The School Board of Saint Demetrios Greek-American School Education, in the interest of the educational welfare of its pupils and the integrity of its program, will not grant credit for courses when a pupil has an excess of excused and unexcused absences as defined in this regulation. Pupils are encouraged to provide documentation during the school year for each absence from school.

Definition of Terms:

Late to Homeroom. Any pupil who arrives after the beginning of homeroom but before the end of homeroom. This will not affect pupil attendance and will be handled through the disciplinary process.

Late. Any pupil who arrives after homeroom but before the end of the school day. If a pupil is present less than four hours s/he will be considered absent. If a pupil is present more than four hours s/he will be considered absent against the LRHSD Attendance Policy unless that pupil is present more than four hours and is Late due to a reason defined as Excused.

Early Release. Any pupil who is signed out of school after homeroom but before the end of the school day. If a pupil is present less than four hours s/he will be considered absent. If a pupil is present more than four hours s/he will be considered absent against the LRHSD Attendance Policy unless that pupil is present more than four hours and the Early Release is due to a reason defined as

Excused.

Excused Absence. The following reasons may be considered an Excused Absence upon verification of documentation (documentation should be submitted immediately following an absence – one note per occurrence):

1. Illness (requires an original note from a physician with date and diagnosis, copies will not be accepted)

2. Funeral/Death in family

3. Religious Observances

5. Take Child to Work Day

6. College Visits

7. Court

8. Out of School Suspension or any other form of short-term or long-term suspension.

9. Approved Home Instruction.

10. Exclusion (The Principal may exclude a student due to change of placement or failure to comply with immunization or physician clearance requirements for attendance in a public school.)

Total Days. The number of excused plus unexcused absences from school.

No Credit Status. Requires a student to attend a summer or night school program to be awarded high school credit for completed courses. Any pupil who exceeds 10 unexcused absences will be on No Credit for single semester courses and any pupil who exceeds 20 unexcused absences will be on No Credit for full year courses.

School staff responses for any absence from school:

a. The parent/guardian will receive a phone call the day of the pupil’s absence from school.

b. The phone call shall state the date of the student’s absence.

c. The phone call shall remind the parent/guardian to promptly supply the school with documentation in the event the absence should be Excused.

School staff responses for any Unexcused absence from school:

5 cumulative unexcused absences:

  • A letter will be sent to the parent/guardian warning that the pupil will be on No Credit status for any single semester courses once the pupil reaches 5 cumulative unexcused absences.
  • The letter will remind the parent/guardian to promptly supply the school with documentation in the event that any of the absences should be Excused.

5 cumulative unexcused absences:

  • A letter from the principal will be sent to the parent/guardian stating the pupil is on No Credit status for any single semester courses.
  • The letter will remind the parent/guardian to promptly supply the school with documentation in the event that any of the absences should be Excused.
  • The school in conjunction with the parent will develop an action plan designed to address patterns of unexcused absences and to have the pupil return to school and maintain regular attendance.

5 consecutive unexcused absences:

  • The school shall investigate the absences by contacting the parent. If the investigation leads the school to have reasonable cause the student has been abused or neglected, the counselor shall contact the DYFS Services.

10 cumulative unexcused absences:

  • A letter from the principal will be sent to the parent/guardian warning that the pupil will be on No Credit status for any full year courses as well as single semester courses once the pupil reaches 10 cumulative unexcused absences.
  • The letter will remind the parent/guardian to promptly supply the school with documentation in the event that any of the absences should be Excused.
  • The revised action plan may include any of the following:

1. Referral to the counselor.

2. Conduct testing, assessments or evaluations of the pupil’s academic, behavioral and health needs, and

3. Consider alternate educational placement.

10 cumulative unexcused absences:

  • Letter from the principal will be sent via certified mail.
  • The parents must have a mandatory meeting with the principal.
  • 2. The pupil is required to resume regular attendance.
  • 3. The pupil is on No Credit status for any full year courses as well as single semester courses.
  • A mandatory referral to the counselor.
  • b. The counselor, in conjunction with the parent, will evaluate the appropriateness of the action plan developed as a result of 5 cumulative unexcused absences. The counselor and parent will continue to consult with the involved agencies to support the student’s return to school and regular attendance.

10 consecutive absences:

A letter from the principal will be sent via certified mail to students under 16 years of age and regular mail to all students stipulating:

  • The parents must have a mandatory meeting with the principal within 5 school days.
  • The pupil is required to return back to school immediately.
  • There will be a mandatory referral to DYFS
  • A mandatory referral to the building’s counselor and clergy.
  • The counselor will continue to consult with the parent and the involved agencies to support the student’s return to school and regular attendance.

School staff response for Excessive Absences:

  • Any pupil who reaches 20 total days absent:
  • A letter from the principal will be sent via certified mail to students under 16 years of age and regular mail to all students stipulating:
  • The parents must have a mandatory meeting with the principal within 5 school days.
  • A warning that if the pupil reaches an excess of 20 total days absent then Credit Completion will be mandatory for a minimum of 1 week.
  • Verification of medical excuses by the school nurse.
  • Any pupil who reaches 20 total days absent will be sent a letter from the principal stipulating:
  • Credit Completion is required to attend night and or summer school.