4.000 Attendance
Return to top
All students have a responsibility to attend regularly and promptly all classes for which they are scheduled. By LAW only authorized school authorities can excuse students from school. If a student has an excessive number of absences, the school can lower the studentís grade. The school reserves the right to determine whether a student passes or fails based on accumulated absences as per 4.023.

The student who fails to attend regularly may find that it is difficult to keep current with academic work.

4.010 Absence
Return to top
There is a definite relationship in school attendance and achievement. It is very important from the standpoint of the student and school that all pupils develop good attendance habits.

If it is necessary for a student to be absent from school for any reason, parents or legal guardian should call the school office (762-3022 or 762-3079). Calls regarding student absences should be made from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. If no phone call has been received by the school office, students must bring a written statement from parents or guardian to the school office upon returning to school. No student is to attend any class after returning to school until the student has checked at the office window to make sure the absence has been cleared. All notes must be dated and specifically state the days missed. NO NOTE CONSTITUTES TRUANCY. If no note or phone call has been received when the student returns, he/she will begin making up time. It is the parentís and studentís responsibility to clear absences.

4.020 Classified Absences
Return to top
Absences will be categorized as Type A ? Excused, Type B ? Non-Verified. The procedures defined in the following sections (4.021, 4.022, 4.023, 4.024) refer to single period, multiple period or entire day absenteeism.

4.021 Type A:  Excused
Return to top
Not all valid reasons can be listed but, generally, valid reasons for absence include illness, family emergency, funerals, and medical or court appointments.

By law, only authorized school authorities can excuse students from school. School officials will not excuse students even with parent consent for local track meets, i.e. 6th-grade track meet, high school track meets, elementary and rural elementary track meets.

4.022 Type B:  Non-Verified
Return to top
A student who is absent from school without parents notifying the school and without school approval will be classified as non-verified.

4.023 Accumulated Absences
Return to top
The middle school attendance policy allows each student a maximum of ten (10) absences from each class per semester. This limit is not to be considered a grant to be absent in any case where absence is avoidable. All absences, regardless of the purpose for which they occur, will count towards the maximum number ten (10), except absences due to school sponsored activities and students being called to the guidance or principals office. This means that students will not need medical notes for the first ten (10) absences. From the eleventh (11) absence on, medical notes will be needed for the absence to be recorded as excused.

The following procedure will be used to communicate with students and parents:
1. Eighth (8) absence from class during the semester: the office will notify the parent/guardian to verify accumulated absences and state that, at 11 absences the student will be in non-credit status.

2. Eleventh (11) absence from class during the semester: the Assistant Principal will mail a certified letter to the parent/guardian stating the student is in non-credit status for the classes with 11 or more absences.

4.024  Non-Credit Status
Return to top
A student who is absent eleven (11) times or more from a class during a semester will be placed in non-credit status. The student, once in a non-credit status, may have his/her credit reconsidered on the basis of a) having completed all required make-up work and daily assignments satisfactorily, b) having shown regular attendance and c) having acceptable class conduct. If these requirements have been met, the teacher will provide recommendation for grade and credit for the student. The Principal, Assistant Principal and a Counselor will review this recommendation and make the final decision. The Middle School Administration will notify the Box Butte County Attorney of all cases of habitual truancy.

Tardy to Class
Students will be considered tardy to class if they are not in their classroom when the tardy bell rings, unless they have a pass from the teacher who detained them. Specific tardy guidelines once students are in the classroom doorway are at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Students have three minutes between all class changes.

Classroom teachers will assign corrective measures for all tardies, however; students who are consistently tardy will be referred to the office.

4.040 Leaving School
Return to top
Students who must leave school for any reason during the school day must check out at the office before leaving. Students leaving school must be cleared in advance by a note or phone call from parents. Upon returning to school that same day, students are expected to sign in at the office. A sheet will be available on the office counter for this purpose.

Students who leave without permission and without signing out in the proper manner will be considered truant.

4.050 Participation in Activities
Return to top
Students must attend school all day the day of any scheduled school activity in order to participate in the activity, this includes sports contests, practice and dances. Failure to attend on that day will result in a student being withheld from participation in the activity.

The principal retains the right to grant participation should exceptional circumstances prevail.

4.060 Make-Up Work
Return to top
Written make-up work may be assigned for each day missed regardless of the type of absence. If make-up work is not completed students will receive no credit for the work required.

The time each student is allowed will be determined by mutual agreement between the student and teacher. The student has the responsibility to contact teachers, initially, regarding make-up assignments.

Assignment sheets will be sent only for extended absences such as chicken pox, hospitalization, or other prolonged illnesses. No assignment sheets will be sent out until after at least 3 days of absence. If the parent / student has concerns prior to the 3 days they are encouraged to contact the teacher.

Return to Table of Contents