Attendance

Students who are ill and unable to attend classes should have a parent/guardian/caregiver call the school before 8:30 a.m. or after lunch for afternoon absences. Alternatively, students under 18 must bring a note from a parent to the Main Office specifying the date(s) of absence. Notes are kept on file. It is the responsibility of the student to account for every absence promptly. Failure to do so will result in the absence being considered unexcused and may result in disciplinary action. 

ALL STUDENTS MUST SIGN IN AND OUT AT THE OFFICE. 

Students under 18 must have parent/guardian/caregiver permission to sign out. Leaving school without first contacting the main office to sign out is considered truancy.  

SIGN IN . . .  

• If students arrive during Period 1, they go directly to class and the teacher will mark them late.  

• If students arrive after an appointment, they must bring a note explaining absence. 

  1. If students are late between classes, they do not need an admit slip from the office.  The teacher will mark them late. 

SIGN OUT . . .  

• A note from parent/guardian/guardian is necessary for any student who will sign out in the main office. In lieu of a note the main office will call home to verify. 

• Medical and dental appointments should be made outside of school hours where possible. All class work missed is the student’s responsibility. 

• If a student is not feeling well, they are to report to the main office.  Parents/guardians/caregivers will be contacted by the office to obtain permission for the student to leave the school.

• A medical note will be required for any students who miss an assessment, otherwise this may result in a zero.

• Students are expected to leave the premises immediately after signing out.

LATE TO CLASS 

Students are expected to be in class on time. Teachers must keep a record of students who are late for class.  Consequences for being late to class are the teacher’s responsibility.  Teachers may assign penalties for lateness but may not refuse admittance to class for occasional lateness. Consequences may include a warning or detention and in recurring instances. The subject teacher MUST call home to inform parents/guardians/caregivers when their child has been late to class several times.  Cumulative lates should be referred to the appropriate Guidance Student Services staff then Vice Principal.  Cumulative lateness may result in disciplinary action.  

ABSENCE FROM CLASS  

It is the student's responsibility to be present for all classes, especially when tests, seminars, group work and/or major assignments are scheduled. If a student knows in advance that he/she will miss a class, arrangements must be made ahead of time for any work missed. This includes field trips, athletics, medical appointments, etc. Failure to make prior arrangements may result in a mark of zero. Skipping class when a test or assignment is scheduled may result in a mark of zero.  Students over 18 may not “excuse themselves” from the consequences of missed work without a demonstrated valid reason for absence. 

PROLONGED ABSENCE 

Any prolonged absence (e.g., travel plans) must be discussed in advance with the Vice Principal or Principal, and an Extended Absence Form must be taken to all teachers for signature prior to leaving. Long-term illness should be reported to the appropriate Vice Principal when it becomes apparent that the student may be away for some time. Medical certificates must cover the dates of absence and must state that the student is unable to attend school.  It is the student’s responsibility to inform his/her/their teacher and have their parent/guardian(s)/caregivers and teachers sign the form.  It is also the student’s responsibility to get all the work ahead of the prolonged absence. 

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES 

Chronic absenteeism will severely affect a student’s progress towards earning a diploma and may result in disciplinary action. After 15 consecutive full-day absences without explanation students will be referred to the board attendance counsellor and maybe demitted from the course(s). All absences from class are included in the official record.