ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES District Policy #522

Student Supervision During School Hours:

Parents should be advised that students will not be supervised earlier than 20 minutes before classes begin or later than 20 minutes after classes end (with the exception of bus students still waiting for buses after school in the courtyard)

1. Students are not to loiter in any unsupervised area at any time during the school day.

2. Students should not be in the school building 15 minutes after classes are dismissed unless they are participating in a supervised activity.

3. Students are not to arrive on campus before 8:00 a.m. or remain on campus after 4:00 p.m. unless they are involved in a supervised activity or have been approved by the administration.

4. Students being picked up by private vehicles will stay in the designated area at the main entrance.

5. Students staying to watch/participate in after-school activities must be in the designated area for that activity at all times.  Students who have any disciplinary issues at a school-sponsored activity will be removed and may be disqualified from attending any extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year.

Attendance Policy District Policy #522:

The Board of Trustees of the Vallivue District recognizes that because time on task is essential to students' education, it is necessary to establish and enforce attendance requirements. Students are required to be in attendance at school at least ninety percent (90%) of the time that school is in session during each semester and summer school term. Students are required to be in attendance at school with no more than nine (9) absences per semester. In enforcing the attendance requirements, the Board may deny a promotion to the next grade or deny credit to any student who is not in school for the required time. If a student is determined to be a habitual truant, the Board may expel or withdraw the student. If a medical condition warrants excessive absences, the school needs to be notified. Please provide a doctor’s note for absences as a result of medical conditions.

Pre-arranged Absences (2 days or more):

The parent/guardian will contact the school office prior to the absence. The student will approach the teacher for a schedule of work to be completed before leaving.

Excused Absences:

Excused absences are those absences from school with the knowledge and approval of a student’s parent/guardian. Such absences will be counted toward the maximum of nine (9) absences allowed per semester. Excused absences may include, but are not limited to, verified illness or medical treatment, death in the family or death of close friends, and medical or dental professional appointments. In order for an absence to be excused, oral or written communication from the student’s parents/guardians must be received within forty-eight (48) hours of the last day of the absence, except for school-approved activity absences. 

Make-up Provisions:

It is the student's responsibility to make up all work missed when absent. A student will be allowed two days from the first day absent and one day for each consecutive absence (except for truancy). Additional time may be granted at the teacher’s discretion under extraordinary circumstances. Parents are encouraged to email teachers for clarification on homework.  Most work will be posted in each student’s Google Classroom or IC gradebook.

Unexcused Absences/Truancies

Unexcused absences are those absences from school without the knowledge and approval of a student’s parents/guardians or district officials. Students are truant if their absence from school is unexcused. Unexcused absences include departure from school or class during the school day without the permission of a district official. In addition, any absence from one or more class periods without an oral or written excuse from the student’s parents/guardians within 48 hours may be considered an unexcused absence/truancy. Such absences will be counted toward the maximum of nine (9) absences allowed per semester. Discipline for a student who consistently has unexcused absences/truancies may involve actions up to and including suspension, expulsion, or disenrollment. A student in grades 6-12 with excessive unexcused absences may also lose credit. Unexcused absences may also affect a student’s appeal rights for loss of credit regarding extenuating circumstances under the 90% attendance policy. 

Tardy Policy

Tardiness at the secondary level (6-12) will be handled on an individual basis. Students in grades 6-12 who are more than ten (10) minutes late will be counted as absent, and the absence will be considered unexcused. When tardiness becomes a concern, the building administrator or designee should notify the parents/legal guardians of the student’s tardiness and outline a plan to correct it, with identified consequences for each additional tardy. Detention, ISS, or other consequences will be assigned. Each building will consistently enforce a tardiness protocol. 

Leaving School Grounds

Students are not allowed to leave the school grounds without permission from their teacher or a school official. This includes crossing the fence to recover a ball or leaving with parents.  The parking lot is off-limits for the students. It is considered truancy if a child leaves the school grounds without permission. If parents wish to take their children out of school during the school day, they must check the student out at the office. Someone from the office will notify your child’s teacher to dismiss them. Parents must use the front door and sign the register at the front desk. For your child’s safety, all outside doors will be locked during the school day.  Please use the main entrance to enter the school.

Please note:

• If the student is absent for more than 10 consecutive school days, the student will be dropped from enrollment on the 11th day.

• If the student is gone for more than 10 consecutive school days and has been dropped, the school does not guarantee the same teacher and/or schedule upon re-enrollment. (Note: Circumstances such as IEP or 504 will be considered.)