Gess Attendance Policy

GESS ATTENDANCE POLICY

May 2015

At George Elliot Secondary School we believe that success is directly related to work ethic and active participation in classroom activities. We also believe that parent support of regular on time attendance is paramount to the academic success of their child.

Teachers assess students on their on-going involvement, interaction, communication, collaboration with classmates, group work and the timely completion of classroom assignments. For a student to be successful, they must attend class each and every day. The teacher's daily presentation of information provides opportunities for explanations, clarifications, discussions, immediate feedback, and group learning activities that are invaluable components of an effective learning environment.

Absences affect academic achievement. While we recognize the value of some absences (for field trips, athletics, leadership activities, academic competitions etc.), students are still responsible for making up for missed instruction. Each absence results in a lost learning opportunity in the classroom that may not be recreated.

Regular attendance and punctuality is necessary for students to gain the full benefit of the educational instruction. The British Columbia Ministry of Education has established a required number of hours of instruction for Grade 10 to 12 students to qualify for each credit toward high school graduation.

Absenteeism, for any reason, may result in loss of credit for courses affected.

Attendance Protocol

(a)  The attendance policy for George Elliot is publicized on our school website and in the student handbook. It is reviewed by all teachers at the beginning of each semester.

(b)  Attendance will be taken and recorded by each teacher every class and every day.

(c)  If the parent or guardian determines that the student must be absent from school, the parent/guardian must inform the school prior to the scheduled time for that class or no later than one day immediately after the student's return to school.

(d)  In the case of a long term illness, the student absence must be supported by a note from a doctor.

Absences

Student absences are categorized as:

·  Explained

·  Not explained

(a)  Explained absences may include, but are not limited to, field trips, sports trips, special group trips, conferences, suspensions, illness, doctor appointment, etc. Absences are considered explained if they are for an unavoidable situation and are supported by a phone call or note from parent or guardian. Wherever possible, scheduled appointments (doctor, dentist, driving lessons, etc.) should be made outside of school hours.

(b)  An absence that is not explained is considered truancy. Confirmed truancies will result in disciplinary action.

Student Responsibilities

·  Be aware of our Attendance policies, our expectations for attendance, and the repercussions of missed class time.

·  Student will arrive to class on time

·  Student will be prepared with the required materials for the class

·  Student will complete homework/assignments

·  If the student is late, they will check in at the office

·  If the student is sick/absent, they will remind their parents to call the school

·  Upon return to school (or prior to their return where possible) the student will acquire any homework/notes/assignments and will complete any missed assignments or tests as soon as possible and no later than 1 week after returning to school.

·  The student will complete an extended absent form if required

Parent Responsibilities

·  Be aware of our Attendance policies, our expectations for attendance, and the repercussions of missed class time.

·  Ensure their children arrive at school prior to 9:00 am

·  Ensure that their child attends school every instructional day unless a valid reason is provided to the school.

·  Provide the school with an appropriate explanation for the student's absence. This could be a phone call to the absentee line, a letter or a note from a doctor (absences of longer duration).

·  Notify the school of an extended absence well in advance (1 week or more if possible) in order for the teacher to arrange work for the student.

Teacher Responsibilities

·  Monitor each student's attendance

·  Communicate with parents regarding attendance concern

·  Coordinate missed work with Academic Outcome Support (AOS) Coordinator

·  Communicate attendance concerns with administration

·  Recommend student for Success Contract for Attendance

·  Establish class-based consequences for unexplained absences or missed work

Administration Responsibilities

·  Communicate with parents for ongoing or chronic attendance concerns.

·  Manage the Success Contract

·  Meet with at risk students and parents if required

·  Communicate to staff regarding the Success Contract

·  Perform attendance tracking using MyEd.BC/BCeSIS

·  Establish school-based consequences for unexplained absences or missed work

Success Contract for Student Attendance

Students who struggle with their attendance responsibilities will be placed on a contract designed to hold the student accountable for regular and punctual attendance at school. The contract will be a joint agreement between the parent/caregiver, student, teachers and administration. The student will be responsible for checking in with their teachers each and every class to obtain confirmation that they have attended the class.

Administration will perform daily and weekly updates in an effort to improve both student attendance and achievement. Each week, students will get new attendance cards to have signed by each teacher in each class. The student will hand in the attendance card at the end of the day to the office.

Procedures

Absences 1-4 classes per subject (per 4 weeks)

·  The school will notify the parent via our parent call out system to inform of a missed class.

·  Teacher may have a conversation with parents to confirm/inform absence.

·  Teacher will communicate with student regarding missed instruction.

·  Teacher may assign student to Academic Outcome Support (AOS) to complete work missed.

Absences 4-8 classes per subject (per 4 weeks)

·  The school will notify the parent via our parent call out system to inform of missed class.

·  Teacher and/or administration may have a conversation with parents regarding attendance concerns.

·  Teacher may assign student to attend AOS to complete work.

·  Success Contract may be put in place by administration

Absences 8+ per subject (cumulative)

·  The school will notify the parent via our parent call out system to inform of missed class.

·  Administration may have conversations with parents regarding attendance concerns..

·  Student may be placed on Success Contract in order to preserve academic standing.

·  Student may be assigned to AOS to complete work missed due to absence.

·  Continue to monitor the student while on Success Contract.

·  Continued absence has jeopardized student's ability to meet the requirements of the course. The result of not attending class may include removal from course or receiving a failing grade.

·  Continued absenteeism may result in school level consequences.