any given day. Please ensure that any changes to your main contact telephone number are shared with the school.